Industrial Nitrogen Generation
Before you pick a nitrogen generator, pin down what your process needs: purity, flow and pressure. We help you size the generator and the compressed air system that feeds it.
PSA or membrane?
| Decision | PSA nitrogen | Membrane nitrogen |
|---|---|---|
| Separation | Carbon molecular sieve beds cycle between adsorption and regeneration. | Hollow fibers separate gases by different permeation rates. |
| Purity and capacity | Evaluate the flow curve at the specified residual oxygen level. Higher purity usually reduces output for a given machine. | Often considered for lower-to-medium purity duties; evaluate flow and feed-air use at the required purity. |
| System design | Account for cycling, air receiver, nitrogen buffer and purity monitoring. | Account for feed pressure/temperature, membrane protection and oxygen-rich permeate routing. |
Pneumatech’s OEM nitrogen overview explains both types. As one example, PMNG 1–3 membrane units are rated for 90–99.5% purity. That isn’t true of every membrane unit, and it isn’t a recommendation for your process.
What we need to know: purity, flow and pressure
- Purity: the lowest nitrogen percentage you can accept (or the most oxygen left in it), plus any limits on moisture, oil and particles. Tell us if your spec counts argon as part of the nitrogen.
- Flow: average, peak and lowest use in SCFH or SCFM, how long peaks last, how many machines draw at once, and hours per day. Include the temperature and pressure your flow meter or gas supplier uses.
- Units: SCFH divided by 60 equals SCFM only if both use the same standard conditions. Actual CFM and Nm³/h need converting too.
- Pressure: the delivery pressure you need at the machine during peak use, not just at the generator. Allow for pressure lost in the piping and regulators, and say if you need a booster.
For a first conversation, describe one production cycle, what your equipment needs, and how much nitrogen you buy now in cylinders or bulk. A usage log from an air-system assessment shows the difference between steady use and short peaks.
Clean, dry feed-air protects the generator
The generator depends on everything ahead of it: compressor, aftercooler and water separator, drains, dryer, filters, and any extra oil-vapor filter the manufacturer calls for. We need the feed-air dew point, contamination limits and temperature where it enters the generator. Even with an oil-free compressor, water and particles still have to be dealt with.
Pneumatech’s feed-air guidance says the air has to be clean, dry and steady in pressure and temperature. Go by the inlet requirement in your generator’s manual, not a general range from a blog.
To size the compressor, use the manufacturer’s air-to-nitrogen ratio at your purity and pressure. Add dryer purge air and anything else on the same compressor, without counting anything twice. Check the hottest summer conditions with the dryer selection worksheet.
Tanks, monitoring and backup
- Show the air receiver and the nitrogen receiver as separate tanks on the drawing. Tank size depends on how long peaks last, how much pressure swing you can live with, and the controls.
- Decide where the purity analyzer goes, how it’s calibrated, where off-spec gas goes at startup, and what the alarms and interlocks do. A tank won’t fix gas that’s out of spec.
- Say if you need a booster or high-pressure storage. Tank ratings, relief valves, shutoffs and room to service it are all part of the job.
- Nitrogen can push oxygen out of a room. Work out where the exhaust goes, and what ventilation and oxygen monitoring you need, with the manufacturer and your safety team.
- If production can’t stop, plan a standby generator or a backup supply, and test the changeover. Don’t count on one generator never going down.
Check the application before sizing
Common uses include laser cutting, heat treating, electronics soldering, inerting and packaging. Whoever owns the process has to approve the gas quality, pressure and monitoring plan. Food contact and other regulated uses need their own validation and paperwork; a purity number alone doesn’t prove it’s suitable.
Send us the site ZIP, the process, the flow, purity and pressure, your current compressor, your electrical service, the space you have, your timeline, and whether you want it installed or equipment only.
Toolytics has a fully staffed Southern California operation and active Nevada equipment and service coverage. Arizona inquiries are for equipment supply and project-scoped services, with Powerex industrial authorization in California, Nevada and Arizona. Equipment brand and project eligibility are confirmed for the destination before quoting.
Common questions
Does higher nitrogen purity change system size?
Yes. Higher purity means less nitrogen out and more air in. Compare output and air use at your purity and pressure, not the headline flow at a different purity.
Can I connect a generator to existing shop air?
Maybe. First check that you have spare air, steady pressure, the right temperature and enough dryer capacity, and that the air meets the generator’s contamination limits.
Does nitrogen storage replace generator capacity?
No. A tank can cover a short peak, but it can’t keep up if your average use is more than the generator makes, and it can’t fix purity.
Sources
Checked October 22, 2026. For your project, go by the current data sheet and installation manual for the exact model.
Discuss your project requirements
Send your site ZIP and whatever requirements you have. We’ll tell you what fits. Call (844) 310-8665 or email [email protected].