Nitrogen cylinder costs for a delivery contract may seem like the easiest way to manage your laboratory budget, however, the purchase of a nitrogen generator is a more cost-effective way to buy nitrogen.
While the initial outlay for nitrogen cylinder costs is low, contracts are often subject to regular price increases, as well as hidden fees such as regulator maintenance, delivery, fuel and cylinder and pallet rental charges, which can soon add up. A nitrogen 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 of nitrogen cylinders costs vs. nitrogen generator costs based on ordering 450 cylinders:
Typical 3 year cylinder supply costs for one LC-MS
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Total | |
| Cost of gas ($45 per cylinder) | $20,250 | $20,250 | $20,250 | $60,750 |
| Cost of cylinder rental ($50/month) |
$600 | $600 | $600 | $1,800 |
| Delivery cost ($30 per delivery of 5 cylinders) |
$2,700 | $2,700 | $2,700 | $8,100 |
| Total spend over 3 years |
$70,650 |
Compare this with purchasing PEAK Scientific’s Genius XE 35 for standalone nitrogen generator costs 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 |
On average, one LC-MS instrument requiring 32 L/min to run for 8 hours over 5 days, consumes 4 million litres of nitrogen per year. This is equivalent to 450 gas cylinders which is a considerable cost for a lab. To view the data source, click here 
