domnick hunter extends its MAXIGAS nitrogen generator range

domnick hunter has a long history of partnering with manufacturers to assist them in the removal of particulate contamination and micro-organisms as well as the displacement of oxygen at each stage of the production and packaging process.

Maxigas is a range of nitrogen generators that produce nitrogen from compressed air, effectively enabling manufacturers to make their own nitrogen at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods of supply.

The introduction of the two new models; N2MAX112 and N2MAX116 has strengthened the award winning range and comes in response to customer demand.

Maxigas is the ideal solution to the Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) needs of the food industry, an industry marked for its competitive nature and driven by consumer and retailer demand for quality items.

MAP is a process in which nitrogen, a completely inert and tasteless gas, is flushed into packaged foods to prevent oxidation and aerobic spoilage by typically reducing oxygen levels to below 1%. MAP helps to maintain flavour and crispness without using artificial preservatives. Many food manufacturers use MAP to enhance product integrity and extend shelf-life, making new geographic markets logistically and commercially viable.

Maxigas is a cost effective alternative to gas cylinders and liquid dewars with fewer on-going costs such as refills, delivery costs and order processing. Manufacturers benefit from reduced down-time associated with changing cylinders through an on-demand high purity food grade supply. It is also safer than high-pressure containers as man-handling is eliminated.

The advantage of nitrogen is its low solubility, which means it is unlikely to be absorbed by foods. When combined with refrigeration and suitable packaging materials nitrogen flushing is suitable for numerous foodstuffs including snack foods, dried foods, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Maxigas operates on the Pressure Swing Adsorption principle to produce a continuous stream of nitrogen gas from compressed air. Pairs of extruded aluminium columns are filled with carbon molecular sieve (CMS). Pre-treated compressed air enters the bottom of the ‘on-line’ bed and flows through the CMS. Oxygen and other trace gases are preferentially adsorbed by the CMS, allowing nitrogen to pass through. When the on-line bed is saturated, the system automatically switches to regenerative mode, venting the contaminants from the CMS. The pair of CMS beds switch between separation and regeneration modes to ensure continuous and uninterrupted nitrogen production that requires minimal user intervention and maintenance.

The system can be easily retrofitted to existing packaging operations simply by adding a compressed air line. The N2MAX112 and N2MAX116 models are larger single bank units that are capable of producing nitrogen of 99.999% purity at higher flowrates compared to the existing range. It is the substantial increase in flowrate achieved by the new models that make them particularly suitable for larger scale nitrogen applications.

The system is manufactured within an ISO 9001:2000 quality system and is used by some of the world’s largest manufacturers. UK customers include leading dairy and snack food producers. In addition to food manufacture, Maxigas is utilised in applications as diverse as beverage dispensing, inerting of chemicals, pharmaceutical manufacture, laser cutting and heat treatment of metals.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
domnick hunter
Dukesway
Team Valley Trading Estate
Gateshead
Tyne and Wear
NE11 0PZ, United Kingdom.
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 402 9000
Fax: +44 (0) 191 482 6296
Email: gasgen@domnickhunter.com
Web Site: domnickhunter.com