Application Background: Nitrogen in the Wine Industry
A prominent winery, recognized as one of the largest in the world, was facing challenges related to its nitrogen supply. Historically, the company relied on liquid nitrogen, which, while effective, came with high operational costs and logistical constraints. To enhance efficiency and reduce expenses, the company explored the possibility of transitioning to an on-site nitrogen generation system.
nano, in partnership with its distributor, Complete Engineered Solutions, was introduced to the winery through a key contact at the facility. Recognizing the winery’s high nitrogen demand and the cost implications of liquid nitrogen, nano proposed its GEN2 Nitrogen Generators as a more flexible and cost-effective alternative. The project marked a significant milestone for nano, as it was the first large-scale, multi-bank nitrogen generation installation undertaken by the company.
The Challenges of Liquid Nitrogen in Winemaking
The winery’s reliance on purchased liquid nitrogen posed several challenges:
- High Operational Costs – The expense of liquid nitrogen was a major concern, as it represented a substantial portion of production costs.
- Logistical Constraints – Dependence on external nitrogen suppliers meant that the winery had to manage deliveries, storage, and handling, adding complexity to its operations.
- Limited Flexibility – With a single-source liquid nitrogen supply, any disruptions in delivery could affect production efficiency.
To address these issues, the winery sought an on-site nitrogen generation solution that could provide cost savings, reliability, and operational flexibility.
nano’s Solution: Modular Nitrogen Generators
nano proposed a multi-bank nitrogen generation system comprising four GEN2 i4.0 nitrogen generators. This modular approach offered several advantages over a single large generator:
- Cost Reduction – By generating nitrogen on-site, the winery significantly reduced its nitrogen procurement costs, resulting in immediate financial savings.
- Operational Flexibility – The modular design of nano’s system allowed individual units to hibernate during periods of reduced nitrogen demand, optimizing energy usage.
- Improved Reliability – With multiple units operating in parallel, the system ensured continued nitrogen supply even if one generator required maintenance.
- Small Footprint – The generators were installed outdoors under a canopy, maximizing space efficiency without compromising performance.
The success of the installation was evident in the winery’s cost savings and increased nitrogen availability. In fact, the reduction in nitrogen costs led to a surge in consumption across various departments, necessitating internal controls to balance supply and demand.
Why Did the Winery Choose nano?
The decision to select nano over competing solutions was influenced by several key factors:
Established Relationships – The connection between the winery’s engineering team and Complete Engineered Solutions played a significant role in facilitating the project.
Proven Performance – nano’s ability to deliver a flexible, high-performing system gave confidence in the long-term reliability of the solution.
Customization and Scalability – The multi-bank system allowed the winery to scale its nitrogen generation capabilities according to demand fluctuations.
Since the initial installation, the winery has continued to rely on nano’s nitrogen generators, reinforcing the system’s effectiveness and reliability. This project also helped strengthen the relationship between nano and Complete Engineered Solutions, paving the way for future collaborations, including a recent multi-bank installation for another high-profile industrial application.
Key Takeaways for the Food & Beverage Industry
- Installation Considerations – The initial installation had a single-point compressed air feed that created efficiency issues when a filter became clogged. Future installations have since incorporated improved airflow design to prevent similar issues.
- Supply vs. Demand Management – The unexpected increase in nitrogen usage highlighted the need for better forecasting and internal controls to prevent overconsumption.
- Business Process Improvements – nano refined its payment structures to ensure better financial security when working with distributors and large-scale projects.
nano’s multi-bank nitrogen generation system provided the winery with a cost-effective, reliable, and flexible solution for its nitrogen needs. By transitioning away from liquid nitrogen, the company significantly reduced operational costs while improving production efficiency. This successful collaboration underscores nano’s expertise in delivering tailored nitrogen solutions to the Food & Beverage industry, solidifying its reputation as a trusted partner for industrial gas generation.
