If your lab runs LC-MS or GC regularly, nitrogen is part of the daily routine. So is the associated admin: ordering cylinders, scheduling deliveries, returning empties, keeping track of stock. And when a cylinder runs out in the middle of an analytical run, it's more than an inconvenience.

Labs that have switched to nitrogen generators rarely talk about the technology itself. What they mention is what disappears: the logistics, the disruptions, the handling of pressurised cylinders.

This post covers how nitrogen generators work, what they're used for, and which models are available at häberle LABORTECHNIK.

How Nitrogen Generators Produce Nitrogen

Nitrogen makes up around 78 percent of air. Nitrogen generators take advantage of this by processing compressed air and separating nitrogen from oxygen and other components. Two technologies are used in lab settings.

Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) uses carbon molecular sieves that selectively retain oxygen while allowing nitrogen to pass through. The result is very high-purity nitrogen – up to 99.9995% depending on the unit and settings. PSA generators are the standard choice for GC applications where maximum purity is essential.

Membrane technology works differently: compressed air passes through hollow polymer fibres, and oxygen and moisture diffuse through the fibre walls faster than nitrogen. The design is mechanically simpler, delivers slightly lower purity (up to around 99.5%), and is well suited for LC-MS applications where high flow rates at moderate purity are the priority.

Where Nitrogen Is Used in the Lab

Nitrogen is everywhere in analytical labs. In LC-MS it functions as desolvation gas, curtain gas, and nebuliser gas – all requiring a continuous, clean nitrogen supply. A pressure drop from a nearly-empty cylinder mid-sequence is not a minor issue in that context.

In gas chromatography, nitrogen serves as carrier gas or make-up gas. For GC, purity matters: trace oxygen or moisture can damage columns and affect detection sensitivity.

Beyond chromatography, nitrogen is used for sample evaporation, inerting reaction vessels, and protecting temperature-sensitive compounds. In all these cases, uninterrupted supply is the baseline requirement.

The Case Against Cylinders – and for Generators

Gas cylinders have three weaknesses that show up in day-to-day lab operations: cost, safety, and availability.

The true cost of cylinder supply is higher than it appears. The gas price is just one part. Cylinder rental fees, delivery charges, return logistics, and the staff time spent managing it all add up. When labs calculate the actual cost per litre of nitrogen across all these items, a generator typically looks considerably more attractive.

High-pressure cylinders come with safety requirements: secure anchoring, adequate ventilation, regular inspection intervals. A falling cylinder in a busy lab is a genuine hazard. Generators operate at much lower pressures, which removes that risk category entirely.

On availability, the difference is straightforward. A generator runs continuously as long as it has compressed air and power. A cylinder runs out – and usually at an inconvenient moment.

Available at häberle LABORTECHNIK: PEAK Scientific

häberle LABORTECHNIK offers nitrogen generators from PEAK Scientific, a manufacturer with more than 25 years of experience in laboratory gas generation. Designed for modern analytical workflows, PEAK Scientific systems provide a reliable on-demand nitrogen supply for LC-MS and other laboratory applications while eliminating the dependence on gas cylinder deliveries.

The Solaris XE series uses membrane technology and was developed specifically for LC-MS and multi-ELSD environments. It delivers adjustable flow rates and nitrogen purity levels of up to 99.5%, and can be installed on a benchtop, mounted on a wall, or positioned beneath an instrument. It is particularly well suited to laboratories that already have an external compressed air supply.

The Genius XE range combines PSA technology with an integrated compressor and Multi-Stage Purification. Designed for demanding LC-MS applications, it provides a continuous supply of high-quality nitrogen without requiring an external air source. With factory-certifiable gas purity, straightforward annual maintenance, and fully autonomous operation, it offers a practical solution for laboratories seeking maximum reliability and convenience.

Together, the Solaris XE and Genius XE ranges cover a broad spectrum of laboratory requirements, enabling users to select a nitrogen generation solution that matches their purity, flow rate, and infrastructure needs.

Matching Generator to Application

Three questions guide the decision: What purity does the application require? What flow rate is needed? Is compressed air already available in the lab?

For LC-MS labs with moderate to high flow requirements and an existing compressed air supply, the PEAK Scientific Solaris XE is an efficient fit. Labs looking for a fully self-contained unit with an integrated compressor and certifiable nitrogen purity are well served by the Genius XE range. The right choice ultimately depends on the required flow rate, purity level, and the laboratory's existing infrastructure.

Summary

Onsite nitrogen generation is no longer a niche option. In labs that run GC or LC-MS regularly, a generator typically pays for itself within a few years – and in the process removes the logistics overhead, safety requirements, and supply interruptions that come with pressurised cylinders.

If you're unsure which unit fits your application and flow requirements, the team at häberle LABORTECHNIK is happy to help you work through it.

Explore nitrogen generators at häberle LABORTECHNIK →