Generation of Nitrogen in house reduce the overall cost
1. A nitrogen generator is a stationary or mobile piece of machinery used to
separate nitrogen gas from atmospheric air. The vast majority of on-site
nitrogen generation systems utilized in industries fall into two broad
categories:
•Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) nitrogen generators
•Membrane nitrogen generators
2. Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) nitrogen generators:-
The working principle of a PSA nitrogen generator is that under high
pressures, nitrogen gas exhibits a strong affinity for adsorbent media such as
Zeolite or Granular activated carbon (GAC). Moreover, various gases can be
absorbed from a mixture at different rates, depending on the amount of
pressure applied. When the pressure is lowered, the gas is desorbed.
A typical PSA generator set-up comprises two towers – one for absorption
and the other for regeneration. Air coming from a compressor enters the
absorption tower and contacts the adsorbent which inhibits the nitrogen gas
and allows oxygen, carbon dioxide, water molecules, and impurities to pass
through. To recover the absorbed N2, we simply reduce the pressure. At any
given time, while the adsorption tower is separating the gas, the other is in
regeneration mode.
Nitrogen purity using the PSA technique can be up to 99.999%, depending on
the efficiency of the adsorbent and reliability of the overall system.
4. Membrane nitrogen generators:-
Nitrogen membrane technology is another efficient alternative to PSA nitrogen systems. It utilizes a high-selectivity membrane for nitrogen gas
separation. The material is a semi-permeable layer made of thousands of flexible, cylindrical filaments with pore sizes ranging from 0.03 to 10 microns.
To separate nitrogen gas, dry, compressed air is applied over the material which is housed in a cylindrical vessel (it is essential to use dehumidified air
to prevent clogging of the membrane fibers). The membrane allows N2 to pass through but inhibits oxygen, water vapor, inert gases, and air-borne
impurities. The selectivity of the membranes is highly dependent on pore size. Membrane type nitrogen generators can generate nitrogen gas with
purities up to 99.95% per volume.
5. Nitrogen purity vs Nitrogen production rates of various nitrogen generation methods:-
6. 1.Low long-term operating cost: cutting out the repeating
operating costs of tank rental, delivery, and administration
adds up to big long term savings. These savings multiply for
more intensive N2 requirements.
2.No supply constraints: A membrane Nitrogen generator
only requires a line of compressed uses the ambient air to
complete its process supply a continuous flow of pure
Nitrogen gas. It does not need to be plugged into an electric
power supply.
3.Adjustable purity and flow rate: Control the flow rate
and purity of the nitrogen rests to fit your specific
application needs.
4.Compact and portable: A nitrogen generator has a
small, unchanging footprint—its slim tower design takes up
less floor space than a set of canisters.
5.Low maintenance: It takes no reloading or moving
around—it’s a one-and-done kind of device until it needs a
filter change in about 5-10 years.
6.Efficient: Every drop of the nitrogen it produces can be
used—no more almost-empty tanks
Benefits of nitrogen generators:-
