Where on-site nitrogen and oxygen generation makes a difference: Key industry applications

Nitrogen is an inert, non-reactive gas that plays a critical role in many industrial processes. On-site nitrogen generation ensures a reliable, cost-effective supply tailored to your purity and volume needs, eliminating supply chain risks and reducing costs. Industries are increasingly shifting from traditional liquid gas deliveries to on-site gas generation.

Let's look at a few examples of applications utilizing on-site generation and how it benefits their industry specific needs.

In the food and beverage industry, nitrogen is used primarily to extend product shelf life and maintain freshness by preventing oxidation and microbial growth. On-site nitrogen allows food producers and packagers to maintain consistent gas quality and availability, critical for freshness and regulatory compliance. 

Applications:

• Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP): Nitrogen replaces oxygen in packaging to inhibit oxidation and microbial growth, extending shelf life by up to 80%.
• Blanketing and sparging: Used during storage and transport to prevent spoilage and maintain product quality.

In electronics manufacturing and the semiconductor industry, nitrogen provides an inert atmosphere that prevents oxidation and contamination during sensitive manufacturing processes.

Applications:

• Inert atmospheres for soldering (SMT, reflow, selective): Nitrogen reduces oxidation, improving solder joint quality and reducing defects.
• Wafer processing and assembly: Ultra-high-purity nitrogen protects sensitive semiconductor materials during fabrication.

In the laser cutting and metal fabrication industry, nitrogen acts as a shielding gas to prevent oxidation and improve surface quality in cutting and welding. On-site nitrogen generation provides a continuous, high-purity supply that enhances cut quality and reduces downtime caused by gas shortages.

Applications:

• Shielding gas for laser cutting and welding: Nitrogen prevents oxidation and improves cut surface quality, enabling cleaner, more precise metal fabrication.

Nitrogen is critical for maintaining inert atmospheres to prevent explosions and corrosion in pipelines and equipment in the oil and gas industry. On-site nitrogen generation reduces reliance on cylinder deliveries in remote locations, enhancing operational safety and flexibility.

Applications:

• Pipeline inerting and well unloading: Nitrogen reduces explosion risks and corrosion by displacing oxygen in pipelines and vessels.
• Marine system protection: Used onboard ships and offshore platforms to maintain safe, inert atmospheres.

In the pharmaceutical and chemical industry, nitrogen is used to protect sensitive substances from oxygen exposure, preserving product integrity and safety. Onsite nitrogen generation offers precise control over gas purity and pressure, ensuring product integrity and workplace safety.

Applications:

• Blanketing and storage: Nitrogen prevents degradation and contamination by protecting sensitive chemicals and pharmaceuticals from oxygen exposure.
• Pressure control: Ensures consistent purity and pressure during manufacturing and storage.

In electric vehicle battery manufacturing, nitrogen creates controlled, inert environments necessary to ensure battery safety and performance during assembly.

Applications:

• Inert assembly environments: Nitrogen controls moisture and oxygen levels during cell assembly, critical for battery performance and safety.

Oxygen is essential in many industrial and medical processes, where purity, availability, and cost control are critical. On-site oxygen generation ensures a steady supply that meets these demands while reducing logistics complexity.

In the medical and healthcare industry, oxygen is essential for respiratory care and medical procedures requiring consistent, high-purity supply.

Applications:

• Patient respiratory therapy: On-site oxygen generation supports continuous supply for respiratory support and emergency care.
• Surgical and clinical use: Reduces dependency on cylinder deliveries, improving safety and availability.

In the wastewater treatment industry, oxygen supports aerobic digestion processes that enhance treatment efficiency and plant capacity. Onsite oxygen generation allows wastewater facilities to optimize oxygen dosing, reduce chemical use, and lower operational costs.

Applications:

• Aerobic digestion: Oxygen injection accelerates sludge breakdown and increases plant capacity.
• Dissolved oxygen control: Precise dosing reduces chemical use and improves process efficiency.

In the aquaculture industry, oxygen supplementation maintains healthy dissolved oxygen levels to support aquatic life and increase stocking densities. Onsite generation provides a cost-effective, reliable oxygen source critical for sustainable aquaculture.

Applications:

• Oxygen supplementation: Maintains optimal dissolved oxygen levels in fish farms, supporting healthier aquatic life and higher stocking densities.

In biogas and waste combustion industries, oxygen enrichment improves combustion efficiency and emission control in energy recovery processes. Onsite oxygen generation allows plants to precisely control oxygen levels, enhancing environmental compliance and operational performance.

Applications:

• Oxygen enrichment: Improves combustion efficiency, reduces emissions, and enhances energy recovery in biogas and waste incineration.

In the mining, minerals, and pulp & paper industries, oxygen is used to improve extraction efficiency and reduce chemical consumption in processing. Onsite oxygen generation ensures consistent supply and purity, improving process reliability and yield.

Applications:

• Metal leaching: Oxygen addition improves recovery rates in gold and silver extraction.
• Bleaching: Oxygen reduces chemical consumption in pulp and paper bleaching processes.

The on-site nitrogen and oxygen generation market is growing rapidly, driven by increasing demand for cost savings, supply reliability, and sustainability. Advances in IoT-enabled monitoring, modular system design, and energy-efficient technologies are making on-site generation more accessible and scalable across industries.

As companies seek to reduce carbon footprints and optimize operations, on-site gas generation is becoming the preferred choice for industrial gas supply. Read more about the different methods of nitrogen supply for guidance on if switching is right for you. 

Atlas Copco is also part of this evolution, offering innovative solutions that combine reliability, efficiency, and sustainability.

Atlas Copco’s Total Oxygen & Nitrogen Solutions deliver tailored systems designed for your operational and compliance requirements. We support your shift to on-site generation with modular, scalable, and energy-efficient technologies backed by expert service.