Nitrogen Generators - Membrane

Balston Membrane Nitrogen Generators produce up to 99.5% pure, commercially sterile nitrogen at dewpoints to -58° F (-50° C) from a compressed air supply. All Membrane Nitrogen Generators include a 0.01 micron membrane filter which ensures the nitrogen is completely free of suspended impurities. For applications requiring monitoring and controlling, Baslton offers systems which include oxygen monitors.

Balston Nitrogen Generators are one of the most efficient membrane systems available with higher recovery rates and lower operating costs than many other membrane systems.

How the Technology Works

Balston Nitrogen Generators utilize proprietary membrane separation technology. The membrane divides the air into two streams: one is 95%-99.5% pure nitrogen, and the other is oxygen-rich with carbon dioxide and other trace gases.

The generator separates air into its component gases by passing inexpensive, conventional compressed air through bundles of individual hollow fiber, semi-permeable membranes. Each fiber has a perfectly circular cross section and a uniform bore through its center. Because the fibers are so small, a great many can be packed into a limited space, providing an extremely large membrane surface area that can produce a relatively high volume product stream.

Compressed air is introduced to the center of the fibers at one end of the module and contacts the membrane as it flows through the fiber bores. While oxygen, water vapor and other trace gases permeate the membrane fiber and are discharged through a permeate port, the nitrogen is contained within the hollow fiber membrane, and flows through the outlet port of the module.

Water vapor also permeates through the membrane; therefore, the nitrogen product gas is very dry.