Choosing the right nitrogen supply for your business

In today’s industrial landscape, having a secure and consistent nitrogen supply is critical. With global logistics under strain, even minor delivery disruptions can bring production to a standstill. At the same time, nitrogen prices are rising, and demand continues to grow across sectors such as food packaging, metal fabrication, chemicals, and electronics.

Regulations around gas purity and workplace safety are also becoming more rigorous. Many manufacturers now operate with just-in-time production models, where delays or inconsistencies in gas supply can directly impact product quality, safety, and delivery timelines.

That’s why ensuring the availability and reliability of your nitrogen supply isn’t just about convenience. It’s a key factor in keeping your operations running smoothly, your costs under control, and your output consistent.

Even the most organized operations face risks when their gas supply depends on external sources. Here are the most common threats:

• Logistics delays: Road closures, weather conditions, or transportation issues can easily disrupt delivery schedules.

• Bottle stock-outs: Cylinder-based supply depends on supplier availability. A sudden shortage or missed delivery can put your production at risk.

• Bulk delivery scheduling: Coordinating liquid nitrogen deliveries requires precise timing. Any delays or miscommunications can result in downtime or emergency orders.

• Storage losses: Liquid nitrogen stored on-site gradually evaporates over time. These losses reduce the effective amount available for use and often require more frequent replenishment.

• Safety risks with handling and transport: Moving and storing high-pressure cylinders or cryogenic tanks comes with physical risks and regulatory responsibilities that can add complexity to your operations.

   

A second option involving a third party is to install a liquid nitrogen storage tank that's periodically filled by a gas company. These tanks can be rented from the supplier or purchased. Additionally, an evaporator is required for gaseous nitrogen use.

An evaporator transforms liquid nitrogen into nitrogen gas. Just like bottled nitrogen, transportation is required for liquid nitrogen supply. However, in this case, it's delivered by a thermally insulated tank truck. The liquid nitrogen is then pumped from the truck into the insulated storage tank.

It is also possible to order liquid nitrogen in smaller cans for situations with low consumption. These small tanks are known as dewars. Also, just like bottled nitrogen, liquid nitrogen is produced by a cryogenic nitrogen plant.

*Boil-off losses are waste. Whenever you use less nitrogen than the tank's capacity, pressure rises causing boil-off losses. If no gas is consumed at all, this waste is as high as 1% of the tank's remaining volume, per day. To counteract these losses, filling up the tank regularly is required (typically once a week).

For a reliable and continuous supply of nitrogen, on-site generation is widely considered as the most reliable option. Technologies like Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) and membrane generators provide efficient, uninterrupted nitrogen production tailored to your needs.

Opposed to the previous methods of purchasing and receiving nitrogen, generating your own doesn't involve the cryogenic process. As a result, both membrane or Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) nitrogen generators don't require extreme temperatures. These types of equipment separate air into their components through other means.

Although PSA and membrane are two very different technologies, they both require a stream of compressed air to work. Also, since these two generators don't use cryo, the resulting gas composition is not the same.

Cryogenic nitrogen has a fixed, high purity level. The nitrogen purity of commercially available generators is adjustable to match your preferences. It's worth noting that achieving the same purity level as cryo-generated nitrogen is inefficient with PSA and membrane generators.

With these machines, higher purity requires more power, resulting in increased operational costs. That being said, PSA and membrane generator purity levels are sufficient for most applications. Users can lower their cost per unit of nitrogen by producing the right purity for their application instead of the highest. You can read more about nitrogen purity here.

Determining the right size and capacity for nitrogen generators involves thoroughly assessing various factors. Before deciding, conduct a detailed analysis or consult with our experts.

We understand this process can be challenging, and we’re here to help. Our expert can help you find the best solution for your most complex industrial challenges. Count on us to answer all your questions about sizing, installation, or ongoing support.