Nitrogen gas plays an important role in various manufacturing and industrial processes. From food packaging to the aerospace industry, there is a growing need for sustainable gas generation solutions in businesses of many types. Although businesses purchase nitrogen in cylinders and other types of packages, this method of nitrogen delivery has environmental and cost downsides.

In this article, we’ll discuss how membrane nitrogen technology delivers a continuous, reliable supply of nitrogen while contributing to commercial sustainability efforts. Membrane nitrogen technology gives businesses a way of generating their nitrogen through environmentally friendly means.

What Is Membrane Nitrogen Technology?

The air contains a combination of nitrogen and oxygen along with small amounts of other gases. Membrane nitrogen generators use a selective permeation process to separate nitrogen from oxygen.

In a membrane generator, compressed air is pushed into the unit. The membrane nitrogen generator contains polymer fibers in a membrane. Each fiber has tiny holes that can fit oxygen and other gas molecules, but not nitrogen. During the nitrogen generation process, gasses are passed through the holes in the fiber, separating oxygen from nitrogen. Oxygen is expelled as waste, and the membrane nitrogen generator produces a steady stream of nitrogen for industrial purposes.

There are many advantages to using a membrane nitrogen generator instead of a nitrogen cylinder or another form of nitrogen delivery. Some of those advantages include:

• Less reliance on fossil fuels: Nitrogen cylinder delivery happens via vehicles that use fossil fuels. Membrane nitrogen generators use little power to function and thus can shrink your business’s carbon footprint.
• Cost efficiency: In addition to being good for the environment, nitrogen generators are cost-efficient. Nitrogen generators are sold for a one-time cost, whereas nitrogen cylinders are rented or purchased for an ongoing cost. Over time, businesses with membrane nitrogen generators can save money compared to businesses that depend on nitrogen cylinders.
• Requires little energy: Membrane nitrogen generators have low power consumption and few moving parts. They’re durable and long-lasting.

Sustainability Benefits of Membrane Nitrogen Technology

If your business prioritizes sustainability, there are many reasons to get a membrane nitrogen generator:

Energy Efficiency

Membrane technology has low energy consumption and the ability to supply nitrogen on demand. This helps reduce your business’s overall carbon footprint.

Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Installing a nitrogen generator onsite eliminates the need for transportation of nitrogen cylinders, dewars, and other containers. On-site production minimizes fuel consumption and thus minimizes emissions. Since cryogenic nitrogen requires special storage conditions, membrane nitrogen generation can cut back on energy consumption in this way as well.

Waste Reduction and Resource Conservation

There are no byproducts or chemical waste in membrane nitrogen generation. Whereas single-use nitrogen cylinders and liquid nitrogen storage can produce waste, membrane nitrogen generators are virtually waste-free.

Long-Term Cost Savings

Membrane nitrogen technology has lower operational and maintenance costs than nitrogen cylinder delivery. Businesses that switch to membrane nitrogen generators enjoy reduced dependency on third-party nitrogen suppliers. Since these nitrogen suppliers can experience disruptions in service and problems with the supply chain, the result of using a generator is more consistent availability of nitrogen and long-term cost savings.

Eco-Friendly Applications

Nitrogen allows businesses to package and preserve food without harmful chemicals. Nitrogen also helps reduce environmental risks through inerting and blanketing, which prevents oxidation, moisture contamination, and combustion.

Need a Nitrogen Generator Membrane System? Contact Us

Membrane nitrogen technology supports commercial sustainability efforts in many ways. If your business prioritizes sustainability and needs nitrogen for its industrial processes, a membrane nitrogen generator may be the right option for your business.

The best way to find out if a nitrogen generator membrane system is right for your needs is to consult with a reputable membrane nitrogen generator manufacturer. This is why many people turn to On Site Gas Systems’ solutions for sustainable nitrogen supply.

As one of the leaders of membrane nitrogen generators, we can help you find a nitrogen generator membrane system to service your business with a continuous supply of nitrogen. Contact us today to get started by speaking to one of our membrane nitrogen experts!

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 one of the most common elements on Earth. It makes up nearly 80% of the air we breathe and is found in a range of everyday items, from pharmaceuticals to tires.

Many companies that rely on nitrogen to make their products use generators to create their own supply. Generators have many advantages over nitrogen cylinders. If you’re starting a company that makes products using nitrogen, a nitrogen generator can save your business money, raise profits, and increase production. Below, you’ll see a list of seven everyday products that are made using nitrogen generators.

1. Packaging for Food and Beverages

Bacteria proliferate in the air, causing food to deteriorate in many ways. The longer food is exposed to air, the more its color, flavor, and scent change. Nitrogen flushing is the process of pushing air from packages containing food and replacing that air with nitrogen. Food in a nitrogen environment deteriorates more slowly.

Some packages, like ones that contain chips, are even filled with extra nitrogen before the bag is sealed. In this case, nitrogen creates a pillow around the chips, preventing them from being crushed.

2. Pharmaceuticals and Medical Products

Just as air causes food to spoil, the same goes for medications and medical products. Pharmaceuticals that spoil when exposed to air are packaged in containers flushed with nitrogen. This prolongs the life of the medication and pushes back the expiration date.

Sterilized medical products are packaged in nitrogen environments for the same reasons: bacteria that grow in the air won’t grow as quickly in an all-nitrogen atmosphere. Nitrogen-filled packaging can keep sterilized medical products safe for longer.

3. Electronics

Nitrogen is used in electronics production in a variety of ways. Nitrogen allows the manufacturer to maintain a consistent temperature during production. Nitrogen also prevents oxidation – which can weaken the solder, an essential part of circuit boards.

4. Jewelry

Soldering is a common part of jewelry production. It is used to hold separate pieces of metal together, close metal chains, and more. Soldering that is performed in an oxygen-rich environment doesn’t last. Metals can become corroded and bonds are not as strong when the soldering is performed in an environment with a lot of oxygen. Ultimately, jewelry that is soldered in an environment with a lot of oxygen can fall apart.

To prevent this from happening, soldering is performed in a nitrogen-rich environment. The nitrogen creates a barrier between the solder and the oxygen, which ultimately can help keep the jewelry together.

5. Stainless Steel Production

Stainless steel uses nitrogen in the same way and for the same reasons that jewelry making needs nitrogen: nitrogen increases the corrosion resistance of stainless steel. When nitrogen is added to the steel manufacturing process, the result is stronger stainless steel which contains fewer impurities. Nitrogen’s role in stainless-steel production helps to prevent oxidation which can cause rust. In addition to a stronger product, the resulting surface is more receptive to applying powder paint coatings with proper welding surfaces.

6. Laser Cut Products

A laser can be used to cut materials for industrial or artistic purposes. Everything from signs to furniture can be cut by lasers. During the laser cutting process, nitrogen is used to protect the edge of the cut from discoloration. Discoloration can occur when the edge of the cut oxidizes before cooling. By enveloping the area with nitrogen, the oxidization is stopped.

7. Printed Products

During the printing process, nitrogen is used to dry ink. Nitrogen is used because it is a dry gas that does not retain moisture. This lack of humidity makes nitrogen the perfect product for drying inks and other materials.

Why Buy A Nitrogen Generator?

Whether you’re using nitrogen to produce one of the products listed above or for another reason, your business can benefit from adding a nitrogen generator.

Reliable supply. Unlike nitrogen cylinders, generators produce a steady supply of nitrogen that never needs replenishment from deliveries of new cylinders. Whereas cylinder rental can lead to supply chain problems if a supplier is behind on a shipment, generators are always available.

Lower cost. Nitrogen cylinders can also become expensive over time. Generators require one payment upfront, while nitrogen generators represent an ongoing cost. Given enough time, business owners spend more on cylinder rental than on nitrogen generation.

Eco friendly. Nitrogen generators don’t have the carbon footprint of cylinders, which must be delivered and then returned for replenishment on a regular basis.

Buy Your Nitrogen Generator from a Reputable Manufacturer

If your business manufactures products that require nitrogen, buy your nitrogen generator from a reputable manufacturer. Call On Site Gas Systems today to buy your nitrogen generator from a supplier you can trust.

Nitrogen blanketing is a common manufacturing process that creates safe storage for certain liquids. Depending on what’s being stored in the container, nitrogen blanketing can prevent the stored item from degrading or deteriorating over time. Nitrogen blanketing is often used for storage tanks, and therefore, is sometimes called tank blanketing or tank padding.

What is Nitrogen Blanketing?

Nitrogen blanketing is the process of filling a storage tank with nitrogen to stop the storage material (usually a liquid) from coming into contact with oxygen. It can potentially mitigate the explosive condition created by having oxygen in the tank, and also extends the product life of the storage material.

Where is Nitrogen Blanketing Used?

Nitrogen blanketing is used in many industries, including:

• Food processing
• Chemical plants
• Petrochemical industries
• Pharmaceutical industries
• Aerospace industries
• Chemical tankers
• Ships and transformers

Why Is Nitrogen Blanketing Important?

Nitrogen maintains stable conditions for the product being stored in the container. Whether it’s preventing discoloration, explosion, polymerization, or another unwanted change, nitrogen stops the stored product from interacting with nitrogen. Other benefits of nitrogen blanketing include:

• Reduced potential for an explosion
• Less chance of corrosion, which can lead to improved equipment life
• Less chance of degradation of the stored item
• Increased service life for the storage container itself, which could otherwise degrade due to the presence of liquid and oxygen
• Increased safety due to the reduction of oxygen in the storage tank

What Size Storage Tanks Are Eligible?

Storage tanks of all sizes, from very large to very small, can be used for nitrogen blanketing.

What Is the Nitrogen Blanketing Procedure?

There are multiple ways of making nitrogen blanketing work. Most businesses that require this kind of work to be done have a nitrogen blanketing system. One way is through the use of a blanketing regulator, which helps control the pressure inside the tank.

With this system, the valve is mounted on top of the storage tank, and gas is pushed into the tank until the pressure inside the tank reaches a pre-determined point. When the pressure inside the tank is correct, the regulator stops the gas from entering the tank. Ultimately, the nitrogen blanket is created by decreasing the concentration of oxygen in the tank and increasing the amount of nitrogen.

What’s the Best Way to Get Nitrogen for Nitrogen Blanketing?

Nitrogen blanketing is an important storage practice in a variety of industries. If your business uses nitrogen blanketing as a method of storing chemicals, food products, or something else, your business will need a regular supply of nitrogen. There are multiple ways to acquire nitrogen for nitrogen blanketing.

Nitrogen Storage Tanks

Nitrogen storage tanks are a common source of nitrogen for businesses that use nitrogen periodically. While nitrogen storage tanks are serviceable for businesses that only need a small, infrequent nitrogen supply, there are many downsides to using nitrogen storage tanks for a constant and regular supply of nitrogen.

Namely, nitrogen storage tanks are subject to problems with supply and delivery. They require a lot of space to store, and shipments of tanks can sometimes be delayed due to weather, supply chain issues, and more. Maintaining a regular supply of nitrogen storage tanks can be administratively and logistically challenging. In addition, nitrogen storage tanks represent an ongoing cost that can add up over time.

Nitrogen Generator

A nitrogen generator is a good solution for a business that requires a regular supply of nitrogen for its operations. While a nitrogen generator does represent an upfront one-time cost, this cost is far less than the ongoing costs of nitrogen storage tanks. In addition, the nitrogen generator is always available to supply nitrogen, whereas nitrogen tanks are subject to availability.

Once the generator is purchased, the only ongoing costs associated with the generator are the maintenance and power to run the generator. This can save your business money over time. With a nitrogen generator on hand, your business will enjoy a steady supply of nitrogen for its business purposes year-round.

Need a Nitrogen Generator? Get Yours from a Reputable Manufacturer

A well-constructed, well-designed nitrogen generator can help your business save money and can also keep your business functioning. To purchase your nitrogen generator, contact On Site Gas. We design and build nitrogen generators that provide safe, continuous nitrogen gas for a variety of applications including nitrogen blanketing. Our reliable generators are designed to last.

To learn more about nitrogen generators for your business, see our FAQ page or contact us.