Generator vs Cylinder 

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What is the cost
of nitrogen gas?

Your local gas generation partner

A nitrogen cylinder delivery contract may seem like the easiest way to manage your laboratory budget, however, the
purchase of a nitrogen gas generator is a more cost-effective way to secure ongoing nitrogen gas supply. While the
initial outlay for cylinders is low, contracts are often subject to regular price increases, as well as hidden costs such
as regulator maintenance, delivery, fuel and cylinder & pallet rental charges, which can soon add up. A gas generator
offers a more economical solution, typically offering savings versus cylinder supply, within the first year of ownership.
One LC-MS instrument running 8 hours a day, 5 days a week that requires 32 L/min of nitrogen will consume around
4 million liters of nitrogen per year, that is equivalent to approximately 450 cylinders of nitrogen. The table below is a
break down the costs associated with ordering 450 cylinders:
Typical 3 year cylinder supply costs for one LC-MS

Cost of gas ($45 per cylinder)
Cost of cylinder rental
($50/month)
Delivery cost ($30 per
delivery of 5 cylinders)

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Total

$20,250

$20,250

$20,250

$60,750

$600

$600

$600

$1,800

$2,700

$2,700

$2,700

$8,100

Total spend
over 3 years

$70,650

Compare this with the cost of purchasing Peak Scientific’s Genius XE 35 standalone nitrogen generator where you can save 51%
over 3 years, and even more if your lab has more than one LC-MS.
Typical 3 year Genius XE 35 generator supply costs for one LC-MS
Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Total

Generator and Installation

$21,904

$0

$0

$21,904

Complete Maintenance Plan

Warranty period

$5,450

$5,450

$10,900

Power Consumption (8h per
day @ 1.1 kWh for 365 days)

$550

$550

$550

$1,650

Total spend
over 3 years

$34,454

3 year cost of ownership comparison: N2 cylinder vs N2 generator
N2 cylinder

$30,000
$25,000
$20,000
$15,000
$10,000
$5,000
$0

Year 1

Year 2

Genius XE 35 N2
gas generator

Year 3

Why a gas generator?
Gas Generator

24/7 gas production ensures you’re
never left without gas
On-demand production
Convenient

Single annual maintenance required

Cylinder

Gas consumption has to be actively
monitored so you don’t run out of gas
Cylinders need to be regularly replaced
Difficult to install cylinders
Cylinders take up large amounts of space

Consistent purity, flow rate and

Inconsistent purity between cylinders

pressure

Purity lower at the end of a cylinder

Consistent

On-going delivery and rental cost

Economic

Quick return on investment

Cylinder prices continue to increase on an

Low ongoing costs

annual or even bi-annual basis

Minimal downtime

Instrument downtime during cylinder

(limited only to one annual maintenance)

changeover
Labs must rent cylinders and buy gas

High pressure and large volume tanks

Safe

Minimal gas storage volume

Health and safety risks during

Low pressure storage

transportation and handling of cylinders

Gas on demand - zero waste

High volume of compressed gas means high
potential for undetected leaks in pipework

High energy requirements for

Green

No deliveries and collections of cylinders

compression and purification of gas

energy efficient

Cylinders must be transported and

Reduced carbon footprint

replaced
End of cylinder not used - wastage

Comprehensive on-site warranty and
service contracts
Performed by dedicated Peak field service
Protected

engineers using genuine Peak parts.

Frequent maintenance required and
not covered by a maintenance contract
causing unplanned irregular costs

Contact us today to discover more!
Web: www.peakscientific.com/nitrogen-gas-costs Email: discover@peakscientific.com
Copyright © Peak Scientific Instruments Ltd 2018 — Generator vs Cylinder flyer | Rev 1 | RSID 2655 | EN —17/08/2018

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