On-site nitrogen generation — reliable, cost-effective, and independently specified.
If your operation relies on a regular supply of nitrogen gas, generating it on-site is almost always more efficient, more reliable, and more cost-effective than depending on delivered cylinders or bulk liquid nitrogen.
At CPA, we supply and specify nitrogen generators across a wide range of industries and applications. As independent specialists, we’re not tied to any single manufacturer, which means we focus entirely on finding the right solution for your requirements.
Gas Generators
Why Generate Nitrogen On-Site?
Relying on delivered nitrogen comes with hidden costs and risks that are easy to overlook — delivery lead times, rental charges on cylinders, fluctuating gas prices, and the risk of running out at a critical moment.
On-site nitrogen generation removes all of that. Once installed, your system produces a continuous, consistent supply of nitrogen directly from compressed air, at the purity and flow rate your process demands, – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, without interruption.
The benefits are straightforward:
- No delivery costs — nitrogen is produced on demand, on your site
- No cylinder rental or handling — removing associated safety risks
- Predictable running costs — no exposure to fluctuating gas prices
- Consistent purity — matched to your exact application requirements
- Reduced waste — you produce only what you need, when you need it
Gas Generators
How Does a Nitrogen Generator Work?
Nitrogen generators work by separating nitrogen from the other gases in compressed air — primarily oxygen. Ambient air is compressed, filtered, and dried before passing through a separation stage that isolates the nitrogen, delivering it at a controlled purity level.
There are two principal technologies used to achieve this separation:
Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) uses a carbon molecular sieve to capture oxygen molecules, allowing nitrogen to pass through at high purity levels. PSA systems are well suited to applications requiring higher purity nitrogen, typically above 99%.
Membrane technology passes compressed air through a hollow fibre membrane, through which oxygen and other gases permeate more quickly than nitrogen. The result is a continuous flow of nitrogen at the outlet. Membrane systems are compact, have no moving parts, and are well suited to applications where moderate purity levels are sufficient.
The right technology for your application will depend on your required purity level, flow rate, and operating conditions. As independent specialists, CPA will assess your needs and recommend the most suitable and cost-effective solution.
Gas Generators
Who Uses Nitrogen Generators?
Nitrogen is used across a broad range of industries and processes. Common applications include food and drink, where modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) helps extend shelf life and prevent spoilage, pharmaceuticals, where nitrogen is used for blanketing, purging, and inerting to protect sensitive products, manufacturing and engineering for laser cutting, heat treatment, and metal forming, electronics for soldering and reflow processes requiring an oxygen-free environment, and automotive and aerospace for tyre inflation, testing, and component manufacturing.
If your industry or application isn’t listed here, it’s worth getting in touch. Nitrogen is used in a surprisingly wide range of processes, and on-site generation may well be a viable option for you.
Gas Generators
Why Choose CPA?
At CPA, we work with a range of leading nitrogen generator manufacturers, which means we can focus entirely on finding the right solution for your application and budget rather than being tied to any single product range.
From initial enquiry through to installation and ongoing support, we’ll work with you to ensure your system is correctly specified, properly installed, and performing as it should. Get in touch with our team to discuss your nitrogen requirements and we’ll help you find the right solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here you’ll find answers to common questions about industrial nitrogen generation.
A nitrogen generator is a system that produces nitrogen gas on-site from compressed air, eliminating the need for delivered cylinders or bulk liquid nitrogen tanks.
Compressed air is first filtered and dried to remove moisture and impurities, then passed through a separation stage that removes oxygen, leaving behind a continuous flow of nitrogen at a controlled purity level.
There are two main technologies used: Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) and membrane, each suited to different flow rates, purity requirements, and applications. As independent nitrogen generator specialists, CPA can help you identify the right technology and specification for your needs.
It extracts it. Nitrogen already makes up around 78% of the air we breathe. A nitrogen generator separates it from the other gases present, primarily oxygen, using either PSA or membrane technology.
No nitrogen is manufactured in the process; it’s already abundant in the atmosphere. A generator simply gives you a practical, cost-effective way to access it on demand, at the purity and flow rate your application requires.
The cost of a nitrogen generator depends on several factors, including the required flow rate, purity level, application, and system specification. There is no single standard price, as each system is sized to the specific demands of the application it serves.
As independent distributors, CPA works across a range of manufacturers and technologies, meaning we can recommend the most cost-effective solution for your requirements rather than being tied to a single product range. Get in touch with our team for a specification and quote tailored to your application.
Nitrogen generators can produce nitrogen across a wide range of purity levels, typically from around 95% up to 99.999%, commonly referred to as “five nines” purity.
The purity level required will depend on your application. Food packaging, electronics, and pharmaceutical processes, for example, often demand higher purity levels than general industrial applications.
As independent specialists, CPA can advise on the correct purity specification for your application and source the most suitable system accordingly, without being tied to any single manufacturer.
Flow rate is one of the most important factors when sizing a nitrogen generator, and getting it right ensures your system performs reliably without being over or under specified.
The flow rate you need will depend on several things, including how much nitrogen your process consumes, how consistently it is used, whether demand fluctuates at different points in your operation, and the purity level required, as higher purity systems typically require a higher flow rate to deliver the same usable output.
In practice, most people don’t know their exact flow rate requirement off the top of their head, and that’s completely normal. As independent nitrogen generator specialists, CPA will work through your application with you to establish the right specification, taking into account your current usage, future requirements, and any peaks in demand.
Getting the sizing right from the outset avoids the common and costly mistake of investing in a system that either can’t keep up with demand or is significantly larger than you need.
Get in touch with our team, and we’ll help you work it out.
In most cases, yes. Nitrogen generators are designed to integrate with existing compressed air systems and downstream equipment, and in many installations the transition to on-site generation is relatively straightforward.
That said, successful integration does depend on a number of factors, including the condition and capacity of your existing compressed air supply, the inlet pressure and flow available, the space available for the generator itself, and any specific connection or interface requirements your equipment may have.
As independent specialists, CPA will assess your existing setup as part of the specification process, identifying any potential compatibility considerations before installation rather than after. This means you get a system that fits your operation from day one, with no surprises.
If you’re unsure whether your current infrastructure is suitable, get in touch, and we’ll be happy to take a look.
Nitrogen generators are generally low maintenance compared to many other industrial gas supply methods, and running costs are typically predictable and straightforward to manage.
That said, like any system handling compressed air, routine maintenance is important to ensure consistent performance and longevity. This usually includes regular filter changes to prevent moisture and contaminants from affecting the separation stage, periodic checks on the compressed air inlet conditions, and routine performance monitoring to ensure purity and flow rate remain within specification.
The frequency and nature of maintenance will depend on the technology used. PSA systems and membrane systems have slightly different maintenance profiles, as well as the demands of your application and the quality of your compressed air supply.
As independent specialists, CPA can advise on the expected maintenance requirements for any system we supply, and help you put a maintenance schedule in place that keeps your generator running reliably.
Get in touch with our team to find out more.
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