Atlas Copco Introduces New Range of Compact, Efficient, Low-Flow Membrane Nitrogen Generators

The latest addition to its family of nitrogen generators, Atlas Copco’s new, low-cost NGMs 1–3 membrane technology units offer a highly efficient, compact and simple on-site solution for low-flow N2 requirements, with the added benefits of minimal maintenance and operational costs. There are three models in the new NGMs range. The NGMs generators boast an extremely fast start-up time, taking only a few seconds to produce nitrogen at the outlet, resulting in maximum uptime assurance and continuous availability of nitrogen 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Additionally, the generator offers zero performance loss at high ambient temperatures, and very low service requirements. “Atlas Copco’s membrane nitrogen generators are flexible enough to adapt to specific applications, including tire filling, safety blanketing in hazardous environments, and many other general industrial uses with purities ranging from 95 to 99.99-percent,” stated Brett Maiorano, business development manager of Industrial Gases at Atlas Copco. “With this versatility, combined with low operating costs attributed to an industry-low air factor, these new low-flow generators offer an attractive return on capital investment.” The NGMs generator units consist of one or multiple high-performance membrane modules that are combined to achieve the nominal inlet flow, ensuring 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 fibers packed into a limited space. This provides a very large membrane surface area to produce a relatively high-volume product stream. As water vapor also permeates through the membrane, the nitrogen gas stream is very dry, with dewpoints as low as -58 F. In order to allow continuous operation during its extensive lifetime, the nitrogen generators are equipped with a two-stage premium pre-filtration system to ensure an inlet air quality of [1:-:1] according to ISO 8573-1:2010. This eliminates the risk of the membrane being damaged by a low-quality compressed air supply, a poor start-up or an unexpected shut-down. 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. Optional features include an oxygen sensor and an economizer valve set – which uses two differential pressure valves to cut off the nitrogen supply to avoid wasting power – which can dramatically increase the savings and reduce cost. The NGMs 1–3 generators complement Atlas Copco’s existing range of on-site gas solutions, including both nitrogen and oxygen generators. Its range of nitrogen generators are available with both membrane and PSA technologies, covering a wide range of flow capacities, purity levels and guaranteed reliability, supported by a wide range of options – all with the goal to provide the lowest cost of ownership for your nitrogen supply.