Onsite Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) Nitrogen Generators

A Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) nitrogen generator is an onsite gas generation system that produces high-purity nitrogen directly from compressed air. Rather than relying on cylinder deliveries or bulk liquid supply, a PSA system generates nitrogen continuously at the point of use, at purities ranging from 95% to 99.999%. This makes PSA technology the preferred choice for industrial applications with purity requirements above 98%.

Advanced Gas Technologies has been engineering and installing PSA nitrogen generation systems for over 30 years. We supply standard and custom-engineered PSA systems in flow capacities from 40 SCFH (1 m³/hr) to over 100,000 SCFH (2,800 m³/hr), with discharge pressures to 160 psig and high-pressure configurations available to 20,000 psig. For facilities currently purchasing cylinder or bulk liquid nitrogen, switching to an onsite PSA system typically reduces nitrogen supply costs by up to 90%.

How a PSA nitrogen generator works.

How Does a PSA Nitrogen Generator Work?

PSA technology utilizes two towers full of carbon molecular sieve (CMS). When compressed air enters the bottom of the tower and flows through the CMS, oxygen and other trace gasses are adsorbed and allow nitrogen to pass through. The specially designed sieve is unique from other activated carbons due to its narrower range of pore openings. This enables the efficient separation of oxygen and nitrogen gas, making it ideal for applications where the purity requirement is above 98%.

The two-tower design enables continuous operation. While one tower performs nitrogen separation, the second tower regenerates by releasing the adsorbed oxygen to atmosphere, a pressure swing that occurs approximately every 60 seconds. The entire process cycle takes approximately one to two minutes and then repeats continuously as long as nitrogen gas is required.

What are the Benefits of a PSA Nitrogen Generator?

There are many advantages for having an onsite PSA nitrogen generator installed, the biggest benefit being that you can lower your ongoing nitrogen costs by up to 90% depending on the application.

Following are benefits and features of PSA nitrogen generators and how they can improve efficiency in a variety of applications.

  • An independent onsite supply of nitrogen, which means freedom from the industrial gas supplier and their long-term contracts and ever escalating nitrogen costs
  • Fast Return on Investment (ROI); typical ROI can be expected within six to 18 months
  • Fully automatic systems for on-demand operation; you only produce nitrogen as required
  • Extremely reliable
  • Easy, low-cost maintenance
  • Minimal space requirements
  • Eliminate wasteful venting of nitrogen gas that’s associated with bulk liquid nitrogen tanks
  • Produces nitrogen purities from 95% to 99.999%+; match nitrogen purities to the actual nitrogen purity requirement of your application
  • Nitrogen flow capacities are available from 40 SCFH (1 m3/hr) to 100,000 SCFH+ (2,800 m3/hr+)
  • Nitrogen discharge pressures to 160 psig (11 barg) without booster compressors
  • High pressure systems to 20,000 psig (1,360 bar) available
  • Features include touchscreen controllers with the following capabilities:
    • oxygen analyzer
    • air in pressure
    • nitrogen discharge pressure
    • low nitrogen purity alarm
    • low nitrogen pressure alarm
    • maintenance advisory
    • optional purity control setting (up to three purities)
    • optional remote monitoring, controlling and communications capability
    • optional nitrogen flow monitoring
    • optional off spec. gas vent
  • Turnkey systems engineered, assembled, and installed to specification

PSA technology is best suited to applications requiring nitrogen purities above 98%. For lower-purity applications, our membrane nitrogen generators offer a simpler, lower-maintenance alternative.

PSA Nitrogen Generator Applications

An onsite PSA nitrogen generator.
Some of the applications that are well suited for onsite nitrogen generating systems include:

  • autoclaves
  • beverages
  • chemical plants and refineries
  • coffee packaging
  • controlled atmosphere fruit storage
  • enhanced oil field recovery
  • food/MAP packaging
  • fuel and chemical tank inerting
  • gas assist injection molding
  • heat treating
  • laser cutting
  • leak testing
  • pharmaceutical manufacturing
  • printing
  • power plants
  • reflow ovens
  • shipboard inerting
  • soldering

Why Choose Advanced Gas Technologies

Onsite nitrogen generation is an efficient and cost-effective way to produce nitrogen for your industrial applications, and it can save you valuable time and money on your operations. By having an onsite PSA nitrogen generation system, you significantly reduce the possibility for hazards or injury and have a system that is always available when you need it.

If you’re ready to install an onsite PSA nitrogen generator, Advanced Gas Technologies Inc. has you covered. Since 1994, we’ve been installing and maintaining nitrogen generating systems, standard industrial compressor systems and custom engineered systems throughout North America and the world.

We have helped our clients lower their costs by eliminating the need to purchase nitrogen gas by selling our business clients the technology and equipment they need to make their own nitrogen gas onsite.

To learn more about how cost effective PSA nitrogen generator can be, contact us toll-free at 1-(866) 725-7551 in North America or (905) 305-0094 local and overseas.

Frequently Asked Questions About PSA Nitrogen Generators

What is the difference between a PSA and membrane nitrogen generator?

PSA and membrane nitrogen generators both produce nitrogen from compressed air, but they are suited to different purity requirements.

  • PSA systems use carbon molecular sieve (CMS) to separate oxygen from compressed air and can produce nitrogen at purities from 95% to 99.999%.
  • Membrane systems use a semi-permeable hollow-fiber membrane to filter out oxygen and are most cost-effective at purities up to 98%.

For applications requiring purities above 98%, a PSA system is generally the more energy-efficient and cost-effective choice.

How much can a PSA nitrogen generator reduce nitrogen costs?

Facilities that switch from cylinder or bulk liquid nitrogen supply to an onsite PSA nitrogen generator typically reduce their nitrogen costs by up to 90%. The savings come from eliminating recurring delivery fees, cylinder rental charges, and supplier contract markups, as well as removing the nitrogen waste associated with vented bulk liquid tanks. The actual reduction depends on current consumption volume, nitrogen purity requirements, and the cost of the existing supply arrangement.

How long does it take to see a return on investment from a PSA nitrogen generator?

For most industrial facilities, the return on investment from an onsite PSA nitrogen generator is achieved within 6 to 18 months. The payback period depends on nitrogen consumption volume, current supply costs, and the purity level required. Higher-volume operations running on delivered cylinder or liquid nitrogen at commercial pricing typically reach payback at the shorter end of that range.

What maintenance does a PSA nitrogen generator require?

PSA nitrogen generators are designed for low ongoing maintenance. Day-to-day checks include monitoring nitrogen purity, inspecting the compressed air inlet receiver for moisture, and reviewing system operation for any abnormal readings. At regular intervals, compressed air filter elements require replacement, typically every 4,000 to 8,000 operating hours, for particulate and coalescing filters, and every 2,000 hours for activated carbon filters.