Use of N2 Gas in Medical and Pharmaceutical Industries

Nitrogen gas has a wide variety of uses across a range of multiple industries. From food storage to electronics manufacturing to corrosion prevention, Nitrogen can be used to keep products dry and sterile, improve their durability and even provide a safer, cleaner environment for industrial workers. Another common application for Nitrogen gas is within the medical and pharmaceutical industries. These industries utilize N2 gas to reduce the presence of oxygen in situations where combustion is a major concern. This is done through a process called blanketing.

Through blanketing, the environment is made inert so that the risk of fire and/or explosions is greatly reduced or eliminated altogether. Because oxygen is a key ingredient for combustion, eliminating the presence of oxygen by displacing it with N2 gas significantly improves the safety of the manufacturing facility.

In addition to reducing or eliminating the risk of combustion, blanketing with nitrogen can also help preserve or improve the quality of the pharmaceuticals and other medical products. Blanketing with N2 gas essentially displaces the oxygen present with nitrogen, so there is little to no chance of oxygen’s harmful side effects. Corrosion, rust, oxidation and other significant reactions can occur when oxygen is present and reacts with other materials. This can seriously alter or damage the products being handled or manufactured. In the pharmaceutical and medical industries, it is imperative that conditions for the safe handling and manufacturing of products be preserved.

Here are a couple of specific examples of nitrogen uses in the medical and pharmaceutical industries:

1. Nitrogen is often used in the packaging of medical supplies (Nitrogen helps maintain sterility and cleanliness of the product). Nitrogen is used to purge oxygen from the packaging before it is sealed, creating an environment made of high purity N2 gas, which will also help preserve and protect the product during transport. Test kits for doctors’ offices, blood supplies, specimen containers and other medical devices are some examples of items frequently packaged with N2 gas.
2. Nitrogen is often used in the transferring of pharmaceutical products. The use of a safe, inert gas to transfer liquid or powder pharmaceutical materials is necessary, as these materials can be hazardous if improperly handled.

Nitrogen generators are systems that safely produce high purity nitrogen gas and are often used for medical equipment in laboratories or hospitals.  Nitrogen generators are safer and easier to handle than high-pressure cylinders. These generators can be used to control the level of oxygen in the workspace, lab or throughout an entire facility.

Nitrogen generators are highly efficient, as they create their own supply of nitrogen from the surrounding air. With an onsite nitrogen generator from leading manufacturer South-Tek Systems, your facilities manager won’t have to bother with changing out expensive, high-pressure cylinders. This not only improves the safety of your facility, it reduces costs and can help your lab operate at a higher level of efficiency.

For more information on how a Nitrogen Generator can benefit your medical or pharmaceutical facility, call South-Tek Systems at (888) 526-6284 or send your inquiry through our onsite contact form.