www.foodpackautomation.com
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'26
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Visit Atlas Copco at PPMA 2026
New Nitrogen Skid System for Modified Atmosphere Packaging takes centre stage for Atlas Copco at PPMA 2026.
www.atlascopco.com
Atlas Copco will exhibit on-site utility and gas generation solutions for food and beverage manufacturing at PPMA Show 2026, stand B82. The display focuses on on-site nitrogen generation for Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP), process water cooling, and compressed air filtration to optimize product shelf life, operating costs, and gas purity.
Integrated MAP Packages and Standalone PSA Generators
Atlas Copco will feature pre-engineered and standalone pressure swing adsorption (PSA) systems:
- Plug-and-Play MAP Nitrogen Skid: Combines an NGP+ pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generator with integrated air drying, multi-stage filtration, purification, gas storage, and control systems. The pre-tested package interfaces directly with existing facility compressed air networks to supply food-grade nitrogen at purities between 99 percent and 99.9 percent.
- NGP 8+ Standalone Generator: The smallest model in the NGP+ 8-130 product line, capable of generating nitrogen purities up to 99.999 percent. The unit incorporates inlet air quality monitoring and automated output purity verification to prevent contaminated gas from reaching downstream packaging lines.
- Variable Cycle Saver Technology: Dynamically adjusts the pressure swing adsorption regeneration cycle based on real-time nitrogen consumption and ambient temperatures, reducing compressed air and energy consumption by up to 40 percent under low-load or cold operating conditions.
Process Cooling and Utility Integration
The exhibit also features the TCX 4-90A industrial chiller range, comprising compact, air-cooled process water chillers that integrate refrigeration circuits, circulating pumps, expansion water tanks, and temperature controllers in a single footprint. Integrated monitoring systems track fluid temperatures, circuit pressures, and diagnostic maintenance alerts to ensure thermal stability during packaging and processing.
The utility showcase is completed with process filtration modules and Class 0 oil-free air compressors, demonstrating a coordinated approach to nitrogen production, filtration, refrigeration, and compressed air delivery.
Additional Context
This section details technical specifications not included in the original news release.
Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) nitrogen generation utilizes Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS) adsorbent beds packed inside dual pressurized columns. When compressed air passes through the online column at operating pressures typically between 6 and 10 bar, oxygen, moisture, and trace carbon dioxide molecules are preferentially adsorbed within the microporous structure of the CMS, allowing nitrogen gas to pass through to the outlet buffer vessel. While one vessel produces nitrogen, the offline column depressurizes to atmospheric levels to purge captured oxygen and regenerate the adsorbent material.
Food-grade nitrogen used in Modified Atmosphere Packaging must comply with European food additive regulations (E941) and Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) purity standards, requiring residual oxygen concentrations below specific threshold limits (typically under 1 percent for high-fat snack foods and fresh meats) alongside strict limits on moisture content (dew points below minus 40 degrees Celsius) and residual hydrocarbons (below 5 milligrams per cubic meter) to inhibit aerobic bacterial growth, mold development, and oxidative rancidity. In the TCX chiller range, closed-loop refrigeration circuits utilize scroll compressors paired with microchannel aluminum condensers and eco-friendly refrigerants (such as R410A or R32), maintaining supply water temperatures within plus or minus 0.5 degrees Celsius across variable process heat loads.
Edited by Romila DSilva, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.
The exhibit also features the TCX 4-90A industrial chiller range, comprising compact, air-cooled process water chillers that integrate refrigeration circuits, circulating pumps, expansion water tanks, and temperature controllers in a single footprint. Integrated monitoring systems track fluid temperatures, circuit pressures, and diagnostic maintenance alerts to ensure thermal stability during packaging and processing.
The utility showcase is completed with process filtration modules and Class 0 oil-free air compressors, demonstrating a coordinated approach to nitrogen production, filtration, refrigeration, and compressed air delivery.
Additional Context
This section details technical specifications not included in the original news release.
Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) nitrogen generation utilizes Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS) adsorbent beds packed inside dual pressurized columns. When compressed air passes through the online column at operating pressures typically between 6 and 10 bar, oxygen, moisture, and trace carbon dioxide molecules are preferentially adsorbed within the microporous structure of the CMS, allowing nitrogen gas to pass through to the outlet buffer vessel. While one vessel produces nitrogen, the offline column depressurizes to atmospheric levels to purge captured oxygen and regenerate the adsorbent material.
Food-grade nitrogen used in Modified Atmosphere Packaging must comply with European food additive regulations (E941) and Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) purity standards, requiring residual oxygen concentrations below specific threshold limits (typically under 1 percent for high-fat snack foods and fresh meats) alongside strict limits on moisture content (dew points below minus 40 degrees Celsius) and residual hydrocarbons (below 5 milligrams per cubic meter) to inhibit aerobic bacterial growth, mold development, and oxidative rancidity. In the TCX chiller range, closed-loop refrigeration circuits utilize scroll compressors paired with microchannel aluminum condensers and eco-friendly refrigerants (such as R410A or R32), maintaining supply water temperatures within plus or minus 0.5 degrees Celsius across variable process heat loads.
Edited by Romila DSilva, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.
