Understanding Nitrogen Generators

Nitrogen gas generators provide a continuous supply of pure nitrogen for various industries and applications. An on-site nitrogen generator and high-quality, well-maintained air compressor can significantly boost your company’s productivity and efficiency, reduce downtime and enhance safety.

What Is a Nitrogen Generator?

A nitrogen generator provides a continuous, on-site supply of pure nitrogen to maintain quality and safety in various industries. An on-site nitrogen generator enables you to access nitrogen without ordering traditional nitrogen cylinders to replenish your supply. You can maintain product quality much more efficiently with a nitrogen generator than with nitrogen tank deliveries.

On-site nitrogen generation is essential if you rely on a constant stream of nitrogen for daily operations, require a specific nitrogen purity level or operate your business in a remote location.

How Nitrogen Generators Work

Nitrogen generators remove elements such as carbon dioxide and oxygen from compressed air to produce pure nitrogen. Consider how the following types of nitrogen generators work:

Pressure Swing Absorption Nitrogen Generator

A pressure swing absorption (PSA) nitrogen generator utilizes two columns containing a carbon molecular sieve (CMS). Pore-sized CMS inside the columns traps smaller compounds, such as carbon dioxide and oxygen, to separate them from the larger nitrogen molecules.

As compressed air enters one CMS column, it absorbs oxygen at the CMS pore. The other tank desorbs oxygen to regenerate the air for the next round. The nitrogen generator switches the columns’ functions between absorption and desorption to facilitate semi-permanent use. A PSA nitrogen generator offers the following advantages:

• High nitrogen purity
• Analysis results reliability due to the minimized presence of contaminants that could skew data
• Semi-permanent use enabled by the regeneration system

Membrane-Type Nitrogen Generator

A membrane-type nitrogen generator uses a membrane containing hollow porous fiber to separate nitrogen from compressed air. As the compressed air flows through the membrane, a wall of fibers separates gas molecules from the air based on diffusion rates. Carbon dioxide and oxygen can quickly permeate through the membrane wall, but the column retains nitrogen and enables it to flow through since it’s slower.

A membrane-type nitrogen generator is known for the following benefits:

• Compact design
• Quiet operation
• Low maintenance

Compressors and Their Role in Nitrogen Generation

Clean compressed air is vital for efficient nitrogen generation because contaminated air intake can result in low nitrogen purity. Removing dust, particles and moisture from the ambient air before it enters a nitrogen generator is essential for maintaining efficient nitrogen purification and industrial processes. The following can help you ensure quality air compression and reliable nitrogen production:

Air Filtration

High-quality air compressor dryers and filters remove contaminants from the air entering your compressor, so your generator receives clean air. The cleaner the compressed air, the higher the nitrogen purity your generator can achieve. Air filtration can also eliminate moisture to further decontaminate compressed air.

Air Compressor Maintenance and Inspection

Industrial air compressors require routine system inspections and preventive maintenance to ensure they deliver clean compressed air to your nitrogen generator. Regular inspections and maintenance help you detect and address potential complications early so you can avoid emergency repairs, maintain a reliable compressed air supply and increase system uptime.

Benefits of On-Site Nitrogen Generators

Replacing your nitrogen tank deliveries with an on-site nitrogen generator offers the following advantages:

1. Cost Savings

On-site nitrogen generation is more cost-efficient than nitrogen tank deliveries because it eliminates recurring costs such as delivery charges, administrative costs and tank rental fees. Nitrogen tanks can also lose nitrogen during transport, so using an on-site generator provides more nitrogen for your money than recurring tank orders do.

2. Reduced Downtime and Higher Productivity

Your nitrogen supply is more steady and reliable when you use an on-site generator. On-site generation is more predictable because you can track and control how much nitrogen you produce in a day, helping you keep operations on schedule rather than waiting for late deliveries. On-site generation also eliminates the need to order nitrogen, giving you more time to focus on your operations and boost productivity.

3. Enhanced Safety

Gas delivery companies transport nitrogen in liquid form or at high pressures, which can cause hazardous spills or leaks. An on-site gas generator eliminates the need to handle gas cylinders, making it easier for you and your team to maintain safety. Replacing your cylinder deliveries with a generator helps you prevent serious accidents and injuries such as frostbite, cold burns, permanent eye damage, asphyxiation, explosions and death.

4. Improved Environmental Impact

You can reduce your company’s carbon footprint by using an on-site nitrogen generator instead of delivery services. Delivery companies consume a significant amount of energy by pressurizing nitrogen or turning it into a liquid for transport, and using on-site generation eliminates the need for this process.

5. Ability to Meet Specific Needs

On-site nitrogen generation enables you to control purity levels based on your industry applications and specific needs. While some industrial processes can tolerate slight oxygen contamination, many applications require significantly high nitrogen purity to prevent safety risks and product defects.

Nitrogen Generation Applications

Nitrogen generators benefit numerous industries and applications, such as the following:

• Food and beverage: The food and beverage industry relies on nitrogen generation to displace oxygen in food containers, preserving freshness and preventing spoilage.
• Electronics manufacturing: Nitrogen protects sensitive electronic components during product assembly and testing.
• Pharmaceuticals: The pharmaceutical industry uses nitrogen for inerting, blanketing and sparging. Its main purpose is to reduce oxygen and moisture in drug packaging to increase product efficacy stability and extend shelf life.
• Medical: Nitrogen helps the medical industry maintain sterility in various processes and equipment.
• Oil and gas: The oil and gas industry uses nitrogen to prevent oxygen exposure and unsafe reactions when purging pipelines and tanks. This gas displaces flammable gases to prevent explosions and fires.
• Chemical processing: Nitrogen also prevents explosions and fires by lowering oxygen levels during chemical vat and tank blanketing processes.
• Power plants: Nitrogen helps purge and blanket treated water for power plant processes.
• Printing: Printers often use nitrogen to dry materials or prevent oxygen contamination during film separation and production.
• Laser cutting: Nitrogen prevents material oxidation during laser cutting processes.

Why Trust Us for Compressed Air Solutions?

At C.H. Reed Inc., we help businesses of all sizes and industries increase efficiency and sustainability. We offer several on-site nitrogen generation systems from brands like Pneumatech and Nano, as well as a wide range of compressed air systems and services. Our compressed air solutions increase productivity, product quality and efficiency in your processes, providing your nitrogen generator with a reliable compressed air supply.

With decades of experience, our experts provide tailored solutions to meet your specific needs through the following products and services:

• Compressed air equipment analysis, diagnosis and design
• Preventive maintenance programs
• Surveys and audits
• Remote system monitoring
• Leak detection
• 24/7 emergency service and repair
• Air quality testing
• Warranties
• Rentals
• And more!

As one of the mid-Atlantic region’s leading compressed air equipment service provider and industrial supplier, we increase equipment reliability and meet your compressed air goals. We use the latest technological advancements from top brands like Quincy Compressor and Chicago Pneumatic to solve the compressed air challenges that today’s manufacturers face. You can depend on our industry knowledge and expertise to keep your air compressor in top shape for reliable nitrogen generation, smooth operations and reduced downtime.

Achieve Dependable Nitrogen Generation and Compressed Air With C.H. Reed

Compressed air is crucial for efficient on-site nitrogen generation. Along with our on-site nitrogen generation solutions, we also offer industry-leading compressed air systems and services to provide your nitrogen generator with clean, pressurized air. Our industry experts tailor solutions to meet your company’s unique needs, from preventive maintenance plans, to aftermarket replacement parts, 24/7 emergency repair services, to new unit sales and installation.

Contact us today to learn more about our nitrogen generation packages, compressed air system equipment, and top-of-the-line maintenance services!