Inert nitrogen generator NITROBERG®

high-purityfor the food industryindustrial

Overview
Produce nitrogen on-site from compressed air to reduce dependency on cylinders or bulk deliveries. BERG systems (NITROBERG®) are engineered for demanding industrial applications and can be supplied as standalone units, skid packages or containerised plants. This page summarises generator categories, performance ranges and selection criteria to define a suitable solution.

What is an on-site nitrogen generator?
An on-site nitrogen generator separates nitrogen from ambient air and supplies it directly to the process. Feed air is compressed, cooled, dried and filtered before separation. In PSA systems a carbon molecular sieve retains oxygen and trace gases while nitrogen passes to the product receiver. In membrane systems selected gases permeate hollow fibres at different rates. A complete installation requires stable pressure, appropriate compressed-air quality, buffer storage, monitoring and realistic peak-demand calculation.

Practical engineering rule
Do not begin with the highest possible purity. Start from the oxygen limit your process tolerates. Every unnecessary increment of purity can increase compressed-air consumption, system size and capital cost.

Benefits of on-site generation

• More control over supply: produce nitrogen when needed without planning cylinder exchanges or bulk deliveries.
• Purity matched to the process: avoid the energy penalty of higher purity than required.
• Predictable operating costs: replace recurring gas and delivery charges with measurable compressed-air, energy and service costs.
• One accountable system: BERG can coordinate compressor, treatment, generator, storage, controls and downstream equipment.

Technology selection: PSA vs membrane
Neither technology is universally better; the correct choice depends on purity, flow, operating profile, footprint and lifecycle cost.

• PSA nitrogen generator: high and precisely controlled purity; suitable for laser, electronics, food, laboratory and high-purity processes.
• Membrane nitrogen generator: compact, robust moderate-purity supply; suited to inerting, blanketing, marine and space-limited installations and to intermittent operation with fast start-up.

Portfolio overview — NITROBERG® technical data at a glance
Nitrogen purity: 97%–99.999%
Residual oxygen: 3%–10 ppm
Portfolio capacity: 1.2–1,709.1 Nm³/h
Compressed-air factor: Approx. 2.3–6.4
Configurations: Standalone, skid, container or membrane
Project options: Compression, treatment, storage, boosting and monitoring

Typical industrial applications

• Food packaging: modified-atmosphere packaging and storage to protect freshness and quality.
• Beverage production: tank blanketing, bottling and process protection.
• Laser cutting & metal: high-purity assist gas for oxidation-free edges; requires proper pressure and peak storage.
• Chemical & pharmaceutical: inerting, blanketing, purging and process protection per safety requirements.
• Electronics manufacturing: controlled atmospheres for reflow, wave and selective soldering and component storage.
• Oil, gas & marine: purging, blanketing, pressure testing and maintenance support in remote or harsh environments.
• Laboratory & research: on-site supply for analytical instruments and continuous lab demand.
• Mining & metallurgy: inerting, purging and atmosphere control for mineral processing and heat treatment.

Selection data required for a reliable proposal

• Application: where and how nitrogen is used.
• Purity or O₂ limit: specify nitrogen purity or maximum acceptable residual oxygen.
• Average and peak flow: normal demand, short peaks, operating hours and future expansion.
• Delivery pressure: outlet pressure at point of use and distribution losses.
• Existing air system: compressor capacity, pressure, dryer type and air quality.
• Site and project rules: location, ambient conditions, format and applicable codes.

Technical data / specifications

• Nitrogen purity range: 97% – 99.999%.
• Residual oxygen: 3% – 10 ppm (depending on purity target).
• Portfolio capacity: 1.2 – 1,709.1 Nm³/h.
• Compressed-air factor (approx.): 2.3 – 6.4 (varies by model and purity).
• Typical configurations: standalone unit, skid-mounted package, container solution, membrane modules.
• Included project options: compression, filtration, drying, buffer storage, boosting, monitoring and controls.
• Recommended design practice: size for process oxygen limit rather than maximum purity to optimise air consumption and cost.