PSA Nitrogen Generators

PSA Nitrogen Generators

PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) nitrogen systems use a proven, efficient method to separate nitrogen from compressed air. By utilizing carbon molecular sieves (CMS) and alternating pressure cycles, these systems provide a continuous, reliable nitrogen supply right at your facility, eliminating the need for delivered gas.

How It Works
  • Air Compression and Filtration: The process begins by drawing in ambient atmospheric air, which is then compressed and passed through filters to remove impurities like moisture, oil, and dust. This filtration step is critical to protect the system and ensure the integrity of the nitrogen produced.
  • Adsorption Process: The clean, dry compressed air enters one of the PSA system’s adsorption vessels, which is filled with a material called Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS). CMS has pores that are precisely sized to differentiate between various gas molecules based on their size and diffusion rates.
  • Oxygen Adsorption: As air passes through the CMS bed, the oxygen, water vapor, and carbon dioxide molecules are selectively adsorbed into the CMS, while the larger nitrogen molecules pass through. This separation results in a high-purity nitrogen stream, ready for downstream use.
  • Swing Cycle: To maintain continuous nitrogen production, PSA systems use a dual-tower with two vessels that alternate between adsorption and regeneration. While one vessel is actively generating nitrogen, the other is  in regeneration mode, where it is depressurized to release trapped oxygen. The system switches between towers in a “pressure swing” cycle, allowing for uninterrupted nitrogen output.
  • Nitrogen Output: The final result is a continuous flow of high-purity nitrogen (typically 95%–99.999%). PSA nitrogen generators are ideal for industries that require a dependable, on-site source of ultra-pure nitrogen, such as electronics manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food packaging, and laser cutting.
Advantages
  • Cost-effective compared to bottled or liquid nitrogen.

  • On-demand supply, eliminating logistics and storage concerns.

  • Environmentally friendly, using only ambient air and electricity.

  • Customizable purity levels for different industrial applications.

Common Applications
  • Food packaging (MAP – Modified Atmosphere Packaging)

  • Electronics manufacturing

  • Laser cutting

  • Pharmaceutical production

  • Chemical processing

  • Tire inflation (for vehicles and aircraft)