What are the requirements of various industries for nitrogen purity indicators of nitrogen generators?

1. Semiconductor manufacturing

Wafer manufacturing: Key processes such as epitaxy, diffusion, oxidation, and ion implantation require nitrogen with a purity of up to 99.9999% or even higher. In these high-temperature, high-energy process environments, high-purity nitrogen acts as a solid shield to prevent wafer oxidation and ensure stable performance and high yield of semiconductor devices. For example, in the ion implantation process, any trace impurities in nitrogen may cause the implanted ions to deviate from the predetermined position, thereby seriously affecting the electrical performance of the chip. The production of electronic-grade polysilicon is also inseparable from the protection of high-purity nitrogen, which can effectively prevent polysilicon from being oxidized or contaminated by other impurities during the production process.

Electronic packaging field: The packaging process of electronic components usually requires nitrogen purity of more than 99.99%. High-purity nitrogen as a protective gas can prevent the packaging material from oxidizing at high temperatures and improve the reliability and stability of the packaging. Taking ball grid array packaging (BGA) and chip-scale packaging (CSP) as examples, high-purity nitrogen creates an oxygen-free environment for the packaging process to ensure packaging quality.

2. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) Manufacturing
In this industry, nitrogen is widely used for electronic product packaging, sintering, annealing, reduction, and storage. It is also utilized in processes such as wave soldering, reflow soldering, and the production of crystals, piezoelectric materials, electronic ceramics, electronic copper strips, batteries, and electronic alloy materials. The purity requirements for nitrogen vary depending on the application, typically not less than 99.9%. In some cases, 99.99% purity nitrogen is required, and for high-precision applications, nitrogen purification equipment is used to produce ultra-high-purity nitrogen with a purity greater than 99.9995% and a dew point below -65℃.
Metallurgy and Metal Processing Industry (≥99.999%)

1. Iron and steel metallurgy

Steelmaking process: In general steelmaking processes, such as converter steelmaking, nitrogen can be used to stir molten steel, prevent molten steel oxidation, protect furnace lining, etc. At this time, the nitrogen purity is required to be above 99.5%. Nitrogen is blown into the molten steel through a spray gun to play a role in stirring and decarburization. During the continuous casting process, high-purity nitrogen can effectively prevent the secondary oxidation of molten steel and improve the quality of the ingot. For the production of special steel and alloy steel, the nitrogen purity requirement is higher, usually above 99.9%. For example, in the production of stainless steel, high-purity nitrogen can prevent the oxidation of alloy elements such as chromium and ensure the corrosion resistance of stainless steel.

Metal heat treatment: In the heat treatment process of metal quenching, tempering, annealing, etc., nitrogen is used as a protective gas, and the purity is generally required to be above 99.9%. In vacuum heat treatment, high-purity nitrogen can form an inert atmosphere in the furnace to protect metal parts from oxidation at high temperatures, and can also play a cooling role.

2. Nonferrous metal metallurgy

The nitrogen used in this industry is often used for annealing protective atmosphere, sintering protective atmosphere, nitriding treatment, furnace washing and purging gas, etc. It is used in metal heat treatment, powder metallurgy, magnetic materials, copper processing, wire mesh, galvanized wire, semiconductors, powder reduction and other fields. Nitrogen with a purity greater than 99.9% is obtained through the pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generator, and high-quality nitrogen with a purity greater than 99.9995% and a dew point below -65°C is obtained through the combined use of nitrogen purification equipment.

Coal Industry

In the process of coal mining, nitrogen can be used for fire extinguishing and preventing gas explosions. For fire extinguishing and preventing gas explosions, the nitrogen purity is required to be above 97%. High-purity nitrogen can reduce the oxygen content in the coal seam and prevent coal spontaneous combustion and gas explosion. For example, in underground fire extinguishing in coal mines, by injecting high-purity nitrogen into the fire area, the oxygen content in the fire area can be quickly reduced to achieve the purpose of fire extinguishing.

Petroleum Industry

Petroleum extraction: In the process of petroleum extraction, nitrogen can be used for oil well fracturing and oil recovery. For oil well fracturing, the nitrogen purity is required to be above 95%. High-purity nitrogen can increase the output of oil wells and improve the recovery rate of oil. For example, in the process of hydraulic fracturing, adding nitrogen can reduce the density of fracturing fluid and improve the fracturing effect.

Oil storage and transportation: In the process of oil storage and transportation, nitrogen can be used to prevent oil oxidation, explosion and volatilization. Nitrogen purity is required to be above 99%. For example, in oil storage tanks, filling with nitrogen can prevent oil oxidation and volatilization and improve storage safety. In oil pipeline transportation, nitrogen can be used for purging and replacement to ensure that the medium in the pipeline is not contaminated.

Automobile tire industry

In the production process of automobile tires, nitrogen can be used for tire inflation. Compared with ordinary air, high-purity nitrogen can improve the stability and wear resistance of tires, reduce the rolling resistance of tires, and save fuel consumption. Nitrogen purity is required to be above 95%. For example, in the production of high-performance tires, filling with high-purity nitrogen can improve the performance and service life of tires.