Nitrogen Packaging System

Using nitrogen to purge food products of oxygen is a safe practice that has been utilized throughout the food industry for many years. The presence of oxygen introduces moisture which deteriorates food quality. Nitrogen gas is utilized to help preserve the freshness, integrity, and quality of delivered food products. Food manufacturers use nitrogen purging and nitrogen blanketing to displace oxygen from the atmosphere while processing, packaging or storing food.

Determining the size and type of the Nitrogen Packaging System for your application is based on purity requirements, nitrogen capacity and additional factors mentioned below. Many customers determine their purity requirements by reviewing the nitrogen spec of what they are currently buying. However, this negates an important advantage of generating your own nitrogen, which is tailoring the nitrogen purity to your actual needs in order to achieve maximum cost savings as opposed to paying for higher purity levels that are not necessary. The physical size of these systems varies from a small entry level system (comparable to a small metal storage cabinet) for low nitrogen capacity to a large modular system capable of producing over 2300 SCFM. The work environment is also another important factor. Our experience shows that this goes beyond the physical environment of temperature, humidity, and weather exposure. It also includes significant consideration for the individuals who are responsible for the day to day operations of the system.

nitrogen generator equipment
Nitrogen Packaging System

Where cost and efficiency are of the utmost importance, Pressure Swing Adsorption Systems (PSA) are almost always the technology of choice. Even when these two decision drivers do not apply, at purity requirements above 99.9%, PSA is the only choice for a gaseous nitrogen generator. However, where capacity or purity requirements are moderate, Membrane Systems may be an alternative technology when considering both initial investment and cost of operation. Small membrane systems involve fewer parts and assembly and therefore may be less costly to purchase. However, keep in mind that membrane media is more costly than the media used in a PSA. In addition, as purity increases, the compressed air requirement will rise faster for a membrane system than it will for a PSA. Therefore, as capacity and purity increase, PSA is the technology of choice as the most cost effective option.

Nitrogen Packaging Systems are available for a variety of food and industrial applications. Each system is pre-tuned, calibrated, tested and comes with a purity and performance certification. Oxygen purity levels of up to 99.9995 percent are available. Let us show you how to reduce your current Nitrogen costs by up to 90% with an average ROI of 12-18 months.

NITROGEN GENERATOR APPLICATIONS AND TYPICAL PURITY REQUIREMENTS

  • Food Packaging : 99.5% Purity, Inert atmosphere packaging extends shelf life and minimizes both spoilage and moisture migration. Also prevents insect invasion and or growth.
  • Beverage Industry: 99.0% – 99.9% Purity, Protects raw materials and final product from oxidation, Extends shelf life. Sparging and head space to eliminate oxygen and improve shelf life.
  • Beer Brewing: 99.99% Purity, Protects full-leaf hops from degradation during storage, Reduce CO2 usage and subsequent contribution to the environment
    Sparging and head space purging to extend shelf life, Nitrogenation of product to improve texture and taste.
  • Coffee: 99.5% Purity, Protects beans from degradation due to oxidation, extends shelf life of final product, inert atmosphere for all packaging requirements
  • Fruits and Vegetables: 99.0% Purity, N2 inerting to eliminate bacteria growth – preventing mold and mildew, Extend warehouse life of stored product, Controlled atmosphere storage to control ripening time.
  • Vertical Form, Fill & Seal Machines: 99.5% Purity, Injection of N2 for inerting plastic bags prior to sealing, N2 inflation of the bag protects fragile products during shipping while also inerting to improve shelf-life.