Last week, we introduced you to a state-of-the-art toxicology lab that uses nitrogen gas in three separate processes within the testing procedure. Nitrogen gas is used to break down specimens and isolate chromatographs on different drugs, sanitize the system in between specimens and flush waste from the system. Because the laboratory uses so much nitrogen in their processes (17 machines operate 24/7 with a flow rate of 40 liters per minute), it moved to on-site nitrogen generation to better control costs, purity and supply.
Lab Achieves Payback in 18 Months by Switching to On-Site Nitrogen Generation
When the laboratory costed out the two scenarios of buying bulk nitrogen from a supplier and generating their own nitrogen, they realized they could achieve a payback time of 18 months by making their own. Plus, they would have the flexibility to make only the amount of nitrogen they need at any given time during the testing processes.
When comparing proposals, the laboratory realized most on-site nitrogen generation systems included Atlas Copco compressors—only the nitrogen generators were different. Once the laboratory compared the various nitrogen generators, it found that Atlas Copco’s nitrogen generators were often as good, or better than the others. For the lab, it came down to choosing the best system that offered a competitive price and came direct from the manufacturer.
Custom Equipment, Quick Turnaround
Once the laboratory was ready to make the purchase of the whole nitrogen generation system, they wanted the system right away. To ensure the lab received the exact equipment they required—the lab wanted a 150 psi machine that Atlas Copco doesn’t typically keep in stock—Atlas Copco reconfigured a 125 psi machine at its Houston engineering center to produce air at 150 psi. Being able to reconfigure and customize an in-stock machine allowed the lab to get up and running quickly.
The lab’s final system consists of the following products that work together to supply a reliable stream of extremely dry and clean compressed air to the nitrogen generator:
New NGP+ On-Site Nitrogen Generators with PSA Technology
This summer, we launched the next generation of NGP+ on-site nitrogen generators with pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology that produces nitrogen with purities of up to 99.999 percent while reducing energy consumption by 50 percent when integrated with an energy-efficient compressed air network. The NGP+ can be plugged directly into an existing compressed air installation and offers an independent, reliable and flexible supply of nitrogen gas.
To learn more about Atlas Copco’s on-site nitrogen generation offerings, fill out our Request a Quote form and a representative will be in touch with you shortly.
