Today， various industrial processes require large quantities of gaseous nitrogen. Sourcing sufficient quantities of the gas is therefore a key challenge for process managers/operators. Nitrogen can either be generated on site or supplied to an industrial site from an external source. This article will discuss the various options available to operators who use nitrogen in their processes.

Types of nitrogen generators

There are three main types of nitrogen generation systems available for the production of large quantities of gas

Variable Pressure Adsorption (VPS)

Membrane nitrogen generators

Fractional distillation

PSA Nitrogen Systems

This type of nitrogen system uses the principle of differential separation of gases as they flow through the adsorbent material to achieve nitrogen production. As the gas mixture (usually air) passes through the specialised adsorbent material， the individual gases are separated according to their molecular properties.

Variable pressure adsorption (PSA) technology is a two-stage process of adsorption and desorption.

Adsorption

This is the first stage of the PSA nitrogen production process. It involves the use of carbon molecular sieve material housed in two adsorption columns to selectively retain the oxygen in the air mixture while allowing the nitrogen to pass through a collection unit.

Desorption

The desorption process is essentially a reversal of the adsorption process， allowing the regeneration of the molecular sieve material for the next round of separation. The oxygen captured by the sieve is released in preparation for a new round of gas filtration.

As mentioned earlier， the PSA system contains two adsorption columns. These alternate between adsorption and desorption， with the whole process taking an average of 60 seconds.

Membrane nitrogen generators

This technology is based on the selective permeability of the different gases as they pass through the semi-permeable membrane. The various gases possess unique physical properties that affect their rate of movement through the semi-permeable medium and their absorption rate. The membranes used for nitrogen production are made up of hollow fibres， increasing their surface area and allowing for faster absorption rates.

The key components of a membrane nitrogen generator are listed below.

Feed filter agglomerator

Activated carbon filter

Particulate filter

Immersion heater

Staged distillation

This nitrogen system uses a gas unit that distills the air to produce a very high purity gas (99.999%). The air is first sub-cooled to its liquefaction point and then its component gases are distilled in order of boiling point.

Alternatives to nitrogen generators

In addition to the methods of generating nitrogen on site mentioned earlier in this article， the production process using nitrogen can be supplied in the quantities required through external supply routes. Three common alternatives to nitrogen generators are the use of gas cylinders， nitrogen dewars and bulk tanks.

Nitrogen cylinders

Nitrogen for industrial use usually needs to be available in pressurised form. Nitrogen cylinders supplied by an external supplier are a viable， but costly， alternative to on-site gas production. In addition to the recurring costs of procuring nitrogen cylinders， this method has other disadvantages， including

Safety hazards associated with the transportation， storage and handling of high pressure cylinders. The potential for various mechanical injuries at any time the cylinders are in use.

Gas wastage is common due to the impossibility of emptying cylinders. There is always a certain amount of gas remaining in "empty" cylinders， even though the facility operator pays the full cost of the cylinders.

Finally， supply chain disruptions affecting cylinder deliveries can lead to expensive workflow standstills.

Nitrogen Dewar Tanks

Dewar tanks are large stainless steel tanks that can be used to deliver large quantities of gaseous nitrogen to industrial sites. Although they can be used to deliver large quantities of gas quickly， they possess similar disadvantages to the use of gas cylinders. In addition， degassing， i.e. the conversion of liquid nitrogen into a gas and its dissipation， discourages the storage of gas in Dewar tanks.

Bulk Nitrogen Tanks

Bulk nitrogen tanks can be installed on site to provide a continuous supply of gas; however， they come at a cost. As the name implies， they are bulky structures that consume valuable industrial floor space. In addition， degassing is a challenge with the use of Dewar tanks. The cost of procurement， installation and maintenance may make them unsuitable for some applications.

The benefits of an on-site nitrogen system from Suzhou XITE Gases

After careful consideration of the nitrogen production methods available for industrial use， on-site nitrogen production becomes the most economical strategy.

Suzhou XITE Gas offers the best on-site nitrogen service for your nitrogen needs. The main benefits of utilising nitrogen generators from Suzhou XITE Gases are outlined below.

Cost-effective

Using a Suzhou XITE Gas nitrogen generator allows the operator to eliminate the recurring costs of renting nitrogen cylinders. Suzhou Hiit Gases nitrogen generators also save on potential waste as only the required amount of gas is produced and utilised at any one time. Finally， we offer a cost-effective manufacturing service that guarantees to optimise your nitrogen generation process.

Time savings

With our nitrogen generators， the risk of downtime due to interruptions in the nitrogen supply using cylinders， dewars or bulk tanks is eliminated.

Reliability and safety

Advantages of owning a field nitrogen generator (nitrogen generator):

Before using the nitrogen generation system on site, many enterprises in the industry have no choice but to buy nitrogen elsewhere. However, the use of on-site nitrogen generator can eliminate all the troubles related to bulk purchase of nitrogen. Our nitrogen generator is an option with the greatest benefit: the average cost of producing nitrogen by ourselves is one-third to one-half lower than the relevant cost of purchasing nitrogen. Using the on-site nitrogen generator system, there is no need to pay the freight when purchasing nitrogen. Our nitrogen generator system usually allows you to recover the cost within 18 months.

In addition to economy, the nitrogen generator system of the on-site nitrogen generator also provides:

Reliability - the nitrogen generator system, that is, the on-site nitrogen generator system, uses the surrounding air to generate nitrogen. Therefore, our customers never have to worry about the shortage of nitrogen. Reduce stress - improve safety through storage. Simple - we make it easy for people without relevant equipment experience. The visual touch screen control can control the stability of gas purity. At the same time, it can operate self diagnosis, visual operation diagram and maintenance plan reminder on the screen. Flexibility - our equipment is small and can be transported under various conditions, so as long as there is air and electricity, the equipment can operate stably anywhere. Fully automatic - once a downstream request is detected, production begins.

Why use XITE nitrogen generator?   Our nitrogen generator system provides reliable on-site nitrogen supply for various industries, which is famous in China and Southeast Asia. Our on-site nitrogen system can produce nitrogen with purity up to 99.999%. For our nitrogen generator, it can meet the nitrogen production in any place and any complex environment. To learn more about the nitrogen generator system and the practical application demand scheme in your industry, please contact us immediately at + 86 18112526805 (consultant).