Understanding the Costs of Nitrogen Generators: A Comprehensive Guide

Atmospheric air contains 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen; the remaining 1% is made up of hydrogen and small amounts of other gases. Nitrogen generators are machines used to separate nitrogen gas from the air. These nitrogen generating systems are used to produce nitrogen gas onsite using two majorly different methods depending on the type of nitrogen generator used.

Thanks to nitrogen generators, many industries that use nitrogen gas in their applications no longer depend on gas cylinders delivered by nitrogen gas vendors. They can now produce their nitrogen gas onsite when needed and in the quantity they need, eliminating the waste and cost associated with gas cylinders. There are two major types of nitrogen generators: Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) and Membrane nitrogen generators.

If you are already considering buying nitrogen generators, it is crucial to know the cost of both systems and the factors influencing the price. In this article, we will delve into factors you need to consider before buying a nitrogen generator for your business so you can choose the right nitrogen generator for your industrial application, whether you are in food and beverage packaging, pharmaceutics, or electronics and metal manufacturing.

Factors Affecting Nitrogen Generator Costs

• Type of Nitrogen Generator: The type of nitrogen generator is a huge determinant of the price. Membrane nitrogen generators are less expensive than PSA nitrogen generators, but they may only be suitable for some applications since their purity level is not as high as PSA systems.
• Capacity and Flow Rate: Flow rate requirements also impact the price of nitrogen generators. Small-flow nitrogen generators range in price between $5,000 to $10,000. Mid-flow nitrogen systems cost between $10,000 and $30,000, and large-flow nitrogen generators can cost up to $31,000, depending on requirements. The higher the capacity and flow rate, the more expensive the nitrogen generator.
• Purity Level: Like the flow rate, generating systems with high purity levels cost more than those with low purity levels. Applications requiring high purity levels, such as food and electronic manufacturing industries, need nitrogen gas as pure as 99.999%.
• Installation and Maintenance Costs: Installation and maintenance costs also vary. Some membrane based systems, for instance, do not need electricity and moving parts, eliminating the need to replace worn out parts over time.
• Energy Consumption: The energy consumption of nitrogen generators is another factor that affects the cost.

Cost Analysis of Nitrogen Generators

PSA generators are typically more expensive to purchase upfront because they require additional equipment such as filters and compressors, but they have lower operating costs and can produce nitrogen at a higher purity level. On the other hand, Membrane generators have lower upfront costs and are more energy-efficient, but they are unsuitable for applications requiring high-purity nitrogen.

The location of your facility, energy, and maintenance cost can impact the cost of generating nitrogen gas onsite. For nitrogen purities ranging between 95% to 97%, the costs can be less than $0.02 per M3 / $0.05 per 100 CF. However, for higher purity levels, such as 99.5%, the cost will range between $0.03 to $0.05 per M3 / $0.10 to $0.14 per 100 CF.

Considerations When Choosing a Nitrogen Generator

It is also important to know the factors to consider before purchasing a nitrogen generator. Some factors worthy of consideration include:

Nitrogen Requirements

If you purchase a nitrogen generator that cannot produce the nitrogen purity levels needed for your application, it will affect the quality of your product. We recommend that you determine the specific nitrogen requirements to ensure that the selected nitrogen generator can meet your industry’s needs.

Costs and Payback Period

The upfront cost of nitrogen generators may be daunting at first but remember that your facility will have a steady supply of nitrogen gas, and within nine to 24 months, you can see a return on investment.

Maintenance Requirements

Also determine the maintenance cost of the nitrogen generator in the long run so you can make an informed decision.

Future Growth and Expansion

Look beyond the present and choose a nitrogen generator that can produce the needed volume of nitrogen gas as you expand so you don’t have to worry about replacing it in the future.

Choose Advanced Gas Technologies for Onsite Nitrogen Generators

Nitrogen gas generators save you the headache and cost of purchasing and handling gas cylinders. If you use nitrogen gas in your day-to-day operations, consider buying a nitrogen generator that can produce nitrogen gas onsite without having to depend on gas vendors. The good thing is within nine to 24 months, you will start to see the ROI.

Consider the factors above before buying a nitrogen generator. At Advanced Gas Technologies, we can save you trouble; we will consider all the factors above and recommend a nitrogen gas generator that will suit your applications. We offer PSA and Membrane generators perfect for any industry. Contact us today to get started.