A nitrogen generator is usually a portable or stationary machine used to separate Nitrogen gas from the surrounding air. Most Nitrogen generators are used for processing, industrial and process applications. The majority of off-site Nitrogen generation systems used in industries fall into two broad categories: Pressurized Swing Adsorber (PSA) and Mobile Nitrogen Generator (MMG). Both Nitrogen generators work by passing Nitrogen gas through an activated charcoal plate that has a small amount of activated charcoal in the center and is connected to a discharge pipe. The gas then is forced into a high-pressure tank that supplies it to the application.
The second popular and more common form of Nitrogen generation systems in industrial users are mobile Nitrogen generators which are also commonly referred to as mobile steam turbines. Typically, these devices are mounted on trucks or other transportable structures and employ heavy-duty engines to provide the needed power. The power generated is then fed into an industrial user’s water-cooled vapour compression refrigeration system to produce cold-pressurized nitrous oxide gas, which is then fed into the VSM.
Both Nitrogen generators mentioned above utilize the use of Activated Charcoal in the process of pressurized swing-arm gas transfer. In Nitrogen generator, MGA applications, a membrane Nitrogen generator is used. A membrane is composed of an electrically active semi-permeable membrane that blocks the passage of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals. This type of system is preferred because it requires minimal maintenance and is also more cost-efficient than other on-site nitrogen generation systems.
