Why Nitrogen Generators are Gaining Popularity - Organomation

Jun. 30, 2025

Why Nitrogen Generators are Gaining Popularity - Organomation

In the ever-evolving landscape of laboratory technologies, the future of laboratory gases is taking a notable turn towards innovation and efficiency. Among the array of gases used in laboratories, nitrogen has emerged as a critical component due to its inert properties and wide range of applications. As the demand for high-purity nitrogen continues to grow, nitrogen generators are gaining popularity, offering an array of benefits that are revolutionizing how commercial and academic laboratories operate, particularly in fields such as environmental testing.

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→ Discover: Nitrogen Generators: Everything you need to know
→ Product featured in photo above: NITRO-GEN Benchtop Nitrogen Generator

The Growing Demand for Nitrogen

Nitrogen is indispensable in numerous laboratory processes. It is used in gas chromatography, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and as a carrier gas in many other analytical techniques. Its inert nature makes it ideal for creating controlled environments, preserving samples, and ensuring the accuracy and reliability of experimental results.

As laboratories strive for greater efficiency and precision, the demand for high-purity nitrogen has increased. Traditionally, nitrogen has been supplied in gas cylinders or bulk liquid form, but these methods have significant drawbacks, including supply chain logistics, storage challenges, and safety concerns. This is where nitrogen generators come into play.

Nitrogen Generators and Their Advantages

Nitrogen generators are devices that produce nitrogen gas from compressed air on-site, providing a continuous supply of nitrogen at the required purity levels. These systems use technologies such as pressure swing adsorption (PSA) or membrane separation to filter out oxygen and other gases, delivering nitrogen that meets the stringent requirements of modern laboratory applications.

→ Discover: Is generating nitrogen in my lab worthwhile?

We discuss the benefit provided by nitrogen generators across several pages on Organomation.com but below is a quick summary:

Cost Efficiency of Generators Over Cylinders

One of the most compelling reasons for the shift towards nitrogen generators is cost efficiency. Traditional nitrogen supply methods involve recurring costs for purchasing, delivering, and storing gas cylinders or liquid nitrogen. In contrast, nitrogen generators represent a one-time capital investment with minimal ongoing operational costs. Laboratories can produce nitrogen on-demand, eliminating the need for expensive and time-consuming gas deliveries.

Continuous Supply of Nitrogen Gas

Nitrogen generators provide a continuous and reliable supply of nitrogen, ensuring that laboratory operations are never disrupted due to gas shortages. This reliability is crucial for laboratories with high nitrogen consumption or those conducting long-term experiments. The ability to produce nitrogen on-site also reduces the dependency on external suppliers and mitigates risks associated with supply chain disruptions.

Enhanced Laboratory Safety

Handling and storing high-pressure gas cylinders or liquid nitrogen pose significant safety risks. Accidents related to gas leaks or improper handling can lead to serious injuries and even fatalities. Nitrogen generators enhance safety by reducing the need for high-pressure storage and minimizing the risk of leaks. Additionally, on-site nitrogen generation means that laboratories no longer need to manage the logistics of transporting hazardous materials.

Reduced Environmental Impact

Environmental sustainability is a growing concern across all industries, and laboratories are no exception. Nitrogen generators contribute to environmental conservation by reducing the carbon footprint associated with the production, transportation, and disposal of gas cylinders. By generating nitrogen on-site, laboratories can significantly cut down on emissions and contribute to greener operations.

→ Discover: Do nitrogen generators actually reduce your carbon footprint?

Customizable Purity Levels

Different laboratory applications require different purity levels of nitrogen. Nitrogen generators offer the flexibility to adjust the purity of the nitrogen produced to meet specific needs, ranging from 95% to 99.999% purity. This customization ensures that laboratories can maintain the highest standards of accuracy and reliability in their work.

Nitrogen Generators in Various Laboratory Settings

→ Discover: Why nitrogen is ideal for drying test samples

Environmental Testing Supported by Nitrogen Generators

In environmental testing laboratories, where the analysis of air, water, and soil samples demands precise and reliable results, nitrogen generators have become invaluable. The ability to produce high-purity nitrogen on-site ensures consistent analytical performance, which is crucial for detecting pollutants, contaminants, and other environmental hazards. Moreover, the cost savings and safety benefits enable environmental testing facilities to allocate more resources towards expanding their testing capabilities and enhancing overall quality.

Nitrogen Generators in Academic Research

For academic laboratories, generators provide a cost-effective and reliable N2 generation solution that supports a wide range of research activities. From supporting advanced analytical techniques to ensuring the safe preservation of samples, nitrogen generators enhance the operational efficiency of academic institutions. The reduced environmental impact aligns with the sustainability goals of many universities, making nitrogen generators an attractive option for research facilities looking to modernize their operations.

Pharmaceutical Labs Supported by Nitrogen Generators

In pharmaceutical research and development, nitrogen generators play a critical role. They provide high-purity nitrogen necessary for synthesizing and analyzing new drug compounds, ensuring the accuracy and safety of the development process. Nitrogen generators support a range of applications, including formulation development, stability testing, and packaging. The ability to produce nitrogen on-site helps pharmaceutical laboratories maintain stringent quality control standards while reducing operational costs and enhancing safety.

Nitrogen Generators Aiding Food and Beverage Testing

Food and beverage laboratories use nitrogen for various applications, including packaging, preservation, and analytical testing. Nitrogen generators ensure a consistent supply of high-purity nitrogen for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), which extends the shelf life of products by inhibiting oxidation and microbial growth. Additionally, nitrogen is used in mass spectrometry and other analytical techniques to ensure the safety and quality of food products. On-site nitrogen generation helps these laboratories meet industry standards while optimizing operational efficiency.

Biotechnology and Life Sciences Enabled by Nitrogen Gas

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Biotechnology and life sciences laboratories rely on nitrogen for processes such as cell culture, cryopreservation, and lyophilization. Nitrogen generators provide a reliable source of nitrogen that is essential for maintaining the integrity and viability of biological samples. For instance, in cryopreservation, high-purity nitrogen is used to preserve cells, tissues, and other biological materials at ultra-low temperatures. The ability to produce nitrogen on-site enhances the reliability and efficiency of these critical processes.

Nitrogen Generators in Chemical Analysis

Chemical laboratories utilize nitrogen in various analytical techniques, including gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). High-purity nitrogen is crucial for carrier and makeup gases in GC, ensuring accurate and reliable separation of chemical compounds. In LC-MS, nitrogen is used as a drying and nebulizing gas to improve ionization efficiency and sensitivity. Nitrogen generators provide a continuous supply of high-purity nitrogen, enabling chemical laboratories to achieve precise and reproducible results.

Cutting-Edge Research Enabled by Nitrogen Generators

1. Genomics and Proteomics:

In the field of genomics and proteomics, the precision and reliability of nitrogen generators are enabling researchers to conduct advanced studies on genetic material and proteins. High-purity nitrogen is essential for maintaining the stability of samples during mass spectrometry analysis. For example, nitrogen generators are supporting groundbreaking research in cancer genomics, where the identification of genetic mutations and protein biomarkers is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

2. Environmental Science:

Nitrogen generators are revolutionizing environmental science research. Laboratories analyzing air quality and environmental pollutants rely on high-purity nitrogen to calibrate instruments and ensure accurate measurements. Recent studies on the impact of microplastics in marine environments and the effects of air pollution on human health have greatly benefited from the continuous and reliable supply of nitrogen provided by on-site generators.

3. Drug Discovery and Development:

In pharmaceutical research, nitrogen generators are instrumental in drug discovery and development. The production of high-purity nitrogen is critical for synthesizing and analyzing new drug compounds. Researchers are utilizing nitrogen generators to enhance the efficiency of high-throughput screening processes, leading to the rapid identification of potential drug candidates. This technology is accelerating the development of treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, and infectious diseases.

4. Advanced Material Science:

The field of material science is experiencing significant advancements due to the availability of high-purity nitrogen. Researchers are exploring the properties of nanomaterials, graphene, and other advanced materials with applications ranging from electronics to renewable energy. Nitrogen generators ensure a controlled and inert atmosphere, which is essential for experiments that require precise environmental conditions.

The Future Outlook of Nitrogen Generators

As technology continues to advance, the integration of nitrogen generators into laboratory infrastructure is expected to become even more seamless and sophisticated. Innovations in generator design, energy efficiency, and automation will further enhance their appeal. For example, future nitrogen generators may incorporate artificial intelligence to optimize nitrogen production based on real-time demand and usage patterns, improving efficiency and reducing energy consumption.

Additionally, as awareness grows about the benefits of on-site nitrogen generation, it is likely that more laboratories will transition away from traditional gas supply methods. The trend towards sustainable and self-sufficient laboratory operations will drive the adoption of nitrogen generators, contributing to the overall advancement of scientific research.

How Does a Nitrogen Generator Work? - PneuTech

Nitrogen generators create purified nitrogen gas out of thin air. How do they do it? Let’s take a closer look at the science of nitrogen generation.

If you use a lot of nitrogen gas (N2) in your processes, nitrogen generation may be a good option for you. Onsite nitrogen generation is increasingly popular for companies that regularly consume nitrogen. A nitrogen generator ensures a continual supply of N2 at the purity that you need, when and where you need it. Over time, generating your own nitrogen gas on demand is much more convenient and cost-effective than purchasing bulk gas from a contract supplier. The more gas you use, the faster your N2 generator will pay for itself. Here’s how common nitrogen generation technologies work.

What Is a Nitrogen Gas Generator?

A nitrogen gas generator makes N2 on demand by separating nitrogen from the other gasses in the air we breathe. Nitrogen is the most abundant element in Earth’s atmosphere, making up about 78% of our air by mass.

Nitrogen: 78%
Oxygen: 21%
Argon: 0.93%
Carbon dioxide: 0.04%
Trace gasses: 0.03% (includes Neon, Helium, Methane, Krypton, Hydrogen & Water Vapor)

Nitrogen generators use chemical or physical processes to separate the nitrogen from the other gasses. Once the N2 is separated from the other gasses, it can be stored in a pressure vessel for use in various industrial applications.

With onsite nitrogen generation, you have a limitless supply of nitrogen gas for your needs. Because nitrogen is so abundant in the atmosphere, you will never run out of N2 in the ambient air.

Types of Nitrogen Generators

There are several technologies available for nitrogen generation. The three most commonly used nitrogen separation technologies are cryogenic separation, membrane separation and adsorption. Of these, adsorption is the most commonly used method for onsite nitrogen generation.

Cryogenic Nitrogen Separation

Cryogenic nitrogen plants use thermal separation to purify gasses from the air. Atmospheric air is pressurized and cooled to very low temperatures. Different molecules have different boiling points, meaning they will turn from gas to liquid at different temperatures. The cryogenic plant uses these physical properties to distill liquid nitrogen out of the air.

Cryogenic separation can produce large volumes of nitrogen at very high purities, but it is very energy intensive. This method is only used by large plants producing massive volumes of liquid nitrogen. Liquid nitrogen (bottled or bulk delivery) usually comes from a cryogenic plant.

Membrane Nitrogen Separation

Membrane gas separation technologies use the principle of diffusion to separate gasses. A membrane gas separator has two chambers separated by a membrane and held at different pressures. The difference in pressure between the chambers drives the gas molecules through the membrane. Different gasses will diffuse through a membrane at different rates due to the size of their molecules. This differential velocity allows the system to separate out the nitrogen from other gasses.

Membrane nitrogen generators are valued for their simplicity, reliability, cost efficiency and the ability to produce nitrogen on-demand without the need for cryogenic distillation or energy-consuming adsorption processes. They are widely used in applications where ultra-high purity nitrogen is not needed, such as in tire inflation, fire suppression, pipeline purging and certain chemical processes. Their simple design, with few or no moving parts, makes them low-maintenance and ideal for remote or rugged applications such as oil & gas pipelines or military bases. They are also cheaper, so they may be an option for facilities that require smaller amounts of semi-pure nitrogen and do not want to invest much capital up front. However, they have limited capacity and relatively low purity (95% - 99%) compared to adsorptive technologies. For these reasons, adsorption is generally preferred for applications requiring high flow rates and high purity.

Adsorption Nitrogen Generators

Adsorption technologies work by fixing gasses with a solid substance. Adsorption is a process in which molecules of a liquid or gas are bound by physical or chemical means to the surface of a solid. Adsorptive materials such as activated carbon are composed of small beads with many tiny micropores inside to maximize the available surfaces that molecules can adsorb to. Leveraging the selective adsorption characteristics of specific materials, PSA systems can achieve nitrogen purity levels up to 99.999%, making them ideal for applications that require very high purity, such as electronics manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and laboratory research.

PSA nitrogen generators are highly reliable and energy efficient. An onsite PSA generator can save companies up to 50% or more compared to the cost of purchasing bottled N2 gas (based on operating expenses). These systems offer a scalable solution that can be tailored to match specific flow rates and purity requirements, providing a reliable and self-sufficient nitrogen supply. Their widespread application across various industries underscores their effectiveness in meeting stringent nitrogen purity standards while offering operational flexibility and cost savings.

How a Membrane Nitrogen Generator Works

A membrane nitrogen generator works by separating nitrogen from other gasses in the air using a selective permeation process through a specially designed membrane. The air we breathe is approximately 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen, with the remainder being argon, carbon dioxide, and trace gasses. The principle of membrane nitrogen generation leverages the differences in the rates at which these gasses permeate through the membrane material.

Here's a step-by-step explanation of how the process works:

First, atmospheric air is compressed to a higher pressure using an air compressor. This compressed air is then treated to remove water vapor, oil and particulates.
The cleaned, compressed air is then directed into the membrane module. This module contains thousands of hollow fibers or bundles made from a special polymer material designed for gas separation. The interior surfaces of these fibers are selective to various gasses based on their size and the ability to dissolve into the membrane material.
As the compressed air flows through the hollow fibers, oxygen, water vapor and other gasses permeate the membrane walls much faster than nitrogen due to their smaller molecular size or higher solubility in the membrane material. As a result, nitrogen is enriched within the hollow fiber membranes and collects in the center of the fibers.
The purity of the nitrogen produced can be adjusted by controlling the flow rate of the compressed air through the membrane module and the operating pressure.
The nitrogen gas that exits the membrane module is collected and can be stored in a tank or piped directly to where it is needed. Oxygen, water vapor and other removed gasses are vented back to the atmosphere.

How a PSA Nitrogen Generator Works

Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) is the most commonly used nitrogen generation technology for onsite gas generation. PSA nitrogen generators work using the basic principles of adsorption. The name comes from the way they use pressure swings to increase adsorption during the separation phase and then recharge the adsorbent material. A dual-chamber PSA enables continual nitrogen generation, with one chamber producing N2 while the other chamber recharges.

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The chambers are filled with an adsorbent material called a Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS). Each CMS bead has thousands of microscopic pores. Small gas molecules such as oxygen (O2) adsorb to the surfaces at a higher rate than the larger N2 molecules.

The rate of adsorption increases when the chamber is pressurized. Purified nitrogen gas is separated out of the chamber and stored when it reaches the desired level of purity.
When the chamber is depressurized, excess oxygen and other gasses trapped within the CMS pores are released, recharging the beads for the next cycle of pressurization and adsorption. Excess oxygen and other gasses are released back to the atmosphere before the cycle begins again.
Each chamber swings between a high-pressure nitrogen generation phase and a low-pressure regeneration phase, enabling continuous production of nitrogen gas.

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