How Mobile Compressed Air Helped a Winery Company
Coonawarra Wine Production Case Study Background
In Coonawarra, South Australia, a winery company was expanding its wine production capabilities. Like many modern wineries, the operation relied on precision processes to maintain consistency, quality, and efficiency. One of those processes was nitrogen aeration, a critical step used to protect wine, manage oxidation, and ensure product stability.
As production demand increased, the need for a reliable and scalable nitrogen supply became clear. The site had no nitrogen generation system in place, relying instead on external supply options that introduced cost, delays, and operational constraints.
The business needed a better way to support its winemaking process without adding complexity or ongoing logistical challenges.
The Problem
The company had no nitrogen available onsite. For production processes like wine processing and bottling, that meant relying on bottled nitrogen deliveries. While this works in smaller or less frequent operations, it quickly becomes a limitation when production scales.
Bottled nitrogen introduces several problems. Supply depends on delivery schedules. Costs increase with usage. Storage and handling add operational friction. Most importantly, availability is never fully guaranteed at the exact moment it is needed.
For a winery focused on quality and consistency, that level of uncertainty creates risk. Bottling processes need to be controlled, repeatable, and available on demand. Without a stable nitrogen source, production efficiency suffers.
The company needed a system that could deliver nitrogen reliably, without ongoing reliance on external supply chains.
The Solution
Mobile Compressed Air worked with the client to design a system that would remove these constraints entirely.
The recommended solution was the NS-7 Nitrogen Generator, selected for its ability to produce nitrogen onsite, on demand, and at a consistent quality level.
Rather than continuing with bottled supply, the system generates nitrogen directly from compressed air. This removes the need for deliveries, reduces ongoing costs, and ensures the process is always supported when required.
To ensure the system performed at the level required for wine production, several key components were included in the installation.
The NS-7 generator was supplied alongside buffer and receiver tanks. These help stabilise supply and maintain consistent flow during peak usage. A dryer was also installed to ensure clean, dry air enters the generator, protecting performance and ensuring nitrogen purity.
Mobile Compressed Air worked with the site to ensure that it was a complete system designed to support process reliability, air quality, and long-term efficiency.
The Process
The project followed a clear, structured approach from first contact through to commissioning.
Initial meetings were held to understand the client’s production requirements, current limitations, and future plans. From there, Mobile Compressed Air presented the NS-7 system in detail, outlining how it would integrate into the existing setup and replace bottled nitrogen.
The proposal focused on practical outcomes, which included cost effectiveness, increased reliability, and full autonomy over nitrogen supply.
Once the quote was submitted, the client moved forward based on both the technical suitability of the solution and the ability to deliver within their required timeframe.
Supply and installation were completed efficiently, with careful coordination to ensure minimal disruption to ongoing operations. The system was then commissioned and tested to confirm performance and output.
The Results
The impact of the installation was immediate, with their operations now receiving a reliable, constant nitrogen supply on site. There is no reliance on external deliveries, risking the possibility of downtime across their production stages. This change improves both operational efficiency and process control. Their operations can now be carried out exactly when needed, with consistent results across batches.
From a cost perspective, the shift away from bottled nitrogen removes ongoing logistics expenses. Over time, this delivers significant savings while simplifying day-to-day operations.
The system also supports future growth. As production increases, nitrogen demand can be met without changing infrastructure or introducing new supply challenges.
Pricing and Value Consideration
Bottled nitrogen may appear to be the simpler and cheaper option at first glance. However, there are additional ongoing expenses such as delivery fees, handling, and storage. Your operations must also account for potential downtime if bottled deliveries are delayed.
An onsite generator like the NS-7 involves upfront investment, however, it eliminates the aforementioned administration costs. Similar to air compressors, sites would have to only account for electricity usage. With companies already using solar energy, this electricity cost can be significantly reduced.
For businesses with consistent nitrogen demand, the return on investment becomes clear relatively quickly.
Why It Worked
Mobile Compressed Air worked with the winery to ensure that they are providing a solution that is reliable and fit-for-purpose. The nitrogen generation system provided consistent, autonomous nitrogen, while the supporting components ensured that the system operated at the required standard.
Additionally, the team completed the supply and installation within the winery’s required time frame, ensuring continued operations for the company, which is a testament to the extensive technical experience that comes from working with the South Australian industry for more than four decades.
Lessons for Other Food and Beverage Facilities
If your process relies on nitrogen, supply matters more than you might think.
Relying on bottled gas can work in the beginning of production phase however it, often becomes a limitation as demand grows.
With onsite gas generation you can future-proof operations as Mobile Compressed Air’s gas generators are modular and can scale as your production capacity increases. Moreover, it is highly cost effective as you increase production volumes, reducing operating costs in each product.
Client Feedback
The client confirmed that the system is running well and meeting expectations. They are satisfied with both the installation process and the ongoing performance of the equipment.
Moving Forward
Mobile Compressed Air continues to support the client with service, guidance, and future planning.
For food and beverage producers, especially in wine regions like Coonawarra, having reliable process support is essential. Nitrogen plays a key role in product quality and having it available when needed makes a measurable difference.
If uninterrupted and reliable nitrogen supply is crucial to your operations, contact our friendly team today for a custom ROI report: Get In Touch