Characteristics of Nitrogen and Pressure Measurement Challenges

Nitrogen (N₂), as one of the most commonly used inert gases in industrial applications, possesses unique physical and chemical properties that impose special requirements on pressure measurement equipment device. First, nitrogen (N₂) is a colorless, odorless gas at standard temperature and pressure, with a density slightly lower than air (1.25g/L vs. air's 1.29g/L), which means gas dynamic characteristics must be considered for pipeline flow measurement. Second, nitrogen is chemically extremely stable and rarely reacts with other substances. While this reduces corrosion risks, it also renders traditional sensors based on chemical reactions or adsorption principles ineffective.


In industrial processes, nitrogen pressure ranges vary dramatically—from low-pressure nitrogen produced by air separation equipment (possibly as low as a few kPa) to high-pressure storage tanks (up to 40MPa or more). Meanwhile, nitrogen temperature can range from cryogenic liquid nitrogen at -196°C to several hundred degrees Celsius in high-temperature processes. These extreme operating conditions demand measurement equipment with exceptional environmental adaptability and stable performance.


Particularly noteworthy is that nitrogen under high pressure may exhibit non-ideal gas behavior, deviating from the ideal gas equation of state. This requires pressure measurement devices to precisely compensate for temperature effects. Furthermore, in industries with stringent purity requirements like semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, measurement equipment must ensure zero contamination, avoiding any potential material outgassing or adsorption effects.

Technical Advantages of SH308-M Series Pressure Transmitters

H308-M Series Pressure Transmitters is perfect choice for N2 pressure measurement

The SH308-M series pressure transmitter employs a monocrystalline silicon resonant sensor chip and advanced MEMS technology, perfectly meeting the stringent requirements of nitrogen measurement.

Its core technical advantages are reflected in the following aspects:

✔ World-Leading Overpressure Performance

The pressure transmitter features a unique monocrystalline silicon sensor design with overpressure capability up to 50MPa, far exceeding conventional diffused silicon or ceramic capacitive sensors https://www.silverinstruments.com/ceramic-pressure-sensor.html. For nitrogen systems prone to pressure fluctuations or accidental shocks, this superior overload protection capability effectively prevents sensor damage. Product specifications show that even for 40MPa (5800  psi) -range nitrogen systems, the transmitter maintains ±0.1%FS/MPa overpressure stability, which is particularly critical for high-pressure nitrogen storage tanks and pipeline systems.

✔ Exceptional Temperature Adaptability on N2 pressure sensor

The SH308-M series operates within a temperature range of -40°C to +85°C (with fluorocarbon oil filling: -10°C to +60°C) and can be stored at -40°C to +90°C. This wide temperature range enables it to adapt to various conditions from liquid nitrogen vaporization to high-temperature nitrogen processing. Notably, its environmental temperature effect is only ±0.1%FS/10°C, meaning measurements will hardly drift even in applications with drastic nitrogen temperature changes.

✔ Unmatched Long-Term Stability

The monocrystalline silicon sensor exhibits minimal creep and hysteresis effects, achieving long-term stability of ±0.2%URL/year. For continuously operating nitrogen systems (such as air separation units or protective gas systems), this translates to significantly reduced calibration frequency and lower maintenance costs. In comparison, traditional strain gauge sensors typically exhibit drift an order of magnitude higher.

✔ Flexible Configuration Options on process connection

The product offers various pressure types (gauge, absolute), multiple process connections (G1/2, NPT1/2, M20×1.5, etc.), and different diaphragm materials (SUS316L, Hastelloy C-276, etc.). For ultra-high-purity nitrogen applications, a gold-plated 316L diaphragm option is available to completely eliminate material outgassing contamination risks. This modular design allows the SH308-M to perfectly adapt to special requirements across various nitrogen systems.

✔ Digital Nitrogen pressure transmitters

The SH308-M features a digital display with backlight for real-time pressure monitoring and supports 4-20mA+HART analog output for universal compatibility. It can be optionally equipped with MODBUS RTU (RS485) for seamless integration into digital control systems. This versatile transmitter combines local readability with remote communication capabilities, offering both convenience and flexibility for industrial automation.
We also attach MODBUS RTU(RS485 ) setting documents for N2 pressure transmitters >> DOWNLOAD

Typical Applications of SH308-M in Nitrogen Systems

1. Air Separation Nitrogen System Monitoring

In pressure swing adsorption (PSA) or membrane separation nitrogen systems, the SH308-M can accurately measure adsorption tower pressure changes (typically 0-1MPa range). Its 100:1 turndown ratio allows the same transmitter to cover various operating conditions from startup to full load, while the 0.075% high accuracy ensures precise oxygen content analysis. Built-in temperature compensation automatically corrects for environmental temperature variations, guaranteeing 24/7 continuous operation reliability.

2. High-Pressure Nitrogen Storage Tank Safety Monitoring

For high-pressure nitrogen storage tanks up to 40MPa, the SH308-M's 50MPa overpressure protection provides dual safety assurance. The IP67 protection rating withstands harsh outdoor environments, while the Hastelloy diaphragm version resists potential trace corrosive impurities. Through HART protocol, operators can remotely monitor pressure trends and promptly detect abnormalities.

3. Semiconductor Industry Ultra-High-Purity Nitrogen Control

In semiconductor manufacturing, the SH308-M's gold-plated 316L diaphragm option fully complies with SEMI F20 standards for metallic ion outgassing. The 0.1% high accuracy combined with a fast 0.25-second response time enables precise nitrogen flow control in critical processes like lithography and etching. The three-button local operation allows quick on-site calibration without frequent cover removal that might introduce contamination.

4. Liquid Nitrogen Vaporization Systems

Although the SH308-M cannot directly measure -196°C liquid nitrogen, it performs exceptionally well in vaporized low-temperature nitrogen pipelines (-50°C to 0°C). The fluorocarbon oil-filled version operates stably at -10°C low temperatures, while its outstanding static pressure performance (N/A) ensures measurement consistency across varying saturation vapor pressures.

Selection and Installation Recommendations

Considering nitrogen application specifics, we recommend the following SH308-M configuration principles:

1. Pressure Range Selection:

Choose a range 1.5 times the system's maximum working pressure, not exceeding 40MPa. For example, for 10MPa working pressure, select a 0-16MPa range.
We list all N2 pressure sensor range and URL:

2. Diaphragm Material Selection:

- Standard industrial nitrogen: Standard 316L stainless steel
- Nitrogen with trace corrosive components: Hastelloy C-276
- Ultra-high purity requirements: Gold-plated 316L

3. Process Connection Types:

- High-pressure systems: 1/2"NPT(F) ,M20* 1.5 or G1/2
- Frequent disassembly required: Tri-clamp sanitary connections (special order required)

4. Output you need for n2 Pressure transmitters

-Although all our n2 pressure transmitters with 4-20mA output, but you need to specify whether you need MODBUS MODBUS, HART for your applications.

5. Special Options:

- High-temperature nitrogen: Select heat sink (R1/R2/R3)
- Vibration present: Adjust damping time setting (0-99.9 seconds adjustable)

Installation notes:

- Avoid installing transmitters where liquid nitrogen might directly contact
- For high-pressure applications, recommend U-bolt mounting on 50mm pipes
- Signal cables should maintain at least 15cm separation from power cables, avoiding parallel routing

Maintenance and Calibration

The SH308-M's modular design enables extremely simple maintenance:
1. Daily checks only require zero drift inspection (can be calibrated locally via three buttons)
2. Annual comprehensive performance verification (recommend using a standard device with at least 3x higher accuracy)
3. Fill fluid replacement every 3-5 years (depending on operating environment)

Using HART communicators or configuration software, engineers can:

- Remotely diagnose sensor health
- Adjust damping time to optimize dynamic response
- Set alarm currents (adjustable 3.6-22.8mA)
- View critical parameters like cumulative operation time

This performance advantage gives the SH308-M exceptional cost-effectiveness in nitrogen measurement applications. Although initial investment is slightly higher, its long-term stability, minimal maintenance requirements, and extended service life result in significantly lower total cost of ownership (TCO).

Conclusion
The SH308-M series pressure transmitter, with its monocrystalline silicon resonant technology and innovative MEMS design, perfectly addresses various challenges in nitrogen measurement. Whether for ultra-high-pressure storage tanks, ultra-pure semiconductor applications, or conditions with drastic temperature variations, it delivers stable, precise, and reliable measurement data. Combined with flexible configuration options and simple maintenance features, the SH308-M is undoubtedly the ideal choice for nitrogen system pressure monitoring.

For users pursuing maximum reliability and lowest lifecycle costs, we strongly recommend the SH308-M as the core component for nitrogen measurement systems. Visit Silver Instruments' official website or contact local distributors for customized selection advice and technical support tailored to specific applications.