New equipment helps truckers cut costs and enhance safety

There are several compelling reasons to use pure nitrogen in tyres, according to Gerald Quinlivan, commercial and sales manager for Intaka Tech. Not only does it save costs and time, it also dramatically improves safety. Cape Town-based Intaka Tech, suppliers of Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) systems to hospitals to produce medical oxygen, has recently extended its product offering to an equipment range that allows one to fill tyres with nitrogen in one’s own yard when trucks are resting. “Oxygen in air leaks out of tyres faster while the nitrogen maintains tyre pressure longer. The result is a dramatically slower rate of pressure loss in a tyre filled with nitrogen,” explained Quinlivan. “The key benefit – besides a slower rate of pressure loss – is a cooler running temperature of tyres that ultimately leads to a saving in money, time and tyres. In effect, more stable tyre pressures over the long term and more consistent inflation pressures.” According to Quinlivan, studies in the USA have shown that nitrogen-filled tyres improve fuel economy up to 6% on a monthly fuel bill, reduce tyre oxidation and eliminate interior wheel corrosion. “It also increases safety as the tyres last longer. Tyre failures have been found to be reduced by 50% while tread life is increased by 25-30%,” he said. “The overall performance of the vehicle is better as the nitrogenfilled tyres improve steering, handling and braking while at the same time reducing the chance of failure.” He said nitrogen was also no longer expensive to produce. “Using the improved technology, the PSA generators produce nitrogen from the air we breathe using compressed air. These generators are also simple to install, safe and costeffective.” Endorsed by most tyre manufacturers, nitrogen is being recognised more and more as the ultimate tyre inflation gas, said Quinlivan. CAPTION Gerald Quinlivan with the specialised equipment … ‘Improved technology allows one to fill tyres with nitrogen in one’s own yard when trucks are resting.’