Exploring the Current Status of Nitrogen Generators2006, launched multiple websites)
A nitrogen generator is a system designed to extract nitrogen, primarily used in fields such as aerospace, nuclear power, food, petrochemicals, electronics, materials industry, and scientific experiments.
To help everyone understand the current situation, I will now introduce the principles of various nitrogen generators applied in gas chromatography analysis experiments for your reference.
The combination of electrochemical separation and physical adsorption methods
2. Utilizing Hollow Fiber Membrane Separation
3. Employing gas chromatography technology with a novel synthetic molecular sieve for separation
One,Electrochemical separation methods and physical adsorption techniques (requiring "addition of liquid") overview:
Generator utilizing electrochemical separation and physical adsorption methods can produce pure nitrogen, oxygen, and other gases. It employs a constant potential electrolysis method, using microporous membranes (e.g., asbestos membranes) as separators between the two electrodes, with a porous gas diffusion oxygen electrode as the cathode and a nickel mesh as the anode, and the electrodes are mounted in a rigid support structure. The generator can operate stably under a nitrogen-oxygen chamber pressure difference of 1 MPa, preventing the cathodic hydrogen precipitation and ensuring the purity of the nitrogen produced. The specific method for producing nitrogen gas involves introducing air as the raw material into an electrolytic cell containing electrolyte, applying a voltage ≤1.A 5V DC current is applied, where oxygen is absorbed in the air within the槽, yielding nitrogen. The electrolyte utilizes a "forced circulation method," driven by an electromagnetic pump to circulate through the liquid path, enhancing the electrolysis efficiency.
Many issues arise with nitrogen produced using this principle. The main problems include:
The nitrogen generator producing nitrogen by adding KOH liquid (water) has a high water content and exhibits some corrosiveness, which can lead to unstable chromatography instrument tuning. Prolonged use of this nitrogen will inevitably result in a decrease in the column efficiency of the chromatography column.
2. Nitrogen produced using this principle can cause severe liquid return (backflow) if used under normal pressure (standard atmospheric pressure) for an extended period. To prevent liquid return, manufacturers have designed various devices to attempt to solve this issue, but none have resolved the fundamental problem. After all, it still requires liquid addition. If the anti-backflow device fails, it can lead to the destruction of the gas pathway and chromatography column, and in severe cases, even the entire gas chromatograph.
3. Low purity nitrogen can cause oxidation in the thermal detector's sensitive components of the chromatograph, leading to reduced sensitivity over time.
Due to the aforementioned three issues, many chromatography instrument manufacturers, equipment distributors, and maintenance personnel do not recommend using nitrogen generators based on this principle for gas chromatography carrier gas.
Two: Utilizing hollow fiber membrane technology (no need for "addition of liquid"):
When two or more gases are mixed and pass through a polymer membrane, due to the differences in solubility and diffusion coefficients of various gases within the membrane, the relative permeation rates of different gases through the membrane vary. Based on this characteristic, gases can be categorized as "fast gases" and "slow gases."
Under the action of the pressure difference across the membrane, gases with relatively higher permeation rates, such as water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, are enriched on the permeate side of the membrane. Meanwhile, gases with relatively lower permeation rates, like nitrogen, CO, and argon, are enriched on the retained side, thereby achieving the separation of the mixed gas.
When using compressed air purification as the gas source, inert gases like nitrogen are enriched to high purity for production use, while the enriched oxygen air is exhausted from the permeation side. The nitrogen membrane system can increase the nitrogen content in inexpensive air from 78% to over 95%, achieving a purity of only 3 nines. This nitrogen generator can be used as a carrier gas in gas chromatographs for industries with low requirements for component analysis.
Using novel synthetic molecular sieve separation by gas chromatography technology (no need for "liquid addition"):
This is a new type of air separation method that utilizes compressed air as the raw material and synthetic molecular sieve as the adsorbent. It employs a gas chromatography separation process, separating oxygen and nitrogen based on their different diffusion rates in the molecular sieve at room temperature and low pressure. The purity and production volume of nitrogen gas can be adjusted according to customer requirements. The resulting gas flow rate is stable, and the nitrogen purification is thorough, producing nitrogen gas with a high purity of up to 99.9995%. This is suitable for various gas chromatography detectors. The series of high-purityNitrogenThe generator produces high-quality, high-purity nitrogen simply by pressing a switch, ensuring stable and reliable operation. What's more, it requires no chemical consumables. It's user-friendly, capable of round-the-clock unattended operation. Additionally, it can run trouble-free without any supervision and minimal maintenance.
Conclusion:
In summary, nitrogen generators utilizing novel synthetic molecular sieve separation via gas chromatography technology outperform those using electrochemical separation, physical adsorption, and hollow fiber membrane methods. This innovative generator is suitable for use as a carrier gas in various types of gas chromatographs both domestically and internationally. It represents a new generation of nitrogen generators with excellent performance and ease of maintenance, and it leads the field. Nitrogen generators produced with gas chromatography technology were first developed by our Hangzhou Dekel Experimental Equipment Co., Ltd., and have been widely applied in gas chromatographic analysis across a range of industries including machinery, electronics, metallurgy, food, oil, power, fine chemicals, petrochemical rubber, and light textile industries. Our customer base is extensive, and we are renowned for providing high-quality products and comprehensive after-sales service, earning widespread acclaim.
