Laboratory Nitrogen Generator Service Parts
Pressurised gas cylinders have such a reputation for being dangerous that the exploding canister has become its own movie trope.
Improper handling can cause accidents and injuries, as well as contain contaminants and impurities that interfere with laboratory work. The hassle of dealing with these can be avoided by creating your own nitrogen gas on-site. A nitrogen generator continually creates purified gas for mass spectrometry work as you need it.
Laboratory nitrogen generator service parts are an economical and efficient way to keep your generator running well. Read on to learn about how nitrogen generators work and how to source replacement parts.
Nitrogen Gas Generators For Mass Spectrometry
Mass spectrometry (or liquid chromatography) is a method of measuring the mass to charge ratio of ions. A sample is bombarded with electrons to give them a positive charge. It requires a constant flow of pure gas, such as nitrogen, during the mobile phase of the process.
Nitrogen gas helps control highly sensitive atmospheres for laboratory processes. It’s important for the environment to be clean and controlled, and having a nitrogen gas generator achieves this goal by creating a nitrogen supply on demand.
A nitrogen gas generator is a valuable instrument for mass spectrometry. It separates the molecules in compressed air to create a purified gas. This is done via a carbon molecular sieve or a membrane filter.
A laboratory could purchase pressurised air to use for analysis, but an on-site generator streamlines the process and makes it safer.
Being able to make your own purified gas improves the efficiency of the lab because you don’t have to change out cylinders when one runs out. Additionally, it minimizes the delays caused by having to wait for a delivery of more gas.
Nitrogen Gas Generation System Options
There are two types of nitrogen gas generator technology: the pressure swing absorption (PSA) type and the membrane filter type.
Pressure Swing Absorption
The PSA process consists of two absorption towers with carbon molecular sieves (CMS) inside. When compressed and purified air passes through the absorption tower, the CMS absorbs the oxygen from the air. Then, the gas that is mostly nitrogen flows into a storage tank.
The quality and quantity of CMS, as well as the time spent in the tower, determine the purity of the gas in this type of generator. This type of generator comes with the tradeoff that the higher the purity of the gas, the less volume it can produce.
Membrane Filters
Generators that use membrane technology filter compressed air through a series of membrane fibres. Selective permeation separates nitrogen from the rest of the air. Unneeded molecules such as oxygen evaporate. Meanwhile, nitrogen gas travels into a pressurised distribution system.
Membrane generators have fewer parts, are smaller and lighter, and take less air to use.
They also come with or without a compressor. A standalone internal compressor model is the most popular model.
A generator without a compressor requires an external, oil-free source of air. This option involves less noise and heat being produced by the compressor. This is due to the membrane needing to be warm enough to produce a more pure gas.
The performance of a membrane generator depends on the temperature of the environment, incoming air pressure, contaminants in the air, moisture, and oil.
Laboratory Nitrogen Generator Service Parts
The lifespan of a nitrogen gas generator is usually around 10 years if it has been maintained properly.
The ideal environment for a gas generator to run in is clean, dry, and free of oil. Contaminants, moisture, and oil not only reduce a generator’s ability to achieve a high level of purity but also shorten its lifespan by forcing it to work harder.
Even with proper care, a generator will still wear out over time. Fortunately, it is not necessary to invest in an entirely new generator when this happens.
Nitrogen generator manufacturers also produce individual parts that you can use to replace worn-out components. This is a more economical way to extend the life of your nitrogen gas generator, especially in circumstances where it’s heavily used.
Here are a few examples of parts that you can replace in a generator. Compressors should be reliable and have low noise levels. The Thomas 2755 model is a good choice when you need a new compressor.
Filters separate both water and other types of air molecules from the air. They consist of carbon and come in various styles. They can filter out extremely small particles, and the pore diameter is so small that it’s in the nanoscale.
Pressure regulators ensure that the air pressure is ideal for the generator to function well.
Silencers reduce the noise created by the generator and its exhaust.
Solenoid valves are responsible for preventing and allowing substances to flow through the generator. Some help expel water from the system, and this function is extremely important for the system as a whole.
How to Source the Best Parts
Keep your laboratory running smoothly with laboratory nitrogen generator service parts. The quality of the parts influences how well the generator functions. This is why it’s important to source your parts from a knowledgeable company.
The best way to do this is to contact Lab Gas Parts to learn about how their cross-brand lab parts can help you minimize your equipment’s downtime. They offer individual parts that give you the flexibility to buy only what you need to fix your generator.