Nitrogen Generators Can Decrease Chances of Combustible Dust Explosions in Dust Collectors

Over the last 30 years, more and more accidents involving dust collector explosions are being reported. The purpose of a dust collector is to improve the air quality in industrial facilities by removing particle matter from the air and the working environment and converting it to safer breathing air. The trick is that sometimes - depending on the industry that is using the dust collector – the actual dust being collected may have a combustible aspect which could result in a combustible dust explosion. In the United States alone there have been at least 350 combustible dust explosions. The scariest part about this is that in most instances, those injured were unaware that a hazard was present to begin with; a hazard that needed to be monitored carefully.

Depending on your industry’s process and application, combustible dust can be present in many different forms (i.e. metal dust, wood dust, plastic resin dust, etc.) and multiple sizes. Combustible dust can be produced in facilities you may not have even thought of – food, wood, plastic, rubber, pharmaceuticals, coal, grain and more.

As a precautionary measure, dust collectors are introduced to absorb this combustible dust and decrease the risk of any fires which could not only injure your employees but decrease your plant’s efficiency whereby your process needs to be shut down for repair or replacement for an extended period of time.

Nitrogen can be introduced into your dust collector for explosion prevention. Instead of using only oxygen in the dust collector process, a nitrogen generator can convert some of the oxygen to nitrogen thereby decreasing the chances of a dust collector fire.

Membrane nitrogen generators or PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) generators are best suited to assist any industry where dust collectors are a necessity.

Speak to an experienced nitrogen generator supplier to ensure that you choose the generator best suited for your process.

Nitrogen Generators Benefit Rapid Prototyping Industry

Selective Laser Sintering (an additive layer-by-layer process) requires a high power laser to fuse small particles of plastic, ceramic and metal together into a 3D prototype. Because rapid prototyping (or SLS) is a process actionable only at high temperatures it is important to ensure your process is safe and that you are operating at maximum efficiency. Nitrogen generators can assist in this application.

A membrane nitrogen generator is your best option for this application as membrane generators can virtually operate themselves without the assistance of a controller. Nitrogen purity in a membrane generator is adjustable from 95 - 99.9%.
The desired flow and purity required for your rapid prototyping process will determine how many membrane modules will be utilized. Once the air in your SLS process has passed through the membrane bundle(s) it is nitrogen that is used to inert the chamber during the process.

Contact an experienced nitrogen generator supplier if you have specific questions regarding how the generator can assist your process or any concerns that you may have.

Nitrogen Tire Inflation Provides A New Service for Automotive Repair Industry

Gas prices in North America are soaring painfully high this year and rumor has it – it’s not going to get much better. Seeing your gas gauge point towards “E” in your vehicle will often make you cringe as you sigh and pose the question internally “How much it is going to cost me this time?”

We all know there are many alternative “green” methods to save ourselves money when it comes to transportation – but depending on how far your commute to work is – sometimes a bike just won’t cut it.
Nitrogen tire inflation is becoming a very popular replacement for air, and for good reason.

With proper inflation procedures and adequate purity,  nitrogen can provide amazing benefits. If you convert the air in your tires to nitrogen you can improve your fuel economy by up to 5%.

Car dealerships, repair shops or anyone in the automotive repair industry probably already has a  reciprocating air compressor in their facility to power equipment. Reciprocating air compressors would supply the nitrogen generator, PSA or membrane, directly – introducing a new revenue stream for automotive repair industries. All nitrogen generators require dry compressed air therefore an air dryer must be installed to protect the units from water contamination.
 
Reciprocating compressors are an ideal fit for this industry because of their low initial cost and minimal maintenance requirements (oil and air filter changes). A reciprocating air compressor paired with a nitrogen generator (membrane or PSA) can be a great asset to introducing nitrogen tire inflation as a service that will become more and more popular as the gas prices go higher and higher.

Rotary Screw Compressors – Perfect Compressors for medium to high nitrogen flow processes!

Packaging industries benefit greatly from using nitrogen generators in their applications. From food packaging to cheese packaging, to coffee packaging and fruit storage – the supply on site nitrogen integrated into these industries’ specific applications has proven to save money, decrease expenses and reduce labor costs.

As part of the packaging industries, many automated machines throughout these facilities require compressed air. The most common and widely used type of air compressor recommended for these industries are rotary screw compressors.

Packaging industries require nitrogen purity in medium to high flows 99.5% (0.5% O2 or below). Rotary screw compressors are perfect for this application. Rotary screw compressors are positive displacement compressors, meaning compression takes place by matching two helical screws that, when turned, guide air into a chamber, the volume of which is reduced as the screws turn, allowing the flow of air to be controlled.

Rotary screw compressors are outfitted with enclosures which keeping noise levels to a minimum. Many also have integral refrigerated air dryers to minimize floor space.  Rotary screw compressors are oil-lubricated while make them louder, however in a factory type environment this is rarely an issue. All nitrogen generators require dry compressed air therefore an air dryer must be installed to protect the units from water contamination.

Scroll Compressors - Best For Lab Applications where Nitrogen Generators are Required

Laboratory applications such as Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) (LCMS), GC, ICP, ELSD / CAD detector, Circular Dichroism and Sample Evaporation have benefitted from the use of incorporating a nitrogen generator into their process.

In a specific example of sample preparation procedures for chemical analysis, a pressurized nitrogen source is required. Common nitrogen generators that assist in the laboratory industry are lab gas nitrogen generators or PSA nitrogen generators (Pressure Swing Adsorption). Within these nitrogen generators are compressors which assist in exactly what the name implies (compressing air). There are many different air compressors available on the market today, however scroll compressors tend to be the best for a laboratory application.

Scroll compressors are great for the laboratory industry as they are oil-free, but best of all they are extremely quiet – the quietest compressor in the industry; which is perfect for a laboratory setting. Scroll compressors are also simplistic in design with minimum movable parts. This allows a long operating life. All nitrogen generators require dry compressed air therefore an air dryer must be installed to protect the units from water contamination.

 
So if you are in an industry where you find yourself in a lab-type settings and want an cost effective way to keep your low –flow nitrogen process moving at maximum efficiency – consider a nitrogen generator today with a scroll compressor.

Basic Nitrogen Generator Price

Nitrogen generator price is something that is hard to quote generally. Depending on the business type and the appropriate application, certain nitrogen generators units may be better suited than others. Nitrogen generator units vary with differentiating factors/benefits and options.

Basic nitrogen generator price is as follows:

• Small flow nitrogen generators generally start at $3000 and go up to $20,000.
• Mid flow nitrogen generators range between $20,000 and $100,000.
• Large flow nitrogen generators are $100,000 and above.

Options that may become a factor for specific nitrogen generator price can be a nitrogen buffer tank, oxygen analyzers, high pressure requirements, feed air compressors, compressed air dryers, and skid mount packages. Getting a customized quote is easy and more information on nitrogen generator price and options can be found here. 

  

 

Medical Industry can Benefit from Nitrogen Generators in a Multitude of Ways

More and more industries are benefiting from nitrogen generators. Today, we discuss the medical industry. Nitrogen generators can be used in a variety of ways – from  powering surgical tools to assisting in complex research processes that require pressure.  Whether used in a hospital, medical facility or even a laboratory environment, nitrogen generators offer simplicity, convenience, safer process measures, consistency and a cost efficient operation method.

High pressure cylinders can’t compare for a variety of reasons, one of which being a storage option. Medical equipment and processes are constantly used and require mobility – two benefits that nitrogen generators can offer.

Nitrogen generators offer and operate at low pressure (100 psig or higher) – a common requirement in laboratory applications so the risk of explosion, damage and environmental detriments are infrequent.

View our Membrane Generators and assess if a nitrogen generator can benefit your application.