On-Site Nitrogen Generation

Its Benefits And Applications

• What are the different applications of nitrogen, and which industries depend on it?
• What is on-site nitrogen generation?
• Who benefits from on-site nitrogen generation?

What Are The Different Applications Of Nitrogen, And Which Industries Depend On It?

Nitrogen is an indispensable commodity for an extensive range of industries and applications. Here are a few examples of its industrial applications…

• Nitrogen is vital for the production of fertilisers in the agricultural industry, as it’s a crucial ingredient for plant growth.
• In the food and beverage packaging industry, nitrogen is used as an inert gas for food packaging and preserving items. This is because it is used to displace oxygen, which prevents oxidation and food spoilage.
• Another application is producing chemical feedstock. Nitrogen is the primary component for producing ammonia, which is used to make chemical fertilisers, nylon, dyes, nitric acid and explosives. During chemical manufacturing processes, nitrogen also acts as a carrier and inerting gas, which helps to create a safe environment.
• Nitrogen is also used in the oil and gas industry for blanketing tanks and purging lines.
• During pharmaceutical production, nitrogen is used to prevent oxidation and contamination.
• During wastewater treatment processes, nitrogen is used to displace oxygen and prevent the formation of dangerous gases.

Other industries that rely on nitrogen are the electronics industry, which uses nitrogen to prevent oxidation, and the cryogenics sector, where liquid nitrogen is used for a variety of applications. Nitrogen can also be used for stainless steel manufacturing and other metal treatment processes, laser cutting, and fire suppression systems, among other applications.

What Is On-Site Nitrogen Generation?

On-site nitrogen generation involves producing nitrogen gas directly at a facility rather than relying on delivered nitrogen cylinders or bulk liquid tanks. Compressed air enters the nitrogen generator, which utilises either Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA technology), which uses a carbon molecular sieve or membrane technology that uses polymer fibres to separate nitrogen from the air, as well as other gases, such as oxygen. The nitrogen gas is then filtered and purified to meet the required nitrogen purity levels for your applications. Finally, it can be distributed through a pipework system in your facility and be delivered to where it is needed, reducing the need for reliance on external deliveries, which are costly and may be delayed. This is only one of the benefits of on-site nitrogen generation.

By producing your nitrogen on-site at your facility, you can also experience enhanced productivity and efficiency with a 24/7 nitrogen supply that prevents production interruptions. Opting for nitrogen gas generators also means that you can benefit from improved site safety, as liquid nitrogen tanks carry with them a lot of risks, including explosive decompression, leaks and heavy manual handling to relocate them. Nitrogen gas has a much lower pressure than liquid nitrogen, making it safer to use. Whether you’re using a membrane nitrogen generator or PSA nitrogen generators, on-site generation also promotes reduced wastage. This is because, when returning gas cylinders to suppliers, around 10% of their actual content is being returned, due to falling pressures and impurities.

Who Benefits From On-Site Nitrogen Generation?

Most, if not all, of the industries and applications listed above will benefit from on-site nitrogen generation. If you’re unsure about whether you’re applications would benefit from on-site nitrogen generation, please give us a call on 01536 403808 for more information. If you do require a continuous supply of high pressure, high purity nitrogen that also offers cost savings, Aircare may be the on-site generator supplier for you. To take a look at our range of PSA nitrogen generators, please click here.

From design and installation to system maintenance and monitoring, Aircare offers the complete compressed air package! Interested in any of our on-site nitrogen generators? Why not give us a call and partner with our team today? For more information on any of our solutions or to arrange an appointment, please call 01536 403808 or email us at sales@aircarecompressors.co.uk. Alternatively, you can click here to contact us, and one of our team will be happy to help and answer any questions or queries you may have!