Reliable CMS Nitrogen Generation for Tire Applications

What is the Significance of Onsite CMS Nitrogen Generator for Tire Applications?

Aircraft and automotive industries rely heavily on tire performance and safety. Aircraft regulations specifically require tires on braked wheels to contain oxygen levels of 5% or less by volume, meaning tires must be inflated with clean, dry nitrogen. Using an onsite Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS) Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) nitrogen generator ensures that nitrogen is available precisely when needed, eliminating the hassle and risks associated with bottled nitrogen logistics.
In motorsports and electric vehicle (EV) testing, ultra pure nitrogen is critical. It maintains stable tire pressures even during rapid temperature fluctuations, providing drivers with consistent handling, enhanced performance, and improved safety. Additionally, nitrogen prevents internal rim corrosion by keeping moisture out, significantly extending tire life and reducing maintenance costs.

Many automotive and aircraft maintenance facilities integrate CMS based nitrogen generation to maintain optimal tire performance. The use of nitrogen compressors paired with CMS ensures nitrogen is available at any time for inflation, facilitating efficient service operations and reducing costs associated with external nitrogen supply.

How Nitrogen Inflation Works for Improved Tire Performance?

• Nitrogen Generation (CMS Process): Clean air enters Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS) towers and it traps Oxygen, moisture, and CO₂. Towers alternate approximately every 60 seconds to continuously produce nitrogen. High purity nitrogen (99.999%) exits from the CMS towers.
• Storage & Quality Check: Nitrogen collects in a storage tank (buffer vessel). An oxygen analyzer continuously monitors purity, if oxygen content exceeds safety limits (above 5%), nitrogen flow stops automatically.
• Tire Inflation Procedure: Fully deflate the tire to remove existing air. Fill tire partially (~20% of final pressure), then vent out; repeat this twice to remove oxygen thoroughly. Then inflate tire completely to the recommended service pressure and secure the valve cap tightly.
• Documentation: Record final tire pressure and oxygen purity level. Maintain these records for safety checks and compliance.

Key Benefits of Nitrogen for Tire Inflation

• Pressure stability: Nitrogen minimizes pressure changes due to temperature variations, ensuring consistent performance and fewer tire checks.
• Inert & non combustible: Nitrogen is non flammable and reduces oxygen levels inside tires, preventing fires caused by overheating during intense braking.
• Ultra dry gas: No internal ice formation at high altitude cruise and protects tire rims from corrosion on road vehicles.
• Low permeation rate: Nitrogen leaks out of tires more slower than regular air, allowing longer intervals between pressure checks, saving time and effort.

Why Aircraft and Automotive Teams insist on CMS Nitrogen?

• Safety margin: Inert, moisture free nitrogen cuts the risk of heat related blow outs and wheel fires.
• Lower Costs: Better pressure retention reduces tire wear and fuel consumption; CMS generators remove cylinder rental fees.
• Less Maintenance: Longer intervals between pressure checks and fewer rim corrosion issues.
• Performance Consistency: Stable PSI delivers predictable grip for race cars and consistent landing gear behavior for aircraft.
• Regulatory Compliance: FAA regulations require aircraft tires to use nitrogen with less than 5% oxygen, which CMS nitrogen consistently meets.