Gas Application

Blanketing:
The use of gas to maintain an inert atmosphere above a liquid or powdered product inside a storage tank, silo, reactor, process equipment or other vessel. The inert gas will help prevent product degradation from moisture and oxygen, control volatile emissions and safeguard against fires and explosions.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen

Controlled Atmospheric Storage:
A technique used to preserve fresh fruits and vegetables by modifying the gaseous composition of the atmosphere in which the commodity is stored. The atmosphere is closely monitored and precisely controlled to maintain the desired gas proportions of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ethylene throughout the storage period. Ethylene is naturally produced by the commodity.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen, Ethylene

Drip Irrigation:
Carbon dioxide, dissolved into drip irrigation water with an injector, can increase crop yields. Farm and greenhouse tests show that there is an improved uptake of nutrients such as phosphorus, manganese, zinc, and nitrogen by many plants fed with carbon dioxide treated water. Farmers can expect increased yields and profits on such high value crops as cotton, tomatoes, grapes and strawberries.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide

Grain Fumigation:
The use of carbon dioxide to kill 100% of all life stages (eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults) of insects which have infested agricultural commodities in silos and warehouses. The process requires that the commodity remain sealed in a carbon dioxide atmosphere for at least four days. The agricultural market for carbon dioxide fumigation includes grain, flour, oats, rice and tobacco. Liquid nitrogen is sometimes used in animal occupied areas.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Liquid Nitrogen

Greenhouse Atmosphere Enrichment:
Many greenhouse crops will grow faster when exposed to elevated levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Greenhouse carbon dioxide levels are increased from 350 ppm to 600-1000 ppm by direct injection to the greenhouse atmosphere. Greenhouse vents must be closed to contain the supplemental carbon dioxide, so enrichment is usually employed during the winter.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide

Gas Application

Aquaculture:
An ever increasing share of the fish eaten by the consumer is farm raised. Aquaculture facilities often use oxygen to increase production and fish rearing densities. This is achieved by raising the dissolved oxygen (DO) content of the fish water.
Gases Used
Oxygen

Gas Application

Blanketing:
The use of gas to maintain an inert atmosphere above a liquid or powdered product inside a storage tank, silo, reactor, process equipment or other vessel. The inert gas will help prevent product degradation from moisture and oxygen, control volatile emissions and safeguard against fires and explosions.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen

Pipe Freezing:
The use of liquid gases to freeze a section of a pipeline’s contents. The frozen section, or plug, permits work such as valve repairs, the addition of tees or tap offs, or the extension of existing pipelines without draining of the entire system. Only liquids which freeze a the liquid gas temperature, such as water, glycol, and some oils can be handled by the process.
Gases Used
Liquid Carbon Dioxide, Liquid Nitrogen

Pressure Testing:
The use of inert gas to pressurize new, repaired, or modified tanks, pipelines, vessels, and process equipment in order to check their integrity. Dry, inert gases will not contaminate the system with moisture, lubricants or oxygen as will pressure testing with compressed air or water. Also known as leak testing.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Helium, Nitrogen

Pressure Transfer:
The use of nitrogen to transfer liquid or powder products to and from railcars, tanker trucks, or storage vessels without requiring pumps, mechanical compressors or external power sources. Dry, inert nitrogen is ideal for transferring toxic fluids, highly viscous fluids, ethical pharmaceuticals, flammable products, and materials which become corrosive when contacted with moisture.
Gases Used
Nitrogen

Process Chilling:
The use of liquid gases as a refrigerant for temperature control in a variety of processes, including solvent recovery, food processing, flour chilling and chemical processes. Liquid gases can achieve a lower temperature and provide a faster cooldown rate than mechanical refrigeration systems. This application may be especially attractive at locations where the generated gases can be used for an additional application, such as blanketing.
Gases Used
Liquid Carbon Dioxide, Liquid Nitrogen

Purging:
The use of inert gas to displace air, flammable vapors, and contaminant from storage tanks, pipelines, process equipment, railcars, ocean bound containers, or other vessels. Commonly use prior to initially filling a vessel with a customer’s product.
Gases Used
Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen

Feedstock Gases:
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen, Nitrogen Oxygen

Streamlining:
The use of oxygen to enrich the air in oxidation processes to increase throughput and improve productivity.
Gases Used
Oxygen

Gas Application

Blanketing:
The use of gas to maintain an inert atmosphere above a liquid or powdered product inside a storage tank, silo, reactor, process equipment or other vessel. The inert gas will help prevent product degradation from moisture and oxygen, control volatile emissions and safeguard against fires and explosions.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen

pH Control:
The use of carbon dioxide to control the pH levels of alkaline wastewater, cooling water, drinking water, and industrial process water systems. Carbon dioxide, a mildly acidic gas, will lower the pH of alkaline effluents without the storage, handling and safety problems associated with strongly acidic chemicals, such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide

Pipe Freezing:
The use of liquid gases to freeze a section of a pipeline to permit performing work such as valve repairs, the addition of tees or tap offs, or the extension of existing pipelines without draining the entire piping system of its contents. The pipelines containing liquids which freeze at the liquid gas temperature, such as water, glycol, and some oils can be handled by the process.
Gases Used
Liquid Carbon Dioxide, Liquid Nitrogen

Pressure and Leak Testing:
The use of inert gas to pressurize new, repaired, or modified tanks, pipelines, vessels, and process equipment in order to check their integrity and leak tightness. Dry, inert gases will not contaminate the system with moisture, lubricants or oxygen as will pressure testing with compressed air or water.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Helium, Nitrogen

Purging:
The use of inert gas to displace air, flammable vapors, and contaminants from storage tanks, pipelines, process equipment, railcars, ocean bound containers, or other vessels.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen

Sparging:
The use of inert gas to displace air, flammable vapors, and contaminants from storage tanks, pipelines, process equipment, railcars, ocean bound containers, or other vessels.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen

Gas Application

Blanketing:
The use of gas to maintain an inert atmosphere above a liquid or powdered product inside a storage tank, silo, reactor, process equipment or other vessel. The inert gas will help prevent product degradation from moisture and oxygen, control volatile emissions, and safeguard against fires and explosions.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen

Food Freezing/Chilling:
The cryogenic properties of liquid gases are used for the freezing and chilling of food products. Liquid gases can achieve a lower temperature and provide a faster cool down rate than mechanical refrigeration systems. The use of cryogenic spiral, tunnel, immersion or batch freezer for food freezing, or snow horn or bottom injection system for chilling, will generally result in increased production, reduced dehydration losses, reduced bacteriological activity, increased shelf life, and improved efficiency versus mechanical freezers.
Gases Used
Liquid Carbon Dioxide, Liquid Nitrogen, CO₂ vs LIN Freezing, Cryogenic freezing vs Mechanical, Batch freezer, Mini-batch
freezer

Controlled Atmosphere Storage:
A technique used to preserve fresh fruits and vegetables or enhance ripening by modifying the gaseous composition of the atmosphere in which the food products are stored. The atmosphere is closely monitored and precisely controlled to maintain the desired gas proportions of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and ethylene throughout the storage period.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Ethylene

Grain Fumigation:
The use of oxygen deficient atmosphere to kill 100% of all life stages (eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults) of insects which have infested agricultural commodities such as grain, flour, oats, rice and tobacco in silos and warehouses. The process requires that the commodity remain sealed in a carbon dioxide or nitrogen atmosphere for at least four days.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen

Modified Atmosphere Packaging:
The use of pure gas and/or gas mixtures to prolong the shelf life of raw fresh and processed foods by retarding/inhibiting the spoilage mechanisms that affect product quality. During packaging the air is purged or evacuated from the interior of the package, replaced with a gas or gas mixture, and quickly sealed. Selection of the correct gas or gas mixture is dependent on such factors as food product, whether it is raw or processed and packaging material.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen, Nitrogen/Carbon Dioxide Mixture, Nitrogen/Carbon Dioxide/Oxygen Mixture

pH Control:
The use of carbon dioxide to control the pH levels of alkaline wastewater, cooling water, drinking water, and industrial process water systems. Carbon dioxide, a mildly acidic gas, will lower the pH of alkaline effluents without storage, handling and safety problems associated with strongly acidic chemicals, such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide

Sparging:
The use of Nitrogen reduces the concentration of dissolved gas (usually oxygen) in a liquid, or to fluff a product. Desolved oxygen removal generally results in increased shelf life and prevents oxidation, discoloration, and flavor and aroma loss.
Gases Used
Nitrogen

Undercover Gassing:
Nitrogen flushes out oxygen from the headspace of lidded containers immediately before sealing. This technique can extend the shelf life of oxygen sensitive products. Undercover Gassing can be used with liquids, solids and powders packaged in cans, jars or bottles. Examples include canned nuts canned condensed milk, and bottled beer.
Gases Used
Nitrogen

Gas Application

Cryogenic Preservation:
The use of liquid nitrogen in a minimally invasive technique to destroy unhealthy tissue.

Healthcare Equipment:
The use of gases to calibrate medical instrumentation, operate surgical equipment, and as an atmosphere for the growth of biological cultures. Special filling, handling, and analysis procedures are maintained to ensure compliance with Food and Drug Administration guidelines.

Inhalation Gases:
A group of gases for use with humans. Their uses include life support, respiratory therapy, pulmonary function testing, and anesthesia for surgical procedures. Categorized as a drug by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), special filling, handling, and analysis procedures are maintained to ensure compliance with FDA guidelines.

Lasers:
Lasers are used in laser surgery.

Gas Application

Oxygen Enriched Melting:
Substituting oxygen for air in secondary aluminum smelting achieves higher productivity and energy efficiency, less flue gas, and reduced melt time and NOx emissions.
Gases Used
Oxygen

Aluminum Degassing:
The removal of contaminants, such as dissolved compounds, gaseous hydrogen, and metal oxides from molten aluminum. Various degassing systems use a gas or gas mixture injected into the melt to produce metal free of porosity (bubbles) and other imperfections which weaken the finished aluminum.
Gases Used
Argon, Nitrogen, Argon and/or Nitrogen mixed with Chlorine or Sulfur Hexafluoride

Aluminum Extrusion Inerting:
Inert gas is used to reduce the formation of oxides on the surface of aluminum extrusions and increase productivity. During the extrusion process constant flow of nitrogen or liquid nitrogen is injected through grooves machined in the extrusion die to displace the air around the hot (800-1000°F) extruded aluminum.
Gases Used
Nitrogen, Liquid Nitrogen

Molten Bath Blanketing:
Cryogenic and gaseous argon and nitrogen Molten Bath
Gases Used
Argon, Liquid Argon

Blanketing:
Provide chemical inerting in highly-reactive or toxic alloying and reduces surface oxidation and metal vaporization
Gases Used
Nitrogen, Liquid Nitrogen

Steel Production

Gas Application

Stirring:
Nitrogen, carbon dioxide or argon bubbled through molten metal in BOF and EAF furnaces improves slag/metal mixing, increases melt yield, and lowers carbon and oxygen content in steel.
Gases Used
Argon, Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide

Steel Reheating:
Use of oxygen enrichment or oxy-fuel burners in steel re-heat furnaces improve furnace productivity, reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
Gases Used
Oxygen

Post Combustion:
Post-combustion technologies are used for injecting secondary oxygen in the head space of BOF and EAF furnaces to burn carbon monoxide generated in steelmaking processes to carbon dioxide.
Gases Used
Oxygen

Slag Splashing:
Slag Splashing utilizes high pressure, high volume nitrogen to splatter the slag in the BOF furnace to coat the refractory walls. The slag extends the life of the refractory by protecting the refractory walls from molten metal.
Gases Used
Nitrogen

Iron Runner Blanketing:
Purging of the headspace of covered iron runners in blast furnace prevents oxidation of iron and generation of fumes.
Gases Used
Nitrogen

Oxygen Enrichment:
Adding oxygen to the blast furnace & ladle improves productivity; Adding Oxygen to combustion air or directly injecting oxygen into the tuyere of cupola increases melt rates, improves spout temperature control, and enhances carbon pick-up.
Gases Used
Oxygen

Casting Degassing:
Injection of inert or specialty gases facilitates the removal of detrimental soluble gases.
Gases Used
Argon, Nitrogen

Molten Metal Blanketing:
Inert gas blanketing during melting in induction and crucible furnaces produces an oxygen deficient atmosphere which reduces gas pick up and oxide formation.
Gases Used
Argon, Nitrogen

Molten Bath Blanketing:
During the melting of many metals and alloys, atmospheric Oxygen may combine with the liquid metal and form an Oxide. Cryogenic and gaseous Ar and N₂ Molten Bath Blanketing: provides chemical inerting in highly-reactive or toxic alloying and reduces surface oxidation and metal vaporization
Gases Used
Argon, Liquid Argon

Argon Oxygen Decarburization (AOD):
Argon/oxygen injection provides efficient desulfurization, decarburization, degassing and bath mixing with minimal metal oxidation.
Gases Used
Argon, Nitrogen

Metals Fabrication

Gas Application

Heat Treating:
In heat treating, the controlled use of specific gas or gas mixture atmosphere, time and temperature combine to change the internal structure of pure and alloy metals. By adjusting the heat treat atmosphere, time or temperature combination, materials can be made harder, stronger, or softer; one better suited for its end use.
Gases Used
Argon, Helium, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Nitrogen/Hydrogen Mixture, Nitrogen/Methanol Mixture

Lasers:
High powered lasers used for cutting and welding require various gases for operation.
Gases Used
Argon, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Helium, Hydrogen, Neon, Nitrogen

Shrink Fitting:
A process which joins two metal parts, one inside the other, with interference fit. The inner part cooled with liquid gases will contract sufficiently to allow insertion into an uncooled outer part. As the inner part warms to ambient temperature, it will expand, joining the two parts via a force or interference fit.
Gases Used
Liquid Nitrogen, Liquid Carbon Dioxide

Gas Application

Blanketing:
The use of gas to maintain an inert atmosphere above a liquid or powdered product inside a storage tank, silo, reactor, process equipment or other vessel. The inert gas will help prevent product degradation from moisture and oxygen, control volatile emissions and safeguard against fires and explosions.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen

Pipe Freezing:
The use of liquid gases to freeze a section of a pipeline to permit performing work such as valve repairs, the addition of tees or tap offs, or the extension of existing pipelines without draining the entire piping system of its contents. The pipelines containing liquids which freeze at the liquid gas temperature, such as water, glycol, and some oils can be handled by the process.
Gases Used
Liquid Carbon Dioxide, Liquid Nitrogen

Pressure and Leak Testing:
The use of inert gas to pressurize new, repaired, or modified tanks, pipelines, vessels, and process equipment in order to check their integrity and leak tightness. Dry, inert gases will not contaminate the system with moisture, lubricants or oxygen as will pressure testing with compressed air or water.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Helium, Nitrogen

Process Chilling:
The use of liquid gases as a refrigerant for temperature control in a variety of processes, including solvent recovery or chemical ingredients production. Liquid gases can achieve a lower temperature and provide a faster cool down rate than mechanical refrigeration systems
Gases Used
Liquid Carbon Dioxide, Liquid Nitrogen

Purging:
The use of inert gas to displace air, flammable vapors, and contaminants from storage tanks, pipelines, process equipment, railcars, ocean bound containers, or other vessels.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen

Shrink Fitting:
A process which joins two metal parts, one inside the other, with interference fit. The inner part cooled with liquid gases will contract sufficiently to allow insertion into an uncooled outer part. As the inner part warms to ambient temperature, it will expand, joining the two parts via a force or interference fit. Shrink fitting is generally quicker and involves expanding the outer part via heating.
Gases Used
Liquid Nitrogen, Liquid Carbon Dioxide

Wastewater Treatment:
The treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater can be made more efficient with the addition of oxygen.
Gases Used
Oxygen

Gas Application

Cryopreservation:
The use of liquid nitrogen for the preservation of agricultural, flora and fauna specimen, human stem cells, tissue and organs, and animal germplasm.
Gases Used
Liquid Nitrogen, Cryogenic Storage Solutions

Blanketing
The use of gas to maintain an inert atmosphere above a liquid or powdered product inside a storage tank, silo, reactor, process equipment or other vessel. The inert gas will help prevent product degradation from moisture and oxygen, control volatile emissions and safeguard against fires and explosions.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen

pH Control:
The use of carbon dioxide to control the pH levels of alkaline wastewater, cooling water, drinking water, and industrial process water systems. Carbon dioxide, a mildly acidic gas, will lower the pH of alkaline effluents without the storage, handling and safety problems associated with strongly acidic chemicals, such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide

Process Chilling:
The use of liquid gases as a refrigerant for temperature control in a variety of processes, including solvent recovery or chemical ingredients production. Liquid gases can achieve a lower temperature and provide a faster cool down rate than mechanical refrigeration systems
Gases Used
Liquid Carbon Dioxide, Liquid Nitrogen

Pressure and Leak Testing:
The use of inert gas to pressurize new, repaired, or modified tanks, pipelines, vessels, and process equipment in order to check their integrity and leak tightness. Dry, inert gases will not contaminate the system with moisture, lubricants or oxygen as will pressure testing with compressed air or water.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Helium, Nitrogen

Pressure Transfer:
The use of nitrogen to transfer liquid or powder products to and from railcars, tanker trucks, or storage vessels without requiring pumps, mechanical compressors or external power sources. Dry, inert nitrogen is ideal for transferring toxic fluids, highly viscous fluids, ethical pharmaceuticals, flammable products, and materials which become corrosive when contacted with moisture.
Gases Used
Nitrogen

Process Chilling:
The use of liquid gases as a refrigerant for temperature control in a variety of processes, including reactor temperature control, solvent recovery and pharmaceutical ingredients production.
Gases Used
Liquid Carbon Dioxide, Liquid Nitrogen

Purging:
The use of inert gas to displace air, flammable vapors, and contaminants from storage tanks, pipelines, process equipment, railcars, ocean bound containers, or other vessels.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen

Wastewater Treatment:
The treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater can be made more efficient with the addition of oxygen.

Gas Application

Cryopreservation:
The use of liquid nitrogen for the preservation of agricultural, flora and fauna specimen, human stem cells, tissue and organs, and animal germplasm.
Gases Used
Liquid Nitrogen, Cryogenic Storage Solutions

MRI, NMR, Particle Accelerators, and Materials Research:
Liquid helium's low boiling point (-452°F) makes it ideal for cooling the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ), or nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) magnets that create the powerful magnetic field used in radiology equipment. The liquid helium and liquid nitrogen are also used for more efficient use of power and the super cooling of materials in particle accelerators and materials research.
Gases Used
Liquid Helium, Liquid Nitrogen

Pressure and Leak Testing:
The use of inert gas to pressurize new, repaired, or modified tanks, pipelines, vessels, and process equipment in order to check their integrity and leak tightness. Dry, inert gases will not contaminate the system with moisture, lubricants or oxygen as will pressure testing with compressed air or water.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide, Helium, Nitrogen

Gas Application

pH Control and Process Water Treatment:
The use of carbon dioxide to control the pH levels of alkaline wastewater, cooling water, drinking water, and industrial process water systems. Carbon dioxide, a mildly acidic gas, will lower the pH of alkaline effluents without the storage, handling and safety problems associated with strongly acidic chemicals, such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid. In addition Carbon Dioxide is used instead of acid to control the alkalinity of water theme parks and swimming pools. Carbon dioxide is also used for dissolving aromas, deodorants, pesticides and bactericides in process water streams.
Gases Used
Carbon Dioxide

Wastewater Treatment:
Oxygenation of industrial wastewater lowers biological and chemical oxygen demand, improves plant capacity and lowers power requirements. Oxygenation of sewer water prevents formation of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and improves solids settling characteristics. Oxygen is also used for treatment of sludge wastes. Ozone is used for treatment of liquid wastes and for neutralizing hydrogen sulfide and other odors from wells and sewage treatment plants.
Gases Used
Oxygen