A Peak nitrogen generator, utilizing the principle described in the provided reference, primarily works by separating nitrogen from ambient air using a specialized membrane based on selective permeation.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
- Air Intake: The process begins by taking in ambient air from the surrounding environment.
- Compression: Internal air compressors feed the air into the system. Compression is necessary to push the air through the separation mechanism efficiently.
- Membrane Separation: The compressed air is then directed through a nitrogen membrane. This membrane is the core of the separation process.
- Selective Permeation: The membrane separates gases by the principle of selective permeation across the nitrogen membranes wall. This means the membrane material allows certain gas molecules to pass through more easily or quickly than others.
- Typically, molecules like water vapor, oxygen, and argon permeate the membrane wall faster.
- Larger, slower-moving nitrogen molecules permeate much slower and tend to remain inside the membrane fibers.
- Nitrogen Collection: As the faster-permeating gases exit through the membrane wall, a stream of high-purity nitrogen gas is left behind and collected for use. The permeated gases (mostly oxygen, water, etc.) are vented away.
This method provides a continuous supply of nitrogen gas on demand directly from the air.
The Role of the Nitrogen Membrane
The effectiveness of this type of generator hinges on the properties of the nitrogen membrane. These membranes are often made of bundles of hollow polymer fibers.
- Input: Compressed air flows into the center of these fibers.
- Output: Oxygen and other gases permeate through the fiber walls, while nitrogen is concentrated and exits from the other end of the fibers.
This creates two streams: a nitrogen-rich stream and an oxygen-rich waste stream.
How Gases Permeate
The rate at which a gas permeates through a membrane depends on its solubility in the membrane material and its size relative to the membrane's structure. The membrane is designed to exploit these differences, allowing faster gases to "permeate" through the wall while retaining the desired nitrogen.
Gas Separation Example
| Gas | Behavior in Membrane | Outcome in Nitrogen Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen | Slower permeation | Remains in stream |
| Oxygen | Faster permeation | Permeates through wall |
| Argon | Faster permeation | Permeates through wall |
| Water Vapor | Faster permeation | Permeates through wall |
This membrane technology allows for reliable and efficient on-site nitrogen generation.
