What factors affect the purity of nitrogen produced by nitrogen generators?
Nitrogen is widely used in our daily life, and different industries have different requirements for the purity of nitrogen. So, what factors can affect the purity of nitrogen during the production process of nitrogen generators?
Factors Affecting Nitrogen Purity:
一：Quality of raw gas
Compressed air enters the air tank and is then supplied to the nitrogen generator. If the compressed air contains moisture and oil, these substances will clog the micropores of the carbon molecular sieve, seriously affecting the separation effect and service life. Therefore, to obtain high-purity nitrogen, it is necessary to ensure the quality of the air supplied to the nitrogen generator. The air needs to undergo multi-stage filtration to remove dust and moisture, and the filter elements should be regularly inspected and replaced when necessary. Only by ensuring the cleanliness of the air source can the carbon molecular sieve exert its separation effect and stably output high-purity nitrogen. The quality of air is the primary condition for the normal operation of the nitrogen generator.
二：Working time of adsorption towers
The working cycle of the PSA nitrogen generator, that is, the time interval of valve switching, if set too long, will help reduce energy consumption and save air raw materials. However, if the working cycle is too long, the carbon molecular sieve will become overly saturated, affecting its adsorption effect and thus reducing the purity of nitrogen. Therefore, the working cycle needs to be set reasonably by considering both economic and nitrogen production quality factors. It should neither be too short to increase energy consumption nor too long to lower the purity index. Only by balancing the two can the PSA nitrogen generation system achieve the best technical and economic effect.
三：Performance of molecular sieves
The carbon molecular sieve is the core component of the PSA nitrogen generator, and its performance directly affects the purity of the produced nitrogen. We need to calculate the optimal filling amount of the carbon molecular sieve based on the actual required nitrogen flow rate and purity index. If the filling amount is too small, the purification effect will be reduced; if it is too large, it may cause channel blockage and increased pressure drop. Only by scientifically matching the filling amount of the carbon molecular sieve according to the process gas flow rate and purity requirements can its separation effect be fully exerted, and the nitrogen generator can stably output high-purity nitrogen products.
四：Air compressors and valves
The normal adsorption pressure range of the carbon molecular sieve is 0.65-0.85 MPa. If the pressure is lower than this range, the carbon molecular sieve cannot normally achieve the separation and adsorption of nitrogen. The main reasons for insufficient adsorption pressure are insufficient air supply from the air compressor and leakage of the pneumatic valves. The leakage problem of pneumatic valves is often overlooked during actual maintenance, which may be caused by wear of the valve sealing material, resulting in an incomplete closure. This will cause the adsorption pressure in the entire nitrogen generation system to be insufficient, affecting the normal operation of the carbon molecular sieve and ultimately reducing the nitrogen production effect. Therefore, the sealing performance of the pneumatic valves should be regularly inspected, and necessary maintenance and adjustments should be made to ensure that the carbon molecular sieve operates within the appropriate adsorption pressure range.
Conclusion：
To ensure the stable output of high-purity nitrogen from the nitrogen generator, it is necessary to optimize process matching, strengthen equipment maintenance, standardize operations, and take effective management and maintenance measures to ensure that all links are coordinated and the nitrogen generation system can truly exert its due performance.
