EXPERT GUIDE
Nitrogen Generators
An on-site nitrogen generator produces nitrogen from your own compressed air. Since air is already about 78% nitrogen, the generator separates out the oxygen and other gases leaving a continuous supply at the purity your process requires. If you currently rely on bottled or bulk liquid nitrogen, there are no cylinders to manage and no deliveries that turn up late.
Nitrogen is an inert gas that does not react with other metals, so industries use it to keep oxygen and moisture away from products and processes. Pharmaceutical sites use it for blanketing and inerting, and petrochemical sites use it for purging. Food and beverage producers use it in packaging. Breweries use it to purge tanks and stop beer oxidising. Electronics manufacturers use it for soldering, and laser cutting operations use it to get a clean, oxide-free edge.
There are two main types of generators, Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) and Membrane. The right one depends on the purity you need, how much nitrogen you use, and the quality of the air feeding it.
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WE UNDERSTAND nitrogen
Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) Nitrogen Generators
Key Product Benefits:
- Very high purity.
- Handle steady, high demand.
- Consistent output once set to your required purity.
- No cylinders or bulk deliveries to manage.
- Used where even a small amount of oxygen would spoil the process or product.
How PSA Technology Works
PSA generators use twin towers filled with a carbon molecular sieve to separate nitrogen from compressed air. They are the preferred choice where high purity is required. The key points to understand are:
- Selective separation, oxygen is drawn into the pores of the sieve and trapped, while nitrogen passes through as product gas.
- Continuous Supply, as one tower produces nitrogen while the other is depressurised and purged to release the trapped oxygen, with a nitrogen receiver holding pressure and flow steady between cycles.
- Adjustable purity, up to 99.999%, with the balance between purity and flow set to suit your process, as the higher purity means less nitrogen from the same unit and lower purity means more.
- Long sieve life, when drying and filtration upstream keep moisture and oil out.
- Lower running costs at high purity, as PSA generators need less compressed air than membrane generators to make the same nitrogen about 99.5%
- Independence from bottled gas, removing cylinder handling, bulk deliveries, and rental.
we understand nitrogen
Membrane Nitrogen Generators
Key Product Benefits:
- No moving parts
- Compact and quiet
- Low maintenance
- Quick to start up
- Use for tyre inflation, fire prevention and inerting, general purging, and lower purity blanketing
How Membrane Nitrogen Generators Work
Membrane generators pass compressed air through bundles of hollow fibres to separate nitrogen. They are the simpler option where very high purity is not required. The key points to understand are:
- Simple separation, with oxygen and water vapour passing through the fibre walls while nitrogen carries on to the outlet.
- Minimal maintenance, as there are no moving parts.
- Quiet, reliable running, even in high vibration areas
- Flexible purity, typically 95% to about 99.5%, o you only use the air and energy your process needs.
- Long membrane life, typically five to ten years, when filtration upstream keeps oil and water out.
- Compact footprint, with a lower initial cost that a PSA.
Both types need clean, dry, oil-free air, so drying and filtration always comes first. ADT has years of experience across a wide range of industries and can help you choose the right generator, and air treatment behind it, for your site.
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LEARN ABOUT AIR
Compressed Air Treatment Systems
Compressor
Role
Compresses atmospheric air to the required pressure. Heat of compression increases the air temperature and the moisture content.
Key Points
- First stage of the system
- Efficiency affects energy cost
- Generates heat and moisture
Aftercooler
Role
Cools the hot, compressed air to near ambient temperature, causing much of the moisture to condense into liquid.
Key Points
- Removes the heat from the system
- Improves efficiency
- Protects downstream equipment
Water Separator
Role
Separates and removes bulk liquid water (condensate) from the compressed air.
Key Points
- Protects filters and dryers from water overload
- Automatic drain removes collected condensate
- Essential for system reliability.
Pre filter (Coalescing)
Role
Removes oil aerosols, water droplets and solid particles before the air enters the dryer.
Key Points
- Prevents contamination and protects dryer
- Coalescing media joins tiny droplets into larger ones for effective removal
- Typical filtration down to 0.01 micron
Air Dryer
Role
Removes moisture vapor from the compressed air by cooling (refrigerated) or adsorption (desiccant) to achieve the required pressure dew point.
Key Points
- Determines how “dry” the air is
- Protects against corrosion, freezing and product contamination
- Choose type based on required dew point
After Filter
Role
Removes fine particles and any desiccant dust carried over from the dryer to protect your application.
Key Points
- Ensures clean, dry air reaches critical equipment
- Typical filtration down to 0.01 micron or better
- Mandatory after desiccant dryers
Activated Carbon Filter
Role
Removes oil vapor, hydrocarbons and odours to deliver high-purity air for sensitive applications.
Key Points
- Uses activated carbon media to adsorb vapors
- Essential for food, beverage, pharma, paint and breathing air applications
- Replace media regularly
Air Receiver / Distribution
Role
Stores treated air, stabilises pressure and supplies clean, dry air to the plant distribution network.
Key Points
- Provides buffer for demand fluctuations
- Helps remove any final moisture before use
- Pressure gauge shows system pressure
Proof in the field
Recent projects
Reliable compressed air without the waste. How ADT stopped an energy plant losing up to a fifth of its dryer capacity
Read the case study: Reliable compressed air without the waste. How ADT stopped an energy plant losing up to a fifth of its dryer capacityADT carried out a full assessment of the plants compressed air consumption and its future requirements with an objective to improve plant operating reliability and efficiency.
Energy savings delivered without the capital cost of replacement
Read the case study: Energy savings delivered without the capital cost of replacementAfter many years of the installed system generating high purity N2 gas, this manufacturer wanted to explore ways to reduce energy consumption and improve overall system efficiency
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