High Purity Gases

Inert Gas

Argon is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-toxic. As a noble gas, it is chemically inert, meaning it does not readily react with other elements or compounds. This inert nature makes argon useful in various applications.

Abundance

Argon is relatively abundant in Earth's atmosphere, constituting about 0.93% of the air. It is produced through the distillation of liquid air, where it is separated from other gases.

Applications:

• Welding: Argon is commonly used as a shielding gas in welding processes, providing a stable and inert atmosphere to protect the weld area from atmospheric contaminants.

• Electronics: In the electronics industry, argon is used in the production of semiconductors and other electronic components.

• Lighting: Argon is used in some types of lighting, such as fluorescent tubes and high-intensity discharge lamps.

• Laboratory and Scientific Research: It is used as a carrier gas in chromatography and as a blanketing gas in various laboratory applications.

• Medical: Argon has medical applications, including its use in laser surgery and cryotherapy (freezing tissues).

Isotopes

Argon has three naturally occurring isotopes: ^36Ar, ^38Ar, and ^40Ar. The isotope ^40Ar is particularly important in geochronology, as it is produced through the decay of potassium-40 (^40K) in rocks, and its presence is used in radiometric dating techniques.

Overall, argon's inertness, abundance, and various physical properties make it valuable across a range of industrial, scientific, and medical applications.

Nitrogen (N₂)

Nitrogen makes up the majority of dry air, constituting about 78% of the atmosphere by volume. It is a diatomic molecule composed of two nitrogen atoms.

Oxygen (O₂)

Oxygen is the second most abundant gas in dry air, comprising approximately 21% of the atmosphere. It is essential for the respiration of many organisms, including humans.

Argon (Ar)

Argon is a noble gas that makes up about 0.93% of dry air. It is chemically inert and does not readily react with other elements.

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

Carbon dioxide is a trace gas in dry air, making up about 0.04%. While it is a minor component, it plays a crucial role in the Earth's carbon cycle and contributes to the greenhouse effect.

Neon (Ne), Helium (He), Krypton (Kr), Xenon (Xe)

These noble gases, along with argon, are present in very small amounts in dry air. They are chemically inert and do not participate in most chemical reactions.

Notably, dry air does not contain water vapor. Water vapor is the gaseous state of water, and its presence in the atmosphere is variable and depends on factors such as temperature and humidity. Dry air is often considered in contrast to humid air, which contains a significant amount of water vapor.

The composition of dry air is relatively constant at sea level but can vary at higher altitudes or in different geographic locations. The standard composition, often referred to as "dry air" for practical purposes, serves as a baseline for understanding atmospheric gases and their interactions.

Abundance: Helium is the second most abundant element in the universe, after hydrogen. However, it is relatively scarce on Earth, comprising only about 0.0005% of the atmosphere.

Chemical Inertness: Helium is a noble gas, belonging to Group 18 of the periodic table. It does not readily form compounds with other elements due to its stable electron configuration.

Low Boiling and Melting Points: Helium has the lowest boiling and melting points of all the elements. This characteristic makes it unique and allows it to remain in a gaseous state even at extremely low temperatures.

Lighter Than Air: Helium is lighter than air, which gives it the ability to lift objects. It is commonly used as a lifting gas in balloons, airships, and blimps due to its low density.

Cryogenic Applications: Helium is often used as a cryogenic coolant for various applications, including in superconducting magnets, medical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, and certain laboratory experiments.

Gas Shielding: In welding and other metalworking processes, helium is sometimes used as a shielding gas to prevent oxidation and improve the stability of the arc.

Leak Detection: Because helium is inert and does not react with other substances, it is used for leak detection in various industrial and scientific applications.

Medical Applications: Helium-oxygen mixtures, known as heliox, are used in medicine to assist patients with respiratory conditions. The lower density of helium allows for easier breathing, particularly in cases of airway obstructions.

Space Exploration: Helium is used in various instruments and systems in space exploration missions due to its unique properties, including its low density and inertness.

While helium has diverse applications, it is crucial to note that it is a non-renewable resource on Earth. Its extraction and conservation are important considerations to ensure a stable supply for various scientific, industrial, and medical purposes.

Available Helium Purities

We can supply helium in Dewars as liquid and in high pressure cylinders as gas.

Cylinder Sizes and Gas Volumes

Abundance

Although hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, it is relatively scarce on Earth. It makes up about 0.0001% of the Earth's atmosphere. It is most commonly found in water molecules (H2O) and hydrocarbons.

Diatomic Molecule

In its natural state, hydrogen exists as H2, a diatomic molecule composed of two hydrogen atoms. It is a colorless, odorless, and highly flammable gas.

Chemical Reactivity

Hydrogen is highly reactive and readily forms compounds with other elements. It can act as both an oxidizing agent and a reducing agent in various chemical reactions.

Energy Carrier

Hydrogen is often considered an energy carrier because it can be produced from a variety of sources and used as a fuel. When burned or reacted with oxygen in a fuel cell, it produces water and releases energy.

Fuel

Hydrogen has the potential to be a clean and renewable fuel for various applications, including transportation and power generation. It can be produced through processes like electrolysis using renewable energy sources.

Industrial Uses

Hydrogen is used in the production of ammonia (NH3), a key component in fertilizers. It is also used in the petroleum industry for hydrocracking and desulfurization processes.

Space Exploration

Hydrogen is used as rocket fuel, particularly in combination with oxygen, due to its high energy content. The famous rocket propellant combination is liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX).

Laboratory Applications

In laboratories, hydrogen is used as a reducing agent and a carrier gas in various analytical instruments.

Metallurgical Applications

Hydrogen is used in metallurgical processes, such as the reduction of metals from their ores.

Potential for Energy Storage

Hydrogen is being explored as a potential energy storage medium, especially in the context of renewable energy. It can be produced during periods of excess renewable energy and stored for later use.

It's important to note that while hydrogen has significant potential as a clean energy carrier, its production and utilization must be carefully managed to ensure environmental sustainability and safety.

Natural Gas

Methane is the primary component of natural gas, a fossil fuel that is found in underground reservoirs. Natural gas often contains varying amounts of other hydrocarbons, but methane is typically the major component.

Greenhouse Gas

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, meaning it has the ability to trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere. While it is less abundant than carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane is more effective at trapping heat over shorter time frames. Methane emissions contribute to climate change and global warming.

Biological Production

Methane is produced in various biological processes, including during the digestion of organic matter by certain microbes in environments such as wetlands, landfills, and the digestive systems of animals (enteric fermentation).

Fuel

Methane is used as a fuel for heating, cooking, and electricity generation. It is often preferred for its relatively clean combustion, producing fewer pollutants compared to other fossil fuels.

Methane Hydrates

Methane can form hydrates, which are ice-like structures that contain methane molecules trapped within a lattice of water molecules. Methane hydrates are found in some deep-sea sediments and in permafrost regions.

Renewable Natural Gas

Methane can be produced from organic waste through processes such as anaerobic digestion or by upgrading biogas from landfills. This renewable natural gas (RNG) can be injected into existing natural gas infrastructure.

Industrial Processes

Methane is used in various industrial processes, such as the production of hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol. It is also a feedstock for the synthesis of other chemicals.

Transportation Fuel

Compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) are forms of methane that can be used as alternative fuels in vehicles, reducing emissions compared to traditional gasoline or diesel.

While methane is an important energy resource, its role as a greenhouse gas and contributor to climate change has led to increased efforts to manage and reduce methane emissions. Techniques such as capturing and utilizing methane emissions from waste sources are being explored to mitigate its impact on the environment.

Abundance

Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, constituting about 78% of the air by volume. It is a crucial component of the air we breathe.

Diatomic Molecule

Nitrogen exists as N2, a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It is relatively inert under normal conditions, meaning it does not readily react with other elements or compounds.

Biological Importance

Nitrogen is an essential element for living organisms. It is a key component of amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). Plants obtain nitrogen from the soil, and animals acquire it by consuming plants or other animals.

Industrial Applications

• Manufacturing Ammonia: Nitrogen is a primary component in the production of ammonia (NH3), which is a key ingredient in fertilizers.

• Chemical Synthesis: It is used in various chemical processes, including the synthesis of nitrogen-containing compounds such as nitrates and nitrites.

• Food Preservation: Nitrogen is used in the food industry to create a nitrogen-rich environment, which helps preserve freshness by inhibiting the growth of spoilage microorganisms.

Cryogenic Applications 

Nitrogen becomes a liquid at extremely low temperatures. In its liquid form, it is used in cryogenic applications, such as in the freezing and transportation of food, and in various scientific and medical applications.

Blanketing Gas

Nitrogen is often used as a blanketing or inert gas in industrial processes to displace oxygen and prevent oxidation or combustion. This is particularly important in industries such as electronics and metal manufacturing.

Medical Applications

Nitrogen gas is used in medical applications, such as in cryotherapy for freezing and preserving biological tissues.

Overall, nitrogen's diverse applications, both in industrial and biological contexts, make it a vital element for various processes essential to life and industry.

Abundance

Oxygen is the third-most abundant element in the universe and the most abundant element in Earth's crust. It constitutes about 21% of Earth's atmosphere by volume.

Diatomic Molecule

Oxygen exists as O2, a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It is essential for the survival of many living organisms, including humans.

Biological Importance

Oxygen is crucial for cellular respiration, the process by which cells extract energy from nutrients. In aerobic organisms, including humans, oxygen is used to break down glucose and produce energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Combustion

Oxygen supports combustion, and it is necessary for most forms of combustion reactions. It is often used in industrial processes, such as metal cutting and welding, where high temperatures are required.

Oxidation Reactions

Oxygen participates in oxidation-reduction reactions, where it acts as an oxidizing agent by accepting electrons from other substances. This property is essential in various chemical and biological processes.

Medical Applications

Oxygen is used in medical settings for respiratory support. It is administered to patients who have difficulty breathing or who require additional oxygen due to various medical conditions.

Ozone (O3)

Oxygen also forms ozone (O3) in the Earth's stratosphere, which plays a critical role in absorbing ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, protecting life on Earth from harmful UV rays.

Industrial Uses

Oxygen is widely used in various industrial processes, including metal manufacturing, chemical production, and wastewater treatment.

Space Exploration

Oxygen is a critical component in life support systems for astronauts during space missions. It is used to provide a breathable atmosphere in spacecraft and space stations.

In summary, oxygen is a fundamental element that supports life on Earth, facilitates various chemical reactions, and has practical applications in numerous industrial and medical fields.

Chemical Structure

SF₆ has a unique and stable molecular structure, consisting of a central sulfur atom bonded to six fluorine atoms. This structure results in its remarkable stability and non-reactivity under many conditions.

Density

Sulfur hexafluoride is much denser than air, making it useful for certain applications where its high density can be advantageous.

Electrical Insulator

SF₆ is an excellent electrical insulator, and it is widely used in the electrical industry as a dielectric gas in high-voltage circuit breakers, switchgear, and electrical equipment. It prevents the occurrence of electrical discharges and arcing by providing insulation between conducting parts.

Gaseous Insulation in Transformers

SF₆ is sometimes used as a gaseous insulator in high-voltage transformers, where its high dielectric strength helps prevent electrical breakdown and enhances the overall efficiency of the transformer.

Medical Applications

Sulfur hexafluoride is used as a contrast agent in medical imaging, particularly in echocardiography. Its ability to alter the sound waves in the body makes it useful for visualizing blood vessels and the heart.

Industrial Processes

SF₆ is used in certain industrial processes, such as the manufacturing of semiconductors. It is also used in the production of magnesium and aluminum as a protective gas to prevent oxidation during the refining process.

Greenhouse Gas

Sulfur hexafluoride is a powerful greenhouse gas with a high global warming potential (GWP). Although it occurs in relatively small concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere, it has a significant impact on climate change due to its high potency in trapping heat. Efforts are underway to minimize its release and use alternatives in certain applications.

It's important to note that while SF₆ has valuable properties for specific applications, its environmental impact has led to increased scrutiny and efforts to reduce its use, especially in applications where alternatives with lower global warming potential are available.