Pressure swing adsorption PSA nitrogen production method and membrane separation nitrogen production method are two normal temperature nitrogen production methods, the difference between the two is:

Principle of Nitrogen Production

Pressure swing adsorption nitrogen production, pressure adsorption, decompression desorption. Selective adsorption according to the molecular dynamic diameter and activity of different gas components in the air. The two towers are alternately adsorbed and desorbed to continuously produce nitrogen from the air.

The membrane separation method uses the principle of selective permeation. According to the different permeability and diffusion ability of gas molecules of different gas components in the air through the polymer membrane under high pressure, nitrogen is continuously separated from the air.

Principle of Nitrogen Production

Pressure swing adsorption nitrogen production, pressure adsorption, decompression desorption. Selective adsorption according to the molecular dynamic diameter and activity of different gas components in the air. The two towers are alternately adsorbed and desorbed to continuously produce nitrogen from the air.

The membrane separation method uses the principle of selective permeation. According to the different permeability and diffusion ability of gas molecules of different gas components in the air through the polymer membrane under high pressure, nitrogen is continuously separated from the air.

Influencing factors (nitrogen production efficiency)

Pressure swing adsorption nitrogen production is mainly due to three factors - ambient temperature, air pressure, and air oil content. Ambient temperature has little influence, and air pressure has a wide range of adaptation (0.4-1.6MPa). Both are equally sensitive to air oil content.

In the membrane separation method, the influence of ambient temperature is relatively large (because the air needs to be heated), and the influence of air pressure is relatively large (the higher the pressure, the better), both are equally sensitive to the oil content of the air.

Nitrogen purity adjustment

Pressure swing adsorption nitrogen production can be flexibly adjusted according to nitrogen production, and the flow adjustment is relatively small between 93% and 99% purity.

The membrane separation method can be flexibly adjusted according to the amount of nitrogen produced, but between 93% and 99% purity, the flow adjustment is relatively large.

Equipment investment

Pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generator is relatively low.

Membrane nitrogen generator, relatively high. When the purity of nitrogen produced by nitrogen is ≥95%, the difference will be larger.

Equipment weight

Pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generator, the weight of the main engine of nitrogen production is relatively heavy.

Membrane separation generator, the weight of the nitrogen generator host is relatively light.

Required air volume

Nitrogen production by pressure swing adsorption is relatively rare.

The membrane separation method requires relatively more air, especially when the purity of nitrogen is ≥95%, the difference is large.

Equipment maintenance

Pressure swing adsorption nitrogen production is easy to maintain, basically no maintenance is required, and the maintenance cost is relatively low.

The membrane separation method is easy to maintain, basically requires no maintenance, and the maintenance cost is relatively low.

Equipment maintenance

Pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generator is easy to maintain, basically no maintenance is required, and the maintenance cost is relatively low.

The membrane generator is easy to maintain, basically requires no maintenance, and the maintenance cost is relatively low.

Equipment operation

Pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generator is easy to operate and can be unattended.

Membrane nitrogen generator is easy to operate and can be unattended.

Operating costs

Pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generator is relatively low (because the amount of air required is relatively small).

Membrane separation generator is relatively high.

System Equipment Composition

Pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generator has a simple equipment structure and relatively more valves, but does not require heating.

The membrane nitrogen generator has a simple equipment structure and fewer valves, but generally requires heating components.

Equipment reliability

Pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generator has very mature technology and process, and the equipment has high reliability.

Membrane nitrogen generator, the technology and process are very mature, and the equipment reliability is high.

Device long-term stability

Pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generator, the main components are carbon molecular sieves, valves, PLC control system. Carbon molecular sieve is a carbon-based material with relatively stable performance, and it will not decay after 10 years of normal use; valves and PLC systems with excellent performance can generally ensure no leakage and no failure for about 10 years.

Membrane nitrogen generator, the main components are membrane separation components, valves, and gas heating system. Membrane separation components are made of polymer materials, and they will age after 3 to 5 years if heated for a long time, and their performance will attenuate; the performance of other components can generally be guaranteed for 10 years.

Degree of automation

Pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generator can be fully automated with a high degree of automation.

Membrane nitrogen generator can be fully automated and has a high degree of automation.

Start Time

For pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generator, qualified products can be produced in about 20 minutes after starting up, and the start-up time for low-purity nitrogen is even shorter.

Membrane nitrogen generator can produce qualified products in about 20 minutes after starting up, but the low temperature environment needs to wait for air heating.

Ease of operation

Pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generator can be started and stopped at any time, and the operation is simple.

Membrane nitrogen generator, can be started and stopped at any time, easy to operate.