How does a Nitrogen Generator work?

The working principle of a Nitrogen Generator is mainly based on two technologies: adsorbent (molecular sieve) adsorption and membrane separation. Both methods aim to separate oxygen from other gases in the air by physical means to obtain high-purity nitrogen.

1. Adsorbent (molecular sieve) adsorption:
Selective adsorption: This method uses a specific adsorbent (such as a molecular sieve) to selectively adsorb oxygen in the air. On the adsorbent adsorption column, oxygen molecules are preferentially adsorbed on the surface of the adsorbent, while nitrogen molecules are relatively difficult to adsorb.
Cyclic operation: By controlling the operation of the two stages of intake and degassing, the oxygen adsorbed on the molecular sieve can be released, and pure nitrogen is supplied from the outlet. This process is cyclical, ensuring that the nitrogen generator can continuously produce high-purity nitrogen.
Nitrogen purity: This method can usually produce nitrogen with higher purity, and the purity level can be adjusted according to specific application requirements.
2. Membrane separation:
Based on size difference: The membrane separation method uses special membrane materials to separate oxygen and nitrogen based on the difference in gas molecule size. Due to the relatively small size of nitrogen molecules, they can pass through the membrane material more easily, while oxygen molecules are retained on one side of the membrane.
No chemical reaction required: Unlike adsorbent adsorption, membrane separation does not require any chemical reaction and directly uses the pore structure and selective permeability of the membrane to achieve separation.
Nitrogen flow and pressure: The nitrogen obtained after membrane separation will be adjusted and controlled by a nitrogen supply valve to ensure that the nitrogen flow and pressure meet the application requirements.