Gas purity is not a fixed standard across industrial applications.

Industrial processes have different requirements for gas quality. Standard oxygen and nitrogen generators provide a reliable supply for many applications. However, when even small amounts of impurities could affect the production process, an additional purification stage is needed to achieve the required purity.

KSTK oxygen and nitrogen purification systems raise gas purity beyond standard generation levels, helping on-site gas systems meet specific process requirements more accurately.

Gas Generation and Purification: Two Different Stages

PSA gas generation systems use compressed air as the feed gas. They separate oxygen and nitrogen by using adsorbents that capture different gas molecules at different rates.

This process provides a continuous supply of oxygen or nitrogen for standard industrial use. However, small amounts of other gases may remain. When these impurities could affect the downstream process, manufacturers can add purification equipment after the gas generator for further treatment.

Purification does not repeat the gas generation process. Instead, it removes specific residual impurities from the existing gas supply to achieve a higher final purity.

Oxygen Purification: From 93±2% to 99% High-Purity Oxygen

Standard PSA oxygen generators reach up to approximately 95% purity. When a process requires a higher level, the oxygen needs further purification.

The KSTK oxygen purification system consists of two adsorption vessels filled with specialized adsorbents. As the oxygen passes through the system, non-oxygen gases such as argon and nitrogen are further removed, increasing the oxygen purity to 99%–99.5%.

After adsorption, the oxygen is pressurized and cooled before entering an oxygen storage tank for buffering. This process supports a stable supply of high-purity oxygen. The system can also be configured according to the required flow rate, pressure and site conditions.

Moving from 93±2% to approximately 99% is more than a numerical increase. It allows the oxygen supply to support industrial processes with more demanding gas-quality requirements.

Nitrogen Purification: From 99% to 99.9999% High-Purity Nitrogen

KSTK PSA nitrogen generators use carbon molecular sieves to remove oxygen from compressed air. This process produces nitrogen at approximately 99% purity before it enters the purification system for further treatment.

When an application requires higher-purity nitrogen, the gas enters a nitrogen purification system for further treatment. At a controlled temperature, residual oxygen in the nitrogen reacts with a carbon-supported catalyst to form carbon dioxide. The system then uses pressure swing adsorption to remove carbon dioxide and moisture, followed by high-efficiency filtration. This process can raise the final nitrogen purity to as high as 99.9999%.

The complete purification process includes heat exchange, deoxygenation, cooling and buffering. The nitrogen generator provides a stable feed gas, while the purification system further reduces residual oxygen, moisture and other impurities. Together, they meet the needs of industrial applications with stricter nitrogen purity requirements.

The move from 99% to 99.9999% represents more than additional decimal places. It reflects a closer match between gas quality and the requirements of the production process.

Higher Purity Depends on the Complete System

Purification is not simply an extra treatment step added after gas generation. Its performance depends on several connected factors, including feed-gas quality, target purity, flow rate, pressure and operating conditions. Upstream air treatment helps provide a clean and consistent feed gas, while the gas generator maintains the required supply for the purification stage. After purification, pressurization, cooling and buffering help prepare the gas for stable delivery to the production process.

For both oxygen and nitrogen, each part of the system must work together. Changes in feed-gas quality or operating conditions can influence purification performance and final gas quality. The gas generator, purification equipment and downstream components should therefore be configured around the specific requirements of the application.

A well-matched system does more than achieve the required purity. It also supports a continuous gas supply, stable operation and more consistent performance over time. By considering the complete process rather than each piece of equipment separately, KSTK can provide a gas generation and purification system that better matches actual production needs.

The Right Purity Matters More Than the Highest Purity

Higher gas purity often requires different equipment configurations, operating conditions and energy input. For this reason, not every project needs a purification system.

The decision depends on the feed-gas purity, target purity, flow rate, pressure, dew point, operating schedule and specific process requirements. A clear understanding of the downstream application makes it possible to select a more suitable equipment configuration.

KSTK configures gas generation and purification equipment around the operating conditions of each project. From standard industrial gas supply to higher-purity requirements, every treatment stage serves a clear purpose and supports a system designed for the actual production process.

From on-site gas generation to further purification, KSTK brings oxygen and nitrogen quality closer to the needs of each industrial process.