Hi Colo66, welcome to ecomodding! Interesting to jump in the fray with such a vigorous first post
Nitrogen = Inert is not fully correct. It is LESS reactive, but not entirely inert - only the 'noble gases' - Helium, Neon, Argon, Crypton, Xenon, Radon are inert (ref. highschool chemistry).
Still I do not understand how Nitrogen from the fuel will start cleanup like a janitor on steroids, whereas the air Nitrogen will look on as a cool bystander.... I share that part of your comment! It smells, and not very good...