Tyler O'Brien | 4 minutes | 07/28/2025

What Is Medical Nitrogen Used For?

Medical nitrogen is mainly used in cryotherapy, preservation of biological samples, powering surgical tools, and preventing oxidation in pharmaceutical packaging. In this guide, we’ll explore these applications of medical nitrogen in more detail to show you why it remains an essential gas in modern medicine. Cryotherapy and Dermatological Treatments Liquid medical nitrogen is a powerful …

Tyler O'Brien | 3 minutes | 07/28/2025

Is Helium Running Out?

Helium is not running out anytime soon, but the world faces significant long-term supply challenges that could impact availability in the coming decades. While new reserves continue to be discovered and production methods improve, the finite nature of this non-renewable resource combined with growing demand creates genuine concerns about future accessibility. In this guide, we’ll …

Lawrence Haynes | 6 minutes | 07/25/2025

How Does a Liquid Nitrogen Freezer Work?

A liquid nitrogen freezer works by using the extremely cold temperature of liquid nitrogen (-196°C/-320°F) to rapidly freeze and maintain samples through heat absorption during evaporation. When liquid nitrogen changes from liquid to gas, it absorbs significant heat energy from its surroundings, creating an ultra-cold environment ideal for preservation.  In this article, we’ll explore the …

Tyler O'Brien | 3 minutes | 07/25/2025

Why Is Ammonia Used in Refrigeration?

Ammonia is used in refrigeration because it’s one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly refrigerants available. It offers superior cooling performance while being cost-effective for industrial applications. This natural refrigerant has been a cornerstone of industrial cooling systems for over a century, and this guide will explain why this is the case. After going …

Lawrence Haynes | 4 minutes | 07/24/2025

How to Tell If Your CO₂ Tank Is Empty

You can tell if your CO₂ tank is empty by weighing it against the stamped tare weight, monitoring pressure gauge readings, or observing operational symptoms like weak gas flow. The most reliable method involves subtracting the tank’s tare weight from its current weight to calculate remaining CO₂. In this guide, we’ll explore these methods for …

Tyler O'Brien | 4 minutes | 07/24/2025

What Is Supercritical CO2?

Supercritical CO2 is carbon dioxide held at or above its critical temperature (31.1°C) and critical pressure (73.8 bar), where it behaves as both a gas and a liquid. In this state, it has high solvating power and is used in processes like decaffeination, extraction, and cleaning. In this article, you’ll learn the science behind how …

Nick Vasco | 6 minutes | 07/23/2025

What Does the Process of Hydrogenation Do?

Hydrogenation adds hydrogen atoms to unsaturated compounds, converting double or triple bonds into single bonds in the presence of a catalyst. This reaction plays a crucial role across industries, from food production to pharmaceuticals and petroleum refining. Industrial gas users and manufacturers must understand hydrogenation to optimize production processes and ensure quality control. To help, …

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 …