Nitrogen, composing 78 % of the earth’s atmosphere, is the 4th most abundant element in the human body and equally essential in scientific research for the ultimate performance of a mass spectrometer.
The classical method of purifying N2 is by cryogenic separation; Air is cooled to – 190 o C and O2 and N2 separated in liquid form. This is then transported to required site for use, typically through evaporation, as N2 in its gaseous form. This leads to wastage though ‘Boil off’ as gas travels from plant room to laboratory of 0.2 % to 5 % per day, in addition to transport, delivery and safety costs.
Nitrogen cylinders can be filled from off-site N2 purification and booster compressor. Cylinders can be high risk due to high pressure the gas is storage under and weight to move. A typical Mass spectrometer will use up to 1 cylinder per day, equating to 2000 G-size cylinders a year - leading to high off-site energy production and transport carbon costs.
This presentation details how N2 gas can be purified on site & on demand at desired flows, pressure and purity specifically tailored to your proteomics research and Mass Spectrometer of choice.
N2 generators are small (fit under a standard Laboratory bench),
Quiet (think hum of an air conditioner),
Use < 10 amp power (greener for the environment) and
Only requires 1 x delivery (decarbonisation due to less truck deliveries).
There is no storage of gas a high pressure or volumes, hence safer and easier for laboratory staff to use 24/7.