Category: Gas Generation, Nitrogen, PSA Nitrogen Generators

The production and packaging of modern medicines would not be possible without industrial gases. Furthermore, the development of new pharmaceuticals relies heavily on modern laboratory equipment for which specialty gases are essential.

In the pharmaceutical industry, raw materials such as APIs, inactive ingredients, and other chemicals, that may be sensitive to oxygen need to be kept in an inert atmosphere to prevent exposure to oxygen and subsequent spoilage that result from oxidation. During storage and movement of such oxygen-sensitive materials through processing, Nitrogen is used as a blanketing gas, purging gas and also as a gas to move the product through pneumatic conveying systems. Nitrogen is often used in the transferring of pharmaceutical products. The use of a safe, inert gas to transfer liquid or powder pharmaceutical materials is necessary, as these materials can be hazardous if improperly handled.

Packaging with inert nitrogen gas

Many medicines are packed in so-called blister packs where each tablet is individually enclosed between a plastic case and foil. This packaging is then filled with pharmaceutical grade nitrogen which is an inert gas. With such packaging, air is not in contact with the medicine and oxidation of the medicine is therefore prevented.

Blanketing handling nitrogen gas

Blanketing with Nitrogen can also help preserve or improve the quality of the pharmaceuticals and other medical products. Blanketing with N2 gas essentially displaces the oxygen present with Nitrogen, so there is little to no chance of oxygen’s harmful side effects. Corrosion, rust, oxidation and other significant reactions can occur when oxygen is present and reacts with other materials. This can seriously alter or damage the products being handled or manufactured. In the pharmaceutical and medical industries, it is imperative that conditions for the safe handling and manufacturing of products be preserved.