Nitrogen generator sizing starts with the gas flow your plant needs at the required purity and pressure. A monthly invoice provides a starting point, but the operating demand profile determines the selection. The objective is a system that supports production under actual site conditions.
Convert cylinder, liquid or metered consumption to the same reference temperature and pressure. Nm³/h is different from volumetric flow at operating conditions. State the density reference when converting mass to volume. Review venting and leakage to distinguish purchased gas from gas actually used in production.
Average flow equals total gas volume divided by actual operating time. It does not describe short demand peaks. Log flow across representative shifts and identify start-up purges, product changes and cutting cycles. Select generation and storage together rather than using the monthly average alone.
Record continuous and intermittent demand for each consumer. Adding every machine's nameplate flow can oversize the plant; establish which loads coincide. Justify capacity reserve for planned production lines. A blanket contingency percentage does not replace a documented assessment of operating patterns and future demand.
PSA nitrogen flow must be assessed alongside its purity target. Compare guaranteed output at identical purity, inlet conditions and delivery pressure. For laser cutting, use the machine manufacturer's gas specification. Laser power alone does not determine nitrogen consumption; the cutting programme and nozzle also matter.
Calculate feed-air demand using the air-to-nitrogen ratio at the selected operating point. Account separately for dryer regeneration and other plant loads. Check compressor free-air delivery, filter pressure losses and hot-weather conditions. A nominal catalogue flow does not establish the available capacity of the complete installation.
Suitable storage can cover brief peaks. Usable gas depends on the receiver's volume and its upper and lower operating pressures. If continuous consumption exceeds generation, storage will eventually deplete. Select any booster using its inlet requirements, discharge duty and the time available to replenish the receiver.
Share nitrogen consumption, shift patterns, target purity, line pressure and simultaneous users with Mentis. Include existing compressor and receiver details. We can assess an S-PSA nitrogen generator, air treatment and storage as one system, then prepare a proposal matched to your plant.
