How Do Nitrogen Membranes Work?
How do Nitrogen membranes work? It’s necessary to first understand the element, before exploring its many practical applications. Making up nearly 80% of the Earth’s atmosphere, Nitrogen gas (N2) is the most abundant element in the air we breathe. Because of its seemingly inert qualities, Nitrogen gas is highly valued for its ability to work as a shield between certain reactive elements and oxygen.
The processes used by Generon Innovative Gas Systems (IGS), a leading global supplier of Nitrogen and Oxygen Systems and Feed Air and Gas Compression needs, is to retrieve nitrogen from the air fall under the category of non-cryogenic air separation.
Unlike cryogenic methods, which utilize boiling point temperature to distill various elements, non-cryogenic methods manipulate the physical differences between active gases, such as Oxygen, and seemingly inert gases, such as Nitrogen, in order to separate them for different industrial uses.
The two most popular methods of non-cryogenic air separation are PSA (Pressure Swing Absorption) and Nitrogen Membrane Generators. The PSA method of gas separation can be used to separate either Nitrogen or Oxygen, depending on the absorbent material used. Compressed air is shot through these absorbent materials, which are chosen for their inherent affinity for the undesired substances in the air, letting the desired elemental gas pass through.
Nitrogen membrane generators work a little differently. The understanding behind nitrogen membrane generators is that different elements will pass through a specially designed polymer film at different rates. This polymer membrane separates nitrogen, a “slow gas”, from the faster gases, such as oxygen and other undesired product impurities.
These generators have proven to be efficient and supremely cost effective. Because the nitrogen emerges from the polymer membrane at approximately the same compression levels at which it was sent through, very little, if any, additional sources of air compression are required.
In the past, nitrogen membrane generators were valued primarily for smaller, low-demand applications. IGS is working to change this misconception. Because larger systems are comprised of many smaller systems, IGS is working to foster new trends in nitrogen membrane generator usage.
IGS specializes in the custom formation of nitrogen membranes to suit individual industrial needs. Membrane size and nitrogen purity specifications can now be tailored to fit a wide variety of production rates and capacities.
For more information on how IGS can serve your Nitrogen generator, Oxygen generator, Instrument Air, Integrated Marine System, or Feed Air or Gas Compression needs, or for service, spare parts, or rental information, please contact IGS at 713-937-5200.
Additional Resources:
Nitrogen Gas: History & Industry Use