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Tyler O'Brien | 8 minutes | 09/10/2026

What Is Carbon Monoxide Used For?

Carbon monoxide (CO) reduces iron ore into steel, refines nickel, makes bulk chemicals like methanol and acetic acid, holds the red color in packaged meat, and measures lung function. Blast furnaces consume it by the ton, while a sealed package of ground beef holds a 0.4% trace. WestAir supplies carbon monoxide across California and Arizona. …

Tyler O'Brien | 5 minutes | 09/07/2026

Is Methane Dangerous?

Yes, methane gas is dangerous under certain conditions, primarily because it’s highly flammable and can displace oxygen in enclosed spaces. That said, facilities across the world handle methane safely every day by understanding its specific risks and following the right protocols. WestAir supplies methane across California and Arizona. Why Is Methane Flammable? Methane is flammable …

Tyler O'Brien | 5 minutes | 09/07/2026

What Is Green Methane?

Green methane is chemically identical to conventional methane, but it comes from renewable sources instead of fossil fuel extraction. Instead of pulling it from underground reserves, producers create it from organic waste, captured carbon, or renewable electricity. For businesses trying to cut their carbon footprint without ripping out existing infrastructure, that distinction matters a lot. …

Lawrence Haynes | 9 minutes | 09/05/2026

How to Reduce Methane Emissions

Methane emissions can be reduced by sealing the leaks and deliberate releases at oil and gas sites, changing digestion and manure handling on farms, and capturing what landfills give off as waste breaks down. Methane breaks down in the atmosphere in about 12 years while carbon dioxide lingers for centuries, so cuts made now show …

Lawrence Haynes | 7 minutes | 09/04/2025

What Is a Carrier Gas?

A carrier gas is an inert gas that moves sample molecules through an analytical system, serving as the mobile phase in gas chromatography. Without it, your gas chromatography (GC) won’t function—samples would sit in the injection port or stick to the column instead of reaching the detector for analysis. WestAir supplies gas for gas chromatography …

Tyler O'Brien | 7 minutes | 09/04/2025

How Much Nitrogen Does Corn Need?

Corn typically needs 180-250 pounds of nitrogen per acre, or about 1 pound per bushel of expected yield. Your exact rate depends on yield goals, soil organic matter, previous crops, and manure history. WestAir supplies gas for crop farming across California and Arizona. What Factors Determine How Much Nitrogen Your Corn Needs? Your corn’s nitrogen …

Nick Vasco | 5 minutes | 09/04/2025

How Long Does Soda Last?

Unopened regular soda typically maintains good quality for 6-9 months past the printed date when stored properly, while diet sodas maintain quality for about 3 months past the printed date. The actual shelf life depends on storage temperature and container type. WestAir supplies gases for beverage carbonation across California and Arizona. What Factors Affect How …

Lawrence Haynes | 4 minutes | 09/04/2025

Can You Freeze Liquid Nitrogen?

Yes, you can freeze liquid nitrogen at -210°C (-346°F), but it requires specialized equipment that reaches much lower temperatures than standard storage systems. Your dewars, tanks, and freezers maintain liquid nitrogen around -196°C (-321°F), which keeps it in liquid form during normal operations. Below, you will learn: WestAir supplies nitrogen across California and Arizona. Why Would You …

Lawrence Haynes | 4 minutes | 08/28/2025

What Is a Noble Gas?

A noble gas is a chemically inert element found in Group 18 of the periodic table. Noble gases include helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon. These gases have full outer electron shells, which make them highly stable and unlikely to form chemical bonds under normal conditions. In this guide, we’ll explore the fundamental properties …

Tyler O'Brien | 5 minutes | 08/26/2025

How Cold is Liquid CO₂?

The temperature range of liquid CO₂ is  between -56.6°C and 31.1°C, but only under specific pressure conditions above 5.11 atmospheres. Unlike water, which remains liquid at atmospheric pressure across a wide temperature spectrum, liquid carbon dioxide requires carefully controlled pressure and temperature to prevent it from turning into solid dry ice or gas. In this …

Lawrence Haynes | 4 minutes | 08/21/2025

Is Dry Ice Dangerous?

Yes, dry ice is dangerous and poses several risks, including: With temperatures of -109°F (-78.5°C), dry ice can cause immediate tissue damage upon contact while releasing CO₂ gas that displaces oxygen in enclosed spaces. In this guide, we’ll explore the main hazards of dry ice and examine real-world incidents that highlight these dangers. We’ll also …

Lawrence Haynes | 5 minutes | 08/20/2025

Is Xenon a Noble Gas?

Yes, xenon is a noble gas belonging to Group 18 of the periodic table, alongside helium, neon, argon, krypton, and radon. This classification is not merely academic – it has significant implications for industrial applications, medical uses, and specialized technologies where xenon’s unique properties are highly beneficial. In this guide, you’ll learn: WestAir supplies xenon …

Lawrence Haynes | 6 minutes | 08/19/2025

How Is CO₂ Used in Cell Culture?

CO₂ is used for maintaining pH balance in cell culture media through the CO₂-bicarbonate buffer system, which keeps cells viable and healthy. This controlled environment also regulates temperature and humidity while supporting proper cellular metabolism. In this guide, we’ll explore the critical biochemical mechanisms behind CO₂ use in cell culture. We’ll also discuss optimal concentration …

Lawrence Haynes | 5 minutes | 08/18/2025

How Cold Is Dry Ice?

Dry ice reaches an extreme temperature of -78.5°C (-109.3°F) as it sublimates under standard atmospheric pressure. This temperature can drop even lower under certain conditions, which makes dry ice one of the coldest materials commonly used in industrial applications. In this guide, we’ll explore the temperature properties of dry ice, as well as: WestAir supplies dry …

Tyler O'Brien | 6 minutes | 08/11/2025

What Is an Inert Gas?

An inert gas is a non-reactive gas that doesn’t readily undergo chemical reactions under normal conditions because of its stable electron configuration. This non-reactivity makes inert gases invaluable across applications. In this article, you’ll learn exactly what makes a gas inert. We’ll also cover the most common inert gases used in different industries and their …

Tyler O'Brien | 4 minutes | 08/07/2025

Why Is Nitrogen Used for Pressure Testing?

Nitrogen is used for pressure testing because of its inert chemical properties, safety characteristics, and cost-effectiveness compared to other testing methods. This combination of benefits makes nitrogen the preferred choice across industries from oil and gas to HVAC systems. In this guide, we’ll explore the key reasons why nitrogen dominates pressure testing applications and how …