How does a nitrogen generator work? Simplified version.

The most common way to generate nitrogen gas on-site is by using a PSA system. PSA stands for Pressure Swing Adsorption. The typical PSA nitrogen generator has two sieve beds, but other designs can have up to 14 beds. Each bed is filled with a carbon molecular sieve (CMS for short). The CMS is used to separate the oxygen and nitrogen from the compressed air supply. As one sieve bed is pressurized with compressed air, the oxygen and residual moisture are trapped in the pores of the CMS, while the nitrogen gas flows by and out into a buffer tank. When the first bed becomes saturated, the bed is flushed by rapid depressurization. This flushes out the oxygen, residual moisture, and a bit of nitrogen. While the first bed is being flushed, the second bed begins the same process of being pressurized with compressed air to continue the nitrogen generation process. Since the pressurization swings from bed to bed hence the name Pressure swing adsorption.

If you are interested in learning about PSA systems, click this link. What is a PSA nitrogen generation System?

For more information on Membrane Nitrogen generators, click here.

You can also view the compressed air requirements of either system here.