For your own nitrogen production, you need different compressors depending on your application and production capacity. Screw compressors are most suitable for continuous nitrogen generation, while piston compressors are better suited for smaller installations. The choice depends on your nitrogen consumption, desired purity, and operating time. A nitrogen generator compressor must deliver stable compressed air for optimal system performance.
Why Consider Your Own Nitrogen Production?
In-house nitrogen production offers significant advantages over external delivery of nitrogen bottles or tanks. You gain complete control over your gas supply without dependence on suppliers and their schedules.
Cost savings become noticeable from a certain consumption level. Instead of renting expensive cylinders and paying for transport, you produce nitrogen directly on-site. This also eliminates the risks of empty tanks during important production processes.
For metalworking companies, this means continuous availability of pure nitrogen for laser cutting. Nitrogen prevents oxidation during the cutting process, resulting in clean, silver-colored cut edges without discoloration. This saves time and costs because post-processing often becomes unnecessary.
Other industries also benefit from reliable nitrogen supply. Greenhouse builders use it for controlled atmosphere storage, breweries for preventing oxidation during production, and laboratories for inert environments in sensitive processes.
Which Types of Compressors are Suitable for Nitrogen Production?
Screw compressors form the backbone of most industrial nitrogen installations. These compressors deliver continuous, oil-free compressed air needed for stable nitrogen generation via membrane or PSA technology.
Screw compressors offer various advantages for compressed air nitrogen systems. They operate quietly, have low maintenance costs, and deliver constant pressure. Oil-free variants are ideal because oil contamination can affect nitrogen purity.
Piston compressors are better suited for smaller applications or as backup systems. They have higher acquisition costs per cubic meter but can be efficient for intermittent production. Maintenance is more intensive due to moving parts and wear.
Centrifugal compressors are used in very large installations with high capacity requirements. These are less suitable for smaller metalworking companies due to high investment costs and complexity.
| Compressor Type | Capacity | Advantages | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screw Compressor | Medium to High | Continuous operation, low maintenance | Industrial nitrogen production |
| Piston Compressor | Low to Medium | Lower purchase price, flexible | Smaller installations |
| Centrifugal Compressor | Very High | Large capacity, efficient | Large industrial complexes |
How Do You Determine the Right Compressor Capacity for Your Nitrogen Needs?
You calculate the compressor capacity based on your maximum nitrogen consumption, desired pressure, and purity level. Start by determining your peak consumption in cubic meters per hour.
For laser cutting, you typically need nitrogen with 99.5% to 99.9% purity at 10-16 bar pressure. A typical laser cutting machine consumes 20-50 m³/hour, depending on material thickness and cutting speed. Multiply this by the number of machines for your total requirement.
Account for a safety margin of 20-30% above your calculated need. This compensates for pressure losses in pipelines, future expansion, and maintenance periods. A buffer prevents your production from stopping during unexpected peaks.
Operating time also influences your compressor choice nitrogen system. For 24/7 production, choose robust screw compressors with redundancy. For day shifts, a smaller setup with buffer tank for peak consumption may suffice.
Don’t forget to include energy costs. An efficient compressor saves significantly on electricity costs over its lifetime. Calculate total ownership costs including maintenance and energy consumption.
What are the Key Considerations in Compressor Selection?
Energy consumption often forms the largest operational cost item of your nitrogen installation. Modern screw compressors with frequency controllers adjust their power to actual demand, which can save 20-35% energy.
Reliability is paramount in continuous production processes. Choose proven brands with local service support. Downtime of your nitrogen production means direct production losses, especially in critical applications like laser cutting.
Noise level plays a role when placing near workplaces. Screw compressors operate quieter than piston compressors, but consider sound insulation in noise-sensitive environments. Modern units often stay below 70 dB(A).
Integration with your nitrogen generator must be seamless. Check that pressure, capacity, and air quality match the specifications of the nitrogen production system. Oil and water separators are often necessary for optimal performance.
Maintenance costs vary greatly between compressor types. Screw compressors typically have lower maintenance costs due to fewer moving parts. Plan preventive maintenance to avoid unexpected failures.
When choosing compressors nitrogen production systems, available space also plays a role. Integrated solutions combine compressor, dryer, and nitrogen generator in one compact unit, ideal for limited spaces.
For metalworking companies investing in their own nitrogen production, Presscon offers complete solutions tailored to your specific needs. We help you determine the right compressor capacity and configuration for optimal performance and cost-effectiveness of your nitrogen installation. Our local service branches provide expert support across different regions. For personalized advice on your nitrogen compressor requirements, contact our technical specialists today.