Nitrogen generator has been helpful to numerous people in the pharmaceutical, food and beverages, and electronics industry. Generating nitrogen onsite is a better choice than gas deliveries. Compared to the nitrogen tanks and bottles, a nitrogen generator helps by reducing the overall cost and gets the work in limited time. Nitrogen generator membrane system, on the other hand, used the membrane technology to separate nitrogen from other gases present in the air, guaranteeing purity. While the terms may sound too technical, it is much easier when understood. And to help you out, we have prepared this blog to help you understand the basic types of nitrogen generator systems for power plants.
As clearly the term says nitrogen generator, it does not generate or create nitrogen. These generators use the nitrogen that is already present in the air and purify it by getting rid of the additional molecules. As taught in science, the air contains 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen and other gases. The other gases include gases like carbon dioxide, argon, and water vapour. Traces of methane, helium, krypton, and hydrogen are also found in the air.
When we talk about separating nitrogen from the air, we need to understand that there are more ways to do it. Apart from the nitrogen generator membrane system, the other one that is commonly used is the Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) technology.
1. Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) technology:
PSA technology also helps in removing the extra molecules. In PSA technology, the unwanted molecules are absorbed to separate the nitrogen. The PSA nitrogen generator is made up of two towers that contain molecular sieve, particularly made of carbon. This carbon molecular sieve acts as the soaks up the nitrogen and oxygen molecules when the air is pressurized in one of the towers. All the additional, unwanted molecules are then released out into the atmosphere after the nitrogen molecules have been separated. The pure nitrogen produced is then used to remove moisture in the power plants and helps in averting corrosion.
2. Membrane Nitrogen Systems:
The nitrogen generator membrane systems are known for producing the purest nitrogen, which is 99.5%. The membrane technology is used by companies to separate gases from nitrogen, including oxygen distinctly. In the membrane technology, compressed air is forced into a vessel. This vessel has a tube-like structure surrounded by polymeric hollow fiber. This polymeric fiber selectively pervades water vapour, oxygen, and other unwanted substances out of the walls. This allows the nitrogen to pass through the center easily and gets collected together outside. This helps the power plant owners to enjoy the plenty of gas produced with minimal maintenance.
3. Custom Nitrogen Systems:
Some of the power plants need customized nitrogen generators according to the needs. Here companies like Oil and Gas Systems International play an important role in providing the required nitrogen system, according to the client's need.
Nitrogen generators take less than a day to get installed and help you collect pure nitrogen cost-effectively. You may not be using the power plants all the time. Using nitrogen generators you can now prevent oxidization and rust when not in use.