Advantages of a PSA nitrogen generator

Pressure Swing Adsorption PSA nitrogen generators are capable of producing high purity nitrogen gas from a single simple commodity, air. This purity can also be acquired through cryogenic systems, however, these are considerably more complex and expensive so can only be justified where consumption is extremely high compared to alternative PSA nitrogen systems.

Peak utilizes PSA technology in their PSA nitrogen generators, using Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS) in many of its PSA nitrogen gas generators to produce a continuous supply of high purity nitrogen. These are available either with or without internal compressors. Below are just some of the benefits a facility would reap by removing gas cylinders from its daily operations.

Convenience

• With out PSA nitrogen generator you have no more loss of gas supply during analysis as nitrogen can be delivered on-demand.
• No need to manage gas stock inventory with a PSA nitrogen gas generator or reorder bulk supply.

Consistency & reliability

• A PSA nitrogen generator is a constant gas supply and is delivered at a stable purity, so no risks of pipeline contamination that could hamper analysis results & workflow productivity.

Low operating costs

• Substituting out-of-date air separation plants can lead to nitrogen production savings in excess of 50%.
• The net cost of on-site PSA nitrogen gas generation is significantly less than the costs of bottled or liquefied nitrogen bulk supply purchase.

Nitrogen generators are less damaging to the environment

• On-site PSA nitrogen gas generation is a sustainable and energy efficient approach to providing pure, clean, dry nitrogen gas. Compared to the energy required by cryogenic air separation plants, as well as transporting liquid nitrogen from the plant to a facility, nitrogen generators consume far less energy and lead to a significant reduction in carbon footprint.

Step-by-Step Process of PSA Nitrogen Generation

1. Air Compression:
   • The process begins with ambient air being drawn into an air compressor. This air is then compressed to a high pressure, typically around 7-10 bar, which is necessary for the PSA process to be effective.
2. Air Drying:
   • After compression, the air passes through an air dryer, which removes moisture from the air. This step is crucial as moisture can interfere with the adsorption process and reduce the efficiency of the carbon molecular sieve (CMS) used in the PSA system.
3. Air Filtration:
   • The dry, compressed air then passes through a series of filters to remove impurities such as dust and oil. This ensures that only clean, dry air enters the PSA system, which is vital for maintaining the efficiency and longevity of the adsorption materials.
4. Air Storage (Air Receiver Tank):
   • The filtered and dried air is often stored in an air receiver tank. This tank acts as a buffer, ensuring a stable and continuous supply of air into the PSA system, which helps to reduce the load on the compressor and maintain consistent air pressure.
5. Adsorption in the First Tower:
   • The dry, clean air is then introduced into the first adsorption tower, which is filled with a carbon molecular sieve (CMS). The CMS has the unique property of adsorbing smaller oxygen molecules while allowing larger nitrogen molecules to pass through. As the air flows through the CMS, oxygen and other trace gases are trapped, leaving nitrogen as the primary gas that exits the tower.
6. Switching to the Second Tower:
   • After a set period, the first tower becomes saturated with oxygen, and the system automatically switches to the second tower. While the second tower is in operation, the first tower undergoes depressurization, releasing the adsorbed oxygen and other gases back into the atmosphere.
7. Regeneration:
   • During the regeneration phase, the pressure in the first tower is reduced, causing the adsorbed oxygen and other gases to be released from the CMS. This allows the CMS to regenerate and be ready for the next cycle of adsorption. The PSA system continuously switches between the two towers, ensuring a steady and uninterrupted supply of nitrogen.
8. Nitrogen Collection (Buffer Tank):
   • The nitrogen gas that passes through the CMS is collected and sent to a buffer tank for storage. This tank helps to stabilize the flow and pressure of nitrogen, ensuring a consistent supply for downstream applications. The purity of the nitrogen can be adjusted by controlling the duration of the adsorption cycle and the flow rate of the air. PSA nitrogen generators are capable of producing nitrogen with purities ranging from 95% to 99.999%, depending on the specific requirements of the application.
9. Nitrogen Supply:
   • The nitrogen stored in the buffer tank is then supplied to the application, ensuring a steady flow and appropriate pressure as needed.

In addition to psa nitrogen generator, we also produce VPSA Oxygen Generators,PSA Oxygen Generators, storage tanks, heat exchangers and other products. If you are interested in psa nitrogen Systems or other products, please feel free to send an email to [email protected]. We will be very happy to serve you.