Argon & Nitrogen Gas Management Systems
Closed-loop argon recirculation and purification for enclosures up to 24 m³, with single, dual or quad purifier columns delivering <1 ppm O₂ and H₂O.
The same proven platform built for nitrogen working gas, purifying enclosures up to 24 m³ to <1 ppm O₂ and H₂O.
Inert’s Argon and Nitrogen Gas Management Systems Offer Ultimate Efficiency in Safety, Savings, and Traceability.
Inert has been designing and manufacturing Argon Gas and Nitrogen Gas Management Systems for our own use in delivering fully integrated hermetic glove boxes for many years. Today, a suite of modular inert gas management components can now be rapidly assembled to meet your own nitrogen gas management needs. More than just a gas purification system, these closed-loop designs enable the easy control, monitoring, and recirculation of your argon or nitrogen working gas. Each Gas Management System is designed as a discrete unit that can be integrated with Inert Glove Boxes or third-party glove box systems and enclosures.
How do gas management systems work?
A uniquely engineered inert gas control system recirculates, analyzes, and purifies the atmosphere in your controlled manufacturing systems while displaying and recording the real-time data operators and Q/A managers need. Improve your current gas purification system with an Inert Gas Management System and experience the cost savings and increased efficiency they deliver. Address your 3D printing and welding customers gas consumption, safety, and traceability concerns by giving them the real-time data their operators need. Download our 3D Printing and Welding Guide.
- O2 and H2O sensing of < 1ppm
- 4 to 50 m3 enclosure volume
- Safety alarms and data logging
- Advanced PLC Control System
Savings
The payback is clear. When integrated with a hermetically sealed enclosure, these Argon and Nitrogen systems will reclaim approximately 98% of the gas. With average use an Inert Gas Management System can justifiably pay for itself in just a few years.
Safety
The repercussions of an improperly managed atmosphere are literally explosive. An Argon or Nitrogen Gas Management System provides systematic and automated control over atmospheric conditions to help eliminate catastrophic events.
Traceability
Many Q/A processes require the documentation of atmospheric conditions during production. A Gas Management System offers a simple and effective way to register and record the levels of oxygen and moisture.
Gas Management Systems
Closed-loop argon recirculation and purification for enclosures up to 24 m3
Argon-1, Argon-2, Argon-10 and Argon-20
Four free-standing argon systems that recirculate, analyze and purify your working gas to below 1 ppm O2 and H2O. Choose single, dual or quad purifier columns to match your enclosure size, throughput and need for 24/7 operation.
Overview
Every Argon system is equipped with high-capacity purification columns, a variable speed blower and automated column valves, giving small glove boxes and large production enclosures alike a < 1 ppm O2 and H2O argon atmosphere.
Argon-1 and Argon-2 use a 0-60 CFM variable speed blower and a 1.5-inch diameter gas loop for standard glovebox flow rates, making them ideal for medium throughput or small to mid-size enclosures. Their free-standing design allows easy retrofit of existing glove boxes, simplifying replacement of obsolete control systems with the latest in gas purification technology.
Argon-10 and Argon-20 step up to a 0-185 CFM variable speed blower and a 3-inch diameter gas loop for increased flow rate, built for high throughput or large enclosures.
The single column Argon-1 isolates the enclosure from the purifier while it regenerates. The dual column Argon-2 and Argon-10, and the quad column Argon-20, keep one set of columns purifying while the other regenerates, so your enclosure can run 24/7. Argon-1 and Argon-2 are also available with large capacity solvent removal (-SR) or regenerable large capacity solvent removal (-RSR).
Key features
- < 1 ppm O2 and H2O in a closed-loop argon atmosphere
- Automated purifier column valves interlocked with the blower
- PLC control with 6″ color touch screen and 24-hour pressure, O2 and H2O trending
- Eco mode: vacuum pump timer and O2-based blower speed control
Argon Models
Argon-1
Single column, for enclosures up to 6 m3
660 mm Wide x 914 mm Deep x 813 mm High
Argon-2
Dual column, 24/7 operation of enclosures up to 6 m3
660 mm Wide x 914 mm Deep x 813 mm High
Argon-10
Dual column, 24/7 operation of enclosures up to 12 m3
1219 mm Wide x 1270 mm Deep x 1575 mm High
Argon-20
Quad column, 24/7 operation of enclosures up to 24 m3
1854 mm Wide x 1270 mm Deep x 1575 mm High
Nitrogen Gas Management Systems
Closed-loop nitrogen recirculation and purification for enclosures up to 24 m3
Nitrogen-1, Nitrogen-2, Nitrogen-10 and Nitrogen-20
The same proven platform built for nitrogen working gas. Each system recirculates, analyzes and purifies your atmosphere to below 1 ppm O2 and H2O, with single, dual or quad purifier columns for the enclosure size and uptime you need.
Overview
Every Nitrogen system is equipped with high-capacity purification columns, a variable speed blower and automated column valves to deliver the < 1 ppm O2 and H2O inert atmosphere required for a multitude of air-sensitive applications.
Nitrogen-1 and Nitrogen-2 use a 0-60 CFM variable speed blower and a 1.5-inch diameter gas loop for standard glovebox flow rates, making them ideal for medium throughput or small to mid-size enclosures. Their free-standing design allows easy retrofit of existing glove boxes, simplifying replacement of obsolete control systems with the latest in gas management technology.
Nitrogen-10 and Nitrogen-20 step up to a 0-185 CFM variable speed blower and a 3-inch diameter gas loop for increased flow rate, built for high throughput or large enclosures.
The single column Nitrogen-1 isolates the enclosure from the purifier while it regenerates. The dual column Nitrogen-2 and Nitrogen-10, and the quad column Nitrogen-20, keep one set of columns purifying while the other regenerates, so your enclosure can run 24/7. Nitrogen-1 and Nitrogen-2 are also available with large capacity solvent removal (-SR) or regenerable large capacity solvent removal (-RSR).
Key features
- < 1 ppm O2 and H2O in a closed-loop nitrogen atmosphere
- Automated purifier column valves interlocked with the blower
- PLC control with 6″ color touch screen and 24-hour pressure, O2 and H2O trending
- Eco mode: vacuum pump timer and O2-based blower speed control
Nitrogen Models
Nitrogen-1
Single column, for enclosures up to 6 m3
660 mm Wide x 914 mm Deep x 813 mm High
Nitrogen-2
Dual column, 24/7 operation of enclosures up to 6 m3
660 mm Wide x 914 mm Deep x 813 mm High
Nitrogen-10
Dual column, 24/7 operation of enclosures up to 12 m3
1219 mm Wide x 1270 mm Deep x 1575 mm High
Nitrogen-20
Quad column, 24/7 operation of enclosures up to 24 m3
1854 mm Wide x 1270 mm Deep x 1575 mm High
Argon vs Nitrogen Specifications
Side-by-side specifications for every Argon and Nitrogen gas management system. Open a section to compare.
- Configuration
- Dimensions & construction
- Purification
- Circulation & controls
- Vacuum & eco mode
- Gas requirements
- Column types & options
| Specification | Argon | Nitrogen | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argon-1 | Argon-2 | Argon-10 | Argon-20 | Nitrogen-1 | Nitrogen-2 | Nitrogen-10 | Nitrogen-20 | |
| Purifier columns | Single | Dual | Dual | Quad | Single | Dual | Dual | Quad |
| Operation | Purifier isolated during regeneration | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 | Purifier isolated during regeneration | 24/7 | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Max enclosure volume | 6 m3 | 6 m3 | 12 m3 | 24 m3 | 6 m3 | 6 m3 | 12 m3 | 24 m3 |
| Available versions | Argon-1, -1-SR, -1-RSR | Argon-2, -2-SR, -2-RSR | Argon-10 | Argon-20 | Nitrogen-1, -1-SR, -1-RSR | Nitrogen-2, -2-SR, -2-RSR | Nitrogen-10 | Nitrogen-20 |
| Gas loop / circulation piping | 1.5″ (40 mm), DN 40 ISO-KF flanges | 1.5″ (40 mm), DN 40 ISO-KF flanges | 3″ (80 mm), DN 80 ISO-KF flanges | 3″ (80 mm), DN 80 ISO-KF flanges | 1.5″ (40 mm), DN 40 ISO-KF flanges | 1.5″ (40 mm), DN 40 ISO-KF flanges | 3″ (80 mm), DN 80 ISO-KF flanges | 3″ (80 mm), DN 80 ISO-KF flanges |
| Recirculation | Closed loop | |||||||
| Specification | Argon | Nitrogen | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argon-1 | Argon-2 | Argon-10 | Argon-20 | Nitrogen-1 | Nitrogen-2 | Nitrogen-10 | Nitrogen-20 | |
| External dimensions (W x D x H) | 26″ x 36″ x 32″ (660 x 914 x 813 mm), excl. vacuum pump | 26″ x 36″ x 32″ (660 x 914 x 813 mm), excl. vacuum pump | 48″ x 50″ x 62″ (1219 x 1270 x 1575 mm) | 73″ x 50″ x 62″ (1854 x 1270 x 1575 mm) | 26″ x 36″ x 32″ (660 x 914 x 813 mm), excl. vacuum pump | 26″ x 36″ x 32″ (660 x 914 x 813 mm), excl. vacuum pump | 48″ x 50″ x 62″ (1219 x 1270 x 1575 mm) | 73″ x 50″ x 62″ (1854 x 1270 x 1575 mm) |
| External surfaces | RAL 9011 (Graphite Black) | RAL 9011 (Graphite Black) | RAL 7035 | RAL 7035 | RAL 9011 (Graphite Black) | RAL 9011 (Graphite Black) | RAL 7035 | RAL 7035 |
| Piping and fittings | 304 stainless steel | |||||||
| Internal features | — | — | Internal cooling fans; interior LED for maintenance | Internal cooling fans; interior LED for maintenance | — | — | Internal cooling fans; interior LED for maintenance | Internal cooling fans; interior LED for maintenance |
| Specification | Argon | Nitrogen | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argon-1 | Argon-2 | Argon-10 | Argon-20 | Nitrogen-1 | Nitrogen-2 | Nitrogen-10 | Nitrogen-20 | |
| Purity | < 1 ppm O2 and < 1 ppm H2O | |||||||
| O2 capacity (per purifier column) | 43 L | 43 L | 217 L | 217 L | 43 L | 43 L | 217 L | 217 L |
| H2O capacity (per purifier column) | 1800 g | 1800 g | 9000 g | 9000 g | 1800 g | 1800 g | 9000 g | 9000 g |
| Purifier column valves | Automated, interlocked with the blower; blower will not run if the valves fail to open | |||||||
| Regeneration | Automatic blower restart after regeneration | |||||||
| Specification | Argon | Nitrogen | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argon-1 | Argon-2 | Argon-10 | Argon-20 | Nitrogen-1 | Nitrogen-2 | Nitrogen-10 | Nitrogen-20 | |
| Circulation blower | Variable speed, 120 cfm max | Variable speed, 120 cfm max | Variable speed 0-100%, 185 cfm (315 m3/h) max | Variable speed 0-100%, 185 cfm (315 m3/h) max | Variable speed, 120 cfm max | Variable speed, 120 cfm max | Variable speed 0-100%, 185 cfm (315 m3/h) max | Variable speed 0-100%, 185 cfm (315 m3/h) max |
| Max flow through purifier column | 60 cfm (101 m3/h) | 60 cfm (101 m3/h) | — | — | 60 cfm (101 m3/h) | 60 cfm (101 m3/h) | — | — |
| Control system | PLC control with 6″ color touch screen | |||||||
| Trending screen | Pressure, O2 and H2O logged for 24 hours | |||||||
| Pressure control | Automatic (+/- 15 mbar); manual footswitch | |||||||
| Purge valve | O2 level, timer or manually controlled | |||||||
| Component cycle data | — | — | Vacuum pump, column usage, blower usage | Vacuum pump, column usage, blower usage | — | — | Vacuum pump, column usage, blower usage | Vacuum pump, column usage, blower usage |
| Specification | Argon | Nitrogen | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argon-1 | Argon-2 | Argon-10 | Argon-20 | Nitrogen-1 | Nitrogen-2 | Nitrogen-10 | Nitrogen-20 | |
| Vacuum pump | 10 cfm (17 m3/h) rotary vane | 10 cfm (17 m3/h) rotary vane | 22 cfm (38 m3/h) rotary vane | 22 cfm (38 m3/h) rotary vane | 10 cfm (17 m3/h) rotary vane | 10 cfm (17 m3/h) rotary vane | 22 cfm (38 m3/h) rotary vane | 22 cfm (38 m3/h) rotary vane |
| Pump accessories | Oil mist eliminator and oil return kit | |||||||
| Vacuum pump timer | Shuts the pump off for energy reduction | |||||||
| Automated blower speed control | O2 level adjusts blower speed | |||||||
| Specification | Argon | Nitrogen | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argon-1 | Argon-2 | Argon-10 | Argon-20 | Nitrogen-1 | Nitrogen-2 | Nitrogen-10 | Nitrogen-20 | |
| Working gas | ≥ 99.995% Ar | ≥ 99.995% N2 | ||||||
| Working gas pressure | 55 psi (3.8 bar) | |||||||
| Working gas flow rate | 250 l/min | |||||||
| Regeneration gas | 3-7% H2, balance Ar | 3-7% H2, balance N2 | ||||||
| Regeneration gas pressure | 5-7 psi (0.3-0.5 bar) | |||||||
| Regeneration gas flow rate | 30 l/min | |||||||
Purifier and solvent removal types
| Regenerable purifying column (single) | Single purifier column containing oxygen and moisture removing materials. When the purifier material becomes saturated it must be regenerated. During regeneration the enclosure is isolated from the purifier, so no oxygen and moisture removal occurs. (Argon-1, Nitrogen-1) |
|---|---|
| Dual regenerable purifying column | One purifier column removes oxygen and moisture from the atmosphere while the second column is being regenerated. (Argon-2, Argon-10, Nitrogen-2, Nitrogen-10) |
| Quad regenerable purifying column | Two pairs of purifier columns. Each pair removes oxygen and moisture while the other pair is being regenerated. (Argon-20, Nitrogen-20) |
| Large capacity solvent removal (-SR) | Contains activated carbon. Carbon must be replaced when saturated. Available on the -1 and -2 models. |
| Regenerable large capacity solvent removal (-RSR) | Contains molecular sieve. Solvent trapped in the sieve can be removed by the regeneration process. Available on the -1 and -2 models. |