On-Site Nitrogen Generators vs. Nitrogen Gas Tanks
Various manufacturing and industrial processes require nitrogen, including metal fabrication. If you rely on nitrogen for your operations, you either generate it on-site or get it delivered from an external source.
As a manager or operator at your facility, coordinating these deliveries can be time-consuming, inefficient, and costly. Additionally, sourcing large quantities of nitrogen gas bottles restricts your ability to adjust the purity and amount of nitrogen for your specific needs, limiting your production flexibility and potentially resulting in downtime.
Learn everything you need to know about on-site nitrogen generation versus bottled nitrogen and how to determine the best option for your facility. Working with a trusted provider with experience in the nitrogen generation industry can help you find the right equipment for your business.
Differences Between On-Site Nitrogen Generators and Nitrogen Gas Tanks
To help you decide whether a nitrogen generator can support your operational needs, we will compare and contrast on-site nitrogen generators and gas tanks.
1. Purity
When you buy nitrogen gas tanks and get them delivered, the purity level is predetermined by the supplier and cannot be adjusted. Alternatively, an on-site nitrogen generator enables you to control the purity level to your exact production needs. For instance, you can generate 96% or 99.9% pure nitrogen if you wish.
2. Cost-Efficiency
Ordering nitrogen tanks or cylinders from a supplier means you may be subjected to the fluctuating cost of these products. Additionally, nitrogen tanks often require delivery charges and may incur more expenses if you need more storage space for them.
For a facility with high nitrogen demand, purchasing a nitrogen generator can be more cost-efficient over time. While purchasing these systems requires a significant upfront cost for the system and one-time installation, you can recover these expenses by eliminating the need to rent, store, return, and wait for nitrogen delivery. Once you purchase a nitrogen generator, the only costs you will be responsible for are regular maintenance.
3. Sustainability
On-site nitrogen generators tend to be more sustainable overall because they reduce the environmental impact caused by frequent nitrogen tank deliveries. It can also be challenging to get all of the nitrogen out when using tanks or bottles, which can result in waste and require you to order nitrogen more often. Creating your own nitrogen on-site can help you produce less waste overall.
4. Safety Risk
The safety of your personnel at your facility is a top priority. Working with nitrogen comes with a unique set of risks as it is odorless and colorless, making it difficult to detect. Keeping pressurized nitrogen in tanks or cylinders at your facility can increase the risk of accidents like asphyxiation and explosions. Individuals handling these cylinders can also be exposed to severe injuries if the nitrogen comes in contact with heat.
An on-site generator reduces many of the safety risks associated with storing Nitrogen on-site and eliminates the headache of reordering and refilling High-Pressure Cylinders. There is no need for liquid nitrogen or pressurized canisters.
5. Convenience
You can have plenty of nitrogen gas tanks for your operators if you order them often enough to keep them in stock. However, on-site nitrogen generators provide a reliable source of nitrogen 24 hours a day, any time you need it. When choosing between an on-site nitrogen generator and nitrogen bottles, consider the convenience of an unlimited supply of nitrogen without having to schedule a delivery window and wait for a replacement.
Likewise, you may have to stop production while a technician replaces your nitrogen tanks or cylinder, which can decrease workplace efficiency. Having your own nitrogen generator on-site means constant access to a consistent flow of nitrogen from the surrounding atmospheric air.
8 Benefits of an On-Site Nitrogen Generator
Now that we have established the differences between an on-site nitrogen generator and a nitrogen tank, here are the benefits of generating nitrogen on-site.
1. Ensure a Consistent Supply of Nitrogen
Having an on-site nitrogen generator is the only way to ensure a steady source of nitrogen. Even if you and your employees are on top of ordering nitrogen cylinders as needed, they may not always be delivered on time. Weather conditions and supply chain shortages can impact your nitrogen tank deliveries.
If a delivery is delayed, your operators will be put on hold until your supply is replaced. If you run a manufacturing, metal fabrication, production or packaging facility, you likely require high amounts of nitrogen consistently. Constant delivery issues with no assurance can reduce productivity and profitability. With an on-site nitrogen generator, you can get nitrogen where and when you want it.
2. Save Space
The more nitrogen you require, the more tanks and cylinders you must rent. You will also need backup liquid nitrogen in case you run out, requiring a dedicated space at your facility to store it. These liquid nitrogen tanks can take up substantial space that could otherwise be used for more high-value tasks.
By investing in a nitrogen generator, you can free up significant storage room for other equipment. Additionally, you will not have to experience gas loss due to evaporation during long storage periods.
3. Save Money
Purchasing gas as needed through a contract supplier and incurring delivery fees can be costly. On-site generators usually supply nitrogen at a fraction of the cost of nitrogen gas tanks. Compared to purchasing bulk or bottled nitrogen, on-site generators can provide a longer lifetime for your money.
You can eliminate potential waste by only generating the exact amount of gas needed for your specific operations at any point. You can expect a return on investment from your on-site nitrogen gas generator within several months to a few years, depending on your production needs.
4. Enjoy Easy Installation
Many industries already have an air compressor, which takes an additional step out of the on-site nitrogen generator process. An experienced technician can easily hook up your nitrogen generator to your air compressor to produce pure nitrogen for a range of applications.
5. Decrease Your Carbon Footprint
Generating your own nitrogen at your facility uses substantially less energy than sourcing it from a nitrogen production facility and getting it delivered. You can simultaneously eliminate the environmental impact of transporting liquid nitrogen containers and having to return any tanks that are not completely empty.
6. Improve Workplace Safety
Handling and storing heavy tanks of pressurized liquid nitrogen can present several occupational health hazards. Using a safe and reliable on-site nitrogen generator means you generate and utilize the gas you need immediately, leaving less risk of displacing oxygen in the event of a leak or causing a fire.
7. Increase Workplace Efficiency
Ordering, scheduling, and waiting for nitrogen gas tanks can take significant time. By using a nitrogen generator on-site, you can save valuable administrative time and eliminate the need to search for new suppliers in the event of a shortage. Rather than managing weekly deliveries and unloading heavy tanks, you can count on a constant supply of nitrogen and prioritize other important operational issues.
8. Control Your Purity Levels
Some applications and industries require high purity levels for nitrogen. If this is the case at your facility, having an on-site nitrogen generator enables you to control the purity needed for your exact product. Conventionally supplied nitrogen has a fixed purity level that you cannot change.
For instance, if your facility requires purity levels of 97%, you would waste money paying for nitrogen gas tanks at a purity of 99%. Likewise, if you require 99.999% purity, you will have total control over your nitrogen production and consumption.
Contact Liberty Systems for Nitrogen Generation Systems
Managing nitrogen deliveries can take up valuable time and money, whereas a nitrogen generator keeps your business operational. At Liberty Systems, we offer a range of nitrogen generators to meet your industrial applications.
Our products are reliable and cost-effective, featuring a three-year warranty to help you feel confident in your operations. Contact us today to speak with one of our expert Sales Engineers, and learn about our nitrogen generator solutions and after-sale support.