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Lawrence Haynes | 3 minutes | 07/16/2026

Is Krypton Rare?

Yes, krypton is rare. It makes up about 1.14 parts per million of air by volume, or roughly one krypton atom for every million molecules of air around it. That works out to 0.0001% of the atmosphere. It isn’t the rarest gas on Earth, though. Xenon is scarcer, at about 0.087 parts per million, which …

Lawrence Haynes | 4 minutes | 07/16/2026

Why Is Nitrogen Used in the Pharmaceutical Industry?

Nitrogen is used across pharmaceutical manufacturing because it keeps oxygen and moisture away from drugs that degrade on contact with either. It shields reactions, clears equipment, fills the space above a sealed dose, and freezes biological material for storage. This one gas covers all of it, which is why it shows up at nearly every …

Tyler O'Brien | 7 minutes | 07/16/2026

What Is Helium? The Complete Guide to the Element and Its Uses

Helium is a colorless, odorless gas with the chemical symbol He and atomic number 2. It’s the lightest of the noble gases and the second-lightest element overall, sitting right after hydrogen. Helium is completely inert and colder as a liquid than anything else in existence, which is why it turns up in medical scanners, leak-testing …

Tyler O'Brien | 4 minutes | 07/16/2026

Can You MIG Weld Without Gas?

Yes, you can MIG weld without gas, but not by running standard solid wire with the gas turned off. That gives you weak, porous welds every time. Real gasless MIG welding means switching to self-shielded flux-cored wire, which carries its own shielding inside the wire and doesn’t require a separate gas cylinder. WestAir supplies gas …

Tyler O'Brien | 7 minutes | 03/24/2025

MIG Welding Gas Settings: Best Flow Rates & Mixtures

The optimal MIG welding gas flow rate for mild steel indoors with no draft is 10-15 CFH (cubic feet per hour), while other metals and conditions require different settings. Proper gas settings are crucial for creating strong, clean welds without defects like porosity or contamination. Understanding the correct gas flow rates and mixtures for your …

Nick Vasco | 4 minutes | 03/20/2025

How to Increase the Shelf Life of Food Products

Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) is the most common way to increase the shelf life of food products, though other methods like cryogenic freezing and high-pressure packaging (HPP) can be used as advanced techniques when MAP does not suffice. This guide will explore the key benefits of different techniques to help you choose the right one. …

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 03/20/2025

What Is the Temperature of Liquid Nitrogen?

The temperature of liquid nitrogen is -196°C (-321°F) at its boiling point. For reference, -89.2°C (-128.56 °F) is the coldest temperature ever recorded at ground level on Earth!  (In Antarctica, unsurprisingly.) That extreme cold makes liquid nitrogen the go-to cryogenic fluid for everything from freeze-grinding materials to keeping biological samples viable for years. WestAir supplies …

Lawrence Haynes | 4 minutes | 03/19/2025

What Is a Tracer Gas?

A tracer gas is a specialized gas used in non-destructive testing to detect leaks and evaluate airflow patterns in different systems and environments. It’s essential for maintaining safety, efficiency, and quality control across industries. This guide will teach you all you need to know about tracer gases, most notably: Tip: Check out WestAir’s gas safety solutions. Understanding …

Nick Vasco | 3 minutes | 03/18/2025

Is Nitrogen Flammable (And How To Handle It Safely)?

Learn whether nitrogen is flammable and discover its main industrial uses and key safety practices. Explore nitrogen’s key plant and pipeline applications.

Lawrence Haynes | 3 minutes | 03/17/2025

What is Isobutylene Used For?

Isobutylene is widely used in polymer production, fuel additives, and chemical manufacturing. This colorless, flammable hydrocarbon is crucial for creating many everyday products. In this guide, we explore the key uses of isobutylene on a deeper level. You’ll learn precisely how this gas is used and why it’s such a good choice for various applications. …

Lawrence Haynes | 3 minutes | 03/14/2025

What Is Nitric Oxide Used For?

Nitric oxide is used extensively in medical treatments, industrial processes, and scientific research. Its specific applications range from treating respiratory conditions to enhancing manufacturing processes. To help you familiarize yourself with the many use cases of this versatile gas, our article will break them down in more detail. We’ll also discuss the key safety guidelines …

Nick Vasco | 4 minutes | 03/13/2025

How to Measure Carbonation in Beer

Measuring carbonation in beer involves determining the volume of dissolved carbon dioxide compared to the volume of liquid beer, typically expressed as volumes of CO2. This process requires specialized equipment and an understanding of basic scientific principles, which you’ll learn about in this guide. We’ll cover both the common and advanced methods so that you …

Lawrence Haynes | 3 minutes | 03/11/2025

How to Improve Soil Fertility

The key to improving soil fertility lies in maintaining a balanced ecosystem of nutrients, organic matter, and beneficial microorganisms. For best results, it’s best to combine natural practices with a scientific understanding of soil composition.  In this guide, we’ll cover both aspects by discussing the science behind soil health and outlining some of the key …

Tyler O'Brien | 3 minutes | 03/10/2025

What Is Anhydrous Ammonia?

Anhydrous ammonia (NH3) is a chemical compound consisting of one part nitrogen and three parts hydrogen. It’s a colorless gas with a pungent odor that serves as a cornerstone in various industrial applications. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about anhydrous ammonia, most notably: WestAir supplies ammonia across California and Arizona. …

Lawrence Haynes | 4 minutes | 03/07/2025

What Is the Role of Ethylene in Fruit Ripening?

Ethylene is the primary trigger for fruit ripening that controls various aspects of the maturation process, from color development to texture changes. Its presence and proper management are crucial for food industry professionals looking to maintain optimal product quality during storage and transportation. This guide will show you precisely how ethylene impacts the ripening process. …

Tyler O'Brien | 3 minutes | 03/05/2025

Does Fertilizer Have Nitrogen?

Yes, most fertilizers contain nitrogen – it’s one of the most essential nutrients for plant growth and development. Modern fertilizers typically contain between 26% and 32% nitrogen, with some specialized formulations containing up to 82% nitrogen. This guide explores the crucial role of nitrogen in fertilizing solutions. You’ll also learn about the key types of …