The nitrogen bottle is a widespread element in the technical gases sector, used as a convenient solution for the application of this valuable gas in a wide array of industries.
Nitrogen is the 7th most abundant element found in the solar system, it comprises 3% of the human body’s components and is an essential part of the Earth’s atmosphere. Such a crucial element has found new applications across many different production fields, helping shape key sectors such as the food, health and manufacturing industries.
What is bottled nitrogen?
The term bottled nitrogen can refer both to pure nitrogen tank or liquid nitrogen bottle. In any case, the nitrogen bottle is the most common and most straightforward formula for the different industries to have access to this element.
In order to have continuous access to this gas, companies order bottled nitrogen from their trusted suppliers. These have generated the element in a cryogenic nitrogen plant and are now in charge of delivering this gas enclosed in specifically-designed bottles.
Nitrogen is bottled under high pressure, so that a large quantity can be stored easily in a small component, although there are many different nitrogen bottle sizes. After the nitrogen gas tank is used, the empty bottles are collected by the gas company.
The nitrogen bottle thus consists of an uncomplicated formula for industries to have readily available access to this gas, even when demand peaks take place.
Related content: Nitrogen uses in the cryogenic industry
7 Industrial uses of the nitrogen gas bottle
1. Food industry
Nitrogen plays a key role in food preservation, inhibiting oxidation that leads to food damage. Thus, it’s used to generate controlled atmospheres in food packaging, extending the lifecycle of different products. Besides, pure nitrogen is classified as a food additive and it is also used to generate packaging cushions to prevent products from being damaged during transport.
2. Chemical plants
Chemical plants must have readily available access to nitrogen in order to prevent explosions from happening by displacing oxygen in certain atmospheres.
3. Pharmaceutical industry
Nitrogen is used in the manufacturing of anesthesia and antibiotics. It also plays a role in preserving biological matter, including eggs, blood or stem cells, and in the creation of X-ray machines. Among other uses, nitrogen bottles are used in the pharmaceutical industry for:
- Nitrogen Purging. A technique that removes oxygen from packaging.
- Blanketing. Reducing oxygen by replacing it with nitrogen.
- Product Transfer. Moves a reaction mixture from one vessel to another.
4. Electronics
Nitrogen helps prevent the overheating of electronic devices, while it’s also used for fire suppression and for preventing oxidation. Some benefits of using nitrogen gas bottles in electronics manufacturing are:
- Sharper finishes.
- Helps preventing oxidation.
- Maintains a consistent atmosphere.
- Reduced dross.
5. Stainless steel industry
The use of nitrogen is essential in the stainless steel industry, as it allows for the removal of impurities during the production of this alloy.
6. Textile industry
Nitrogen plays a part in the creation of fabrics such as nylon and many dyes used across diverse industries, including the textile sector. Nitrogen is also used to make the sewing needles. During the heat treatment process, nitrogen is used to remove any oxygen that could potentially cause oxidation and ruin the needles before they ever leave the factory.
7. Construction
In its liquid form, nitrogen is used in multiple construction projects such as excavations and tunnel creation. How does it work? Pumping the liquid nitrogen through pipes, and once the nitrogen is deposited through the soil, it vaporizes eliminating the heat and freezing it.
What other gases can be stored in bottles?
The nitrogen bottle is not the only common gas container: other technical gases such as industrial and medicinal oxygen, CO2, argon and Ar-CO2 are commonly transported and stored in bottles such as the nitrogen gas bottle.
Each of these industrial gases, however, must be contained in an appropriate container or tank, adjusted to their individual chemical characteristics.
Keep reading: New nitrogen storage and regasification plant in Poland
Custom trolleys and ramps vs standard
When facing the delivery and storage of nitrogen, companies may hesitate between two options: opting for standard solutions or investing in custom trolleys and ramps for the nitrogen bottle.
The latter case allows for the customization of different elements in order to create tailor-made nitrogen bottles:
- According to their individual needs, the client can indicate the right nitrogen bottle sizes, and other measurements such as those for the chassis, the ramps and trolleys
- It’s also possible to pick the number of cylinders
- Different pressures are available
- Equipment can be custom-made in order for it to work with different gases
- Numbers of the bottles can be adapted
- The system can be made to be manual or semi- automatic
- Equipments can be adapted to comply with specific standards
- There can be different filling flows
At the same time, the customization of trolleys and filling ramps allows for an economical maintenance, the monitoring of filling processes and the control of unit advances in order to manage warnings and alarms.
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Interested in optimizing nitrogen bottle’ processes for your company? Cryospain designs and produces custom-made bottle fillings trolleys and ramps, providing individual solutions that match our clients’ needs while also complying with the specific regulations established for each project and following the most demanding quality standards.
Want to learn more? Download our solutions’ catalog and learn more about how we can help your company achieve more efficient nitrogen bottle storage.
