Category Archives: Industrial Equipment

Top 5 IoT Use Cases For Smart Machine Manufacturers

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The Internet of Things (IoT) is a term that has been thrown around a lot lately, but what does it actually mean? The Internet of Things refers to the interconnectedness of devices and things. This could be anything from your refrigerator telling you when you’re out of milk to your car automatically ordering new tires when they start to wear down. This blog post will discuss 5 different use cases for IoT in the smart machine manufacturing industry. Most IoT consulting services will include the following recommendations and/or use cases for the aforementioned industry:

use cases for IoT in the smart machine manufacturing

1. Remote monitoring of machines

IoT sensors can monitor machines’ performance in real-time, identify issues, and schedule repairs before problems cause downtime. This can help to improve the uptime of machines, as well as reduce the need for manual inspection and maintenance.

Additionally, remote monitoring can also be used to track the usage of machines and predict when they will need to be replaced. As a result, IoT-enabled machine monitoring can help improve manufacturing operations’ efficiency and productivity.

2. Automated inventory management using RFID tags

Smart machines can be equipped with RFID tags to automatically track inventory levels and trigger replenishment orders when stock levels run low. This can help reduce the time needed for manual inventory checks and prevent stockouts that can cause production delays.

Additionally, automated inventory management can help identify opportunities for cost savings by optimizing stock levels and reducing waste. As a result, RFID-based inventory management can be a valuable tool for manufacturers looking to improve their supply chain management.

3. Creation of virtual prototypes for testing

One of the top IoT use cases for smart machine manufacturers is the creation of virtual prototypes. Manufacturers can create accurate models of their machines using sensors and other connected devices. These models can then be used to test various scenarios and compare different designs. This helps to optimize the manufacturing process and ensure that the final product meets all the necessary requirements. Additionally, it can help reduce the need for physical prototyping, saving both time and money.

4. Workforce efficiency

IoT can help smart machine manufacturers to become more efficient in several ways. For example, by connecting machines to the internet, manufacturers can remotely monitor performance and diagnose any issues quickly and easily. In addition, IoT-enabled devices can share data with humans, allowing for more informed decision-making. As a result, IoT can help manufacturers to reduce downtime, increase productivity, and save on costs.

In addition, IoT can also be used to improve safety in the workplace. By connecting devices to each other and to the internet, manufacturers can create a safe environment for their employees by monitoring conditions and responding quickly to any potential hazards.

5. Quality control

In the era of Industry 4.0, more and more manufacturers are looking to adopt smart machines to improve quality control. By using IoT technology and tools, manufacturers can collect data on factors such as material usage, machine utilization, and production line efficiency. This data can then be analyzed to identify areas of improvement.

Additionally, by incorporating IoT-enabled sensors into machines, manufacturers can gain real-time insights into the quality of their products. This allows for quick corrective action to be taken in case of a problem, ensuring that only high-quality products leave the factory floor. As a result, IoT-enabled smart machines can help significantly improve the quality control process for manufacturers.

Incineration of Medical Waste: An Introduction

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Incineration is a thermal process that transforms medical wastes into inorganic, incombustible matter thus leading to significant reduction in waste volume and weight. The main purpose of any medical waste incinerator is to eliminate pathogens from waste and reduce the waste to ashes. However, certain types of medical wastes, such as pharmaceutical or chemical wastes, require higher temperatures for complete destruction.

Medical waste incinerators typically operate at high temperatures between 900 and 1200°C. Developing countries of Asia and Africa usually use low-cost, high-temperature incinerators of simple design for stabilization of healthcare wastes.

The most reliable and predominant medical waste incineration technology is pyrolytic incineration, also known as controlled air incineration or double-chamber incineration. The pyrolytic incinerator comprises a pyrolytic chamber and a post-combustion chamber.

Medical waste is thermally decomposed in the pyrolytic chamber through an oxygen-deficient, medium-temperature combustion process (800– 900°C), producing solid ashes and gases. The gases produced in the pyrolytic chamber are burned at high temperature (900– 1200°C) by a fuel burner in the post-combustion chamber, using an excess of air to minimize smoke and odours.

Small-scale decentralized incinerators used in hospitals, of capacity 200–1000kg/day, are operated on demand in developing countries, such as India. On the other hand, off-site regional facilities have large-scale incinerators of capacity 1–8 tonnes/day, operating continuously and equipped with automatic loading and de-ashing devices.

In recent years, mobile incinerators are getting attraction in the developing world as such units permit on-site waste treatment in hospitals and clinics, thus avoiding the need to transport infectious waste across the city.

However, the WHO policy paper of 2004 and the Stockholm Convention, has stressed the need to consider the risks associated with the incineration of healthcare waste in the form of particulate matter, heavy metals, acid gases, carbon monoxide, organic compounds, pathogens etc.

In addition, leachable organic compounds, like dioxins and heavy metals, are usually present in bottom ash residues. Due to these factors, many industrialized countries are phasing out healthcare waste incinerators and exploring technologies that do not produce any dioxins. Countries like United States, Ireland, Portugal, Canada and Germany have completely shut down or put a moratorium on medical waste incinerators.

Biological Desulphurization of Biogas

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The most valuable component of biogas is methane (CH4) which typically makes up 60%, with the balance being carbon dioxide (CO2) and small percentages of other gases. However, biogas also contain significant amount of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas which needs to be stripped off due to its highly corrosive nature. Hydrogen sulfide is oxidized into sulfur dioxide which dissolves as sulfuric acid. Sulphuric acid, even in trace amounts, can make a solution extremely acidic. Extremely acidic electrolytes dissolve metals rapidly and speed up the corrosion process.

The corrosive nature of H2S has the potential to destroy expensive biogas processing equipment. Even if there is no oxygen present, biogas can corrode metal. Hydrogen sulphide can become its own electrolyte and absorb directly onto the metal to form corrosion. If the hydrogen sulphide concentration is very low, the corrosion will be slow but will still occur due to the presence of carbon dioxide.

Biogas_Cleanup-H2S

The obvious solution is the use of a biogas cleanup process whereby contaminants in the raw biogas stream are absorbed or scrubbed. Desulphurization of biogas can be performed by biological as well as chemical methods. Biological treatment of hydrogen sulphide typically involves passing the biogas through biologically active media. These treatments may include open bed soil filters, biofilters, fixed film bioscrubbers, suspended growth bioscrubbers and fluidized bed bioreactors.

Biological Desulphurization

The simplest method of desulphurization is the addition of oxygen or air directly into the digester or in a storage tank serving at the same time as gas holder. Thiobacilli are ubiquitous and thus systems do not require inoculation. They grow on the surface of the digestate, which offers the necessary micro-aerophilic surface and at the same time the necessary nutrients. They form yellow clusters of sulphur. Depending on the temperature, the reaction time, the amount and place of the air added the hydrogen sulphide concentration can be reduced by 95 % to less than 50 ppm.

Most of the sulphide oxidising micro-organisms belong to the family of Thiobacillus. For the microbiological oxidation of sulphide it is essential to add stoichiometric amounts of oxygen to the biogas. Depending on the concentration of hydrogen sulphide this corresponds to 2 to 6 % air in biogas. Measures of safety have to be taken to avoid overdosing of air in case of pump failures.

Biofiltration

Biofiltration is one of the most promising clean technologies for reducing emissions of malodorous gases and other pollutants into the atmosphere. In a biofiltration system, the gas stream is passed through a packed bed on which pollutant-degrading microbes are immobilized as biofilm. A biological filter combines water scrubbing and biological desulfurization.

Biogas and the separated digestate meet in a counter-current flow in a filter bed. The biogas is mixed with 4% to 6% air before entry into the filter bed. The filter media offer the required surface area for scrubbing, as well as for the attachment of the desulphurizing microorganisms. Microorganisms in the biofilm convert the absorbed H2S into elemental sulphur by metabolic activity. Oxygen is the key parameter that controls the level of oxidation.

The capital costs for biological treatment of biogas are moderate and operational costs are low. This technology is widely available worldwide. However, it may be noted that the biological system is capable to remove even very high amounts of hydrogen sulphide from the biogas but its adaptability to fluctuating hydrogen sulphide contents is not yet proven.

Role of Gas Turbines in Power Plant Reliability

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Gas turbines play a huge role in power plant reliability. In most cases—whether it be simple-cycle or combined-cycle applications for gas turbines—the gas turbine is the first major piece of equipment in the process that needs to start. So, without a reliable control system or a well-maintained and cared-for control system, your primary piece of major equipment is out of the game or unavailable.

GE_H_series_Gas_Turbine

In this article, we will explain the role of gas turbines a little more, and why they so important for the reliability of your power plant.

Start Permissives: Ready to Start or Not?

Typically, when most frames 7FA, 6FA, 5A, or any industrial frame size gas turbine owner starts the plant with the gas turbine control system, there is typically a page with start permissives, indicating the system is ready to start or not ready to start. Start permissives are conditions on the unit that need to be met before it can start.

In many cases, the rest of the equipment at the plant depends on the gas turbine control system because it is often the first thing that plant managers will start before the other equipment. 

Therefore, if you receive the “not ready to start” indication, then you won’t be able to start your gas turbine—or the rest of your plant at all, especially if there are other drivers behind the gas turbine. 

How the Control System Works

A control system is made up of a bunch of subsystems, pretty much like everything in a power plant. So, the control system as a whole has subsystems under it, and that can kind of be broken down and analyzed in an engineering mind state. 

The primary parts of the control system are the software and logic, which are really reliable. They don’t typically break; they are just computer code that is programmed.

Typically when we see problems, malfunctions, abnormalities in logic or software, it’s because of some type of human interaction. Most control systems or any other equipment for that matter don’t fail on their own. Of course, failures without human interaction can happen, but they are rare.  

The relays in the system that bring the logic from the software are typically control cards and other communication devices. These devices can fail. In these cases, when the devices can fail, the logic and software fails as well.

Why Reliability is So Important

If you don’t have a reliable gas turbine control system, then you usually can’t even get the plane off the ground, so to speak. You can’t even really gain any momentum!

Therefore, it is important to perform check out and regular inspections of your control system equipment. To put it simply, it involves a clean and inspect of the system to check the control system, clean it out, perform some file management, and ensure that there aren’t any warning lights and that everything looks healthy and functional.

Contact our team today to learn more about our reliability assessments and what we can do to help ensure your plant’s reliability. 

Why Choose Online Manufacturing?

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There are many reasons why you would choose to go with online manufacturing rather than a brick and mortar or even a local domestic one. Here we will talk about the value of going with an online manufacturer and the many advantages that it can have over the others. But before that, let’s discuss why choosing online manufacturing is beneficial in 2022.

future of manufacturing

Online Manufacturing is the Future of Manufacturing

The global market is presently confronted with an acute shortage of resources, especially metals. The coronavirus pandemic has led to a significant decrease in demand for these products, resulting in a scarcity of supplies.

The Russian war against Ukraine further strained the fragile global supply chain. Ukraine became a major supplier of raw materials over the last decade, while Russia is one of the largest producers of copper and nickel.

The conflicts between the two countries have caused problems for the global economy, and they have worsened the situation because of the instability in the geopolitical environment.

Technology has also improved over the years. Now it’s easy to contact any manufacturer from any country, so you need to be smart about sourcing online.

Why Choose Online Manufacturing？

In today’s world, online manufacturing is becoming increasingly popular. Even a decade ago, there was no such concept.

CNC Machines, 3D Printers, EDM, Plasma Cutters, and other computer numerical controlled machines are some of the most technically impressive machines of the twenty-first century. Still, the idea of connecting them – and the machinists behind them – via the internet to anything outside their shop is new.

But the situation has changed now. Now, you can find an online manufacturer easily. Many suppliers are using online manufacturing for various reasons. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of online manufacturing in depth here.

Pros of Online Manufacturing

1. Easily Skip the Request for a Quote

With the advent of online quoting tools, RFQs are no longer needed . An online quote is just a few clicks away. They can be replaced with a simple request for information, which allows you to get a price estimate without having to go through the hassle of sourcing quotes from multiple vendors.

Because a true internet CNC machining source is driven by advanced digital technology, the data used in pricing ensures the price you pay is fair. Instead of sending out RFQs via fax or e-mail and sometimes waiting weeks or months for them to return, you can simply upload a part to the net and get an instant price. This advantage of a fast, fair cost is one of the best benefits of modern-day internet and cloud computing. And it removes any need to spend time searching for quotes at all.

2. An Ecosystem Is Born Out of Your Supply Chain

Another benefit of choosing online manufacturing is the ability to work with a wide range of vendors across the country. When a strike, natural disaster, or bad case of flu disrupts your supply and threatens the timeliness of your shipments, you can simply switch to another vendor who hasn’t been affected by the disruption.

3. Time Savings

When you choose online manufacturing, you can often get your project made much faster than if you were to go with a traditional brick-and-mortar manufacturer. This is because online manufacturers often have no MOQ requirements, and rely on their fast turn-around capability to make their services outstanding. Also, Right now many online manufacturers are integrating various manufacturing services to keep customers. For example, you may notice that one-stop manufacturing solutions from rapid prototype manufacturing to mass production are easily accessible online.

ecofriendly-manufacturing

4. Collecting data is more straightforward than ever

What if you could capture all the information about any component ever produced in one secure and easily accessed location? Not just the specific data files associated with a particular part, but every variation you’ve ever manufactured or considered, every material it was built with, every test it went through, every assembly it was part of, every production line it ran on? Cloud-based manufacturers use AI to capture all the data and supply you to choose the best option.

5. Cost savings

When you choose online manufacturing, you can often get your project made for less money than if you were to go with a traditional brick-and-mortar manufacturer. This is because online manufacturers often have lower overhead costs, which they can pass on to you with lower prices.

Cons of Online Manufacturing

But pls note that not all online manufacturing is reliable, we can mention some that many suppliers talk about. For example, there can be production delays, issues with quality control, and communication difficulties. You need to learn how to choose the correct online manufacturing.

How to choose the right manufacturer online?

It would be best to consider a few things when you want to find a manufacturer online. First, you must ensure that the manufacturer you choose is good at quality and communication. You can learn about them from their website and learn about their communication status simply by sending a message.

There are a lot of factories out there, but how do you know which ones are good and which ones are bad? Ask your friends, ask around in forums, or look at what other people say on the web. If there are a lot of unhappy customers around, avoid the factory. A good factory will have a lot of happy customers, so check out the customer reviews before you choose a manufacturer.

Conclusion

If you are in business, there are few options except online manufacturing. We hope this article has helped you to learn about this wonderful experience of online manufacturing. Now it’s time for you to embrace it and make your business more profitable.

3 Things to Consider When Using Drum Heaters

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For people in the colder parts of the world, temperatures can become an issue. Sometimes, you might need to keep your liquids, water or fuel at the normal room temperature. The main use of drum heaters is that they work as storages that keep their content at a certain temperature.

Barrel heaters are especially needed if their content loses its nature and benefits due to a drop or a rise in the temperature. Barrel heater is a cheap solution for maintaining high energy without paying for its cost, in addition you are reducing the pollution since the energy is being recycled within the system. So, what do you need to consider when you are using drum heaters? That is what we are going to tackle.

1. Harsh weather

Harsh environmental conditions, especially the low temperature of the cold months, might push the need to use a heater for your drums to avoid causing them any damages to keep them in ultimate condition.

Buying good drum heater jackets will keep you away from breaking the bank just to save your desired content. They don’t only keep your drums at the required temperature, they also save and lower the viscosity of the fluids so you wouldn’t need to replace them as often and more importantly, they protect them from freezing in harsh cold environment conditions.

2. Energy saving

Electrical insulated heating jackets offer more protection from cold or freezing due to the extra layer of insulation they have. With heat loss kept at minimum, the heating jackets offer more energy saving options which make their power consumption drop automatically, this also translates to cost of operation drop. What’s even more positive about these jackets is that they are normally designed to cover the whole containers, thus you are more likely to be saved from any energy loss.

Using some types of barrel heaters that do not cover the whole drum might waste energy as they naturally get hot. Due to thermodynamics basics, the heat will start dissipating from the higher-temperature surface to the cold atmosphere. That is why when using the right type of heater for your needs, make sure that it will cover the whole container you have so you don’t waste any energy.

3. Saving space = saving energy

An extra step to save money and time is to place your drums in a closed space. Open spaces make it harder to maintain your drums at desired temperatures. Putting your drums and barrels in an enclosed space will ensure that no energy is wasted to the atmosphere and manage heat escape.

Choose the one that works best for you

When you are first buying the heater, it is always a good step to buy one that is flexible. Drum heaters are really simple on the design side, however, using one that does not fit may create more of a problem than it solves. Buying a good drum heater that is adjustable or can fit any type of container you have, is always a smart idea to save you from the headache and wasting your money.

How Renewable Energy Manufacturing Has Become More Efficient

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The world knows renewable energy offers extensive, far-reaching benefits that can help mitigate climate change. If we want to make progress, we need to move away from fossil fuels permanently. That’s an issue where most people agree. It is now evident there is another argument for renewable energy besides sustainability. This option has become much more efficient, both production- and cost-wise. Let us explore how renewable energy manufacturing has become more efficient in recent years:

renewable-energy-harvesting

Production Innovations Boost Effectiveness

Consider how renewable energy was received publicly 10 or 15 years ago. It wasn’t exactly an avenue that most individuals or businesses knew existed. There have been various challenges regarding implementation across America. Hurdles like government support and wide-spread education are examples.

That’s changed as more information has been released about how fossil fuels negatively affect our planet. It’s now evident that renewable energy prospects continue to grow annually — even during COVID-19. That’s largely due to how production methods have transformed over the past several years.

The renewable energy industry can now manufacture sources through smarter means. For example, we used to harness wind power from land-based turbines. Those opportunities have expanded as offshore capabilities are now more mainstream. This innovative progress has become applicable to other sources, too.

These new ideas are significantly responsible for how renewable energy has become more efficient. If we never changed our manufacturing processes, we couldn’t produce renewable energy on a large enough scale. There’s no denying that continuous innovations will make choices like solar, hydro and geothermal increasingly accessible.

As a result, we can enjoy more options as consumers. There’s also cost to consider — which unquestionably determines how efficiently people view renewable energy. They need to be even cheaper than fossil fuels.

ecofriendly-manufacturing

Costs Are Lower Than Ever Before

It is important to highlight how renewable energy has turned into an affordable alternative. This cost-efficiency will be necessary to help people choose renewable energy sources over fossil fuels. There are many reasons why prices for eco-friendly power have fallen.

1. Subsidies

The most significant components are subsidies. These government-backed incentives help manufacturers switch to alternative energy sources for less money. It’s also evident that options exist for individuals and businesses. People can access tax incentives to support their sustainable power pursuits financially.

2. Non-Profit Organizations

There’s also help from green non-profit organizations. Take GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic as an example. They provide free solar panel installation to households that can’t otherwise afford renewable energy. That’s a useful resource to help drive accessibility to these alternatives.

3. Investments

What about renewable energy investments? These endeavors are more prevalent than ever. If our country’s most influential figures put their money in renewable energy, we can expect to pay less for green power. Texas has the lowest energy costs in America — and they also use the most wind power. That’s not a coincidence.

These three points ensure that renewable energy becomes more affordable yearly. Various entities need to work together to ensure that sustainable options are accessible. They need to be more available than fossil fuels to ensure they catch on as alternatives.

Future of Renewable Energy Manufacturing

There’s a bright future for renewable energy. As a result of innovative and cost-effective manufacturing progress, Americans now have access to various eco-friendly power sources. If we can keep making strides regarding production, we should be able to create renewable energy on a far-reaching scale.

This process won’t happen overnight. It’s taken decades for renewable energy to be seen as even a viable alternative to harmful fossil fuels. But we’re in an ideal place right now. It shouldn’t be long before renewable energy becomes even more efficient. There’ll then be no excuse for people to keep using fossil fuels.

Morton M30 Water Softener – Should You Get It?

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A 30,000-grain water softener by Morton is the System Saver M30. It removes calcium and other hardness minerals from hard water by ion exchange. More efficient use of soaps and detergents owing to greater lathering, brighter laundry, and clean and spot-free dishes are all possible outcomes. In addition, the plumbing system and appliances in your home will be safeguarded against scaling.

Morton M30 Water Softener Review

Key features

How many hardness granules may be treated per gallon? Water that is up to 95 gpg is extremely hard.

Morton water softeners, by the way, are built in the United States and may be used with both city and well water.

According to WQA test results, the M30 can even remove up to 7 parts per million of clear-water iron, which many homes on a private well struggle with. No, ferric, iron bacteria, or organic iron compounds are not affected.

The given flow rate of 7 gpm is enough for families with up to three occupants.

The minimum operating pressure for this device is 20 psi. 125 psi is the maximum pressure.

If you’re unsure about which salt to use, Morton advises System Saver II Pellets (of course). However, any high-grade softening salt in pellet form should suffice.

Performance

Because it can treat water with up to 95 grains of hardness, the Morton System Saver M30 softener is one of the higher performing salt-based water softeners on the market. As a result, the System Saver M30 may be used with water of virtually any hardness, even private well water.

During regeneration, all salt-based water softeners waste water, but this best Morton softening feature employs sophisticated technology to minimize this waste as much as possible. It evaluates your household’s average water consumption and forecasts how often the system will need to renew, saving water waste and salt replenishment.

The System Saver employs ion exchange to soften water as a salt-based softener. Ion exchange is a typical method for softening water that often delivers the greatest results. The system may also remove up to 7ppm of iron, preventing rust from forming. The system is designed to create soft water for four-person households and has a grain capacity of 30,000 grains.

Installation and Maintenance

The Morton M30 might be difficult to install. Many individuals prefer to hire a professional plumber instead of doing it themselves. Although the device comes with an installation instructions, if you don’t have much plumbing knowledge, you may find it difficult to set up the system on your own.

Outside installation is possible, but only if you live in an area where the temperature does not dip below freezing. With a height of 43 inches and a width of 17 inches, it’ll help you save room or fit neatly into a smaller space.

The System Saver’s maintenance consists of filling up the salt and cleaning up the tanks on a regular basis. Because the Morton system is dependent on salt to function, you’ll need to keep a check on the salt levels and replenish them as needed. You’ll also need to wipe out the interior of the tank and remove any sediment or slime, as directed in the user handbook.

System info

The Morton System Saver softens water with a single tank and ion exchange. Sodium (or salt) ions exchange places with hardness ions, resulting in calcium and magnesium ions when they flow through the tank’s resin. While the soft water exits the tank and travels through your home’s plumbing, the calcium and magnesium remain trapped in the resin.

With this Morton softener, you should be able to enjoy a variety of soft water perks. Because your soft water lathers better, you’ll be able to reduce your use of soaps and detergents. You won’t have to clean as often since your water won’t create limescale deposits, and your appliances will last longer. You should have whiter, fresher laundry as well.

The system also eliminates iron, and if your water is unusually rich in iron, the creators recommend using Morton® Rust Remover salt. Although there is some debate over whether a salt-based softener with a filter can genuinely remove iron, many customers have commended the Morton M30 for its rust-removal skills. If your water contains a lot of iron, you should probably invest in a separate iron filter.

Final verdict

Leaks were a problem for certain consumers. Morton customer service received diverse reviews, ranging from terrible to excellent.

Another disadvantage is the exorbitant cost of replacing parts, such as the control board. Finally, the installation instructions should be improved.

The Morton System Saver M30 softens water in the proper manner. It can even manage modest iron levels and is simple to set up. However, it appears that overall quality and customer service are a problem. Nonetheless, we believe it is a reasonably excellent water softener on the market.

What is a Nitrogen Generator and Why Should You Buy One?

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For many businesses, nitrogen gas is deeply integrated into the workday. Industries ranging from food processing to mining use this resource regularly, and the supply of it is essential to the core of operations. Unfortunately, traditional nitrogen gas acquisition requires the rental, delivery, installation, and removal of high-pressure cylinders. Canisters are inefficient, causing a lapse in production if delivery is late or supply is low. This process is not only more expensive than it needs to be, but it also creates more opportunities for workplace injuries.

Nitrogen generators, on the other hand, offer a better option. If your company is a regular user of nitrogen systems, consider installing your own nitrogen generator to enjoy the extensive benefits they provide.

onsite-nitrogen-generation

What is a Nitrogen Generator?

Before exploring the many advantages of on-site nitrogen generation, it’s imperative to know what a nitrogen generator is and how it works. These machines perform processes called Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) and Membrane Technology, which extract nitrogen from the air and compress it.

Nitrogen generators offer a continuous flow of pure nitrogen right to your production floor and eliminate any need to wait for canister deliveries or remain at the mercy of supplier prices. While the resource provided is essentially the same, the generator produces the nitrogen rather than having it transported in cylinders.

Uses of a Nitrogen Generator

There are many applications for nitrogen gas across a variety of industries. Any industry that currently uses nitrogen canister, cylinder, dewar, or liquid deliveries can benefit from an in-house nitrogen generation system. Depending on what line of business you’re in, a nitrogen gas generator can work seamlessly into your manufacturing process in different ways.

One of the most common industries for nitrogen gas is food and beverage production. Nitrogen helps to preserve food inside its packaging and extend its shelf life. This is doubly important for bulk food products that might be stored for longer periods, as well as foods that don’t include preservatives in their ingredient lists.

The wine industry also benefits from nitrogen, as it helps keep the wine from going bad. In a non-consumable sense, nitrogen also extends the shelf life of things like paint and household solvents and prevents moisture and condensation in electronic part production. Additionally, nitrogen plays an integral role in quality assurance and consistency. On-site generators allow you to perform all of these tasks and more without a third-party supplier.

Why Make the Switch?

While disrupting and changing your current process can seem daunting, owning a nitrogen generator has numerous benefits that far outweigh any reservations you may have. The advantages of a nitrogen generator are widespread and touch on nearly every aspect of your business.

nitrogen-applications

Below are the primary benefits of switching to an in-house nitrogen generator:

1. Improved Safety

Replacing and transporting nitrogen cylinders presents a safety hazard to your team. Nitrogen generators stabilize the gas, so you don’t have to worry about explosions or injuries. In fact, they’re so safe that they can be installed right on the floor of your production room where they’re needed most. There is no risk to your employees’ wellbeing.

2. Unparalleled Reliability

Unlike canisters, cylinders, dewars, and liquid methods, nitrogen generators produce an infinite supply of gas, so you never have to worry about pausing production to wait for a delivery. While local nitrogen deliveries can run out or run late, a generator system keeps up with your demand and works on your schedule.

3. Fewer Wasted Resources

Approximately 10 to 20 percent of a canister’s, cylinder’s, dewar’s or liquid method’s nitrogen gas is left unused. This can lead to higher costs and waste production levels. Generators do not have this issue, so you can rest assured that all of your reserves are being used efficiently.

4. Increased Savings

While canisters, cylinders, dewars, and liquid methods come with expensive rental and delivery fees and restrictive contracts, generators require very little beyond their initial cost. In fact, most companies see a return on investment in under two years.

After the initial investment is recouped, generators cost about one-tenth of the price of canisters, cylinders, dewars, and liquid methods per year. That’s a 90 percent difference in operating costs, which creates a significant surplus for most companies.

5. Customization Options

Canister, cylinders, dewars, and liquid methods are one-size-fits-all, but generators can be tailored to meet your exact requirements. This means that your machine will work at maximum efficiency, producing the precise amount of gas you need to maintain operations.

Bottom Line

Nitrogen generators can revolutionize your company’s production process, lowering your utility costs and improving your efficiency. Without dealing with the hassles of nitrogen cylinder delivery, you can grow your business to new heights.

Grain Storage Options For All Uses

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There are so many grain storage options at your disposal that choosing the right one can become an overwhelming decision. There are a lot of factors to consider such as price, vessel, temperature, and moisture. To keep from overwhelming yourself, weigh each consideration individually so that the information is easier to process.

We’ll break this down and provide you with some detailed information about the grain storage options available so you can make an informed decision.

Grain Storage Options

Important Considerations When Storing Grain

Avoid damage to grain by factoring in these important considerations when choosing the right storage.

1. Grain Temperature

When grain reaches a high enough temperature, it will sweat. This sweat leads to fungus and mold, making the grain toxic. Be sure to take temperature into consideration when choosing the right grain storage. Proper aeration is essential to maintaining its temperature so the storage must have adequate air flow. The amount of air flow depends on climate and the length of storage.

Proper aeration prevents sweating, which in turn eliminates all of the other detrimental factors mentioned above.

2. Moisture in Grain Storage

Moisture is conducive to the growth of fungus and mold. It also attracts pests. All of these are detrimental to the health of the grain. As we mentioned earlier, sweating is a big problem with grain but water can also find its way into grain storage areas and wreak havoc.

Grain should be checked regularly to make sure that the moisture level is right. So storage areas must provide access for grain testing.

Grain Storage Options

Each modern method of grain storage has its own advantages. Which one you choose will greatly depend on the amount of grain you need to store and how long you plan to store it.

1. Grain Silo

Grain silos are the most commonly known method of storing grain. They are great for farmers who need to store a high volume. They are also perfect for long-term storage as long as the proper care is taken. But as you might imagine, they are quite expensive.

Furthermore, silos are not a great long-term storage option for grains with high moisture. These types of grains stick to the sides of the silo and will struggle to funnel down into the augers that carry them out of the silo. Other options should be considered when dealing with high moisture grains.

You also need the right equipment to load grain into silos so that’s another consideration.

For smaller scale operations, small grain bins, usually crafted of steel are worth consideration. They are designed as hopper bottom bins and have a slide gate at the bottom of the bin.

Safety is another concern with silos since they come with several risks that must be mitigated. Grain dust is the biggest safety concern with large-scale grain silos. Dust is flammable and can lead to explosions. It can also cause respiratory problems.

2. Grain Storage Bags

Grain storage bags (also called silo bags) are a great option for storing grain. They work just as the name implies. They are bags that store specific amounts of grain. What makes this grain storage option so beneficial is its cost and versatility. Grain storage bags are a great option for small farmers who only grow limited amounts of grain.

This option is also a great way to separate different grain types and works well for transporting small amounts of grain. For instance, if you plan to take your grain to the market within a month of harvest, then this might be your best option.

Just remember that silo bags are a short-term solution. Storing grain for longer than a few months will severely affect its quality.  When storing grain in bags, perform regular inspections to make sure pests have not infested it.

3. Grain Shed

This is the method of grain storage that most farmers use. The biggest benefit of using a grain shed for storage is convenience. Grain is driven straight to the shed when harvested. As you might imagine, this is not only convenient but since the grain requires less handling, manual labor costs are significantly reduced.

Grain sheds are large open spaces where you store grain. This space is generally used to store farm equipment during the off-season. Plus their open layout naturally reduces many of the safety hazards associated with storing grain.

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In fact, enclosed grain sheds can protect grain for a long period of time without the costs associated with grain silos. The only downside is that the amount of grain you’re able to store is limited to the size of the shed.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the grain storage option you choose depends on a lot of different factors. There’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Silos are the most expensive option and only useful if you harvest too much grain for a grain shed to hold. Grain storage bags are only used for short-term storage. So a grain shed is the option most farmers go with due to its versatility.

With that said, do your homework before making this important decision.