Tyler O'Brien | 5 minutes | 07/16/2026

Why Is Liquid Hydrogen Used as Rocket Fuel?

Liquid hydrogen (LH₂) is used as rocket fuel because it delivers the highest specific impulse (Isp) of any practical chemical rocket fuel, producing more thrust per pound burned than any other option. Paired with liquid oxygen as the oxidizer, it powers upper stages and deep-space missions where every pound of fuel counts. WestAir supplies liquid …

Tyler O'Brien | 5 minutes | 07/15/2026

What Is Beverage Grade CO2?

Beverage grade CO₂ is carbon dioxide purified to meet strict food safety standards, making it safe to carbonate sodas, beer, seltzer, and other drinks people consume directly. Unlike industrial CO₂ used for welding shields or dry ice blasting, beverage grade CO₂ has to meet specifications set out in the ISBT (International Society of Beverage Technologists) …

Tyler O'Brien | 4 minutes | 07/13/2026

What Gases Are Used in Laboratories?

Laboratories rely on nitrogen, helium, argon, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide to keep research, testing, and analysis running smoothly. They each serve a specific purpose depending on the equipment and application. Why Is Nitrogen the Workhorse Gas in Most Labs? Nitrogen is the most commonly used gas in laboratories because it’s inert, affordable, and incredibly versatile. …

Tyler O'Brien | 5 minutes | 07/10/2026

Liquid Nitrogen Dewar Sizes: Choosing the Right Size for Your Application

The right liquid nitrogen (LN₂) dewar size comes down to two things: how much LN₂ your operation actually goes through, and how much room you have for the container. Most lab and medical dewars run from about 4 liters up to 50 liters, and choosing within that range is mostly a matter of matching capacity …

Lawrence Haynes | 7 minutes | 07/09/2026

CO₂ Grades Explained

A CO₂ grade is a certified minimum purity level with capped limits on specific impurities, set by a governing standard and matched to how the gas will be used. The grade tells you what’s guaranteed to be in the cylinder and, just as importantly, what’s guaranteed to be kept out. Why Does Using the Right …

Tyler O'Brien | 4 minutes | 07/08/2026

What Is Nitrogen Flushing?

Nitrogen flushing is a preservation method that replaces oxygen inside packaging with nitrogen gas to extend shelf life and maintain product quality. The process pushes out oxygen before sealing, creating an inert atmosphere that prevents oxidation, spoilage, and bacterial growth. You’ll find nitrogen flushing everywhere from your morning coffee bag to pharmaceuticals. It’s the reason …

Lawrence Haynes | 6 minutes | 07/08/2026

What Is Food Grade CO₂?

Food grade CO₂ is carbon dioxide purified and tested to a level safe enough to put directly into food and drink. In practice that means at least 99.9% pure, with tight caps on specific contaminants measured down to parts per million and even parts per billion. The number alone isn’t the whole story. What earns …

Lawrence Haynes | 5 minutes | 07/07/2026

Helium Grades Explained

Helium grades refer to the purity levels of helium gas, ranging from industrial-grade blends to ultra-high-purity gas used in labs and medical devices. The grade you need depends entirely on what you’re doing with it, and picking the wrong one either wastes money or wrecks your results. Let’s break down what these grades actually mean …

Nick Vasco | 5 minutes | 07/02/2026

What Is Nitrogen Purging?

Discover the basics of nitrogen purging: safety benefits, methods, and best practices to follow. Learn how to approach the purging process safely.

Tyler O'Brien | 6 minutes | 07/01/2026

What Is a Liquid Nitrogen Dewar?

A liquid nitrogen dewar is a specialized vacuum-insulated container designed to store and transport liquid nitrogen at its temperature of -196°C (-321°F). It was named after Scottish scientist Sir James Dewar, who invented the vacuum flask in 1892. How Does a Dewar Keep Liquid Nitrogen Cold? The key to a dewar’s effectiveness lies in its …

Tyler O'Brien | 5 minutes | 07/01/2026

Is Hydrogen Flammable?

Yes, hydrogen is highly flammable. It takes almost no energy to ignite, it burns across an unusually wide range of concentrations, and its flame is nearly invisible in daylight. That combination is what makes hydrogen trickier to handle safely than most fuel gases. WestAir supplies hydrogen across California and Arizona. Why Is Hydrogen Gas Flammable? …

Lawrence Haynes | 6 minutes | 06/30/2026

What Gas Is Used for Leak Detection?

Helium is the most widely used gas for leak detection, because it’s inert, non-toxic, non-flammable, and small enough to slip through openings that stop everything else.  A 5% hydrogen, 95% nitrogen “forming gas” blend is the main budget alternative, with nitrogen, sulfur hexafluoride, refrigerant tracers, and plain compressed air covering more specific jobs.  The right …