Industrial Gases – What Are They?

Industrial gases are gaseous materials that are produced for commercial use. Made up of molecular compounds, mixtures, or elements, the most commonly used industrial gases include hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen as well as noble gases like neon, argon, krypton, and xenon.

Many of these gases can also used in domestic settings however they’re supplied in larger cylinders for use in industrial applications. Often, industrial gases are used and sold in their pure state, while in others, they’re mixed with various other gases.

Industrial gases have to be ready for use at all times, so they must be adequately stored and safely transported. That is why some types of industrial gas, for example, argon, oxygen, LNG, nitrogen, and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) must be stored inside cylinders for transport and distribution. At innergy, our industrial gas cylinders are supplied in a wide range of sizes to suit all kinds of applications.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen gas is suitable for use across numerous industries and sectors, including for food and beverage manufacturing where it is used for packaging both still and fizzy drinks, and for extending the life of packaged foods. There are other uses for nitrogen too, including in air conditioning units and for inflating motorsport car tyres, and one popular use is for welding.

Carbon Dioxide

There are many different ways to use carbon dioxide, and you’ll find it in use across many industries including food and drink manufacturing. It’s used for purposes as diverse as promoting aquarium plant growth and creating special theatrical effects, but one of its most popular industrial uses is for making beer. Carbon dioxide gas creates the refreshing fizz that we all know and love.

Helium

Helium is perhaps best known for being the gas that keeps balloons in the air (and for giving people an unusual-sounding voice!) but it’s very useful in industrial applications too. It’s used in the manufacturing process for fibre optics and LCD panels, and it’s a commonly used welding gas used in MIG welding when working with metals such as aluminium.

Argon

Argon is an inert gas, and it’s regularly combined with other gases for use in welding non-ferrous metals. That makes it a vital part of the commercial welding sector. Furthermore, it’s used when making neon lights as well as during 3D printing.

Acetylene

One of the most efficient fuel gases, acetylene is capable of reaching scorching temperatures, and that makes it ideal for industrial cutting and welding. It’s also perfect for flame gouging, brazing, hardening, spot heating, cleaning, thermal spraying, and texturing many different materials. The materials and glass processes industrial often use this gas during the carbon coating process since it can provide a surface between materials that is lubricated.

Storing Industrial Gases Safely

It couldn’t be more important to store industrial gases safely as they can all pose a hazard when stored or used incorrectly. Extreme care is required when handling and transporting these different gases types, and specialised cylinders are needed for them.

Nitrogen, Helium, Oxygen, and Carbon Dioxide are all common industrial gases transported via a high-pressure gas cylinder; these cylinders are made up of aluminium or steel. Gases under high pressure can be hazardous, so having them inspected regularly and stored correctly is vital.

While acetylene is highly efficient, it can sometimes be dangerous to use since it is known to undergo a potentially hazardous chemical reaction called decomposition, which occurs when an excessive amount of heat is generated, causing the gas to ignite itself. For that reason, it’s imperative to store acetylene in a different way from other types of industrial gases. It must be dissolved before being stored inside special cylinders designed with a porous filler material that will help to keep it stable and safe.

When it comes to LPG, storage in pressurised tanks or cylinders is vital. LPG is a highly flammable substance, as well as being an asphyxiant. Hence, handling and storing these in the correct LPG cylinders designed to hold this gas safely is extremely important.

If you’re in need of industrial gases, innergy is on hand to help. As trusted suppliers of gas bottles and cylinders, we can supply you with the gases that you require. We stock a wide variety of industrial gases from LPG and acetylene to nitrogen, oxygen, argon and argon mixes, so whatever your requirements, we can meet your needs at highly competitive prices.

LPG – Liquefied Petroleum Gas

The term LPG or Liquefied Petroleum Gas is used to refer to a liquefied form of hydrocarbon gas. Highly efficient as a fuel, LPG is colourless and produces little carbon when burned, making it an eco-friendly choice within the industrial sector. There are two main kinds of LPG – butane, and propane, both of which are mentioned below, and both are used widely in commercial and industrial applications, from fuelling forklift trucks to providing heating.

Propane

There are numerous ways in which propane can be used in the industrial sector, although primarily it’s used in manufacturing processes. It’s commonly used when creating plastic, running the machines that are needed to produce items in factories around the world. Propane is also used for industrial metal cutting, for manufacturing rubber, and for making solvents.

Not only is propane used as a component in manufacturing, it’s also an efficient fuel for use across commercial applications. For example, it can be used for heating rooms and water, for drying clothing, and for cooking food, making it an ideal alternative to natural gas.

Butane

Butane is most commonly seen in use as a fuel in portable gas heaters. It’s a cost-effective and more environmentally friendly alternative to mains gas when heating single rooms rather than an entire house. Not only are butane portable gas heaters used in domestic homes, but they’re also found in use by businesses in small offices and other commercial environments where space heating is required.

To get a quote, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the innergy team today.