Atlas Copco has introduced new range of low-flow membrane nitrogen generators.
The new NGMs 1–3 membrane technology units offer an efficient, compact and simple low-cost on-site solution for low-flow N2 requirements with the added benefits of minimal maintenance and operational costs.
Stef Lievens, Business Line Manager of Industrial Air at Atlas Copco Compressors UK commented: “The innovative design of the units provides an on-demand source of nitrogen with purities ranging from 95% to 99.9%. This makes them ideally suited to applications as diverse as body-shop operations and tyre inflation, R&D laboratory procedures – particularly for LSMC (Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry) − as well as safety blanketing in hazardous environments.”
The NGMs generator unit consists of one or multiple high-performance membrane modules that are combined to achieve the nominal inlet flow. This ensures the maximum output of compressed nitrogen for the minimum input of compressed air in a wide range of operating conditions.
Dry compressed inlet air is separated into component gases by passing it through semi-permeable membranes consisting of bundles of extremely small individual hollow fibres packed into a limited space. This provides a very large membrane surface area to produce a relatively high-volume product stream.
Oxygen, water vapour and other trace gases permeate the membrane fibre and are discharged through a permeate port. Nitrogen is contained within the membrane and flows through the outlet port. As water vapour also permeates through the membrane, the nitrogen gas stream is very dry, with dewpoints as low as -50°C.
The generators are supplied as an all-in-one, integrated package complete with filters. An oxygen sensor is an optional feature. Fitted with pressure gauges to ensure accurate system monitoring at all times, the ready-to-use units are housed in a fully enclosed protective canopy. No specialist installation or commissioning is required – only a supply of dry compressed air.
