Tyler O'Brien | 7 minutes | 04/25/2025

How Does Enhanced Oil Recovery Work?

Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) works by injecting substances into oil reservoirs to extract additional crude oil that remains after primary and secondary recovery methods have been exhausted. This advanced technique can increase oil recovery from 20-40% to an impressive 30-60% of the reservoir’s original oil in place. EOR encompasses three method types: Each method alters …

Tyler O'Brien | 5 minutes | 04/23/2025

Why Is Compressed Air So Expensive?

Compressed air is expensive mainly because it requires significant energy to produce. Energy costs account for 70-80% of the total lifetime expense of a compressed air system. This “fourth utility” in manufacturing facilities often goes unnoticed on balance sheets – despite being 7-8 times more expensive than electricity on a per-unit basis. In this guide, …

Lawrence Haynes | 5 minutes | 04/22/2025

How Long Does Compressed Air Last?

Compressed air cans typically last 7-10 years on the shelf when properly stored and offer 300-1000 sprays of usage depending on can size and spray pattern. The exact longevity is affected by many factors, such as: This guide explores the lifespan of compressed air in more detail to explain precisely how long your cans should …

Lawrence Haynes | 5 minutes | 04/17/2025

Is Compressed Air Dangerous?

Yes, compressed air is dangerous and can cause serious injuries and even death when mishandled. The specific hazards range from physical injuries and internal damage to hearing loss and equipment-related accidents. The risks aren’t always obvious until an accident occurs, so proper awareness and safety protocols are essential. To help you avoid incidents, this guide …

Nick Vasco | 4 minutes | 04/17/2025

How Is Nitrogen Stored?

Nitrogen is stored as a compressed gas in high-pressure cylinders or as a liquid in cryogenic tanks at -196°C (-320.8°F). Cryogenic tanks handle large-scale storage. Cylinders cover smaller quantities. Below, we break down the main storage methods, plus the safety basics you need to get right. WestAir supplies nitrogen across California and Arizona. How Is …

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 04/17/2025

Is Helium Reactive?

No, helium is not reactive.  WestAir supplies helium across California and Arizona. What Makes Helium Non-Reactive? Helium’s two electrons completely fill its outer shell, creating what chemists call a “duet configuration.” That’s the most stable arrangement an atom can have, so helium has zero reason to gain, lose, or share electrons with anything else. Its …

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 04/16/2025

Is Oxygen Flammable?

No, oxygen is not flammable, but it makes other materials burn much faster and more intensely. WestAir supplies oxygen across California and Arizona. The Science Behind Oxygen and Combustion Oxygen acts as an oxidizer, not a fuel. This means it cannot burn by itself but enables and intensifies combustion. The combustion process requires three elements: …

Nick Vasco | 6 minutes | 04/15/2025

How to Check Compressed Air Quality

The specific process of checking compressed air quality largely depends on the contaminant you’re testing for. Different methods are outlined in the ISO 8573 standard, which suggests the most effective practices. In this guide, we’ll go over different testing methodologies to help you choose the right ones. We’ll then cover the importance of a regular …

Tyler O'Brien | 6 minutes | 04/14/2025

What Is Compressed Air Made Of?

Compressed air is made of largely the same components as atmospheric air: The only difference is that compressed air comes in a more condensed form. Still, the quality and composition of compressed air directly impact equipment performance, product quality, and operational efficiency in industrial settings. This guide explains what makes up compressed air in more …

Lawrence Haynes | 6 minutes | 04/11/2025

Is Sulfur Hexafluoride Safe?

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is generally considered non-toxic and biologically inert under normal conditions, which makes it safe for many industrial and medical uses. Still, its safety profile changes significantly in certain situations, particularly at high temperatures or concentrations. While the properties of SF6 make it valuable across industries, they also call for specific safety considerations. …

Lawrence Haynes | 2 minutes | 04/10/2025

Recap: 2025 San Diego Beer News Awards

The 2025 San Diego Beer News Awards ceremony showcased the strength of San Diego’s craft beer community under the theme “We’re Stronger Together.” While Seek Beer Co. dominated with six gold awards and took home Champion Brewery honors, one of the evening’s most memorable moments came during the Best Can/Bottle Design category, sponsored by WestAir …

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 04/07/2025

Is Helium Flammable?

No, helium is not flammable. As a noble gas, helium is chemically inert and non-combustible, which makes it one of the safest gases you can work with. It won’t even support combustion in other flammable gases around it. Understanding Helium’s Inert Nature Helium’s unique atomic structure is responsible for its non-flammable nature. As the least …