Nitrogen Generators
for On-Site Supply
A nitrogen generator produces high-purity nitrogen on-site from your compressed air, replacing cylinder deliveries and bulk liquid. Lower running costs, no supply interruptions, and full control over purity.
Nitrogen generation is the process of producing nitrogen gas on-site from the surrounding air. A nitrogen generator takes a clean, dry compressed air supply and separates the nitrogen from the oxygen and other gases, delivering high-purity nitrogen at the pressure your process requires.
On-site generation replaces buying nitrogen in cylinders or bulk liquid from a gas supplier. For any business that uses nitrogen regularly, generating it on-site removes recurring rental and delivery costs, eliminates the risk of running out mid-shift, and gives you direct control over purity and flow. It connects to your existing air treatment infrastructure, so a site with a healthy compressed air system is often most of the way there already.
Where On-Site Nitrogen Pays Off
Industries with steady nitrogen demand see the fastest payback when they switch from delivered gas to on-site generation.
Food and Beverage
Modified atmosphere packaging, bottling, and product blanketing. On-site nitrogen extends shelf life and protects product quality without scheduled cylinder deliveries.
Pharmaceutical
Tablet coating, inerting, and packaging under a validated nitrogen supply. On-site generation gives a documented, repeatable purity for GMP audit trails.
Laser Cutting
High-purity nitrogen assist gas for clean, oxide-free cuts on stainless and aluminium. On-site generation removes the per-bottle cost that erodes cutting margins.
Electronics
Reflow soldering, wave soldering, and component storage. A continuous nitrogen supply reduces oxidation defects and protects sensitive assemblies.
Chemical and Petrochemical
Tank blanketing, purging, and inerting where flammable vapours are present. Nitrogen creates an inert atmosphere that removes the explosion risk.
Fire Prevention
Hypoxic air systems and oxygen reduction for archives, server rooms, and cold stores. On-site nitrogen supplies these systems continuously and economically.
How Nitrogen Generators Work
Two proven technologies separate nitrogen from compressed air. The right choice depends on the purity and flow your application needs.
Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA)
Twin towers of carbon molecular sieve adsorb oxygen and pass nitrogen through. As one tower saturates, the system switches to the second while the first regenerates. The standard choice where high purity and uninterrupted supply matter.
Membrane Separation
Compressed air passes through hollow-fibre membranes that allow oxygen and water vapour to permeate out while nitrogen continues to the outlet. No moving parts, very low maintenance, and a compact footprint for smaller or remote installations.
Matching Purity to Application
Higher purity costs more energy and a larger generator, so specifying the correct grade is where the savings are won or lost. We size the generator to the purity your process actually needs, not the highest grade available.
| Nitrogen Purity | Typical Applications |
|---|---|
| 95% to 99% | Tyre inflation, general blanketing, fire prevention |
| 99% to 99.9% | Food packaging, plastics moulding, heat treatment |
| 99.9% to 99.99% | Laser cutting, electronics, chemical processing |
| 99.99% to 99.999% | Pharmaceutical, semiconductor, analytical labs |
The Cost Case for On-Site Generation
Buying nitrogen from a gas supplier carries the cost of the gas, delivery charges, cylinder rental, and contract management. These accumulate every month, indefinitely, and rise with your usage.
On-site generation replaces all of that with a single capital investment. After installation, the only ongoing cost is the electricity to run the compressed air system that feeds the generator. For sites with steady demand, the payback period is typically under two years, and the saving compounds for the life of the equipment.
The case is strongest where a compressed air system is already in place, because the generator connects to existing infrastructure. Before you commit, we model your current spend against on-site generation and give you a clear payback figure. We advise sensibly, we do not provide legal advice.
Buy and Maintain
with One Partner
A nitrogen generator is only as reliable as the compressed air feeding it. We supply the generator, install and commission it, and maintain it alongside your compressor and air treatment under one planned maintenance contract. One partner accountable for purity, pressure, and uptime, with no finger-pointing when supply quality drifts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a nitrogen generator and how does it work?
A nitrogen generator produces nitrogen gas on-site from your existing compressed air supply. It separates nitrogen from the oxygen, water vapour, and other gases in compressed air, delivering high-purity nitrogen at the pressure you need. The two main technologies are pressure swing adsorption (PSA), which uses carbon molecular sieve, and membrane separation, which uses hollow-fibre membranes. Both connect to a clean, dry compressed air feed.
How much does a nitrogen generator cost in the UK?
The capital cost of a nitrogen generator depends on the flow rate and purity you require, and whether you already have suitable compressed air capacity. The more relevant figure is total cost of ownership. On-site generation removes recurring cylinder rental, gas charges, and delivery fees, so for sites with steady demand the payback period is typically under two years. We provide a detailed cost comparison against your current cylinder or bulk liquid spend before you commit.
Is on-site nitrogen generation cheaper than cylinders or bulk liquid?
For most businesses with regular demand, yes. Buying nitrogen as cylinders or bulk liquid carries the cost of the gas, delivery, cylinder rental, and contract management, and these recur indefinitely. On-site generation replaces all of that with a single capital investment plus the electricity to run the compressed air feed. The higher and more continuous your nitrogen use, the faster the payback.
What purity of nitrogen can a generator produce?
On-site generators produce nitrogen from around 95% purity up to 99.999%, set to match your application. Higher purity requires more energy and a larger generator, so specifying the correct purity matters. Tyre inflation and general blanketing need 95% to 99%, food packaging and plastics need 99% to 99.9%, and pharmaceutical or electronics applications need 99.99% and above.
Do you supply and maintain nitrogen generators?
Yes. Airmech supplies, installs, and commissions PSA and membrane nitrogen generators, and we service them under the same planned maintenance contracts as your compressors and air treatment. Because a nitrogen generator depends on a clean, dry, reliable compressed air feed, having one partner cover the compressor, the treatment, and the generator removes the finger-pointing when supply quality drifts.
Stop Paying for Delivered Nitrogen
Tell us your nitrogen consumption, the purity you need, and your current compressed air capacity. We will tell you whether on-site generation pays, and how quickly.