Nitrogen gas is essential for the food packaging industry, as it increases the shelf life of packaged food products. The presence of oxygen in a package can lead to mold growth and spoiling before its use-by or expiration date. By removing the existing oxygen and replacing it with nitrogen, the food will remain fresh and safe to eat for a longer period of time.

Which Foods Are Packaged with Nitrogen Gas?

Modified atmosphere packaging is extremely common in the food industry. It is the process of removing the oxygen from a package and replacing it with nitrogen gas. A good rule of thumb is that if the food is packaged in an air-tight container, there’s a good chance the gas inside is nitrogen rather than normal atmospheric air.
The following foods are typically packaged with nitrogen gas:

• Chips, Popcorn, Nuts, and Other Snack Foods
• Fresh Meat
• Prepackaged Lunch Meat
• Salad Mixes and Bags of Lettuce
• Pre-cut Apples and Carrot Sticks
• Bacon, Smoked Sausage, and Kielbasa
• Wine Bottles
• Emergency Food Rations
• Berries
• Frozen Foods

Nitrogen Gas in Food Packaging

Nitrogen gas is used in food packaging because it preserves the color, flavor, and texture of the product while preventing spoilage and extending the shelf life. In the case of chips and snack foods, the nitrogen gas also provides padding that prevents the products inside from breaking into crumbs. If these same foods were to be packaged with air, they would quickly start to change color, grow mold, and spoil. Therefore, when you see a package of lunchmeat or a container of sliced apples with a broken seal, you should never purchase it. This is also why supermarket employees are required to remove and discard damaged packages.

Vacuum Packing with Nitrogen

Modified atmosphere packaging requires the use of a vacuum. During the packaging process, the food is placed into the container. Then, all of the oxygen is removed using the vacuum. The package is then filled with nitrogen and immediately sealed. This process is often used for items like chips, popcorn, pretzels, and lunchmeat.

Nitrogen Gas Generators for Food Packaging

Here at On Site Gas, we sell new and used nitrogen gas generators for use in the food industry. You can choose from PSA nitrogen generators, nitrogen membrane generators, nitrogen cylinder filling stations, and custom engineered systems. Our machines have the ability to produce up to 99.999 percent pure nitrogen, which is necessary for preserving moisture laden foods, like sliced and cut vegetables, as well as foods that are meant to sit at room temperature.
To learn more about our nitrogen generator systems for food storage, contact us today.

Coffee dates back to the 10^th century in Ethiopia. It was not until the 20^th century, however, that coffee producers realized the benefits of nitrogen for their product. Nitrogen preserves coffee’s integrity and greatly extends the shelf life of the product. More and more, coffee producers are using on-site nitrogen gas generators and saving a bundle by doing so.

The Problems with Oxygen

Oxygen comprises 21% of the atmosphere on Earth. We know it as the gas we need to breathe and sustain life. However, due to its molecular structure, oxygen reacts easily with other chemicals in a process called oxidation and it can cause problematic reactions, especially pertaining to preservation.
The rust on your car is due to reactions with oxygen, and a similar process inside your body can be a health concern. Even the surface of Mars is famously reddish in hue because of rusty dust in the atmosphere.
Oxidation presents a problem for food producers, including those who package and sell coffee. When coffee beans are ground up, the oil inside is exposed to air and can quickly lose its aroma and flavor, leaving behind a bitter taste.

Why Nitrogen?

Nitrogen is an inert gas that does not tend to react with other substances. This makes it an ideal gas for food packaging. By removing oxygen and replacing it with nitrogen, coffee producers can extend the shelf life of their product and preserve the integrity of the aroma and flavor. This is because, unlike oxygen, nitrogen does not react with, and therefore does not change, the oils from the coffee beans.
In addition, nitrogen is not a useful fuel for microbes. This means that mold and other things are less likely to grow on the coffee while it sits on a shelf, making nitrogen the perfect choice for the food packaging industry.

The Coffee Packaging Process

Coffee packages pass into a vertical form-and-fill system. First, the bags fill with nitrogen, which pushes the oxygen out. At this point, the bag fills with ground coffee beans. When the bag is full of coffee beans and while it is still flush with nitrogen, the machine seals the bag. What’s inside is simply coffee and pure nitrogen.
With nitrogen sealed coffee bags, coffee producers can extend their sales reach without the constraints of a short shelf life. They can even package coffee for vending machines due to the extended preservation.

On-Site Nitrogen Generation

By having nitrogen fillers on-site, coffee producers can save thousands of dollars. Furthermore, gas providers can install a nitrogen filling station so that producers can refill their nitrogen cylinders on-site, rather than sending them away for refilling. Providers also generally offer routine maintenance of the filling station so that there are no interruptions in service and production.
Nitrogen-filled packaging is a successful solution to the problems of oxidation. It allows producers to ship their product further due to the longer shelf life. They can also achieve new ways of bringing their products to consumers, such as in vending machines, without sacrificing the quality or safety of the product. When producers install on-site generators, all of the advantages of the product combine with reduced costs so that both producer and consumer benefit.
Opting for nitrogen generators can enhance your business’ food packaging process. On Site Gas offers high-quality nitrogen generators for businesses in any industry. Contact us today to learn more about our products and how nitrogen can work for you.

Jewelry manufacturers practice soldering in nearly every aspect of their craft, from forming bases for their pieces to adding delicate, gorgeous detail for the final product. However, this process can be hindered by the presence of oxygen in the environment, leading to damage and corrosion of the metal involved. To reduce this risk, many jewelers are including nitrogen generators in their manufacturing process to create a barrier between the metal and the environment.

What Is Soldering?

Soldering is fusing two metals together with the application of heat. This heat source usually comes from a blow torch or other industrial device. During the soldering process, the manufacturer melts the metal objects and joins them together. A filler metal with a relatively low melting point fills the joint where the objects meet, forming a permanent connection when the metal cools.
Soldering is a delicate and dangerous process. However, it is an essential component in a wide variety of industries: welding, plumbing, electronics, and jewelry manufacturing. Jewelers especially use this process in their craft to form their artwork. Unlike soldering pipes, the soldering process in jewelry making requires a light touch for this intricate artwork, as the jewelers have to work with very delicate materials.
A major risk in the jewelry soldering process is the presence of oxygen in the environment. When soldering is done in an oxygen-rich environment, the metals can corrode and the bonds become less effective. As a result, the jewelry can fall apart.

Nitrogen Generation and Jewelry Manufacturing

A simple solution to reducing the risk of oxygen corrosion in jewelry manufacturing is to displace the oxygen-rich air using nitrogen. During this process, jewelry makers can use a nitrogen generator, such as those supplied by On Site Gas, to store the gas for use during the soldering process. These nitrogen generators separate nitrogen from other elements in the air, storing the gas in tanks for later use.
Simply put, nitrogen displaces oxygen in the air. When it’s time to solder material, the jeweler flushes the environment with nitrogen gas. This creates a barrier between the metal and the oxygen in the air, reducing the effect of oxidation. Since nitrogen is non-combustible, working with high-heat materials during the soldering process is completely safe.

On Site Gas Solutions

On Site Gas offers a variety of on site nitrogen generators to benefit jewelry manufacturers during the soldering process. These machines are designed for fine selective soldering applications that offer the most benefit to the jewelry-making process.

• PSA Nitrogen Generators separate nitrogen molecules from oxygen in ordinary air, storing nitrogen in tanks for later use.
• Nitrogen Membrane Generators are customized to your unique specifications, arriving turnkey and ready to support your business. Pressurized air flows into the machine and a membrane separates nitrogen from other elements in the air. As a result, very dry nitrogen gas is collected.

If you’re looking for on site nitrogen generators to boost your jewelry business, contact On Site Gas today. We offer top-rate nitrogen and oxygen generation to clients throughout the United States and in over 100 countries.

Wine-making is a delicate and sophisticated process that requires a skilled hand and deep knowledge of the science behind it. When wine is aging, it is crucial that the wine is protected from any contact with oxygen – if oxygen happens to seep into the cask or barrel, yeast and aerobic bacteria can grow. Oxidation can spoil the wine and drastically change its color, taste, and aroma, ruining years of hard labor.
A solution to wine-making’s oxygen issue comes in the form of another common atmospheric gas: nitrogen. By using a nitrogen generator, like the ones supplied by On Site Gas, winemakers can reduce oxygen levels in the environment to preserve the wine’s integrity.

How Do Nitrogen Generators Work?

On Site Gas offers multiple nitrogen generator options, including PSA Nitrogen Generator Systems, Membrane Generators, Container Systems, and Cylinder Filling Systems. For wine-making, On Site Gas recommends the use of a PSA Nitrogen Generator System.
PSA systems take the air we breathe and separate nitrogen molecules from oxygen molecules. This creates a flow of nitrogen gas that can be injected in multiple stages of the wine-making process.

How Does This Benefit the Wine?

Winemakers aim to create a nitrogen blanket across any surfaces where oxygen residue may lie, such as wine bottles, casks, and hoses. This creates a barrier between the wine and the oxygen molecules, reducing the risk of oxidation. Winemakers can use nitrogen generators in many steps while they’re storing, aging, and bottling wine.

• During the bottling process, winemakers use nitrogen generators to flush wine bottles of oxygen before filling them. This prevents any oxygen residue from mixing with the wine and sparking the oxidation process before the bottle is opened.
• After the wine has left the cask, winemakers flush the inside of the container with nitrogen to remove evaporated wine. This removes any oxygen residue before the next batch is made.
• Sometimes, a winemaker will need to transfer wine from one cask to another container. Oxygen can easily mix with the exposed wine during this process. To combat this, winemakers’ flush tubes and vessels with nitrogen to remove oxygen residue before transferring the wine.

Nitrogen generators also assist with other wine-making processes such as fermentation, de-aeration, carbon dioxide adjustment, storage, and other production activities.

Additional Benefits of Nitrogen Generators

Nitrogen generators are a worthy investment for the serious winemaker. Nitrogen generators help winemakers produce the best quality product and ensure that each bottle leaves the vineyard without a risk of in-bottle oxidation.
In addition, nitrogen generators:

• Are easy and simple to install
• Require little maintenance and upkeep
• Help winemakers wean themselves the use of argon, which is much more expensive than nitrogen
• Reduce the need to sign large contracts with gas suppliers

To learn more about using nitrogen generators in wine-making, contact us.

The PACK EXPO is an international trade show dedicated to the packaging industry. With over 1.2 million square feet of space, over 2,500 exhibitors, and more than 50,000 attendees, it is the place to be from October 14-17^th. This year, the PACK EXPO is taking place at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, and On Site Gas Systems is thrilled to be an exhibitor (booth E-10535).

About the PACK EXPO International Trade Show

The PACK EXPO attracts attendees from over 40 vertical industries, with all positions attending. There are executives, production supervisors, quality assurance teams, engineers, purchasers, marketers, and essentially any other job within the packaging industry you can imagine in attendance. The exhibitors include all of the top suppliers of packaging materials, packaging equipment, automation technologies, and other solutions to make the production and processing of packaging simpler.
If you want to keep up to date on all of the latest trends in the packaging industry, then the PACK EXPO is where you want to be. You will be able to see and feel new equipment and packaging options, and you can learn new strategies to help your packaging process become more efficient. Most importantly, you can stop by booth E-10535 to see On Site Gas and learn all about how you can use an on site nitrogen generator to help make your packaging better while improving your bottom line.
Visit On Site Gas Systems at Booth E-10535
At the PACK EXPO, we will be demonstrating the benefit of using nitrogen gas within your packaging. We will explain to you how the nitrogen gas generator works and how simple it is to use. We will also show you just how quickly you can recoup your upfront costs so that your packaging company can forget about the recurring costs and hassle of using nitrogen cylinders. With a nitrogen generator on site, you can easily solve some of the most challenging packaging issues you face, helping you streamline your process, save money, and keep your customers happy.
It doesn’t matter what industry you are in or what type of packaging you use, we have a packaging solution for you. Our team will work with you to find a customized solution for on site nitrogen generation. Once you have an on site generator at your facility, your packaging process will be transformed.
If you are going to PACK EXPO—and if you have anything to do with the packaging industry, you should—then make sure to stop by Booth E-10535. We would love to meet you and help you discover how our nitrogen generators can help you. To learn more about our nitrogen generation for the packaging industry, contact us anytime.