Cembrane is a Danish technology company specializing in silicon carbide (SiC) ceramic membranes for water and wastewater treatment. The company develops filtration solutions for demanding environments, where stable and reliable operation is essential.
Its production processes are built around precision and consistency, where controlled conditions are necessary to maintain product quality and performance. As part of these processes, Cembrane operates furnaces that require a controlled atmosphere. For many years, argon was used for this purpose as the standard solution to ensure stable conditions during operation.
A costly and dependent setup
Argon fulfilled the technical requirements and provided the necessary conditions in the process. However, it came with clear disadvantages. It is an expensive gas that must be supplied externally, typically from Germany or Sweden, which introduces ongoing transport costs and ties the operation to external logistics. Supply must be planned, ordered, and secured, leaving no real autonomy, and the operation depended entirely on deliveries. Over time, it became clear that the process did not require argon specifically, but rather a stable and reliable gas supply.
A rational shift shaped by practical constraints
This led to a reassessment of the setup. The process itself did not need to change, as the requirement remained the same. The focus shifted to finding a more efficient way to meet that requirement. Nitrogen was identified as the most logical and economical alternative.
When produced on-site using a PSA nitrogen generator, it delivers the same functional result while removing the cost and dependency associated with argon. However, the transition was not only about choosing a different gas, it also had to fit within the existing facility.
“We had been using argon for years, but it became clear that it wasn’t necessary for our process. Switching to on-site nitrogen gave us the same conditions, while removing our reliance on external deliveries and making the operation easier to manage.”
— Niklas Andreassen
There was no available indoor space for a traditional installation, and any internal setup would have required significant changes to the building.
A containerized nitrogen generator was identified as a suitable solution. This made it possible to install a complete setup externally as a 10-foot container solution. The installation is based on an OXYMAT PSA Nitrogen Plant (N100), designed to deliver a capacity of 303.3 liters per minute at a purity of 99.9%.
The solution was delivered as a plug-and-play PSA nitrogen generator and did not require municipal approval. It operates within standard industrial conditions, with defined pressure ranges and a 400V / 50Hz / 3-phase power supply, and is designed in accordance with PED requirements.
Once piping and utility connections were completed, OXYMAT carried out the installation and commissioning of the system, preparing it for operation.
The project involved more than delivering a nitrogen generator. OXYMAT had to develop a solution around the actual site conditions, including no available indoor space, utility connections, and the operational needs of the furnace process. Overall, the solution had to be considered in detail, as it needed to balance nitrogen performance, available space, and practical installation conditions.
Working closely with Cembrane throughout the project, OXYMAT developed and delivered a containerized solution tailored to these conditions.
Solution overview
| Specifications | Details |
| System type | PSA Nitrogen Plant (N100) |
| Format | 10-foot container |
| Capacity | 303.3 L/min |
| Purity | 99.9% |
| Power supply | 400V / 50 Hz / 3-phase |
| Installation | External, plug and play |
| Compliance | PED |
Immediate impact and stable operation
The effect on operations was direct and visible. Energy consumption is approximately 1 kWh per cubic meter of gas, resulting in significantly lower operating costs compared to the previous setup. The investment paid back in less than one year.
At the same time, the operational model changed. Nitrogen is now produced on-site using a PSA nitrogen generator, removing dependence on external deliveries and eliminating the need to manage logistics or rely on availability from abroad.
The nitrogen generator delivers the required capacity consistently. It operates reliably and is easy to use, while the container format makes it flexible and easy to service.
The setup supports continuous operation without introducing additional complexity.
Improved operational control and efficiency
The operation has moved from dependency to control, and the change is not only about cost but also about removing reliance on external deliveries, as gas supply previously required ongoing planning and coordination.
Nitrogen is now produced on-site as needed, so there is no longer a need to manage deliveries or depend on availability from abroad.
This makes the operation more stable and predictable. It leads to a more efficient way of running the operation, where control, flexibility, and cost are better aligned with the actual operational requirements.
About OXYMAT
OXYMAT is a Danish manufacturer of PSA oxygen and nitrogen generators. Since 1978, we have supplied on-site gas generation solutions to industries worldwide. Our systems are designed to reduce dependence on external gas deliveries while providing a reliable gas supply directly at the point of use. Solutions are available in a range of configurations, including containerized installations for sites where space or infrastructure constraints must be considered.
