Nitrogen is an abundant chemical component of the atmosphere. It occupies the largest percentage of it and is normally represented by the capital letter N. It has properties that makes it very useful in the industries. Chemical inertness is the property that proves to be the most essential. Nitrogen generators are used to produce N2 gas that can be used for other purposes.
The generators are found in various forms and utilize two main technologies. The first is the adsorbent technology. It utilizes an adsorbent which is a solid substance used in the process of obtaining pure N2. Adsorbent plants are quite a number, though the most commonly used is the PSA, pressure swing absorbent. The operating cost of the adsorbent is low and in turn the price of nitrogen produced is also low.
Membrane technology is the other type. In it exists two concepts used for the generation. Membrane cartridge and the gas separation concept. The latter takes advantage of the different speeds that a gas uses while it penetrates a membrane-like substance. Two gases cannot have same velocity. This eases the separation.
Membrane cartridge aims at physically or chemically separating other components of air from nitrogen. A hollow tube where compressed air is passed through is used. As the air moves, the sides of the tube are equipped with other substances that will absorb or react with the other elements. The elements include rare gases, vapor, oxygen and impurities present in atmospheric air.
The preservation of food was once a problem in the food industries. The presence of oxygen facilitates the oxidation of chemicals in food and fruits making them taste differently. Oxygen also supports the existence of bacteria that cause decay. To elongate the stay of food substances, N2 gas is used to displace oxygen that brings about the rot. Preservation of food is achieved without putting the lives of human beings at risk.
In aircraft and motor vehicle industry, the generator is used in place of a compressed air tank. Air from the atmosphere contains water vapor as one of its constituents. When the air is compressed it still contains the water. To avoid the presence of water in the vehicle or the aircraft tires, the generator is used. This is because N2 is dry.
In the petroleum industry it is used for more than one purposes. It is incorporated while transporting hydrocarbons or the various petroleum products. It is then used to examine the efficiency of the pipelines. Most importantly, it is used to safeguard the environment. It prevents outbreaks of fire because of its inertness and does not support combustion.
The paint and pharmaceutical industry also uses it. Explosions may occur in the pharmaceutical industry due to the presence of flammable chemicals. Nitrogen prevents these occurrences. In packaging of the paints and vanishes in the paint industry, it is useful to prevent the drying oils from polymerization. It does so by displacing the oxygen present.
The applications of these generators cannot be exhausted. They are as many as our industries. The properties of the gas have proven to be very useful to most, if not all the industries and to the lives of each and every person.
The generators are found in various forms and utilize two main technologies. The first is the adsorbent technology. It utilizes an adsorbent which is a solid substance used in the process of obtaining pure N2. Adsorbent plants are quite a number, though the most commonly used is the PSA, pressure swing absorbent. The operating cost of the adsorbent is low and in turn the price of nitrogen produced is also low.
Membrane technology is the other type. In it exists two concepts used for the generation. Membrane cartridge and the gas separation concept. The latter takes advantage of the different speeds that a gas uses while it penetrates a membrane-like substance. Two gases cannot have same velocity. This eases the separation.
Membrane cartridge aims at physically or chemically separating other components of air from nitrogen. A hollow tube where compressed air is passed through is used. As the air moves, the sides of the tube are equipped with other substances that will absorb or react with the other elements. The elements include rare gases, vapor, oxygen and impurities present in atmospheric air.
The preservation of food was once a problem in the food industries. The presence of oxygen facilitates the oxidation of chemicals in food and fruits making them taste differently. Oxygen also supports the existence of bacteria that cause decay. To elongate the stay of food substances, N2 gas is used to displace oxygen that brings about the rot. Preservation of food is achieved without putting the lives of human beings at risk.
In aircraft and motor vehicle industry, the generator is used in place of a compressed air tank. Air from the atmosphere contains water vapor as one of its constituents. When the air is compressed it still contains the water. To avoid the presence of water in the vehicle or the aircraft tires, the generator is used. This is because N2 is dry.
In the petroleum industry it is used for more than one purposes. It is incorporated while transporting hydrocarbons or the various petroleum products. It is then used to examine the efficiency of the pipelines. Most importantly, it is used to safeguard the environment. It prevents outbreaks of fire because of its inertness and does not support combustion.
The paint and pharmaceutical industry also uses it. Explosions may occur in the pharmaceutical industry due to the presence of flammable chemicals. Nitrogen prevents these occurrences. In packaging of the paints and vanishes in the paint industry, it is useful to prevent the drying oils from polymerization. It does so by displacing the oxygen present.
The applications of these generators cannot be exhausted. They are as many as our industries. The properties of the gas have proven to be very useful to most, if not all the industries and to the lives of each and every person.
