Nitrogen generation systems are used in several industries around the world, from aerospace and engineering to food packaging and more. After all, for companies that require a large volume of nitrogen for storage, production or transportation applications, it is far more reliable and cost-effective to generate nitrogen on-site than it is to buy it in bulk from a third-party supplier. Take advantage of this freely available resource with your very own on-site nitrogen generator. If you are considering making the switch to nitrogen generation, seek expert advice from the professionals at Compressed Gas Technologies Inc. We can make sure you get the right nitrogen generator for your business, by helping you determine your specific needs in relation to things like applications and level of use.
You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.
Details to Consider
One of the many benefits of nitrogen generators is that they come in a wide range of sizes and models. That means you can find the perfect system that is suitable for your current and future needs, without having to accommodate your requirements based on what is available on the market. Beyond examining the cost of nitrogen, here are a few details you need to consider that will help you select the right nitrogen generator for your business:
- Level of Nitrogen Usage: If you purchase a nitrogen generator that is too big for your specific requirements, it could end up costing you money you didn’t need to spend. Conversely, if your usage far exceeds the capacity of your nitrogen generation system, then you may experience problems and slowdowns with your production line. Therefore, it is important to determine what levels of nitrogen usage your daily operations require to help you make the most informed decision.
- Purity Requirements: Some applications require higher purity levels than others. For instance, it is especially important for industries such as food packaging, to have an end product that contains as little to no oxygen as possible. Membrane technology and Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology are two ways to generate nitrogen on-site. While each system shares the same goal, Membrane nitrogen generators are generally used in applications that require a purity level that is below 99.5%. Conversely, PSA nitrogen generators are more commonly used where applications require purity levels to be higher than 99.5%.
- Space Allocation: In order to install a nitrogen generator, you will need to find the appropriate space within your facility to accommodate the equipment. Figuring out the size of the system you require, will help you determine how much space you need. Fortunately, our technical experts can assess your site and help you decide what type of system will best fit within your limitations while also making sure it meets your exact needs.
- Nitrogen Generator Cost: While there may be an upfront cost for nitrogen generation products, investing in a system now means that your facility will have a guaranteed gas supply which will lead to massive savings over time. Typically, businesses can see a return on investment between 6-18 months. Depending on certain factors including the size of your operation and what type of system you select, prices will vary. Contact us for a quick and reliable estimate today.
Find Membrane and PSA Nitrogen Generators for Your Business at Compressed Gas Technologies Inc
When shopping for your nitrogen generator, it’s important to have these details outlined and ready so that the technical experts from Compressed Gas Technologies Inc can help you make the right choice. We are dedicated to working closely with you to perform a thorough analysis of your nitrogen requirements, in addition to evaluating your unique operating process. Our Membrane and PSA nitrogen generators can help improve your productivity and integrate new technologies that are both sustainable and cost-efficient. Our goal is not only to provide our clients with guaranteed quality nitrogen generation products but also to ensure you choose the correct nitrogen generator and ancillary equipment for your current and future needs.
A laboratory nitrogen generator is a machine that is able to separate nitrogen molecules from the air around it by using a compressed air source. By removing the vast majority of oxygen molecules and other impurities from an air source, these machines are able to produce high purity or ultra-high purity nitrogen gas needed to run a variety of different laboratory applications and instruments.
There are many applications that require a lab to use a nitrogen gas generator, with LC-MS, GC, ICP, ELSD, and sample preparation/blowdown evaporation being the most common. Each application will have specific nitrogen requirements (flow rate, purity level, etc.) which will determine the exact type of N2 generator needed by the lab.
N2 gas generators aren’t the only way labs are able to obtain nitrogen. Let’s get into some other common sources, and discuss when they may be a better fit.
Although nitrogen generators are a must-have for many laboratories, there are some instances where they just don’t make sense. Some labs may have a nitrogen consumption rate that is just too high for a generator to meet. On the other hand, some may require such a low amount of gas that the purchase of a generator can’t be justified.
So what are the common nitrogen gas sources for labs and who should be using each?
Ordering nitrogen gas from a third party vendor and having it delivered to your facility in tanks, cylinders, or Dewars is a great option for labs who have a very low or sporadic need for nitrogen. It’s a convenient way to get a small amount of N2 gas which may only be needed for a single project, without committing to the purchase of a new piece of equipment.
The technology behind membrane-based nitrogen generators is…you guessed it…a membrane. This type of generator contains a series of narrow, semi-permeable fibers located in a porous membrane. As compressed air is passed through, some gas molecules such as oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor are able to permeate the fibers quite easily and are vented off, while nitrogen molecules pass through much slower. This results in a high purity nitrogen stream (95-99% purity) from the membrane outlet.
Continue reading here for a more in-depth explanation on how membrane nitrogen generators work.
Organomation’s NITRO-GEN is a popular membrane-based N2 generator for sample preparation that is used by analytical laboratories worldwide. Producing up to 20 L/min at up to 99% purity, this lightweight generator is suitable for those using blowdown evaporation for solvent concentration. Find out how the NITRO-GEN supplies high purity nitrogen for a sample concentrator.
PSA generators work by using two columns of tightly packed material called Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS). Compressed air will pass through one CMS column, which will adsorb all oxygen, water vapor and other molecules, while allowing nitrogen to pass through and be stored in an accumulation tank. Once one sieve becomes saturated, compressed air will be diverted to the second CMS column, allowing the first one to depressurize, releasing all adsorbed impurities through an outlet. This process repeats over and over, leaving behind N2 gas with a 98-99.999% purity.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website RICH.
Continue reading here for a more in-depth explanation on how PSA technology works.
As this technology tends to produce a slightly higher purity and flow rate than with membranes, PSA generators are a great choice for both sample preparation and LC-MS applications. The NITRO-GEN+ is an affordable PSA generation solution that is able to produce up to 35 L/min, meeting all your sample prep and analytical needs. Find out how the NITRO-GEN+ can be your laboratory’s all-in-one nitrogen generation solution.
For more information on the pros and cons of each generator type, go to "which generator technology is right for me?"
Although seen as the popular and “traditional” nitrogen generation solution by many, the process of purchasing N2 tanks is quite pricey, especially for those consuming gas on a weekly or daily basis. There are many associated costs with tank-based solutions including the cost of the actual nitrogen, tank rentals, and required delivery. Let’s take a look at how much one analytical lab could be spending on tanks in just one year.
** This example uses estimated pricing. Your actual costs may vary.
A typical nitrogen tank costs around $50. It’s also common for vendors to charge a monthly rental fee, which is often around $20 each month, per individual cylinder. On top of that, you’ll be charged for delivery – for this example, let’s say the lab orders their tanks locally and it only costs them $25 per delivery.
Now, let’s estimate the nitrogen consumption for this particular lab. Let’s say they need 30 L/min of nitrogen for 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. That equals 36,000 liters of nitrogen per week, or about 5 cylinders. Over the course of a whole year, that’s nearing 2 million liters and over 250 nitrogen cylinders.
In just one year, this lab would be spending over $18,000 in nitrogen tanks alone! For most, this just isn’t feasible.
Acquiring a generator and producing your own nitrogen is a sure way to cut back on these extensive costs. Laboratory generators that are able to produce moderate flow rates and purity levels can range anywhere from $5,000 to $40,000. This one-time payment plus any required maintenance are the only things you have to take care of. No more worrying about rental costs, delivery costs, or wondering why the price of tanks has suddenly increased.
Depending on a lab’s nitrogen consumption levels, the payback period on a N2 generator could be as little as 1-3 years.
Determine how long it would take your lab to pay off a generator by using this simple nitrogen generator payback period calculator, and see how much you could be saving.
Let’s say you’re in the middle of concentrating down some analytical samples using a nitrogen dryer, and your nitrogen tank has just run out. You’re forced to stop the evaporation process, disconnect the empty tank, move it aside, bring in a new tank, recalibrate it, and hook it up to the evaporator. All the while your samples are sitting in the open air with the risk of oxidizing or otherwise becoming contaminated. With the constant gas supply a N2 generator provides, you’ll never have to worry about this happening.
For more PSA Nitrogen Plant Manufacturerinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.