Generator targets efficiency in brewer nitrogen needs
Noblegen Generators says that development of its Maximus and Maximus-Lite systems form part of a strategy to provide products that can offer more sustainable, consistent industrial gas supplies.
Brewing with gas
In food and drink manufacture, the supplier claims that nitrogen can have a number of uses such as allowing processors to modify in pack atmosphere to prevent ingredients from coming into contact with air.
“During bulk storage in a sealed tank, nitrogen can provide a positive pressure of an inert gas to prevent the ingress of oxygen and moisture,” states the company.
Gas pressure can also be used to assist fluid transfer from one tank to another in areas such as brewing, according to Noblegen.
However, in terms of obtaining nitrogen supply, the company claims that brewers and other manufacturers using cylinder systems must often contend with a number of considerations when ordering these type of products.
These considerations include the possibility of running out of gas for operations and ongoing payments delivery fuel and surcharges to maintain supply.
Noblegen says that by adopting its gas generators, potential problems such as ensuring a long-term constant supply of gas and having to protect against possible nitrogen leakages are removed. The group also claims that with the systems expected to run for at least 12 years at lower gas pressures, carbon footprints linked to cylinder deliveries are also cut.
Running costs
A spokesperson for the company told BeverageDaily.com that there was a one off cost in adopting the system, though in some cases these had been paid back within three years of use.
The company says that after installation of the system, gas can be provided on a 24 hour basis for the cost of electricity, a price it says is equivalent to no more than running a 100-watt light bulb.
In considering start up costs to use the generators, the company added that brewers do not have to make any extensive modifications to their general operations.
“We can calculate from cylinder usage the size of generator required,” says a company spokesperson.
Although NobleGen says that it is currently focused on working with UK brewers to provide the systems, it claims the Maximus range can be used by both large and smaller-scale beer makers alike.
Wine applications
Outside of brewing, a spokesperson for the company says that the system also has applications for Nitrogen flushing in other beverage products like wine.
“Wine producers use nitrogen in a similar way, [this entails] storing the gas under a nitrogen atmosphere and preventing oxygen spoiling in the product before bottling” states a spokesperson for the group.
