What is the Importance of Nitrogen to Manufacturing and N2 Technology?

Nitrogen is one of the most accessible and prevalent inert gases. It has become known as one of the most dependable resources in manufacturing across numerous industries. Nitrogen has many uses and benefits. Here is everything you need to know about the importance of nitrogen gas, especially when it comes to manufacturing and technology.

The Characteristics of Nitrogen

Nitrogen is a common pure element that comprises 78% of the atmosphere. This inert gas is made up of two nitrogen atoms (N2), which are fastened together in a three-way covalent bond. This covalent bond is stabilized and substantially strong.

This gas occurs completely naturally. This kind of molecular bond makes the probability of nitrogen reacting with any other element unlikely and unexpected. This, combined with the fact that nitrogen is colorless, tasteless, and odorless, makes it the gas of choice for nitrogen generation solutions in manufacturing applications.

Nitrogen is used for a variety of applications in numerous industries. These include, but aren’t limited to:

  • Food packaging and storage
  • Health and beauty aids
  • Electronics
  • Oil, gas, and mining
  • Meat and heat treating
  • Chemicals and plastics
  • Automotive and aircraft
  • Labs and pharmaceuticals
  • Medical
  • Industrial nitrogen
  • Biofuels and military nitrogen

Why Is Nitrogen Important to Many Different Industries?

Nitrogen has a few substantial characteristics that benefit and enable critical applications and processes in manufacturing, such as:

  • Prohibiting the oxidation of materials and products
  • Inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria
  • Reducing or eradicating the risk of explosion, combustion, or fire
  • Producing a needed dry atmosphere

N2 Technology with Benefits Across Multiple Industries

Nitrogen is widely used in the food and beverage industry through a process known as Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP). It is injected into packaging and pushes the oxygen out of the air. The dry inert nitrogen replaces the oxygen, thereby eradicating any oxidation, prohibiting spoilage, and significantly extending the shelf life of the food or beverage product.

Likewise, the oil and gas industry leverages the inertness of nitrogen to create a safe atmosphere that is negative to combustion for tank and pipeline blanketing. For example, using pressurized nitrogen gas during the drilling process enables it to propel lighter drilling fluids. This allows for the removal of rubble, lubrication, and cooling of the drilling bit. Additionally, nitrogen lifting is a process that pushes nitrogen into the oil-bearing formation, which increases the productivity of an oil well throughout its life cycle.

While industries that use adhesives and paints need oxygen to harden and dry them, at some point, the oxygen must be removed to eradicate any unwanted oxidation (which can actually become harmful). Nitrogen blanketing is a process that is used to saturate the atmosphere surrounding the surface of a product within a storage tank. This stops the oxygen-initiated curing process. The result of nitrogen blanketing maintains the quality of a product and eliminates undesirable oxidation.

These are a few of the many examples of how applying nitrogen to the manufacturing process demonstrates the remarkable success and importance of N2 technology systems, nitrogen generation, and nitrogen generators.

On Site Gas Systems Are the Nitrogen Generator Pros

Consult with the experts at On Site Gas Systems for a reliable and efficient nitrogen generation system for your manufacturing process. Our nitrogen generator systems have provided customers around the world with top-notch solutions in hundreds of applications across a plethora of industries. We design and build high-performance nitrogen generators for any on-site plant location.

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What Is Modified Atmosphere Packaging?

Regardless of your refrigeration or packaging system, food is always subject to spoiling. The most common examples of food spoilage include milk curdling and fermenting, fruit browning or rotting, and nasty mold spore growth on bread.

To combat this, the food packaging industry uses a processing system known as modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) to package food. This packaging process aims to inhibit unwanted changes brought about by the spoiling process and extend the shelf life of packaged foods. Consumer demand for healthy food options is ever increasing, as is the need for packaging choices to supply desirable and fresh food alternatives. With this demand comes the need to provide a consistent quality control method that can result in less food spoilage.

By expanding the use of modified atmosphere packaging systems to a variety of food products this can inhibit spoilage and allocate fresh food alternatives into a broader scope of markets. The modified atmosphere packaging process achieves this goal without depending on using food stabilizers or chemical additives.

How Does Modified Atmosphere Packaging Protect Foods?

The food processing system for modified atmosphere packaging is also referred to as gas flushing, protective atmosphere packaging, or reduced oxygen packaging. This process involves exchanging the atmosphere within food packaging with natural gases in precise proportions. This method is proven to inhibit the oxidation process and prevent any microbes from flourishing on the food product.

By flushing or changing the gaseous atmosphere that exists within a packaged good, it permits a much longer shelf-life by preserving the food.

Nitrogen is the perfect solution to displacing the oxygen levels that lead to the spoilage of various foods. The use of nitrogen in gas flushing creates the desired controlled proportions that inhibit the oxidation process and successfully modify the atmosphere in which the food is packaged to significantly extend the shelf life of the food product.

Partner with On Site Gas Systems

When it comes to dependable nitrogen generators, On Site Gas Systems is the leader in customizing a system suited for your operations. On Site Gas supplies manufacturers around the globe with top-notch nitrogen generators made in their own ISO-certified factory. We are reputed for our best-in-class nitrogen generation systems that are both reliable and cost-effective.

From PSA nitrogen generators and membrane nitrogen gas generators to custom nitrogen engineered systems, On Site Gas covers a breadth of manufacturing needs for modified atmosphere packaging for the food industry. Contact our team to learn more about our nitrogen generator systems.

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The Types of Nitrogen Purging Systems

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Impurities, oxidation, and unwanted vapors (or gases) can occur within many industrial manufacturing systems. The presence of these gases runs the risk of creating a hazardous or explosive environment within the system. Nitrogen purging is the safest method for eradicating any potentially damaging or threatening ambiance by using a technique that implements an inert nitrogen atmosphere.

Industries such as pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, and chemicals integrate the process of nitrogen purging as an essential part of their daily operation. Where the presence and the contamination of threatening gases are likely, a nitrogen purge system is an absolute requisite.

The Method of the Nitrogen Purge

Nitrogen purging is a method of successful displacement of any dangerous gas, harmful vapor, damaging oxygen, or unwanted moisture to ensure the environment within the equipment or a system is dry.

Purging is a well-established and long recognized use of nitrogen gas. For example, tanks that are full of hydrocarbon liquids have vapor space that exists at the top of the tank where hydrocarbon vapors gather. When emptying an atmospheric tank, the air is drained and can become subject to friction or static electricity, which can easily ignite or explode. A nitrogen purging system, however, functions to eradicate the vapor space with nitrogen gas, thwarting the hazard of explosion.

A nitrogen purging system is ideal for substances that attract water by either absorption or adsorption. Substances like this include ethanol, glycerin, methanol, and concentrations of sulfuric acid, lye, or honey.

The Merits of a Nitrogen Purging System

The main objective of a nitrogen purging system is to purify pipes and other components in a manufacturing process that can house various contaminants. Nitrogen is a reliable inert gas that is both economical and safe. The benefit of a nitrogen purge is that it eradicates the risks associated with unsafe elements, including oxygen. It creates a more stable, dry, and safe environment. Depending on the method of nitrogen purging used, the nitrogen may flow at either low or high pressures.

What are the Different Kinds of Nitrogen Purging Systems?

There are four main processes for a nitrogen purge, each of which requires different equipment. The four processes involved include:

  • Displacement purging
  • Dilution purging
  • Pressure transfer of liquids
  • Pressure hold vacuum process

Displacement purging

Manufacturing equipment that is designed with a basic cross-section (such as pipelines) is ideal for displacement purging. This functions by using a scraping piston (or pig) which is thrust by the pressure of the nitrogen. As the scraping piston propels through the line, it purges the unwanted matter. The volume of the pipeline determines the amount of nitrogen that is needed to perform this task. There is no mixing involved (as in the dilution method) and it is possible to separate nitrogen and additional material with an inert fluid.

Dilution purging

Systems that are more complex than a straightforward pipeline, and equipment that includes cross-sections, are ideal for dilution purging. An example of this includes columns, reactors, or kilns. The nitrogen is mixed with the specific gas needed to be purged in the system. The mixture is purged from the entry point to the exit point. Emphasis is placed on the location(s) of these two points. Diluting combined with displacing the unwanted matter results in the creation of a more inert atmosphere.

Pressure transfer of liquids

In some instances, the objective is to move liquids without the use of a pump. Nitrogen is the perfect choice to pressurize the headspace inside the container or system in order to do so. This is particularly useful where space is constricted or where materials that influence pump efficiency are present. By using the pressure transfer of liquids, the chance of oxidation is significantly reduced.

The pressure-hold vacuum process

There may be conditions present that prevent the nitrogen from sweeping away harmful substances. In this case, the container is instead pressurized with nitrogen. This creates the conditions for dilution to occur and the material is then vented. The pressure hold vacuum process is then repeated. This is an effective method for containers that have only one opening. The amount of nitrogen needed for this process is based on how many times pressurized purges are needed to reduce the unwanted contaminant to the desired level.

On Site Gas is the Leader in Nitrogen Purging Systems

On Site Gas is best-in-class when it comes to matching nitrogen purging systems to your needs. To learn more about which nitrogen purging system is best for you, consult with a member of our customer care team today. Our experts are here to help you choose the nitrogen purging solution that works for you.

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How Nitrogen Flushing Is Used in Food Packaging

The food industry strives to incorporate food packaging processes that ensure the ability to safely eliminate microbial spoilage, keep food products free from oxidation, and extend shelf life once it is packaged. There is continued pressure to use natural alternatives as opposed to harsh chemical preservatives. One of the most efficient ways of extending food longevity is to use nitrogen gas during a distinct process called nitrogen flush packaging.

What Is Nitrogen Flush Packaging?

Nitrogen flushing displaces the oxygen along with other impurities in the package or bag in which the food is placed. This changes the environment inside the food packaging. Nitrogen is an inert gas and does not affect the taste or texture of the food product. Since oxygen promotes spoilage, removing it and replacing it with nitrogen prevents food degradation and preserves freshness longer. It also helps to cushion the food in the package and protect it during storage, shipping, and when it is on the shelf.

How Does Nitrogen Flush Packaging Work?

The process of nitrogen flush packaging begins with placing food into an open package or bag. Machines then propel the oxygenated air out of the packaging and quickly replace it with nitrogen gas. A high concentration nitrogen level at 99% is typically used for the preservation of food. A machine seals the packaging or bag tightly, keeping the nitrogen inside. The bags are then contained in large boxes for shipping to restaurants and grocery stores.

Throughout the process of nitrogen flush packaging, this method delivers many benefits, including:

  • Oxygen is successfully displaced, which delays spoilage generated by the oxidation process.
  • Microorganisms that feed on oxygen are effectively prohibited from growing and damaging food.
  • By filling the space in each bag or package, conformity of the packaged product is easily maintained in shipping boxes and on the shelf.
  • Longer shelf life and better food preservation reduce food loss and expenses.
  • A consistent, flavorful, fresh product is delivered to the consumer.
  • Nitrogen gas is an affordable, sustainable, and safe source for use throughout the packaging process.

What Types of Food Can Nitrogen Flush Packaging Be Used For?

There are several types of foods that nitrogen flush packaging is well suited for. For example, freshly roasted ground coffee or coffee beans are effectively vacuum sealed with nitrogen flush packaging. Moisture and oxygen are removed and then replaced with nitrogen. The nitrogen maintains the quality and freshness of the coffee oils, flavor, and aroma. Other foods in the industry that are packaged and preserved with nitrogen flush include beans, chips, and different kinds of nuts.

Contact On Site Gas today to learn more about the different applications that nitrogen can be used for in the food packaging and storage industry! We can assist you in choosing the nitrogen generator solution that is best matched to your needs.

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Common Questions to Consider When Purchasing a Nitrogen Generator for Your Electronics Operation

If you’re purchasing a nitrogen gas generator for your electronics operation, you may have some initial questions. Below, we’re answering two of the most common inquiries we receive about nitrogen generators for the electronic industry.

Can Your Generators Provide High Enough Purity Levels (10 ppm) to Prevent Dross?

Eliminating dross is one of the main benefits of the wave soldering process. Doing so reduces maintenance needs and saves your company money. Plus, by completing soldering work in a nitrogen atmosphere, you can improve joint quality and manufacturing production. This also influences surface tension, solder spread, wetting force, and angle. A determining factor in dross production and cost-effectiveness is whether your operation uses liquid nitrogen or generated nitrogen processes.

The Types Of Nitrogen Generation Systems

There are two types of reliable nitrogen generation systems: Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) and nitrogen membrane generators and On Site Gas Systems offers both of these options. Generated nitrogen gas offers a lower initial investment than using liquid nitrogen, and your generator will pay for itself rather quickly. Generated N2 gas is an effective and more convenient solution than dependence on nitrogen deliveries from a supplier.

When you purchase a nitrogen gas generator, you must evaluate the purity level of the nitrogen it produces to determine whether it meets your needs. In electronics manufacturing, you want the solder to spread at 205 degrees Celsius, which requires a rest oxygen atmosphere of 10 parts per million (ppm). Therefore, it’s essential to have an N2 generator that can produce nitrogen with a purity level of 99.99 percent and above. At On Site Gas, we provide a variety systems that are capable of producing high-purity nitrogen gas.

Can Your Generators Provide Enough Flow for Both Reflow and Wave Applications?

In reflow soldering, a mixture of powdered solder and flux temporarily attaches electrical components to their contact pads on a printed circuit board (PCB). The assembly is then heated in a reflow oven or under an infrared lamp. The solder paste reflows in a molten state, which creates permanent solder joints.
In the wave soldering process, the circuit board passes over a pan of molten solder in which a pump produces a swell, or “wave.” The circuit board makes contact with this wave, and the components become soldered to the board. In both processes, nitrogen gas is used to maintain a clean, dry, and inert atmosphere, which is essential in creating strong and lasting solder bonds.

When you purchase a nitrogen gas generation system for your electronics operation, you must consider whether it will produce enough flow for the processes you employ. Various types of generators are available to address specific electronics production needs, ranging from small generators for selective soldering to large systems that feed reflow ovens and wave solder applications. Nitrogen generators can also be custom designed in any size to suit your specific requirements.

In Need of a High-Quality Nitrogen Generator? On Site Gas Can Help

Once you have evaluated your company’s production methods and needs, the next step is to select a nitrogen generation system that will accommodate any necessary applications. At On Site Gas, we offer a variety of nitrogen generators that can be customized to fit your business’ unique specifications.
For more information about our nitrogen generators, reflow and wave applications, or dross reduction, reach out to our team today!

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On-site Nitrogen Generators Improve Electronics Manufacturing

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Nitrogren Gas in Electronics Manufacturing

In today’s world of electronics manufacturing, it’s all about using surface mount technology. Not only are these devices safer and easier to produce than their leaded predecessors, they also perform better—as long as they are created under the right conditions. That’s where nitrogen gas generators from On Site Gas Systems comes in.

Why Nitrogen Gas for Electronics Manufacturing?

It’s no secret that the manufacturing of electronics is complex, and the process requires precision—there is no room for error. Nitrogen gas works to ensure this perfection is achieved in three ways:

  • Maintains the Ideal Atmosphere – Electronics manufacturing calls for a very specific temperature and environment to work successfully. With nitrogen gas, both can be achieved and sustained throughout the entire workday.
  • Produces Crisper Results – Pure nitrogen gas is also required in electronics manufacturing to ensure sharp finishes. It cuts down on the amount of dross that is formed in the soldering process, while also reducing surface tension to allow the solder to cleanly break away.
  • Prevents Oxidation – In convection reflow and selective soldering, nitrogen gas is crucial in order to eliminate the oxygen from the air, otherwise oxidation can occur, which weakens the solder. With nitrogen gas, the amount of oxygen is greatly reduced so the integrity of the solder can remain intact.

Why an On-site Nitrogen Generator?

The need for nitrogen gas in electronics manufacturing is clear, and when you break it down, so is the need for an on-site nitrogen generator from On Site Gas Systems. Here’s why:

  • Eliminates Dependency – When electronics manufacturers need nitrogen gas, they oftentimes rely on the delivery of nitrogen gas. However, this causes them to be dependent on someone else for their supply, and it usually requires a contract. With an on-site nitrogen gas generator from On Site Gas Systems, electronics manufacturing companies are able to produce their own nitrogen gas supply. This means they will always have it available when they need it and they don’t have to worry about the logistics of getting nitrogen gas cylinders or N2 bottles
  • An On-Site N2 Generator Reduces Expenses – It is true that there is an upfront cost to get an on-site nitrogen generator from On Site Gas Systems, but even the Surface Mount Technology Association believes that it is well worth it. Since the nitrogen gas improves the quality of the electronics manufacturing tenfold, there are fewer repairs needed. You can further increase your saving by generating your Nitrogen On Site and On Demand. After a short time, the on-site nitrogen generator will pay for itself by greatly reducing the amount spent for your nitrogen needs.

An on-site nitrogen gas generator from On Site Gas Systems is ideal for use in electronics manufacturing. Not only does it improve the quality of the product and the efficiency of the facility, it also eliminates the need for nitrogen gas deliveries.

If you are ready to experience the ease of use and cost savings an on-site nitrogen generator can provide, contact On Site Gas Systems today.

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