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With traditional methods of gas supply, users are liable for ‘hidden extra costs’ such as cylinder rental, delivery and administration charges on top of the headline gas price.
In addition, liquid ‘boil-off’ vents expensive gas into the atmosphere, and approximately 10% of the gas in every cylinder is typically returned to the supplier unused.
On-site nitrogen gas generation systems enable users to produce their total demand for nitrogen gas on their premises.
Meaning companies can generate as much nitrogen as required, at a fraction of the cost.
When the true costs are accounted for, on-site nitrogen gas generation is the most economical source of nitrogen – making a positive contribution to the bottom line.
Parker NITROSource and NITROSource Compact nitrogen gas generators employ a method of nitrogen production called Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA). They utilise a material called Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS).
The CMS preferentially adsorbs the oxygen contained within compressed air, under pressure due to the differing molecular sizes of oxygen, nitrogen and argon. The oxygen is released from the CMS when the pressure is rapidly decreased. Hence the description of “pressure swing adsorption”.
Carbon molecular sieve differs from ordinary activated carbons as it has a much narrower range of pore openings. This allows small molecules such as oxygen to penetrate the pores and separate from nitrogen molecules that are too large to enter the CMS. The larger nitrogen molecules by-pass the CMS and emerge as the product gas.
Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) uses columns of carbon molecular sieve, (CMS), to separate compressed air. Oxygen and other waste gases are selectively adsorbed under pressure by the CMS, allowing nitrogen to pass through to the application.
The CMS is regenerated by releasing the pressure in the columns and venting the waste gases to the atmosphere.
The technology is called pressure swing adsorption because the operating pressure “swings” from zero up to typically 7 barg (102 psig) to adsorb oxygen and from 7 barg (102 psig) back to zero to desorb and release the waste gases.