Nitrogen makes up roughly 78% of Earth’s atmosphere and is one of the most readily available gasses. At Air Handling Equipment, we believe receiving nitrogen for your operations should be as readily available as the gas itself.
On-site nitrogen generators capture and convert nitrogen from the atmosphere, eliminating the need for traditional delivery methods that can be costly and less efficient. They use advanced technology to ensure a steady, reliable source of nitrogen gas whenever and wherever you need it.
Two of the most common nitrogen generator types are Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) and Membrane. In this blog, we’ll discuss your options and explore which could be best for your industry.
Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Nitrogen Generators
Pressure Swing Adsorption works by separating nitrogen from compressed air. When air is pressurized and passed through a carbon molecular sieve (CMS), oxygen and other impurities are absorbed, while nitrogen passes through as a purified product gas. When the sieve reaches its adsorption capacity, the system depressurizes and the adsorbed gasses are released, or ‘desorbed,’ so the system is ready for another cycle.
Industries that rely on large amounts of nitrogen or require particularly high purity levels often choose PSA generators. PSA generators use a twin tower design to reach up to 99.999% purity. They are ideal for the food packaging industry, where nitrogen preserves freshness by displacing oxygen in packaging, and the electronics manufacturing industry, where nitrogen prevents oxidation during soldering.
To learn more about PSA Nitrogen Generators, view the Gardner Denver GDN2 On-Site Nitrogen Generator Brochure.
Membrane Nitrogen Generators
Membrane nitrogen generators direct pre-treated, compressed air through thousands of hollow tubes in a separation membrane.
Due to the differential permeation rates, smaller gas molecules, like oxygen, water vapor, and carbon dioxide, permeate through the walls of the fibers much more quickly than nitrogen molecules. As those smaller molecules exit through the sides of the fibers, they are vented out of the system. Nitrogen, being larger and permeating the membrane more slowly, remains primarily within the hollow fibers and passes through the length of the membrane. Nitrogen stream collects from the end of the module and is stored for use. Pressure and flow rates can be adjusted to produce nitrogen at desired purity levels.
Membrane nitrogen generators are well-suited for applications that don’t require ultra-high purity nitrogen. They typically produce nitrogen with purities up to 99.5% and offer low energy costs and simplicity. They are ideal for industries like oil and gas, where nitrogen is used to maintain pressure in wells or pipelines, and fire prevention, where it helps maintain a safe environment.
To learn more about Membrane Nitrogen Generators and additional PSA options, view the Gardner Denver XGN2 On-Site Nitrogen Generator Brochure.
Benefits of On-Site Nitrogen Generators
Choosing an on-site nitrogen generator over tank deliveries provides several benefits:
Cost Efficiency: Buying nitrogen cylinders or tanks can be costly over time. On-site generators reduce the need to order, refill, and deliver nitrogen tanks.
Continuous Supply: Generators ensure a constant, reliable flow of nitrogen. No need to worry about running out of supply or delivery delays.
Space Saving: By not storing bulky cylinders, you’ll save more space in operational areas.
Safety: On-site generation is safer as it eliminates handling high-pressure cylinders and the risks associated with their transport and storage.
Custom Skid Nitrogen Generators from Air Handling Equipment
The choice between PSA and membrane often depends on your industry’s specific needs, such as desired purity, flow rate, and operational costs.
Air Handling Equipment offers in-stock, pre-assembled, and custom-designed nitrogen generator skid packages. Our team is committed to providing solutions tailored to your operational needs and budget constraints. Whether you are looking to equip a large industrial facility or a smaller workshop, we offer the expertise and technology to ensure you have the most effective and efficient compressed air and nitrogen systems.
We partner with the Gardner Denver brand of nitrogen generators to provide:
- 99.9% to 99.999% nitrogen purity systems
- Pressure swing or membrane options
- Oxygen level sensors for instant purity level monitoring
- Skid-mounted packages that include buffer and nitrogen tanks for ease of installation
- High-pressure booster packages
- Systems that meet laser, food, blanketing, and pharmaceutical industry standards
Contact us or call one of our three locations to learn more about on-site nitrogen generators or custom skid packages.
With office locations in Sidney, Loveland, and Gahanna, Air Handling Equipment has provided compressed air system solutions to the Midwestern and Southern Ohio markets since 1977. This includes proudly serving the greater Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Lima, and Findlay, Ohio areas. For questions about our selection of air compressors, call one of our locations or fill out our online contact form, and someone from our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
