On-site nitrogen generation can be a good option when fluctuations in flow rates are modest, and where the flow is required round-the-clock and with no, or only a very small long-term increase.
However, they are not well suited to long-term increases in usage, for example if you were to buy one or more additional laser cutting machines. The reason is that on-site nitrogen generators comprise a number of components – the air compressor, molecular sieve container, nitrogen booster compressor and the high-pressure storage bank – that are optimised for a particular flow rate. There is some tolerance, for example through using variable speed compressors and large storage banks, but this is generally inadequate for the scale of growth typically experienced by laser cutting businesses.
In most cases, acquiring additional laser cutting machines also means the significant expense of a larger nitrogen generator. A better option, if you already have a nitrogen generator that you wish to keep, would be to install a bulk vessel to cope with your increase in nitrogen demand. A solution that would also provide the assurance of continued supply when your generator is down for repair or service.