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Comparison of the Cost of Nitrogen Gas from Different Sources
When industries evaluate different sources of nitrogen gas, one of the most common and critical questions is: What is the cost of nitrogen production?
This article aims to answer that with clear comparisons and calculations, giving you a detailed understanding of the cost differences between:
- Liquid Nitrogen
- High-Pressure Cylinders
- PSA Nitrogen Generators
We’ll also dive deeper into the cost of nitrogen at various purities produced by PSA generators and help you understand why this technology often emerges as the most cost-effective solution.
Nitrogen Gas Sources Available in the Market
There are primarily three ways industries source nitrogen gas:
- Liquid Nitrogen
- High-Pressure Cylinders
- PSA Nitrogen Generators
The first two are delivery-based models, requiring frequent refills and logistics, which add to both cost and dependency. The third, PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) Nitrogen Generator is an on-site system that produces nitrogen using ambient air as raw material, significantly reducing running costs and third-party dependence.
Cost Comparison: Nitrogen from Different Sources
| Source of Nitrogen | Cost per Nm³ (₹) | Notes |
| Liquid Nitrogen | ₹13 – ₹25 | Varies depending on the distance from the liquid nitrogen production plant |
| High-Pressure Cylinder* | ₹70 – ₹150 | Cost depends on location |
| PSA Nitrogen Generator | ₹1.7 – ₹10.5 | Depends on the required nitrogen purity |
*One cylinder holds ~7 Nm³
Comparison between different sources of Nitrogen gas
| Sno. | Parameter | Liquid Nitrogen | High-Pressure Cylinder | PSA Nitrogen Generator |
| 1 | Cost per Nm³ | High | Very High | Low |
| 2 | Risk Involved | High (due to high expansion ratio) | Very High (150 barg pressure) | Low (operates at ~6 barg) |
| 3 | Third-Party Dependency | Yes (frequent refilling) | Yes (frequent refilling) | No (on-site generation) |
| 4 | Carbon Emissions | High (logistics) | High (logistics) | Very Low (on-site production) |
Cost of Nitrogen gas generated from PSA Nitrogen Generator:
PSA nitrogen generators produce nitrogen on-site from atmospheric air using Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology. One of the key advantages of this method is its ability to deliver nitrogen at various purity levels—unlike traditional sources such as cylinders or liquid nitrogen, which typically offer ultra-high purities ranging from 99.9990% to 99.9998%.
With PSA systems, the cost of nitrogen production varies depending on the required purity level. As the purity increases, so does the energy consumption, impacting the overall cost. The table below provides a breakdown of nitrogen production costs at different purities, assuming an electricity cost of ₹8 per unit (kWh).
Cost of Nitrogen gas produced via PSA Nitrogen Generator at different purities
| Sr. No. | Nitrogen Gas purity | Energy Consumption (kW/Nm³) | Cost per Nm³ (₹) |
| 1 | 95.0000% | 0.22 | 1.76 |
| 2 | 99.0000% | 0.30 | 2.40 |
| 3 | 99.9000% | 0.33 | 2.64 |
| 4 | 99.9900% | 0.60 | 4.8 |
| 5 | 99.9950% | 0.80 | 6.40 |
| 6 | 99.9990% | 1.06 | 8.48 |
| 7 | 99.9995% | 1.32 | 10.56 |
Most industrial applications require nitrogen purities between 99.5% and 99.99%, which PSA generators can achieve efficiently, making them the most practical and cost-effective choice.
In order to understand in detail the different purities of Nitrogen, please refer to our blog Understanding Nitrogen Purity in PSA Nitrogen Generators (1)
Conclusion
To sum up, PSA nitrogen generators offer a clear economic advantage over traditional nitrogen sourcing methods like liquid nitrogen and high-pressure cylinders. They eliminate third-party dependency, lower operational risk, and significantly reduce carbon emissions—all while offering flexible purity levels to match your industrial needs.
PSA is the future for those aiming to reduce long-term nitrogen costs.
Want to calculate ROI? Explore our detailed blog: How to calculate the ROI (Return on Investment) of PSA Nitrogen Generator compared to Liquid Nitrogen or Nitrogen Cylinders (2)
Contact Us
For tailored solutions and expert advice on Nitrogen consumption and cost, contact us:
- Email: info@absstem.com
- Phone: 1800 3010 3394
- Website: www.absstem.com
References
- Absstem Technologies. (2024). Understanding Nitrogen Purity in PSA Nitrogen Generators
- Absstem Technologies. (2024). How to calculate the ROI (Return on Investment) of PSA Nitrogen Generator compared to Liquid Nitrogen or Nitrogen Cylinders
