Nitrogen Best Used for Airplane Tire Inflation

The take-off in an airplane is just as important as the landing. During both of these crucial stages – there is one element that keeps an aircraft standing – literally…. The tires.

Aircraft tires are extremely complex in construction and are put through severe operating conditions multiple times in a day. This is why the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as well as major tire manufacturers (i.e. Michelin) recommend using nitrogen for Tire Inflation/Fuel Tank Inerting.   

 

 

Here are some of the reasons why nitrogen is best used for airplane tire inflation.

1. Non-corrosive. With nitrogen tire inflation, you have an additional safety factor in that nitrogen is an inert gas that will not support corrosion within wheels and tires.
2. Non-flammable. Nitrogen is very inert. About 70% of the earth’s atmosphere is Nitrogen.
3. Nitrogen performs well under temperature changes. Aircraft tires generally operate at high pressures. Tires that are inflated with nitrogen minimize expansion and contraction due to extreme changes in temperature and pressure experienced while in flight. Regular air under pressure can become explosive.
4. Nitrogen maintains volume at high altitudes. Also, nitrogen is more compatible with rubber compounds, therefore the deflation rate in the airplane tires is longer.

For more information on how nitrogen generators can help with airplane tire inflation, speak with an experienced nitrogen generator supplier or visit our Aircraft Tire Inerting page on our website.

We’ve Struck Oil… with Nitrogen Generators

Enhanced Oil Recovery (tertiary recovery) involves extending the life of oil and gas reservoirs through a variety of fluid / chemical injections into existing reservoirs.  Enhanced oil recovery can be achieved in a few different ways – by gas injection, by chemical injection, thermal recovery, or by microbial injection (utilized less often due to higher cost).  Membrane Nitrogen injection is one of several fluids that can be used for enhanced oil recovery (EOR).

Nitrogen injection is one of the most commonly used approaches in enhanced oil recovery as it allows control over the oil pressure. Nitrogen injection at distributed wells throughout a reservoir reduces the thickness of the oil as the nitrogen mixes with it. Re-pressurizing a reservoir with air would cause the oil to ignite into flame – therefore gas injection is better suited.
 
By utilizing a membrane nitrogen injection, production in an oil reservoir can be improved by 2 – 3 times over the existing production rate.  Nitrogen requirements for EOR range from 320 scfm to over 3200 scfm. The MAXIGAS PSA nitrogen generator permits nitrogen flows from 70 scfh to 5225 scfh.

Contact a nitrogen generators supplier today for your EOR project.

Nitrogen Generators – Size Variations

Choosing to produce on-site nitrogen is a very economical decision for a business that relies on a compressed gas source to aid in a process.  Depending on what your process requires, a particular type and size nitrogen generator will be recommended by a nitrogen generator supplier.  Below are a few key answers you should have in order to get a nitrogen generator that’s best for you!

1.  What is your current source of nitrogen – liquid dewars, high pressure cylinders, or bulk nitrogen?

2. Flow Rate – How much are you currently using? Decide how many high pressure cylinders, dewars or bulk nitrogen your application uses in a week in order to calculate the scfh (standard cubic feet per hour) – this will help you determine the flow rate your application requires.

3. Purity – how much oxygen can your process tolerate? The more oxygen you can allow, the less expensive it will be for your nitrogen generator.

4. What is the actual pressure of the nitrogen at the point of use?

5. Compressed air – is it available in your facility? If so, what is the compressed air pressure and does the system have an air dryer?

6. Where will your generator be installed – indoors or outdoors? For outdoor generators, specify the type of conditions the generator could be exposed to and if shielding the equipment is an option. For indoor generators, what are the highest and lowest temperatures possible for the generator to be exposed to?

Always remember, if you are unsure about how to find out the answers to these questions above - a knowledgeable and reputable supplier will be happy to help you... not sure where to start - check out Compressed Gas Technologies.

Is On-Site Nitrogen Right for You?

If your business currently requires nitrogen for tank padding, drying, product transfer, purging, flushing, or inerting, look at your plant's compressed air supply as a source to produce your own on-site nitrogen. This is an easy and reliable way that can save you money and give you more control over your gas use. Companies who produce their own supply of on-site nitrogen can generate as much or as little nitrogen as they need, at a fraction of the cost of having the gas delivered by an external source.

Applications that are useful to on-site nitrogen of the membrane filtration variety are: snack food packaging, laser cutting with nitrogen, tank padding, tire filling, rapid prototyping, RIM (Reaction Injection Molding), Injection Molding (Gas Assist), fruit storage, power stations, dry box storage of assembled electronic components, mine fires, fire sprinkler systems, and beer dispensing.

Applications that are best suited to on-site nitrogen of the Pressure Swing Adsorption variety are: snack food packaging, bottling (wineries), laser cutting with nitrogen, tank padding, tire filling, power stations, Injection Molding (Gas Assist), fruit storage, lead free soldering, beer dispensing and mine fires.

Discuss with a trusted and knowledgeable nitrogen generator supplier about your options today!!!

Learn more about PMNG membrane nitrogen generators and PSA nitrogen generators.

Prep your Tires for Winter with Nitrogen Inflation

Filling your tires with nitrogen as opposed to regular compressed air has many benefits. Improvements can be seen in vehicle handling, extended tire life in tire pressure maintenance, better fuel efficiency and fuel economy and your vehicle running at cooler temperatures. Are the same benefits consistent throughout the winter months? Absolutely!

Even in extreme winter temperatures, nitrogen is able to hold its own in colder temperatures, fluctuations in temperature and more consistent tire pressure while driving the snowy drifts. Although nitrogen is a great option for winter it is still important to check your tire pressure throughout the winter to make sure your tires are operating at their best - nothing is ever absolutely maintenance free.

Speak to a nitrogen generators supplier for more information regarding nitrogen tire inflation.

 

What to Look For in a Nitrogen Generator Supplier

You've decided that producing on-site nitrogen is going to be something beneficial for your business - great! Now what? It is important to choose a reputable and experienced nitrogen generator supplier to help you choose the best unit for your business' application. Keep in mind these 5 guidelines when you are searching for a nitrogen generator supplier:

1. How many generator options does the nitrogen generator supplier offer? Do they have several unit options to assist a wide variety of businesses? How much do they know about the systems they offer? Are they able to distinguish the difference between membrane nitrogen generators and PSA nitrogen generators?
2. Which country is the generator manufactured in? Generators made outside of North America have  different standards that can greatly affect the capabilities and performance of an application. Ensure the money you invest in a nitrogen generator will give you results you desire.
3. Years in Business - Look for companies whose only business is nitrogen generation which a minimum of 5 years experience.
4. Are nitrogen generator units adjustable to varying nitrogen needs? Nitrogen generators should be a long-term investment for your business - ask your supplier if the unit you are investing in can be expandable to account for nitrogen demand increases or decreases in the future.
5. Testimonials/Successes in Past - Don't be afraid to ask the nitrogen generator supplier if they have sold similiar units to other businesses like yours. It is important the supplier knows and understands the functionality of your industry to ensure the nitrogen generator they suggest to you will perform the tqask you require.

These are 5 general guidelines you should adhere to when looking into a nitrogen generator supplier. Don't be afraid to ask questions and explore your nitrogen generation options.