Nitrogen (N2) is an inert, odorless, and colorless gas that makes up 78% of the air in Earth’s atmosphere. This versatile gas is produced from an air separation unit (ASU) plant and has many applications across various industries. Nitrogen is commonly used for blanketing, purging, and sparging in different applications. In the food and beverage industry, nitrogen is used for food processing and packaging to improve shelf-life and the quality of food products. It is also used to purge analytical instrumentation in small amounts. Cryogenic liquid nitrogen (LIN), which has an extremely low temperature in its liquid state, is used for food-freezing applications like seafood and durians.
Nitrogen also finds extensive use in the semiconductor industry, acting as a purge and carrier gas. In welding applications, nitrogen serves as an assist gas for laser cutting. However, it is important to note that nitrogen in high concentrations can cause asphyxiation. Offshore purging using liquid N2 is another common application. It is used to purge and clean pipelines, vessels, and tanks, eliminating the need for chemical cleaning.
Ace Gases offers Nitrogen (N2) supply in various modes to cater to different customers’ needs. N2 can be supplied in cylinders, tanks, and bundles for customers with smaller volume requirements. For those who require a larger volume but do not have the space for a bulk tank, Ace Gases offers Microbulk Solutions, which provides an efficient and cost-effective solution for storage and supply. For customers with high-volume requirements, Ace Gases can provide Liquid Bulk and Storage Solutions, which involve the installation of a bulk tank at the customer’s site, which can be refilled via tankers or ISO containers. On-site Gas Generation is another mode of supply, which allows customers to produce N2 on-site, eliminating the need for deliveries and reducing transportation costs. Air Separation Units are also available for large-scale N2 production, and Pipeline Supply can be arranged for customers with access to the pipeline network.
Application
Food and Beverage Industry
Nitrogen is used in food processing and packaging applications to improve the shelf-life and quality of food products. It is commonly used to preserve the freshness of packaged foods and prevent oxidation.
Chemical Industry
Nitrogen is used as a blanketing gas to prevent explosions and fires in chemical production facilities. It is also used in the production of ammonia, urea, and other chemicals.
Electronics Industry
Nitrogen is used in the production of semiconductors and microchips to prevent oxidation and contamination during the manufacturing process.
Pharmaceutical Industry
Nitrogen is used in pharmaceutical manufacturing for a variety of applications, including inerting, purging, and drying.
Oil and Gas Industry
Nitrogen is used for well stimulation, well completion, and enhanced oil recovery. It is also used for purging and inerting pipelines and storage tanks to prevent explosions and fires.
Welding and Metal Fabrication
Nitrogen is used as an assist gas for laser cutting, as well as for welding and metal fabrication applications.
Offshore Industry
Nitrogen is used for offshore purging applications using liquid nitrogen to maintain the atmosphere in cargo tanks, fuel tanks, and pipelines.
