Nitrogen Generator St Andrews

On-Site Nitrogen Generation St Andrews

Most businesses in St Andrews still get nitrogen delivered in bottles. A nitrogen generator changes this by making gas on-site from your compressed air supply. You set the desired purity level, and the generator runs when you switch it on.

How Nitrogen Generation Works

Nitrogen makes up 78% of the air around us. Generators separate it from other gases using two primary methods.

Membrane Separation

Membrane generators push compressed air through a hollow fibre membrane. Oxygen and water vapour pass through the membrane walls. Nitrogen stays behind. These units produce nitrogen with a purity of 95% to 99.5%.

Pressure Swing Adsorption

These generators use carbon molecular sieves in two pressure vessels. At high pressure, oxygen molecules stick to the carbon, whilst nitrogen passes through.

When the pressure drops, the oxygen is released and vents away. One vessel produces nitrogen while the other regenerates. This method can produce nitrogen up to 99.999% purity.

Uses For Nitrogen In St Andrews

Businesses across St Andrews use nitrogen for different processes. We've installed generators for companies in food production, electronics, and manufacturing.

  • Food packaging operations use nitrogen to flush oxygen from packages. This stops bacteria growth and extends shelf life without chemical preservatives.
  • Chemical and pharmaceutical companies use nitrogen because it doesn't react with most substances. It moves powders through production lines and protects products during packaging.
  • Electronics manufacturers solder components in nitrogen atmospheres. This reduces oxidation and improves joint quality.

Why Businesses Choose Nitrogen Generators

Making your own nitrogen removes several problems that come with gas deliveries.

No Delivery Scheduling

Bottled nitrogen means estimating how much you’ll use each month. Get it wrong and you either run out or have bottles taking up space. A generator makes nitrogen when you turn it on.

Fewer Lorry Movements

Gas bottles arrive on lorries from suppliers, often from central depots. A generator cuts these delivery trips. For businesses that use nitrogen daily, this makes a significant difference to their carbon footprint.

Lower Running Costs

Bottled nitrogen pricing includes the cost of manufacturing the bottles, filling them, and delivering them to your site. When you make nitrogen from compressed air, you’re only paying for electricity and maintenance. Most businesses see their nitrogen costs drop by 40-50%. Payback periods are typically 12-18 months.

Getting Started With Nitrogen Generation


We assess your current nitrogen use before recommending a generator. This includes checking your flow rates, purity requirements, and how much you’re spending on bottled gas.

Our nitrogen audit covers your compressed air system, too. The generator needs clean, dry air to work properly. We’ll check if your compressor and air treatment equipment can handle the extra load.

We supply Atlas Copco nitrogen generators. These come with service packages that include filter changes and routine maintenance. We stock spare parts at our Airdrie depot for quick repairs.

Companies in St Andrews typically ask us why they waited so long to install a generator. To discuss nitrogen generation for your business, call us on 01236 751922.

Contact Us

Where To Find Design Air


Design Air (Scotland) Ltd

Unit 9, Block 4, Chapelhall Industrial Estate, Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom, ML6 8HQ

Fill in our contact form below and we’ll be sure to get back to you as soon as we can.

Office Opening Hours

Mon – Fri 08:00 – 17:00
Sat – Sun Closed

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