Nitrogen Generator Purity

      Nitrogen gas is one of the most commonly used industrial gases across various industry applications. Its inert properties make it virtually undetectable to the senses. That also means it can safely come into contact with virtually any product or surface and prevent contamination or combustion of flammable and explosive materials by eliminating reaction with oxygen in ambient air.

Used for blanketing, flushing, and purging industrial equipment, nitrogen gas also retains the freshness of packaged food products and guarantees a much longer and more sustainable shelf life.

What Is Nitrogen Gas Purity?

Nitrogen gas purity levels are determined by the percentage or concentration of pure nitrogen gas that’s found in the nitrogen gas process stream. For nitrogen to be considered completely pure, it needs to have a concentration of 99.999%+.

     Its purity classification is determined by the ratio of pure nitrogen gas compared to the presence of potential contaminants that includes water vapour, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and argon. Each of these elements can lower the purity level of the nitrogen gas and may render it unsuitable for certain industrial applications.

How Does the Nitrogen Gas Purity Classification Process Work?

Nitrogen gas that’s produced using onsite generators is immediately analyzed to determine the purity levels before it’s allowed to enter the facility’s pipe network. This process ensures that the nitrogen purity levels are sufficiently graded to perform the tasks or processes for which the gas is intended.

An internal instrument known as an oxygen sensor or analyzer is utilized to determine the nitrogen purity levels and display the nitrogen purity number in real time to give an accurate reading. The oxygen sensor or gas analyzer presents a specific value that represents nitrogen purity as a percentage of nitrogen or parts per million of oxygen

Purity Levels

Nitrogen purity ratings may vary according to each manufacturer’s discretion. High is usually classified as zero grade or N5.0. This means that the nitrogen contains an extremely low concentration of impurities such as water vapour, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide or hydrocarbons.

Ultra-High Purity (UHP) Nitrogen Gas

Ultra-high purity (UHP) nitrogen gas has an extremely high concentration of 99.999% with only 10 ppm of oxygen present. The impurity levels are so minimal that they’re completely negligible and have no bearing on the quality or efficacy of the nitrogen gas. 

Low Purity 

When nitrogen gas has a purity rating of 99.9% or lower, then it’s typically considered to be low-purity or low-grade nitrogen. Purity grades and criteria typically vary by industry application, but low purity nitrogen can also be branded as industrial quality nitrogen.