What’s The Difference Between PSA And Membrane Nitrogen Generators

• Adsorption Principle: The PSA nitrogen making machine uses the selective adsorption characteristics of the adsorbent (usually molecular sieve or activated carbon) for nitrogen and oxygen in the air. Under the specific pressure, the molecular sieve has a higher adsorption capacity for nitrogen, but a lower adsorption capacity for oxygen.
• Pressure Change: The PSA nitrogen generator separates nitrogen and oxygen by changing the pressure of the system. There are usually two adsorption columns. One is used to adsorb nitrogen and the other is used to release previously adsorbed oxygen.
• Cycle Operation: When working, the gas will increase the pressure through the compressor and then enter the adsorption column. In the adsorption column, nitrogen is adsorbed. Oxygen and other impurities pass through, resulting in a higher purity of nitrogen.
• Release Adsorption: When an adsorption column is saturated with nitrogen, the system reduces the pressure. Switching the airflow direction releases oxygen and impurities from the other adsorption column into the atmosphere.

• Efficient Separation: The PSA nitrogen machine can efficiently separate nitrogen and oxygen in the air, thus obtaining high purity nitrogen.
• Energy Efficient: PSA nitrogen generators typically have lower energy consumption than other nitrogen production methods. So it saves energy.
• Flexibility And Controllability: it can adjust the working parameters of the nitrogen machine according to the actual needs, such as pressure, flow rate, etc., to meet the needs of different industrial applications for nitrogen.
• Customizable: PSA nitrogen machines of different specifications, yield and purity can be customized according to needs. It is suitable for various industrial scenarios.
• Continuous Nitrogen Supply: PSA nitrogen generator provides continuous and stable nitrogen supply. It is suitable for industrial processes that require a continuous supply of nitrogen.

• Membrane Separation Principle: Membrane nitrogen generator uses a special semi-permeable membrane to separate nitrogen and oxygen in the air. These membranes are selective and allow nitrogen molecules to pass through the membrane. Larger oxygen molecules are restricted and cannot pass through the membrane.
• Pressure Difference Drive: By providing a certain pressure difference, a gas mixture (usually air) is pushed through the membrane, and nitrogen molecules are passed through the membrane holes. Larger oxygen molecules are blocked, allowing nitrogen and oxygen to separate.

• Continuous Production of Nitrogen: The membrane nitrogen generator can produce nitrogen continuously and steadily. It is suitable for industrial processes that require a continuous supply of nitrogen.
• Low Energy Consumption: Compared to some traditional nitrogen production methods, membrane nitrogen generators often achieve lower energy consumption. Especially in small and medium-sized applications.
• Simple Maintenance: Membrane nitrogen generators usually have a relatively simple structure and are relatively easy to maintain. The membrane has a long life, but regular inspection and cleaning are still necessary.
• No Chemicals: In contrast to some nitrogen generation methods that chemically absorb or adsorb nitrogen, membrane nitrogen generators do not require the use of chemicals. This avoids handling and disposal costs associated with chemicals.
• Flexibility And Customizability: Membrane nitrogen machines can be customized to different specifications, yields and purities, and are suitable for a variety of industrial applications.
• Environmental Protection: Because no chemicals are involved, the membrane nitrogen generator has less impact on the environment and is more environmentally friendly.

Purity marks the major difference between PSA and membrane nitrogen generators. PSA systems using highly competitive adsorption beds can extract more pure form of nitrogen, around 99.99%. Therefore, if purity is the deciding factor in your industry or business, you should always go with PSA nitrogen generators.

What’s more to tell? At Lingyu Machinery, we offer you even better PSA generators with the highest recordable purity, around 99.999%. So, what are you waiting for? Go and grab nitrogen generators that serve well.
Membrane nitrogen generators also offer exceptional purity levels of around 95% to 99%. Therefore, a smaller setup, not needing exceedingly pure nitrogen, can function well even with this particular type of nitrogen generator.

Are you aware of the concept of cost efficiency? If not, let’s understand it first, as you are going to encounter it multiple times while running your business. It is a concept that encourages business owners to save money by using machines that function at a greater efficiency level.

Before making any assumptions, let’s just move systematically and start with a question. “Which particular type of generator can save more pennies while producing a fixed amount, let’s say a gallon, at a particular purity level?” You already know about the purity, both generator types are offerings. So, what do you think?

Thinking of PSA nitrogen generators? Yes, you are right. At a purity level of above 98%, PSA is far more cost-efficient than membrane nitrogen generators. Therefore, for major setups needing a continuous supply of extremely pure nitrogen gas, I definitely encourage you to go with PSA setups.

Several factors can influence the working of nitrogen generators. However, two of the most important ones that need to be addressed here are water and oil. In industries using nitrogen generators, oil is truly an evil. Oil leaking into the system, either PSA or membrane, will severely affect the functioning, even leading to permanent or irreversible damage.

When it comes to moisture, the PSA system is more sensitive to exposure. It is because the exposure to moisture will damage the functioning of CMS. It will lead to the extraction of low nitrogen levels even with lesser purity. Additionally, continuous exposure can also leave the system permanently disabled.

Membrane nitrogen generators, are more tolerant, to moisture, only showing a mild reduction in performance. However, you should know that neither PSA nor membrane generators can tolerate extreme moisture for longer durations.

Therefore, whether it’s moisture or oil, business owners should pay good attention to its removal as exposure for a longer duration can even lead to unbearable damage.

Membranes of membrane nitrogen generators are quite sensitive compared to the adsorption beds of PSA systems. Therefore, the mean declining age of performance capacity of membrane generators is 10 years compared to 20 or more years for PSA systems. In simple words, the function of the membrane filter starts deteriorating after 10 years while for PSA generators this time frame is 20 years.

PSA systems are larger and heavier due to the presence of adsorption beds and several moving parts such as valves and actuators. Moreover, PSA also has an automated system attached for smooth functioning. Therefore, this particular type of nitrogen generator occupies more space than a simple membrane nitrogen generator. While the latter can even be placed in your homes.