Lawrence Haynes | 3 minutes | 07/23/2025

What Is Ammonia Used For?

Ammonia has numerous applications, from agricultural fertilizers to refrigeration systems. It also plays crucial roles in manufacturing, food production, and water treatment processes. This guide explores ammonia’s many use cases on a more granular level to show you exactly how this compound is used across industries. We’ll then go over the key safety considerations regarding …

Tyler O'Brien | 7 minutes | 07/22/2025

How Does Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Work?

Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) works by measuring the concentration of elements in a sample through the absorption of light by atoms in the gas phase. This invaluable analytical technique is used for elemental analysis across numerous industries, from environmental monitoring to pharmaceutical testing. When specific wavelengths of light pass through a cloud of atoms, some …

Tyler O'Brien | 5 minutes | 07/22/2025

Is Welding Oxygen the Same as Medical Oxygen?

Welding oxygen and medical oxygen are not the same – they differ in regulatory oversight, handling procedures, and contamination controls. While both types typically exceed 99% purity, medical oxygen undergoes stringent FDA regulation as a prescription drug, while welding oxygen follows industrial standards. In this article, we’ll explore the critical differences between these gases. We’ll …

Lawrence Haynes | 7 minutes | 07/21/2025

Why Is Enhanced Oil Recovery Necessary?

Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) is necessary because conventional extraction methods typically leave 60-80% of oil trapped within reservoirs. By contrast, EOR techniques can access much of this remaining oil to meet global energy demands. The importance of EOR grows as easily accessible oil reserves continue to deplete worldwide. It’s a critical approach for energy companies …

Lawrence Haynes | 3 minutes | 07/21/2025

Is Ammonia Flammable?

Yes, ammonia is flammable – but only under specific conditions and within certain concentration limits. While it’s not as easily ignitable as other industrial gases, understanding its characteristics is crucial for safe handling and storage. This guide explores the specifics of ammonia’s flammability to help you maintain safe usage. You’ll also learn how to handle …

Tyler O'Brien | 7 minutes | 07/21/2025

What Is Enhanced Oil Recovery?

Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) is a set of sophisticated techniques used to extract additional oil from reservoirs after primary and secondary recovery methods have been exhausted. These advanced processes can significantly increase the amount of oil recovered from mature fields, extending their productive life and maximizing resource utilization. For industries relying on consistent oil supplies, …

Tyler O'Brien | 4 minutes | 07/18/2025

What Is Hydrogen Chloride Used For?

Hydrogen chloride (HCl) is used as a fundamental chemical in manufacturing processes, metal treatment, food production, and water management systems. Its acidic properties and chemical reactivity enable diverse industrial applications,  so many products we encounter daily wouldn’t be available without it. When dissolved in water, hydrogen chloride forms hydrochloric acid, which further expands its usability. …

Lawrence Haynes | 3 minutes | 07/17/2025

Where Does Helium Come From?

Helium comes from two main sources: cosmic nucleosynthesis during the Big Bang and radioactive decay of uranium and thorium within the Earth’s crust. However, the helium we use on Earth comes almost entirely from underground deposits formed by radioactive decay—not from the helium produced during the Big Bang.  WestAir supplies helium across California and Arizona. …

Tyler O'Brien | 3 minutes | 07/17/2025

What Is Gas Chromatography Used For?

Gas chromatography is used to separate, identify, and measure different compounds within a mixture. This versatile technique serves numerous industries, from pharmaceutical manufacturing to environmental monitoring. This guide outlines the main use cases of gas chromatography to show you how widespread this method is. We’ll then go over some of the most compelling benefits that …

Tyler O'Brien | 3 minutes | 07/17/2025

Can You TIG Weld with 75% Argon and 25% CO2? 

No, you should not TIG weld with 75% Argon and 25% CO2 because the CO2 creates oxidation, spatter, and unstable arc conditions that compromise weld quality. Using 100% argon is recommended for TIG welding most materials. Why Is CO2 Problematic in TIG Welding? Carbon dioxide is fundamentally incompatible with TIG welding because it’s an active …

Tyler O'Brien | 4 minutes | 07/17/2025

What Is the Best Gas for TIG Welding Stainless Steel?

The best gas for TIG welding stainless steel is generally 100% argon. It provides a stable arc, clean welds, and excellent shielding with minimal spatter. That covers most stainless work. A few jobs need something else, though, and running argon on those will cost you time or weld quality. Here’s how to tell which job …

Lawrence Haynes | 2 minutes | 07/17/2025

Can You MIG Weld with 100% Argon?

Yes, 100% argon can be used for MIG welding, but only for specific applications like aluminum and nonferrous metals. Using 100% argon for MIG welding steel is generally not recommended because it produces weak, brittle welds with poor penetration.  Why Can’t Pure Argon Be Used for MIG Welding Steel? Using pure argon for MIG welding …