Producing your own nitrogen provides the advantage of customizing the purity level to match your application’s needs. Unlike purchased nitrogen, which is always of the highest purity, most jobs do not require such high purity levels. Understanding the factors that affect nitrogen purity is crucial in order to save energy and costs.
The cost of high-purity nitrogen is higher due to increased energy consumption. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the purity level is tailored to your specific application. Exceeding the necessary purity level does not offer any additional benefits, resulting in wasted energy and money.
To understand how nitrogen gas is generated, it is important to examine the two different technologies used: pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and membrane generators. Both technologies separate the nitrogen gas from compressed air.
PSA generators achieve purity levels of up to 99.999% and require less compressed air. However, the intake air must be clean and dry. On the other hand, membrane generators can achieve slightly lower purity levels but can tolerate intake air with water vapor.
Factors such as air flow volume and contaminants in the intake air impact nitrogen purity. Adjusting the amount of air from the compressor and installing air treatment equipment can help maintain purity. Regular maintenance is also essential for optimal performance.
In the food and pharmaceutical industries, as well as other industrial applications, high purity nitrogen is crucial. Standards and requirements exist for specific applications, such as food grade nitrogen.
For expert advice on achieving the right nitrogen purity, contact Minnuo, the air treatment and gas generation experts. Their knowledgeable team is ready to assist you.
