Hi all,
John Donovan mentioned his Nitrogen generator at University of Oregon. Since we're moving, I asked about it. Also, I've been on backorder with Praxair a couple of times now...for nitrogen, which is 80% of the atmosphere. Anyway
See below for the information
---
Hi Dawn,
Yes, it's a Perkin-Elmer Nitrogen generator. In 2006 we paid about $5000 for it, but it seems prices have gone up a bit since then:
https://www.perkinelmer.com/product/generator-n2-w-comp-30-0l-min-230v-n9303224There must be cheaper models to choose from somewhere. I asked another staff here and they remember the unit being more like $13000, but then it was a new building and it supported venting for about 12 beam instruments, so really a no brainer cost wise for us.
John
---
Hi John,
It totally makes sense. We don't have 12 instruments, but I can see it being useful for the probe, SEM and the FTIR unit we have. Also, our Ar/Ar folks use nitrogen as well. I did note that cost was contingent upon flow rate. The link you supplied sends us to the 30 L/min generator. Lower flow rate = lower cost. Does the probe require 30 L/min? Or do you have that flow rate because of the 12 instruments?
Thanks,
Dawn
---
Hi Dawn,
Yeah, we're serving not only the instruments but also N2 blowoff guns on the etching hoods, so we had to add a large 50 gal ballast tank to the line in case someone went wild using the N2 guns.
So in your case you can calculate the average consumption (how many airlock exchanges and chamber vents over time) and try to estimate maximum usage.
We really should be discussing this on the forum!
John
So here we are. Cut out the middle man and make your own nitrogen gas!