Where are Nitrogen Generators used?

1
Where are Nitrogen Generators used?
Atmospheric air comprises seventy-eight percent
of nitrogen, twenty-one percent of oxygen, and
one percent of other gases. Nitrogen finds its
use in various industries like food packaging and
mining. These industries require a constant
supply of nitrogen. Some industries use nitrogen
cylinders, but these cylinders are not easy to
transport and are expensive.  Industries use
on-site nitrogen gas generators to meet their
nitrogen supplies. Nitrogen generators produce
pure nitrogen by separating it from oxygen and
other gas molecules.
2
Types of nitrogen gas generators Following are
the two types of nitrogen gas generators
Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) nitrogen
generator - This method uses compressed air to
get nitrogen. This method consists of two
vessels. The first vessel contains carbon
molecular sieves that absorb oxygen. The other
chamber depressurizes nitrogen which flows to the
storage unit. The nitrogen thus formed is of high
purity. Membrane nitrogen generator - Compressed
air passes through porous fibers in this method.
Lighter gases can pass through these fibers and
hence exit the system. The heavier, slow-moving
nitrogen molecules remain in the system. In this
way, nitrogen gets separated from other
atmospheric gases.
3
What are the applications of nitrogen
generators? Nitrogen generators find their
applications in a variety of industries. Some of
these industries are listed below Food and
beverage industry Nitrogen is an inert gas.
Filling food packets with nitrogen increases
their shelf life. Nitrogen prevents the decay of
food products by bacteria and other
microorganisms. Chromatography Nitrogen
generators provide a constant supply of nitrogen
during liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry
and gas chromatography.  Gas chromatography
uses capillary GC columns which help to analyze a
sample for chemical compounds that are
present. Metallurgy Nitrogen is beneficial to
protect ferrous and non-ferrous metals during
annealing.
4
Electronics industry Nitrogen helps solder
processes. It also helps to replace oxygen during
the manufacturing of semiconductors and electric
circuits. Aircraft and automobile tires Tires
in automobiles and air crafts are filled with
nitrogen as it does not contain moisture.
Nitrogen maintains a stable temperature when
heated or cooled. Nitrogen helps in reducing the
temperature of the tire while running. Many
automobile shops have nitrogen gas generators to
fill the tires. Fire protection industry In
fire protection industry it has two applications
- fire suppression and corrosion prevention.
Nitrogen produced by generators contains a low
amount of oxygen. It helps in suppressing fire
safely by restricting the supply of oxygen.
Nitrogen is used in fire extinguishers. Using
natural air in pipes and prefire sprinklers
causes erosion of the pipes. Replacement of air
with nitrogen helps in preventing this erosion.
5
Petroleum industry Nitrogen is used to provide
an inert environment to prevent explosions and
for fire safety. Nitrogen is also in use for
pipeline testing, cleaning liquefied gas
carriers, and facilitating the storage of
hydrocarbons. Glass industry Nitrogen acts as
an efficient cooling agent for electric arc
furnace electrodes. It also helps to remove
oxygen during glass production.
SOURCE
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-nitrogen-generators-used.html