Medical and
laboratories
On-site nitrogen production for hospitals
Hospitals use nitrogen for various technical and medical support processes. These include powering medical equipment, creating inert environments, and protecting sensitive processes from oxygen and moisture. Reliable availability, consistent gas quality, and safe integration are essential in this regard.
Presscon helps hospitals with customized solutions for on-site nitrogen production. A nitrogen generator designed for hospitals produces high-purity nitrogen directly on site. This reduces reliance on gas cylinders and external deliveries.
This page focuses specifically on nitrogen for hospital processes. For applications in analytical laboratories, such as LC-MS or GC, please refer to the separate laboratory page on nitrogen solutions.
The solution is designed to ensure clean, clear, and manageable swimming water, with less intensive maintenance and efficient use of technology.
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Why choose on-site nitrogen production in a hospital?
In hospitals, the reliability of technical systems plays a major role. Traditionally, nitrogen is supplied via gas cylinders, but this presents various challenges.
Gas cylinders require ordering, transportation, storage, and internal management. This process is time-consuming and requires logistical coordination. In addition, cylinder changes entail additional handling risks, such as physical strain and the risk of errors during connection.
The required purity and capacity also vary depending on the application. This makes it difficult to consistently meet demand optimally with standard deliveries. Furthermore, an interruption in the gas supply can have an immediate impact on technical and medical support processes.
An on-site nitrogen generator offers an efficient solution for this. By producing nitrogen directly from compressed air, it ensures a continuous and reliable gas supply. The system supplies nitrogen based on actual demand, ensuring that processes remain stable and reducing dependence on external suppliers. This results in significant cost savings and is a more sustainable option.
How does a nitrogen generator work in a hospital?
The Presscon N-Gen operates using HP-PSA (High-Performance Pressure Swing Adsorption) technology. This process produces nitrogen from compressed air—or ordinary ambient air—using an advanced separation process.
Clean, dry compressed air flows alternately through two columns filled with Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS). This material adsorbs oxygen molecules, while nitrogen is allowed to pass through to the process or a pressure vessel.
When a column becomes saturated, the pressure is released. The bound oxygen is released and removed. At the same time, the second column takes over production. This alternating cycle ensures that the nitrogen supply remains continuously available
Key components of the process are:
- Compressed air as a basis for nitrogen production
- Filtration and drying of compressed air
- Separation of Oxygen and Nitrogen Using CMS
- Continuous production using two alternating columns
- Delivery to the process or storage in a pressure vessel
- Modular expansion to meet growing demand
- Control based on pressure or flow
High-purity and dry nitrogen for medical processes
The quality of nitrogen is of great importance in a hospital setting. Depending on the application, the gas must meet specific requirements regarding purity and dryness.
The N-Gen can produce nitrogen with an adjustable purity ranging from 95% to 99.9999%. For critical applications, the residual oxygen level can even be reduced to below 1 ppm. This makes the system suitable for a wide range of medical and technical processes.
Key benefits include:
- Consistent nitrogen purity tailored to the application
- Low residual oxygen levels for sensitive processes
- Dry gas supply with a low dew point
- Protection against oxidation
- Moisture Control
- Continuous on-site availability
- Consistent quality without changing cylinders
Applications of Nitrogen in Hospitals
Nitrogen for powering surgical equipment
Nitrogen can be used as a propellant gas for surgical instruments and other gas-powered medical equipment. A reliable supply at the correct pressure and capacity is essential for this. The installation is tailored to the connected system and the equipment’s requirements.
ISO 7396-1 explicitly identifies nitrogen as a component of medical gas piping systems. This standard sets requirements for design, installation, performance, and monitoring.
Inert conditions for medical and pharmaceutical processes
Nitrogen displaces oxygen and creates an inert atmosphere. This is important in processes where oxygen causes undesirable reactions.
Applications include:
- Protection of oxygen-sensitive substances
- Emptying barrels or containers
- Rinsing of Process Components
- Protection against oxidation
- Use in hospital pharmacies
Rinsing and Drying Sensitive Equipment
Dry nitrogen is used to purge pipes and equipment. This removes oxygen and moisture, which helps prevent corrosion and malfunctions.
Centralized nitrogen supply for multiple departments
A central system can serve multiple departments. Its capacity is designed to accommodate simultaneous use and peak loads.
The modular design makes it possible to:
- Expand capacity
- Manage units individually
- Maintenance to be performed without downtime
Support for Hospital Laboratories
In hospital laboratories, nitrogen is used for analytical equipment and to maintain controlled conditions. For more detailed information, please refer to the separate laboratory page.
Protection of technical rooms and sensitive equipment
In technical rooms, nitrogen can be used to protect equipment from oxidation and fire hazards. The exact application depends on the room and safety guidelines.
Continuity and Redundancy in the Nitrogen Supply
Continuity is essential in a hospital. That is why systems can be configured using multiple N-Gen units. The advantages of this are:
- Modular design
- High redundancy
- Individually switchable units
- Maintenance Without Downtime
- Quick replacement of units
- Scalability
- Optional remote monitoring
Safe integration into a hospital setting
Although nitrogen is inert, it can displace oxygen. Therefore, safety precautions are necessary. Important points to note:
- Installation in a suitable technical room
- Good ventilation
- Oxygen Monitoring
- Alarm Notifications
- Pressure and Flow Monitoring
- Integration with existing systems
- Maintenance and Service
- Validation by Application
Customized nitrogen solutions for hospitals
Every hospital environment has different requirements for nitrogen supply. That is why Presscon provides customized nitrogen solutions tailored to the hospital’s technical infrastructure, consumption, and connected applications.
During the design phase, we consider the required nitrogen purity, the desired dew point, the required pressure and flow, and the expected peak load. Redundancy also plays an important role, as the nitrogen supply must continue to function reliably during maintenance or when demand fluctuates.
In addition, we take into account the available space, integration with existing systems, and the desired monitoring and service capabilities. This results in a nitrogen system that fits within the hospital’s existing technical infrastructure.
The Presscon N-Gen can be installed flexibly, either horizontally or vertically. This makes the generator suitable for a wide variety of technical spaces, and the installation can be tailored to the available space and the requirements of the application.
Sustainable Nitrogen Production for Medical Facilities
Local nitrogen production reduces dependence on cylinder deliveries and external gas transportation. The hospital produces nitrogen directly on site, tailored to the current demand of the connected applications. This reduces transportation movements and results in a more stable and efficient nitrogen supply.
The N-Gen has a modular design and can be expanded as nitrogen requirements change. This makes the system suitable for existing technical spaces and future expansions. Demand-based production reduces unnecessary energy consumption, while the system’s long service life contributes to reliable operation over an extended period.
In addition, Presscon’s systems are developed and manufactured in the Netherlands. This ensures short communication channels, quality control, and a lower environmental impact during production and service. HP-PSA technology further contributes to energy efficiency and can save up to 40–50% in energy compared to traditional nitrogen systems.
Presscon: Your Partner for On-Site Nitrogen Production in Hospitals
Presscon understands the high standards hospitals have for reliability and safety. That is why all systems are designed entirely to meet specific needs.
With more than 30 years of experience, Presscon provides high-quality solutions for a wide range of applications, from central facilities to specific processes.
Why choose Presscon?
- On-site production of high-purity nitrogen
- Adjustable purity up to 99.9999%
- Modular systems
- High redundancy
- Less reliance on cylinders
- Manufacturing in the Netherlands
- 24/7 service
How we advance medical and laboratories
Curious about what Presscon can do for you? We’d be happy to work with you to explore how we can use nitrogen as an efficient solution in your hospital or laboratory.
- Modular design
- Low energy consumption
- Long lifespan
- Multifunctional use
Questions about nitrogen solutions from Presscon
Presscon specializes in the design, construction, and maintenance of nitrogen expansion systems, fire prevention systems, and innovative solutions using compressed air and nitrogen. Would you like to learn more? Contact Presscon for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nitrogen Production in Hospitals
What level of nitrogen purity is required for a medical application?
This depends on the application. For technical processes, a lower level of purity is often sufficient, while critical applications require a very high level of purity
Can a nitrogen generator be connected to existing hospital systems?
Yes, systems are designed to integrate with existing infrastructure.
How is the nitrogen supply maintained during maintenance?
Thanks to its modular design and redundancy, supply is guaranteed.
Can nitrogen produced on-site be used as a medical gas?
This depends on regulations and the specific application. Validation and certification are required in this context.
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