Industrial Liquid Nitrogen Generator: On-Site LN2 Production

An industrial liquid nitrogen generator is a state-of-the-art system that produces high-purity liquid nitrogen (LN2) directly on-site.

Rather than receiving bulk nitrogen or using cryogenic cylinders, companies can produce their own nitrogen as needed, minimizing expenses and ensuring supply at all times.

Liquid nitrogen generators are now widely used as industries worldwide shift toward energy-saving, eco-friendly solutions.

The applications of on-site nitrogen production include food freezing, medical preservation, metal processing, and electronic manufacturing.

What Is an Industrial Liquid Nitrogen Generator?

An industrial liquid nitrogen generator is a system that utilizes either cryogenic air separation or Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) coupled with liquefaction technology to produce nitrogen and liquefy it into liquid nitrogen.

It separates nitrogen from the surrounding air, purifies it, and cools it down to cryogenic temperatures (usually below −196°C/−320°F) to liquefy it.

In comparison to conventional cylinder or bulk nitrogen delivery, an on-site liquid nitrogen generator is a self-contained unit with standalone operation, high reliability, and long-term cost savings.

How Does It Work?

Generating liquid nitrogen from the air involves several stages of preparation, separation, and liquefaction.

1. Air Compression: The air is initially compressed with the help of an efficient air compressor.

2. Air Drying and Cleaning: Dust particles, moisture, carbon dioxide, and hydrocarbons are removed via filtration.

3. Nitrogen Production: The purified air stream is introduced to PSA or cryogenic distillation systems to separate oxygen and nitrogen from the rest of the air components.

4. Nitrogen Liquefaction: The generated nitrogen gas is then liquefied using a cryocooler or expansion turbine.

5. Storage: The resulting LN2 is stored in insulated cryogenic storage tanks for use or further transportation.

Because the system runs automatically, the operator requires only minimal supervision.

In addition, an advanced PLC control system allows stable nitrogen purity and liquefaction efficiency.

Advantages of an Industrial Liquid Nitrogen Generator

Purchasing and installing a liquid nitrogen generator has many operational and financial advantages.

1. Local Production: Eliminate reliance on gas providers and shipping delays.

2. Economical: Savings on long-term costs of purchasing gas, transportation, and tank rental.

3. High Purity: Achieve nitrogen purity levels up to 99.999% for high-demand industrial use.

4. Automation: Fully automated operation with real-time monitoring and safety controls.

5. Continuous Supply: The generator provides a continuous output of liquid nitrogen 24/7.

6. Environmentally Friendly: The generator produces nitrogen directly from air, with no chemical additives or emissions.

In addition, modern nitrogen generators are compact, energy-efficient, and built to last.

Applications of Industrial Liquid Nitrogen Generator

Because of their performance and reliability, the industrial liquid nitrogen generator is widely used in many industries.

1. Food Processing: Freeze products rapidly and package them to maintain freshness.

2. Medical and Pharmaceutical: Cryogenic storage and preservation of biological samples and vaccines.

3. Electronics Manufacturing: Provide an inert atmosphere for semiconductor and PCB fabrication.

4. Metal Processing: Shrink-fitting and cooling applications for machinery, tools.

5. Chemical Industry: Inert gas for chemical reactors and the safe handling of flammable materials.

6. Laboratories: Controlled experiments and cryogenic sample preservation.

Liquid nitrogen generators can be used for a wide variety of industrial purposes.

Technical Features

A modern industrial liquid nitrogen generator is composed of the following main components:

1. Air Compressor and Dryer: Provides compressed clean, dry air.

2. PSA Nitrogen Generator or Cryogenic Column: Separates nitrogen from oxygen and argon.

3. Liquefaction Unit: Converts the generated nitrogen into liquid form through rapid cooling.

4. Cryogenic Storage Tank: Stores LN2 at a stable temperature using multi-layer insulation.

5. Control System: PLC with touchscreen terminal for automatic control and data recording.

The system may be configured for various output production, from 5 to 5,000 liters per day, depending on the application.

Why Choose an On-Site Liquid Nitrogen Generator

In contrast to conventional nitrogen delivery, on-site LN2 production offers economic and practical advantages in the long term.

1. Cost Savings: Eliminates the recurring high costs of refilling cylinders or renting trucks.

2. Safety: Eliminates the handling of high-pressure cylinders or cryogenic tanker trucks.

3. Eco-Friendly: Lowers carbon footprint by doing away with gas transportation and logistics.

4. Flexibility: Easy to scale up or down depending on the needs of the company.

5. Reliability: Continuous supply even during supplier downtime or delivery issues.

These benefits and more make the switch to a self-owned nitrogen generation system a popular option for companies in the food, healthcare, and energy industries.

Industrial Liquid Nitrogen Generator | 2024 Guide

For more gas generation systems, check our PSA Oxygen Generator for medical and industrial applications.

Frequently Asked Questions about Liquid Nitrogen Generator

Q1: What is the highest nitrogen purity level the generator can achieve?

A: The nitrogen generator can produce nitrogen gas with up to 99.999% purity based on its configuration and additional purification modules.

Q2: How much power does the nitrogen generator consume?

A: The power consumption of the nitrogen generator varies depending on the capacity; however, the typical value is about 0.8–1.2 kWh per liter of LN2.

Q3: Can the nitrogen generator be operated 24/7?

A: Yes, the nitrogen generator is designed for continuous 24/7 operation and is equipped with safety control systems and alarms.

Q4: What is the maintenance required for the nitrogen generator?

A: The main maintenance includes the replacement of the air filter, inspection of the compressor, and service of the cryocooler every 6–12 months.

Q5: Can the nitrogen generator be customized to specific requirements?

A: Yes, the nitrogen generator flow rate, purity, and liquefaction capacity can be customized to meet the specific needs of your industrial application.

Conclusion

To sum up, the industrial liquid nitrogen generator is a smart and sustainable alternative to the traditional approach to nitrogen supply.

With its high level of automation, high purity output, and low operational costs, it is a practical and essential solution for industries that value reliability and independence.

By choosing this option, companies can have confidence in the constant availability of LN2 and long-term ROI.