Everyone has a few basic questions about on-site nitrogen gas generation. Let’s answer some FAQs to help you get quick and useful information, especially if you’re wondering how the technology works and if it’s suited to your operation.

What is nitrogen gas generation?

Generating nitrogen gas on site at your facility is a proven, cost-effective alternative to purchasing nitrogen from a delivery service.

A generation system captures the nitrogen molecules from the air while disposing of the oxygen and trace gases. It reliably provides nitrogen on-demand, when and where you need it.

Can I purchase a system “off the shelf?”

Your system should be professionally engineered to suit the requirements of your unique industrial application.

Choose a provider with expertise in bringing together the exact right set of components to build a custom system that works for your circumstances and current and future needs. Designing and sizing a system correctly is paramount. If undersized, your system will suffer from failures and downtime. If oversized, you’ll invest more than necessary in the purchase and ongoing operation.

How does the technology work?

The air we breathe contains 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and some other trace gases.

We achieve on-site nitrogen gas generation by mechanically filtering the oxygen, separating it from the nitrogen we need. We do this through either pressure swing adsorption (PSA) or membrane separation technology.

In the PSA method, nitrogen is adsorbed out of the air with a carbon molecular sieve. “Adsorb” means the oxygen and trace gas molecules adhere to the surface of the sieve; they are not absorbed. The larger nitrogen molecules pass through, and we’re left with pure nitrogen gas.

When we use selective permeation, we force the compressed air through thousands of tiny porous tubes to separate the nitrogen molecules from the oxygen and other trace gases.

What determines a user’s choice of technology?

Your technology choice will depend on the purity and flow rate required for your application. Higher purity means more oxygen is removed. In the food industry, where nitrogen gas is used for packaging and storage, a lower level of purity is generally required. In the electronics industry, where nitrogen gas is used when working on sensitive components during manufacturing, higher purity is required. Ultimately, the choice is based on the acceptable level of oxidation.

How do I know if investing in nitrogen gas generation is right for me?

When we get an inquiry at Purity Gas, we work with you to determine if a system is right for you. Factors include how much nitrogen gas you use now and expect to use in the future, as well as your budget.

Following that step, customers who are particularly data-driven appreciate having a thorough, professional analysis of their current nitrogen gas use. We’ll study your operation on site, and you’ll receive a report along with a recommended system design and quote.

Over the years, as we’ve built our customer base, we’ve collected plenty of data about purity required for different applications. The purity level required affects the price of a system – higher purity means a bigger investment. Our testing and expertise will help you understand the level of purity you actually need.

How do I maintain a system after installation?

Your nitrogen gas generation system requires regular maintenance to ensure safe operation, optimal performance, and a long life. We recommend you invest in professional services to have consistent, on-site access to the experts who built and understand your system. We also work with local vendors who have maintenance specialists who employ best practices for servicing equipment and can perform routine upkeep.

Ready to learn more? Contact us, or start with our free assessment to get a clear picture of your usage and needs, as well as potential ROI and carbon footprint reduction.