Nitrogen generators are cost-effective machines that have proven themselves as assets to companies in many industries, including chemical, pharmaceutical, automobile, electronics, aerospace, food, and beverage industries, among others. Companies can now generate their supply of onsite nitrogen without relying on third-party suppliers. This ensures production flexibility and saves a company time and money on order and delivery costs. But how much do these machines cost?
The Purpose of Nitrogen Generators
The purpose of nitrogen generators is fairly self-explanatory. Put simply, they produce nitrogen, which is required by companies in a diversity of fields in the production of their goods.
To be more specific, nitrogen generators do not actually create nitrogen gas. Instead, nitrogen generators work by separating nitrogen already present in the air from other molecules, like oxygen, carbon dioxide, argon, and water.
While companies had to purchase bottled nitrogen from gas companies in the past, utilizing nitrogen generators is a much safer and more beneficial option. In addition, nitrogen generators are more economical because they use air as a raw material and are more reliable as they provide a consistent supply of nitrogen instead of relying on periodic deliveries.
Some companies like food and beverage manufacturers may require nitrogen to reach a higher level of purity to be used in their production systems. Other companies, like automobile manufacturers, may require a lower nitrogen purity level.
What is the Price of a Nitrogen Generator?
Putting an exact cost on a nitrogen generator can be difficult. There are many different specifications that a particular company may require when investing in a nitrogen generator. These specific requirements can affect the price of the generator itself. The two main factors influencing the price of a nitrogen generator include the type of generator and the size required.
Type
Nitrogen generators typically fall into two categories: membrane nitrogen generators or pressure swing absorption generators.
Membrane generators force air through an internal membrane, which forces out small molecules, like oxygen, water, and any other gasses in the air. The larger nitrogen molecules are left behind, contained within the membrane, where they can be directed to an outlet. Membrane nitrogen generators are incredibly low maintenance, not to mention simple and effective. This type of nitrogen generator is ideal for technology production that requires a low level of purity (under 99%). The cost of membrane nitrogen generators is typically lower than high-purity generators like pressure swing absorption generators.
For productions that require a high-purity nitrogen output, pressure swing absorption generators are ideal. These generators are most commonly designed with two vessels that are filled with carbon molecular sieves. Compressed air is then pumped through one vessel, through the carbon molecular sieve, which has microscopic pores, allowing the smaller molecules to pass through while larger nitrogen molecules are unable to enter the sieve, instead bypassing it all together and compiling as the nitrogen gas product that is produced by the generator. Pressure swing absorption generators, while more costly than their membrane counterparts, produce nitrogen gas that is 99.999% pure. In addition, these generators are built to last, ensure high-quality nitrogen output, and are constructed to maintain the same rate of flow over their lifetime.
Size
Another factor that needs to be considered when pricing a nitrogen generator is the size requirements a company has for its generator. Several variables affect the required size of a nitrogen generator, including ambient temperature, purity of nitrogen needed, and pressure and capacity requirements. These variables all affect the flow of a nitrogen generator and, therefore, must be considered when selecting the right generator for your production.
Size requirements have a considerable influence on the price of a nitrogen generator. Generator prices can range from a few thousand dollars to upwards of one hundred thousand dollars, so determining the right size for your operation is paramount when trying to save money on purchasing a nitrogen generator.
What is the Life Expectancy of a Nitrogen Generator?
Because nitrogen generators can be pretty costly, people often ask how long they can expect their purchase to last. Nitrogen generators are designed to have a life expectancy of anywhere from five to ten years. This expectancy depends on the usage level and the maintenance done on the generator. To ensure you get the maximum life expectancy of your nitrogen generator, regular servicing is needed, which can take anywhere from four to eight hours, depending on the type of generator, the flow rate, and the number of compressors within the generator.
Things To Consider Before You Buy
Purchasing a nitrogen generator is a big decision for a company. Understanding the variables you need to consider when choosing a generator, including size and type, is vital to ensure your company reaches both quality and output requirements. In addition, these machines are incredibly beneficial to the production of a diversity of different products, and choosing the right generator can make technology production considerably more efficient and practical.
Talk with a nitrogen generator expert at ESA for more information.
