When choosing a nitrogen generator, purity should not automatically be set at the highest available level.
The correct value depends on the industry, the application and the maximum amount of residual oxygen allowed by the process. In some cases, ultra-high-purity nitrogen is essential; in others, a lower percentage already guarantees the required result with lower consumption.
For this reason, ILT Energia Nitro Series generators are configured by considering purity, flow rate, pressure and consumption profile together.
What Does Nitrogen Purity Mean?
Nitrogen purity indicates the percentage of nitrogen contained in the gas produced.
Nitrogen at 99% purity contains approximately 1% residual gases, mainly oxygen, argon and other components naturally present in air. At 99.99% purity, the amount of residual oxygen is significantly lower.
In PSA generators, compressed air passes through columns containing CMS, or Carbon Molecular Sieve, a material that retains oxygen and allows nitrogen to pass through.
The final purity depends on the generator configuration, operating parameters and required flow rate.
Nitrogen Purity Depends on the Industry and Application
There is no single value suitable for every process.
As a general indication:
- 95–99%: inerting and general industrial applications;
- 99–99.5%: mechanical processing and laser-cutting applications;
- 99.9–99.99%: food packaging, electronics and oxygen-sensitive processes;
- above 99.99%: laboratories, high-precision applications and processes with specific requirements.
These ranges do not replace a technical assessment. Even within the same industry, the correct purity may vary according to the product, the application, the required standards and the production objective.
When Can Higher Nitrogen Purity Be Inefficient?
High purity is necessary when the process requires it. However, it may become inefficient when set above the actual production requirements.
In PSA systems, increasing purity can:
- reduce the available nitrogen flow rate;
- increase the amount of compressed air required;
- increase compressor energy consumption;
- raise operating costs.
The correct question is therefore not:
What is the maximum purity that can be achieved?
but:
What purity is required to guarantee the result expected by the process?
Selecting the correct level makes it possible to achieve the best balance between gas quality, system performance and operating costs.
Purity, Flow Rate and Pressure Must Be Evaluated Together
Purity cannot be considered separately from the other operating parameters.
To configure a generator correctly, it is necessary to know:
- average nitrogen consumption;
- possible demand peaks;
- required purity;
- operating pressure;
- operating hours.
A system sized only according to maximum purity may be oversized or may fail to provide the required flow rate during periods of peak consumption.
How Is Purity Controlled in Nitro Series Generators?
Nitro Series nitrogen generators use PSA technology to produce nitrogen directly from compressed air through columns operating alternately.
The gas produced is controlled through a residual oxygen analyser. Monitoring makes it possible to verify that the purity level remains within the set threshold and to detect any non-compliant operating conditions.
On-site production also makes nitrogen available directly at the facility, reducing dependence on cylinders and external suppliers.
Nitro Series: Configuring the Generator Around Actual Requirements
The Nitro range includes several models, from N-2 to N-40, with different flow rates depending on the selected purity level.
The choice of model should not be based solely on nominal nitrogen consumption. ILT Energia analyses the complete gas usage profile to identify the correct balance between:
- purity;
- flow rate;
- pressure;
- compressed air consumption;
- operational continuity;
- operating costs.
Correct configuration makes it possible to produce the required amount of gas without demanding performance that does not provide a real benefit to the process.
How to Determine the Required Nitrogen Purity
Before configuring the generator, it is useful to assess:
- the maximum acceptable residual oxygen level;
- any applicable regulatory or quality standards;
- average consumption and demand peaks;
- required pressure;
- process continuity;
- compressed air system capacity.
When the value is not defined by a regulation, it is advisable to base the choice on the application specifications and on a technical assessment of the process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nitrogen Purity
Is Higher Nitrogen Purity Always Better?
No. Higher purity generally results in a lower nitrogen flow rate and greater compressed air consumption. It is more efficient to select the level actually required by the application.
What Purity Levels Can Nitro Series Generators Achieve?
The Nitro Series can be configured to produce nitrogen at purity levels of up to 99.99%, depending on the model and required flow rate.
How Is Nitrogen Purity Verified?
The gas produced is monitored through a residual oxygen analyser with an adjustable alarm threshold.
Can Nitrogen Purity Be Changed After Installation?
The configuration can be adjusted within the technical limits of the system. However, changing the purity also affects the available flow rate and compressed air consumption, so the generator sizing should be reassessed.
Conclusion
Nitrogen purity should not be selected according to the highest available value, but according to the actual requirements of the process.
With Nitro Series generators, ILT Energia configures purity, flow rate and pressure to ensure efficient and controlled on-site production while avoiding unnecessary compressed air consumption.
Discover ILT Energia Nitro Series nitrogen generators or contact ILT Energia to identify the most suitable configuration for your facility.
