Before now, CO2 has been the main gas for carbonation and preservation for brewing processes but nitrogen gas is gradually taking over, thanks to its unique properties. Nitrogen gas is less soluble and less acidic than CO2. It is used to purge tanks in order to prevent oxidation or spoilage. Using nitrogen in the brewing process also gives the beer a better flavour, longer shelf life, and makes it less likely to cause unwanted chemical reactions in the course of transportation because it is non- reactive compared to CO2.
Using nitrogen gas offers many benefits to brewers and in this article, we will explain how nitrogen is utilized in breweries, why breweries should replace CO2 with nitrogen gas, and the advantages of using onsite nitrogen generators at your brewery instead of cylinders, dewars or bulk liquid nitrogen.
Nitrogen in Breweries: How Is It Used?
The basic steps of brewing include malting, mashing, boiling, and fermenting. Throughout the brewing process, nitrogen gas is used to clean the tanks between batches to prevent the oxidation of leftover beer and ingredients because they can oxidize and produce a sour flavour that can contaminate the next batch in the tank. Nitrogen gas can purge out residual mash, wort, and beer that can cause this.
Nitrogen gas is also used to displace carbon dioxide and oxygen in the tank and help move the beer from one tank to another. This is because nitrogen gas can pressurize kegs before they are shipped or stored, which helps to maintain the quality and freshness of the beer.
Lastly, nitrogen gas can be infused into the beer during the brewing process to improve its mouthfeel. The nitrogen creates a creamy, velvety texture in the beer, enhancing its drinking experience.
Nitrogen vs. Carbon Dioxide in Breweries: What’s the Difference?
Though both nitrogen gas and carbon dioxide are used in breweries, each has its own unique properties. Nitrogen gas offers many benefits to breweries, and this is why many breweries are switching from CO2 to nitrogen gas in their operations. If you haven’t switched to using nitrogen gas in your brewing operation consider the following benefits:
- Because nitrogen is less soluble than carbon dioxide, it allows beer to have smaller bubbles that fall down the glass. This is what gives nitrogen infused beers a more creamy and thicker taste. Carbon dioxide, on the other hand, is more soluble, resulting in larger bubbles that rise above the glass.
- Using nitrogen gas in the brewing process gives the beer a soft and mild flavour and a creamy taste, whereas using carbon dioxide can add a bit of tartness to the beer.
- Using nitrogen gas for the purging process will make the tank free of oxygen, and also prevent your beer from getting contaminated.
- Brewers CO2 is becoming scarce which has resulted in price hikes. Nitrogen gas is readily available and also cheaper.
- Using nitrogen gas in breweries will also reduce CO2 consumption. It is a cost-effective and better alternative.
- Nitrogen helps to increase shelf life of beer because it maintains a more stable pressure in beer, reducing the amount of oxygen that can get into the beer, which can cause it to spoil.
- Nitrogen is a better solution compared to carbon dioxide for breweries because it has a neutral flavour that does not interfere with the taste of the beer.
Why Should You Consider Nitrogen Generators at Your Brewery?
Having an onsite generated nitrogen gas in your brewery offers many benefits regardless of the size of your brewery. Some significant benefits of nitrogen gas generators are discussed below.
Improved Efficiency
Nitrogen gas generators improve efficiency in many ways. One, it generates gas onsite and on demand which means that nitrogen gas will be readily available for your needs. Delivery delays for gas cylinders or bulk liquid nitrogen have come to an end. It also allows for more efficient use of storage space because there is no need for storing cylinders or dewars on site.
Reduced Costs
Generating your own nitrogen onsite means no more buying cylinders, dewarsor s bulk liquid nitrogen so you can say goodbye to delivery costs. Even when you need nitrogen gas urgently, your nitrogen gas generator is there to serve you. Gas cylinders can also waste up to 10% of cylinder volume because they can’t be used until empty. Why waste money on nitrogen gas that cannot be fully utilized?
Improved Safety
Moving, storing, and handling nitrogen cylinders and dewars can be dangerous, especially during transportation and handling on site. Nitrogen gas generators, however, do not pose any of these threats because they are installed right in the brewery, stationary once installed and supply nitrogen gas directly where it is needed.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Using nitrogen generators to produce nitrogen gas in your brewery means switching from CO2, reducing your CO2 consumption, and ultimately reducing your carbon footprint. Also, by producing nitrogen gas onsite, you eliminate the need for nitrogen deliveries, thus further reducing your carbon footprint.
Contact Advanced Gas Technologies for Onsite Nitrogen Generators for Breweries
Switching from carbon dioxide (CO2) to nitrogen provides many significant benefits to breweries and the food and beverage industries. It adds an enriching flavour to your beer, reduces waste, increases operational efficiency, reduces your carbon footprint all while reducing gas costs by up to 80%.
Advanced Gas Technologies designs, supplies, and services superior quality PSA and Membrane nitrogen generators that are used for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications including food and beverage packaging, breweries, and so much more. Contact us today to learn more about our innovative products. We can help make your switch from CO2 to nitrogen gas a seamless one.