Tyler O'Brien | 6 minutes | 05/07/2025

What Is Reduced Oxygen Packaging?

Reduced Oxygen Packaging (ROP) is a food preservation method that removes or reduces oxygen from food packaging to extend shelf life and maintain product quality. It creates an environment with oxygen levels below 21%, which inhibits the growth of aerobic bacteria, yeast, and molds that cause food spoilage. In this article, we’ll explain how reduced …

Lawrence Haynes | 3 minutes | 05/06/2025

Does Argon Gas Go Bad?

No, argon gas does not go bad because it is an inert noble gas that remains chemically stable indefinitely. Still, several factors can affect its usability and performance in industrial settings. In this guide, we’ll explain argon’s indefinite shelf life and other properties that call for careful storage and handling. We’ll also cover some problems …

Tyler O'Brien | 5 minutes | 05/06/2025

What Is CO2 Used for in Restaurants?

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is used in restaurants mainly for carbonating beverages, dispensing beer, preserving food, and fire suppression. These uses make CO2 an essential gas in the food service industry, helping businesses deliver quality products while ensuring proper preservation. In this article, we’ll explore the key applications of CO2 in restaurant settings in more detail. …

Tyler O'Brien | 4 minutes | 05/05/2025

What Is Medical Grade Oxygen?

Medical grade oxygen is a pharmaceutical-grade gas that typically contains at least 99.0% pure oxygen, though USP standards allow for certain medical applications to use oxygen concentrations between 90% and 99% at the bedside.  It must meet strict FDA regulations and include severely limited contaminants to ensure patient safety. Unlike industrial oxygen, medical grade oxygen …

Tyler O'Brien | 4 minutes | 05/01/2025

Is CO2 an Inert Gas?

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is generally considered an inert gas under normal conditions, but it might become reactive at high temperatures or when mixed with certain chemicals.  In this article, we’ll explore the inert nature of carbon dioxide in more detail. We’ll cover: Understanding CO2’s Chemical Nature Carbon dioxide has a stable molecular structure with double …

Tyler O'Brien | 5 minutes | 04/30/2025

Is CO2 Flammable?

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is not flammable, and it doesn’t contribute to combustion. On the contrary – CO2 is one of the most widely used fire suppression agents in industrial and commercial settings. In this guide, we’ll explore: WestAir supplies carbon dioxide across California and Arizona. The Science Behind CO2’s Non-Flammability Carbon dioxide is a completely oxidized carbon …

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 04/30/2025

What Is Xenon Gas Used For?

Xenon gas is used in high-intensity lighting, such as car headlights, movie projectors, and flash lamps. It is also used in ion propulsion systems for spacecraft and in medical imaging, including anesthesia and radiology. Its inert nature makes it ideal for controlled, high-energy applications. Here’s a closer look at what xenon actually does and why …

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 04/30/2025

What Is Krypton Gas Used For?

Krypton gas is mainly used for lighting, including halogen bulbs and fluorescent lights. It is also added to double-glazed windows for increased insulation, and its isotopes can be used to diagnose various diseases. WestAir supplies krypton across California and Arizona. Lighting Applications Krypton is commonly used in specialized lighting applications where high performance and longevity …

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 04/30/2025

Why Is Helium Used in MRI Machines?

Discover how helium powers MRI technology and why it's irreplaceable due to its cooling effect. Learn about safety innovations and supply management.

Nick Vasco | 5 minutes | 04/30/2025

What Are the Uses of Nitrogen?

Discover the most common uses of nitrogen across industries: food preservation, manufacturing, healthcare, and more.

Lawrence Haynes | 5 minutes | 04/29/2025

How Does Modified Atmosphere Packaging Protect Foods?

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) protects foods by replacing the air inside packaging with a controlled mixture of gases that inhibits microbial growth, prevents oxidation, and maintains product freshness for longer periods. The exact mechanism depends on the gases used, with oxygen, nitrogen, and CO2 being the main ones. In this article, we’ll explore how MAP …

Lawrence Haynes | 7 minutes | 04/28/2025

What Is Modified Atmosphere Packaging?

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is a food preservation technique that replaces the air inside a package with a carefully controlled mixture of gases to extend shelf life and maintain product quality. It slows spoilage by creating an environment that inhibits microbial growth and oxidation. In this guide, we’ll explore: Learn about how WestAir can supply …