Nitrogen generators are an important part of industries ranging from food and beverage packaging to aerospace. Nitrogen is an essential element in these industries because it can drive out oxygen to prevent oxidation while also driving out moisture to create a dry, inert environment. Nitrogen can prevent the degradation of a product that might otherwise be corroded, damaged, or rotted by exposure to oxygen and moisture.

There are multiple nitrogen supply methods, including nitrogen gas cylinders and liquid nitrogen. These methods have traditionally been used to supply nitrogen to warehouses, facilities, and factories in need of nitrogen. However, cylinders have a variety of negative environmental impacts.

Nitrogen gas generators offer a sustainable alternative to nitrogen cylinders. This article will explore the ways that green nitrogen gas generators can protect your business from the negative environmental impact of nitrogen cylinders.

The Basics of Nitrogen Gas Generation

The air is made up largely of nitrogen. Nitrogen gas generators draw the nitrogen out of the air and create a stream of it for the user. There are two types of nitrogen gas generators: pressure swing adsorption generators (PSA) and membrane generators. These two types of generators can both produce a continuous stream of nitrogen gas, but they function in different ways.

PSA nitrogen generators pass compressed air through a bed of adsorbent material. Molecules from oxygen and moisture are trapped in the adsorbed material, while nitrogen gas is released. PSA nitrogen generators are an excellent option in industrial applications that require a high-purity stream of nitrogen.

Membrane nitrogen generators also use the nitrogen in the air to create a stream of nitrogen gas. These generators have a semipermeable membrane that helps separate nitrogen and other gases. Membrane generators are often used for applications that require a lower purity nitrogen.

Environmental Challenges with Traditional Nitrogen Supply

Traditional nitrogen supply presents many environmental challenges, from the filling of nitrogen cylinders to the delivery of nitrogen to customers. For example, nitrogen cylinders are filled in a commercial plant using cryogenic air separation. The process of cryogenic air separation generates excessive carbon dioxide and uses a lot of energy.

Although nitrogen cylinders are reusable, the cylinders produce waste when they are decommissioned. In addition, cylinders rely on transportation to and from the customer, and through this process rely on the use of non-renewable resources. Ultimately, nitrogen cylinders of all kinds are not environmentally friendly and impact a business’s carbon footprint.

The Green Credentials of Nitrogen Gas Generators

For businesses concerned with nitrogen generators and the environment, it’s important to know that nitrogen generators represent a reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional methods of nitrogen delivery. On-site generation of nitrogen requires relatively little energy compared to the transportation of nitrogen cylinders. There are several ways that this is true:

• Low energy use. Nitrogen generators need energy to run but require relatively little energy compared to the amount of energy it takes to fill a nitrogen cylinder.
• No transportation. Once the nitrogen generator is installed on site, it no longer requires transportation from trucks in order to deliver nitrogen to the user.
• Relatively little waste. Often, nitrogen generators can be refurbished and used again, once they are no longer in need at their current location. Most nitrogen generators are small, so even once they’re no longer in use, they produce little waste.

Life Cycle Analysis

Nitrogen gas generators produce less waste and require less energy throughout their life cycle when compared with nitrogen cylinders. This is true because nitrogen gas generators are delivered only once, require relatively low power to operate, and produce a steady stream of nitrogen during the time they’re in operation and last for many years.

In fact, nitrogen generators allow for more control over nitrogen production. These generators produce less nitrogen waste and thus less waste generally.

Economic Benefits Tied to Environmental Advantages

Going green with nitrogen generation can also reduce operational costs. For a customer that needs approximately 2,880 hundred cubic feet of nitrogen (CCF) annually, the cost of paying for this nitrogen supply in cylinders is approximately $0.80-$1.50 per CCF.

The cost of generating that nitrogen on site is approximately $0.0614 per CCF. The annual total cost of nitrogen cylinders for this amount of nitrogen is approximately $27,650, versus $2,670 for nitrogen delivered by generator.

Protect the Environment and Your Business With a Nitrogen Generator

Are you concerned with nitrogen generation and the environment? Maybe you’re concerned about the cost of paying for nitrogen cylinders to meet your business needs? Nitrogen cylinders can have a negative impact on communities, the global environment, and on businesses themselves. Switching to more sustainable practices in your industry can save your business money and can prove that your business prioritizes eco-friendly, sustainable processes.

On Site Gas Systems produces membrane and PSA nitrogen generator systems, and can make custom systems for clients in need. We’ll work with your team to install a nitrogen generator that produces nitrogen in the amount and purity that your business requires. Contact us today to learn more.

Nitrogen gas makes up approximately 78 percent of our atmosphere, which makes it one of the most common gases on Earth. Nitrogen is non-toxic and inert, so it’s a safe gas to include in industrial processes.

If you’re wondering “What do we use nitrogen for?” the answer is, a lot!

The prevalence of nitrogen in our atmosphere combined with its inert properties makes it a very useful gas for food packaging, pharmaceuticals, and other industries. The use of nitrogen can prevent oxidation, corrosion, and deterioration of materials like foods and medicines. In this article, we’ll go over the uses of nitrogen and how it’s beneficial to industrial processes.

5 Major Uses of N2 in Everyday Life

Do you need a nitrogen generator? You probably do if you’re involved in one of the following industries. If you do need an N2 generator, whether that’s a PSA nitrogen generator or a membrane nitrogen generator, contact On Site Gas Systems to get started.

Food Packaging & Preservation

Nitrogen gas has transformed the food packaging industry. Exposure to oxygen shortens food shelf life by causing oxidation, leading to a change in food quality, flavor, smell, and color. By packaging food in a nitrogen-rich environment, food manufacturers can limit food’s exposure to oxygen and thus prevent food from deteriorating in the packaging.

Packaging with nitrogen is often done with a nitrogen flush technique, meaning that the oxygen and other gases in the packaging are flushed out with nitrogen. The nitrogen is sealed in the package, creating a protective bubble around the food and preventing it from breaking in transport.

Electronics

Nitrogen’s inert properties have an advantage over oxygen in electronics soldering. The use of oxygen in electronics soldering can cause oxidation in the immediate area being soldered, but nitrogen does not.

Oxidation is detrimental to soldering tools, circuit boards, and component leads. Oxidation is the rusting process that causes deterioration of many metals. The use of nitrogen in electronics soldering leads to a more durable electronics product and helps preserve the soldering tools used as well.

Pharmaceuticals

Just as nitrogen is used in food packaging to prevent oxidation of foods, nitrogen is also used in pharmaceutical packaging to prevent oxidation of medications. This helps preserve medication quality and integrity and leads to a longer shelf life. The use of nitrogen in packaging also makes for easier transportation and allows medications to be transported all over the world, because of the way nitrogen extends medication shelf life.

Beer/Beverage

In the beer and brewing industries, nitrogen is used to purge tanks to prevent drink spoilage. Nitrogen use in beer has also been attributed to better flavor as well as longer shelf life. Nitrogen is used to create the “fizz” in beer and is sometimes favored over CO2 because it is less likely to cause unwanted chemical reactions.

Tire Inflation

Nitrogen gas is an important tire filler. Not everyone who drives a car needs nitrogen-filled tires, but some prefer it. The reason that nitrogen is slightly better for filling tires than normal air is that nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen molecules. Tires are porous, and sometimes temperature changes can force oxygen out of the tires via the pores.

This very slow leak can result in minute changes in tire pressure over time. Since nitrogen molecules are larger, the leak produced by nitrogen tires is much slower, leading to more consistent tire pressure over time.

Need a Nitrogen Generator for Your Industrial Processes? Contact On Site Gas Systems

On Site Gas Systems is one of the most respected names in nitrogen generators in the United States. We produce pressure swing adsorption and membrane nitrogen generators for businesses in the pharmaceuticals industry, food and beverage industry, electronics industry, and more.

We can refurbish nitrogen generators as needed, or we create custom generators for businesses with very specific needs. If you require a nitrogen generator for your business, contact On Site Gas Systems today to get started with your nitrogen generator purchase.

Nitrogen is a necessary part of many industrial processes. A variety of industries use nitrogen for their packaging and production, including the pharmaceutical industry, food and beverage industry, aerospace, metal production, and more.

Nitrogen is a major component of the air we breathe, accounting for a significant percentage. Specifically, 78% of the surrounding air consists of nitrogen, making it abundant and readily accessible. However, to utilize nitrogen effectively, we need to use methods to extract or separate it from the air.

Are you a business owner in search of the most effective process to remove nitrogen from the air? Look no further! In this article, we will explore the world of nitrogen separation from air. You’ll understand the ingenious methods employed by nitrogen generators and gain valuable insights to make an informed decision for your company. Here’s what to know about nitrogen separation from the air:

Methods for Separating Nitrogen from Air

There are many methods of separating nitrogen from air. Having this many options allows your company or organization to choose the method that best works for you.

Pressure Swing Adsorption

Pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generators, also called PSA nitrogen generators, are generators that use changing pressure to manipulate air in a tank with an adsorber inside. Oxygen molecules diffuse into the pore structure while nitrogen travels through the adsorber, creating a high-purity nitrogen gas on the other side.

PSA nitrogen generators are known for creating a very high-purity gas. They can range in size depending on the application need, and reach purities up to 99.9995%.

Membrane Nitrogen Generation

A membrane nitrogen generator is a device that forces air into a set of polymer fibers. When this happens, the nitrogen molecules are separated from the other molecules and are caught on the other side, creating a nitrogen gas. Nitrogen separation membrane generators have no moving parts.

While nitrogen separation membrane technology generators do not produce nitrogen that is quite as pure as PSA generators, they are perfect for many processes.

Benefits of Using a Nitrogen Generator

Nitrogen generators have many benefits. If your business relies on a steady supply of nitrogen either for packaging or for another industrial process, then a nitrogen generator can help ensure that your business has a supply of nitrogen 24/7.

• Low cost after the initial investment. Nitrogen generators cost very little to run after the initial cost of investment.
• Reliable. As long as you have a nitrogen generator, you have a supply of nitrogen to be used whenever nitrogen is required.
• Space efficient. Nitrogen generators take up little space while creating a great output of nitrogen.
• Help ensure steady production for your business. Having the materials that you need means that you can count on a steady production of your product.

How Nitrogen Generators Compare to Nitrogen Cylinders

Some businesses rely on nitrogen cylinders for their industrial processes. Renting nitrogen has many downsides. These cylinders are subject to any transportation and logistics challenges that the rental company may encounter. From traffic delays to supply chain problems, if your nitrogen cylinder rental vendor is having a problem, you likely are too.

In addition, cylinders represent an ongoing cost that can eventually exceed the cost of a nitrogen generator, and then some. Nitrogen cylinders take up a lot of space, depending on how many you rent at a time, and may need to be shuffled from one location within your warehouses to another, depending on what is convenient. Finally, these cylinders must be delivered and exchanged by vehicles that use fossil fuels. This means that cylinders are not the most environmentally friendly products.

Install Your Nitrogen Generator with On Site Gas Systems

On Site Gas Systems creates custom designs of gas-generating systems for businesses. We’re a reputable and trusted source for businesses that rely on a supply of nitrogen or oxygen for their industrial production. Want to know more about how On Site Gas Systems can produce a custom configuration nitrogen generating system for your business? Call today to speak with our professionals.

Proper packaging enables food to be bagged and transported long distances without spoiling. Often, food packaging is reliant on nitrogen for preservation purposes. Many foods are packaged with nitrogen inside, including dried fruits and chips. Whether you’re a curious consumer or starting a food packaging business, here’s what you need to know about food-grade nitrogen.

What Is the Benefit of Using Food Grade Nitrogen in Food Packaging?

Bacteria will grow and thrive on organic material when exposed to oxygen. When food is exposed for a long time to oxygen, it will deteriorate quickly. Its color, flavor, scent, and structural integrity will all begin to break down when exposed to oxygen. This means that any piece of food will spoil quickly if it is sealed into a package with oxygen.

When oxygen is eliminated from the package, the growth of bacteria slows down dramatically. To protect the food from spoilage, oxygen is replaced with nitrogen.

What Is Nitrogen Flushing?

Nitrogen flushing is a technique where nitrogen is blasted into a package containing food and oxygen. The nitrogen displaces the oxygen, then the package is sealed with the nitrogen inside.

Is Nitrogen Flushing Safe?

Nitrogen flushing is completely safe. Many foods are packaged this way. Nitrogen is a non-toxic gas that’s already found in the earth’s atmosphere. Nearly 80% of the air that we breathe is nitrogen. This odorless gas does not harm food, is safe to breathe once the package is opened, and prevents food from spoiling when it’s sealed in the bag.

Nitrogen Helps Protect Food In More Ways Than One

In addition to stopping food from going bad, nitrogen does one more thing to protect food when it’s sealed in the package. Delicate foods like chips are easily crushed in transit, but nitrogen creates a pillow inside the package to stop chips from being pulverized.

How to Produce Nitrogen Food Packaging

Generally speaking, there are two ways for food packaging companies to obtain nitrogen. They can either deliver their nitrogen through an outside source (often in cylinders) or generate their nitrogen with an on-site nitrogen generator.

Nitrogen cylinders have many disadvantages over nitrogen generators. Cylinders must be delivered regularly to keep up with production. When supply chain problems occur, cylinders may not be delivered according to the schedule. This can lead to a halt in production, resulting in lost profits. Cylinders can also take up a lot of space. In addition, pressurized cylinders can be dangerous when not properly handled.

Nitrogen generators, by contrast, produce a nearly limitless supply of nitrogen without any of the supply chain considerations that can occur with cylinder delivery. Nitrogen generators take up less space and, unlike pressurized cylinders, do not have the associated risks.

Benefits of an On-Site Nitrogen Generator for Food Packaging

There are many benefits of packaging food with nitrogen from a generator. Here’s what you should consider as you’re trying to decide whether to purchase a nitrogen generator for your food packaging business:

• Cost-effective. Once the small initial investment is made for purchase and installation, nitrogen generators have very few associated costs. This is very different from nitrogen cylinders, which represent an ongoing cost. In fact, as the business increases production, the amount spent on cylinders also increases, naturally limiting business growth and taking a chunk from the profits that would otherwise be made.
• Reliable. Compared to nitrogen cylinder delivery, a nitrogen generator is a reliable nitrogen source. Any time your business is dependent upon a third-party provider, you’re subject to whatever problems may affect that third-party provider. In the event that a cylinder delivery is delayed or even canceled, your business will be left searching for a new nitrogen source. By comparison, a nitrogen generator is always available and, if properly maintained, a consistent nitrogen source.
• Energy-efficient and sustainable. Whereas nitrogen delivery from a third-party provider depends upon fossil fuels to deliver, a nitrogen generator is a clean and energy-efficient way to produce the nitrogen needed on-site.

Need Nitrogen for Your Food Packaging Company? Contact On Site Gas

On Site Gas is a trusted name in nitrogen generation. We provide quality nitrogen generators to businesses in food packaging, medical and chemical industries, and more. To learn more about obtaining a nitrogen generator for your food packaging company, contact us today.

If your company purchases nitrogen gas for industrial or manufacturing purposes, then you’re probably already aware of the downsides of buying nitrogen gas. Sometimes, suppliers run out. Other times, deliveries are delayed. It is also expensive. Whether buying your nitrogen gas in bulk or in a cylinder, you’re probably familiar with these problems. You may find yourself wondering where to buy nitrogen gas and what you can do to save time, effort, and money in the process. Luckily, there’s a solution.

The Downsides of Buying Nitrogen Gas

To examine the downsides of buying nitrogen gas, we must consider the different forms nitrogen gas can take.

Bulk Tank

Bull tanks are one method that laboratories and manufacturers purchase nitrogen gas to be delivered to their locations. They are used for bulk gas supply. The gas the bulk tank contains is piped in, which requires a sophisticated and expensive piping infrastructure to be installed.

Cylinders

Cylinders provide pressurized nitrogen gas to facilities that need them. Cylinders are widely used by food and beverage companies, pharmaceutical companies, glass and plastics manufacturers, metal fabrication businesses, aerospace companies, and more. However, cylinders do not provide the safest means of obtaining nitrogen.

We know today that there is a better, more efficient way to obtain nitrogen on-site.

What’s the Alternative?

Nitrogen generators are an on-site solution for companies in need of nitrogen gas. These machines offer many benefits for businesses. For a business seeking a reliable supply of nitrogen, nitrogen generators are the preferred product.

What are the benefits of a gas generator?

Gas generators have many benefits that cylinders and bulk tanks lack. Below are some of the benefits you can expect when you install a nitrogen gas generator on site.

Convenience

Gas cylinders are inconvenient if your demand for cylinders fluctuates. Ordering and obtaining cylinders quickly can be challenging, and sometimes obtaining cylinders at the last minute isn’t possible. In addition, the administrative work required to keep gas cylinders on hand as needed can be ongoing and challenging. Sometimes, just finding space for your cylinders can be tough.

Consistent Purity

Gas generators provide a consistent gas purity that can be relied upon. If your manufacturing or industrialization process requires a consistent purity of nitrogen gas, then a nitrogen gas generator can produce results without incurring waste. This stands in contrast to nitrogen gas cylinders, where the last 10% plus of nitrogen gas is wasted, as you can only use the amount of nitrogen in a cylinder above your process pressure.

Reduced Cost

Gas cylinders and bulk tanks represent an ongoing cost for the business, unlike a nitrogen gas generator. Costs associated with cylinder and bulk tank usage include transportation, delivery, and rental fees. In addition, the cost of gas can fluctuate based on supply and demand. Gas generators only incur a one-time charge for the purchase and then maintenance costs, which are minimal. This one-time cost of purchase, when spread out over time, is far more affordable than the cylinder cost.

Safety

Cylinders and bulk tanks store gas under pressure. In the event of a leak, the environment where the cylinders or bulk tanks are stored could change dramatically, in ways that could potentially be unhealthy. In addition, cylinders can be difficult to move safely. Anyone tasked with moving nitrogen cylinders must be trained to do so properly. Finally, any time gas is stored under pressure, it can be a potential safety issue. Nitrogen generators don’t have any of these concerns, because they only produce nitrogen on demand.

Space

Cylinders and bulk tanks take up a lot of space, depending on the needs of the business. A nitrogen gas generator, on the other hand, may take up less space. Once installed, it only takes up as much space as the footprint of the machine.

Eliminate the Need for Nitrogen Gas Cylinders

Installing a nitrogen generator can improve your business processes and will also result in cost savings over time. On Site Gas manufactures nitrogen gas generators. To learn more about how nitrogen gas generators can impact your business, or to get a price quote, contact On Site Gas for more information.