+86 400 0512 711

Modular PSA Nitrogen System for Semiconductor Testing

2 days ago

In semiconductor manufacturing, precision extends beyond the chips themselves—it reaches every aspect of the production environment. Among the unseen contributors to that precision is nitrogen. It does not react or leave residues, but it quietly maintains the stability, cleanliness, and repeatability required for high-accuracy testing.

HOLANG’s PSA nitrogen system delivers a continuous supply of high purity nitrogen directly on site. Using modular design and pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology, it transforms ordinary compressed air into a reliable gas source. This solution replaces cylinder deliveries, eliminates purity fluctuations, and lowers operational costs for semiconductor manufacturers.

1. Why Semiconductor Testing Demands Stability

Testing lines in semiconductor production must operate under stable environmental conditions. Even a minor change in oxygen or dew point can alter test results or reduce yield. Consistency is therefore critical.

Many factories still depend on nitrogen cylinders, but these systems introduce variables that compromise control. Each cylinder change causes pressure and purity variation. The equipment then requires stabilization before resuming testing, leading to lost production time. Handling cylinders also creates logistical costs and safety concerns.

By generating nitrogen directly on site, a PSA nitrogen system removes these issues. It provides a steady flow, constant purity level, and continuous operation without manual intervention or delivery delays.

2. How the PSA Nitrogen System Works

A pressure swing adsorption nitrogen generator separates nitrogen from ambient air using carbon molecular sieves (CMS). Compressed air enters the adsorption columns, where oxygen and moisture molecules are trapped while nitrogen passes through as the product gas. Two towers alternate between adsorption and regeneration phases to ensure uninterrupted production.

The PSA process offers several key advantages:

  • High purity nitrogen from 95% to 99.999%

  • Consistent flow rates over a wide range of demands

  • Stable dew point down to -60°C

  • Fully automated operation controlled by PLC

Each system is designed to match the customer’s application, balancing flow rate, purity, and energy consumption for optimal efficiency.

3. Modular Design: The Logic of Reliability

The HOLANG NPL series adopts a modular design that divides the nitrogen generation process into multiple independent modules. Each module includes its own adsorption towers, valves, sensors, and control logic.

This modular structure provides several major advantages:

  • Reliability: If one module is under maintenance, others continue to operate without affecting purity or flow.

  • Scalability: Capacity can be expanded simply by adding modules when nitrogen demand increases.

  • Consistency: Each module communicates with the central PLC to maintain balanced operation across the entire nitrogen system.

This modular architecture turns nitrogen generation into a resilient infrastructure that can adapt to evolving production needs while maintaining stability.

Rear of NPL unit

4. Precision Installation for Cleanroom Environments

Semiconductor factories require strict cleanroom standards during installation and operation. HOLANG engineers design every nitrogen generation system with these requirements in mind. All fittings, hoses, and valves are tested for leak tightness, low VOC emissions, and anti-static performance.

The equipment is delivered in pre-tested modules for quick integration inside clean zones. The modular installation method reduces construction time by up to 40 percent compared to conventional systems. Future maintenance can be performed on individual modules without interrupting nitrogen supply to the production line.

During commissioning, the PSA nitrogen system typically lowers oxygen concentration from ambient 21 percent to below 5 ppm within 30 minutes, while maintaining a dew point between -55°C and -60°C. This ensures that testing equipment operates under consistent atmospheric conditions from the very start.

5. Data That Proves Stability

After six months of operation at a semiconductor packaging and testing facility, the results confirmed the system’s performance:

  • Oxygen fluctuation reduced by 80 percent

  • No downtime caused by cylinder changeovers

  • Annual nitrogen cost reduced by about 30 percent

  • Maintenance intervals extended from monthly to quarterly

  • Energy efficiency improved by more than 10 percent

Technicians no longer needed to monitor gauges or pause operations for stabilization. The nitrogen system maintained steady performance around the clock, allowing engineers to focus on process improvement instead of gas management.

6. From Equipment to Intelligent Nitrogen Systems

Today’s nitrogen generators are far more than mechanical devices. HOLANG’s PSA nitrogen system collects and records real-time data on purity, flow, energy usage, and operating hours. Through PLC control and data logging, users can perform predictive maintenance and identify performance trends.

When integrated with a factory’s MES or SCADA platform, the nitrogen generation system becomes a fully visible energy node. It enables data-driven decisions that improve efficiency and prevent unexpected downtime. This digital transparency turns nitrogen generation into a strategic component of intelligent manufacturing.

7. Efficiency and Sustainability

Switching from nitrogen cylinders to an on-site PSA nitrogen system offers clear environmental and economic benefits:

  • No transportation or cylinder rental emissions

  • No residual gas loss or waste

  • Lower energy consumption per cubic meter of nitrogen

  • Reduced safety risks from high-pressure storage

  • Less operator dependency through automation

These improvements contribute to long-term cost savings and sustainability. The modular design ensures that the nitrogen system remains energy-efficient and easy to maintain throughout its lifecycle.

8. Applications Beyond Semiconductors

Although developed for semiconductor environments, HOLANG’s PSA nitrogen systems are also used in many precision-driven industries:

  • Electronics assembly and SMT reflow soldering

  • Laser cutting and metal fabrication

  • Lithium battery manufacturing

  • Food and beverage packaging

  • Pharmaceutical and laboratory processes

This wide range of applications demonstrates the versatility of HOLANG’s nitrogen generators. Each project is customized according to required flow rate, purity, and system design to achieve reliable and cost-effective operation.

Conclusion: Stability Defines Precision

In semiconductor testing, success depends on repeatability. A stable atmosphere is the foundation for accurate measurement and consistent product quality.

A PSA nitrogen system built on modular design ensures this stability through precise control, scalability, and durability.
From compressed air intake to purified nitrogen output, every part of HOLANG’s system is engineered to maintain reliability and minimize variation.

When accuracy drives competitiveness, a stable nitrogen supply becomes the quiet but essential force behind every successful test. HOLANG’s nitrogen systems deliver that stability—consistently, efficiently, and intelligently.