Many businesses use compressed air or nitrogen gas in their operations, from food and beverage production to packaging and wineries/breweries etc . The question is — how do you choose the right size nitrogen tank?
In this article, we outline the various considerations to make when choosing a nitrogen tank. We also discuss the benefits of an on-site nitrogen generator to streamline your operations and boost efficiency.
You can order individual gas storage tanks as needed or order cylinder packs from a third party. Some common nitrogen tank sizes in New Zealand include 6kg, 20kg, 45kg, and 90kg. However, this does come with delivery costs and third-party reliance, often leading to frustrating delays and supply chain problems.
Fortunately, you can eliminate the cost and delays associated with nitrogen deliveries by installing a nitrogen generator at your site.
An on-site nitrogen generator provides high-quality and consistent nitrogen on demand. They work by extracting air from the atmosphere and separating nitrogen from other molecules. There are two main types of nitrogen generators:
A Membrane nitrogen generator uses semipermeable membranes with small hollow fibres bundled together in a circular cross-section. The compressed air is pushed into the fibres, contacting the membrane as it flows through. Oxygen, water vapour, and trace gases easily pass through, while pure nitrogen is contained within the membrane.
Pressure Swing Adsorption nitrogen generators use the adsorption process to remove oxygen, CO₂, and water vapour from the nitrogen using a carbon molecular sieve.
Nitrogen is of vital use in many key industries including food and beverage, dairy, wine, pharmaceutical and medical, along with many specialist applications such as breweries. Nitrogen is also a suitable and cost-effective replacement for carbon dioxide (CO₂).
By producing your nitrogen on-site, you eliminate the need for gas cylinder deliveries from third parties. This saves significant costs over time and reduces the risk of operational downtime, allowing you to produce the nitrogen you need on demand.
If you require a consistent and uninterrupted nitrogen gas supply, adequate storage or tanks will ensure the storage capacity is matched to your peak gas usage. Nitrogen tanks are available in a range of sizes, starting as low as 20 litres and ranging up to several thousand litres.
To ensure your nitrogen generator is the correct size for your application, you need to work out the required flow rate of nitrogen gas depending on your application. A larger flow rate typically requires a larger model or one that can produce nitrogen on demand. Generally, we recommend PSA generators for a higher flow capacity.
If the receiver can adequately store more than the air compressor produces, your operations will always run smoothly. If the capacity is less than the generator’s output, the excess may cause problems within the system.
As a general guideline, your nitrogen receiver tank should have the capacity for 10 to 15 litres of tank volume for each cubic foot per minute (CFM) of nitrogen gas.
Work out how much nitrogen your equipment needs at peak usage in cubic feet per minute. An easy method is to tally up the air demand of each tool or piece of equipment that will be operating simultaneously and multiply the total approximate consumption by a utilisation factor for each tool.
If your tank stores enough compressed air to accommodate the maximum usage, it will be sufficient. However, if the tank is too small, it will lead to wasted energy, lower productivity, and an increase in maintenance expenses.
If you have steady airflow, you typically won’t need gas storage because the demand is met by the generator’s output. On the other hand, systems with many fluctuations require more storage to cater to increased activity. This allows the system to keep up with the higher demand without losing any pressure or productivity.
Take note of the pipework throughout the generator setup. The larger the diameter of your piping, the more gas you can store, influencing the overall storage capacity. This additional space should be factored into your calculations so it is worth discussing with an engineer or compressed air expert.
If you require a high-quality and reliable nitrogen gas supply for your plant or factory, Industrial Air Systems has everything you need. We supply a superior range of nitrogen generators by PneuTech, providing exceptional outcomes for both large and small-scale operations.
All our nitrogen generators are available in powder-coated mild steel, stainless steel, and galvanised steel. See the various configurations below or ask our team which option is the best solution for your operations.
The skid-mounted nitrogen generator packages are assembled and pre-commissioned in our factory, delivered to your site, and fully charged with nitrogen ready for immediate use. These packages come mounted on solid base-frame supports and forklift mounts for the ultimate plug-and-play solution.
This nitrogen generation package comes assembled and pre-commissioned in its very own shipping container. Purpose-built in a brand-new 20ft or 40ft container, these packages come pre-commissioned and tested in our factory, ready for immediate operation.
These customised nitrogen generator systems are tailored to suit your existing plant layout and application. Popular features include a compressor, dryer, air and nitrogen receivers, nitrogen generators, filtration, drains and interconnecting piping.
This is an all-in-one nitrogen generator unit used in breweries, providing pure nitrogen gas as a cost-effective substitute for CO₂. Positioned on a skid-mount base that can be easily transported around your site, the Nitrobrew delivers a convenient and reliable gas supply.
This is an all-in-one nitrogen generator unit designed for use in wineries, replacing CO2 with pure nitrogen gas at a cost-effective price. It can be easily transported and is a plug-and-play solution, ready to produce a convenient and reliable gas supply upon delivery.
PneuTech nitrogen generators are world-leading in efficiency and longevity. Learn more about this range by downloading your free copy of our full brochure. Inside, you’ll find specifications on all our nitrogen generators and related products so you can make an informed decision for your operations.