Have you ever wondered how a nitrogen generator works and whether it’s the right choice for your business?
Maybe you are searching online because your company uses nitrogen cylinders, and you’re tired of the constant refills, rental costs, and delivery delays. Or maybe you’ve heard that many Toronto businesses are switching to on-site nitrogen generation, but you want to understand how a nitrogen gas generator works before investing.
If that sounds like you, this guide is perfect.
Across Toronto, whether you’re in food packaging, electronics, breweries, manufacturing, or running a busy lab, more companies are realizing that producing their own nitrogen is easier, safer, and far more cost-effective than depending on cylinder suppliers. Instead of waiting for deliveries or worrying about running out of nitrogen during peak hours, a generator gives you steady, reliable nitrogen on demand, whenever your operations need it.
In simple, easy-to-understand language, we’ll explain how a nitrogen generator works, why companies use it, what the working principle is, and how it can help you save money, increase safety, and improve productivity.
What Is a Nitrogen Generator?
A nitrogen generator is a machine that takes regular air from the environment and turns it into high-purity nitrogen gas. You don’t need cylinders, tank refills, or gas deliveries. The generator creates nitrogen on demand, right at your facility.
Since our air already contains 78% nitrogen, the generator simply separates nitrogen from the oxygen and other gases. The result? Continuous, reliable, and cost-efficient nitrogen production.
Why Toronto Businesses Are Switching to Nitrogen Generators
Across Toronto, Scarborough, Mississauga, Vaughan, Brampton, Markham, Oakville, Richmond Hill, and Burlington, businesses in industries like food packaging, electronics, manufacturing, labs, breweries, and automotive are rapidly shifting to nitrogen generators.
The reasons are simple:
- No more cylinder rental fees: You stop paying monthly rental charges because nitrogen comes straight from your own generator.
- No delivery delays: You never wait for suppliers again—nitrogen is always available on demand.
- No handling heavy cylinders: Your team no longer lifts, stores, or moves bulky, high-pressure cylinders.
- Consistent gas purity: You get the exact nitrogen purity your operations need, every single time.
- Higher safety: Eliminates risks linked to high-pressure cylinder storage and handling.
- Lower long-term cost: Your operating cost drops significantly as you produce nitrogen at a fraction of the usual price.
- Nitrogen available 24/7: You get a nonstop nitrogen supply, anytime your business needs it.
If you use nitrogen regularly, an on-site generator is almost always more efficient.
How a Nitrogen Generator Works – The Basics
All nitrogen generators follow the same basic idea:
- They pull in ambient air.
- They remove dust, moisture, and oil.
- They separate nitrogen from oxygen.
- They store the nitrogen.
- They supply nitrogen to your equipment whenever needed.
Step-by-Step: How a Nitrogen Generator Works
1. Intake: The Generator Pulls in Normal Atmospheric Air
The process starts with a compressor (or external air source). The air around us contains:
- 78% nitrogen
- 21% oxygen
- 1% other gases (argon, CO₂, etc.)
The generator’s job is to separate these gases and keep only nitrogen.
2. Filtration: Cleaning the Air
Before the air can be separated, it passes through several filters:
- Particulate filters remove dust and dirt.
- Coalescing filters remove oil droplets.
- Dryers remove moisture.
Clean air is essential because even tiny impurities can affect nitrogen purity.
3. Separation: Removing Oxygen to Keep Nitrogen
This is the heart of the process.
Depending on the technology, separation works in one of two ways:
PSA Nitrogen Generator – How It Works
PSA stands for Pressure Swing Adsorption, and it’s the most common nitrogen generator type in industrial settings.
It uses a material called Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS).
- When air is pushed into a tank filled with CMS, oxygen molecules get trapped, but nitrogen molecules pass through.
- The oxygen gets released during the “regeneration” cycle.
- The system switches between two towers (Tower A and Tower B) to maintain a continuous nitrogen flow.
Why Does Oxygen Get Trapped?
Oxygen molecules are smaller and faster, so they fit into the tiny pores of the CMS. Nitrogen molecules are larger, so they stay in the gas stream.
This results in:
- High purity nitrogen
- Reliable performance
- Continuous operation
- Nitrogen levels up to 99.999% purity (depending on the requirement)
Membrane Nitrogen Generator – How It Works?
Membrane generators use hollow fiber membranes, tiny tubes that act like filters.
- Oxygen, water vapor, and CO₂ pass through the membrane walls quickly.
- Nitrogen passes through more slowly and stays in the main stream.
This technology is often used for:
- Food packaging
- Fire prevention systems
- Marine and offshore applications
- Labs
- Breweries
Membranes are quieter, simpler, and good for moderate nitrogen purity.
4. Nitrogen Storage
After separation, the nitrogen is stored in a nitrogen receiver tank.
This tank helps maintain pressure and ensures that nitrogen is available instantly, even if usage spikes.
5. Nitrogen Delivery
Finally, the nitrogen flows through pipes to your equipment—packaging machines, lasers, ovens, tanks, lab instruments, etc.
You get:
- A constant supply of nitrogen
- Exact purity levels
- Zero interruptions
And all of it is generated on-site without depending on cylinders.
What Is the Working Principle of a Nitrogen Generator?
The working principle of a nitrogen generator is:
“Separate nitrogen from atmospheric air by removing oxygen using PSA or membrane technology.”
Both technologies work on the same idea:
- Different gases behave differently when passed through sieves or membranes.
- By exploiting these behaviors, the generator isolates nitrogen from the rest.
Benefits of Using a Nitrogen Generator
1. Huge Cost Savings
Using cylinders month after month adds up very quickly — especially with rising delivery and rental charges in Toronto.
A nitrogen generator cuts this cost dramatically by producing nitrogen on-site. You only pay for electricity and basic maintenance, making it a long-term money saver for any business.
2. Complete Safety
High-pressure nitrogen cylinders can be risky to store, move, and handle.
A generator eliminates these dangers because it produces nitrogen at safe, low pressures.
This means fewer workplace accidents, less training stress, and a safer environment for your team.
3. No Delivery Delays
Toronto’s traffic, winter storms, or supplier delays won’t affect your operations anymore.
With a nitrogen generator, you produce what you need right at your facility.
This ensures a continuous supply, so your work never stops because a truck didn’t arrive on time.
4. Consistent Purity
Different applications require different nitrogen purity levels, from packaging to laser cutting.
A generator lets you choose exactly the purity your process needs, from 95% up to 99.999%.
You get stable, reliable output every single day without depending on external suppliers.
5. Environmental Benefits
Cylinder deliveries mean constant transportation, fuel use, and emissions.
By generating nitrogen on-site, you reduce truck visits and minimize overall carbon footprint.
It’s a cleaner, greener, and more responsible way to support your business operations.
6. 24/7 Availability
Whether you need nitrogen all day or only during certain production hours, your generator is always ready.
There’s no waiting, no scheduling, and no dependency on supplier timelines.
You get instant access to nitrogen any time your business needs it — day, night, weekends, or holidays.
Industries in Toronto That Commonly Use Nitrogen Generators
- Food Packaging – Prevents oxidation, keeps food fresh, and extends shelf life.
- Electronics Manufacturing – Keeps components moisture-free and prevents oxidation.
- Breweries – Nitrogenation, purging, preserving flavors.
- Laboratories – Supports testing, experiments, and sample preservation.
- Automotive & Tire Inflation – Better performance and stability.
- Laser Cutting – Ensures clean edges and high-quality results.
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical Companies – Safe storage, blanketing, and controlled environments.
How Long Does a Nitrogen Generator Last?
A good nitrogen generator can last 10–20 years with proper maintenance.
This is one reason businesses see it as a long-term investment.
Why Understanding How a Nitrogen Generator Works Matters
Now that you understand how a nitrogen generator works, you can confidently decide if it’s the right fit for your Toronto business. The concept is simple: take the air around you, remove oxygen, and keep only nitrogen.
- No deliveries.
- No cylinder handling.
- No interruptions.
- Just pure nitrogen on demand.
Ready to Upgrade Your Nitrogen System?
If you want reliable on-site nitrogen generation without the hassle of cylinders, Air CompPower is here to help.
Whether you’re in Toronto, Scarborough, Mississauga, Vaughan, Brampton, Markham, Oakville, Richmond Hill, or Burlington, our team provides:
- Nitrogen generator installation
- Maintenance & servicing
- High-quality compressed air systems
- Expert support for all industries
Visit aircomppower.com to speak with a specialist today and discover the right nitrogen generator setup for your operations.
Upgrade to a smarter, safer, and more efficient nitrogen system.
FAQs:
1. What is the working principle of a nitrogen generator?
It separates nitrogen from oxygen in atmospheric air by using either PSA or membrane technology.
2. Does a nitrogen generator need an air compressor?
Yes. It needs compressed air as the raw material.
3. How pure can the nitrogen be?
Purity ranges from 95% to 99.999%, depending on the model.
4. Is a nitrogen generator cheaper than cylinders?
Yes. Most businesses save up to 40–70% over time.
5. Is maintenance difficult?
Not at all. Filters and CMS (for PSA) need periodic maintenance, which is simple when handled by a professional team.
6. Where can a nitrogen generator be installed?
In a workshop, plant room, lab, warehouse, or even a small equipment area.
7. Are nitrogen generators safe?
Yes. They remove the risks associated with storing high-pressure cylinders.
8. How quickly does the generator produce nitrogen?
Almost instantly, once the system reaches operating pressure.
9. Can I control nitrogen purity?
Yes. Most generators have adjustable purity settings.
10. Is it suitable for small businesses?
Absolutely. Many small businesses in Toronto use compact nitrogen generators for packaging, labs, and industrial applications.