Eureka Oxygen is proud to provide cylinder gas delivery and incredible customer service to the Western states. All of our staff provide personal, tailored service both in-store and in the field. We want to understand your needs and recommend the best gases and services. Our team has decades of industry expertise to help you improve your processes or choose new equipment.
In this series on cylinder gases, we will discuss the variety of uses of the gases we carry. Contact one of our locations to learn more about where we deliver!
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What is Nitrogen?
Nitrogen (N2) is one of those gases we all have likely heard of but know very little about. Almost 80% of the earth’s atmosphere is made up of this gas. In terms of mass, nitrogen gases make up around 3% of the human body and after oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen it is the most relevant element in the body. We can also find it in the nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) of our very makeup and it is also essential in cell growth, energy production, and many other body processes.
As a cylinder gas, nitrogen influences many industries. Colorless, odorless, tasteless, and nontoxic, nitrogen exists as a nonflammable gas at atmospheric temperatures and pressures. Since it is an inert gas, it can be used to replace air and reduce or eliminate oxidation of materials. Nitrogen is used for a lot more things than you may realize. From food packaging to electronics production to mining, nitrogen gas is used in multiple applications every day.
Applications for Nitrogen Gas
Welding
Nitrogen is utilized as a purge gas in stainless steel tube welding and can enhance plasma cutting. Small additions to argon-based shielding gases can be used for welding stainless steel by the gas metal arc welding (GMAW or MIG) process.
Manufacturing and Stainless Steel
Nitrogen has found a place as a purging gas in the steel industry. It is used to help remove impurities during the production of stainless steel and is part of the reason for the clean corrosion-resistant qualities of the steel. As a shielding gas, it safeguards technological processes against the corrosive process of oxidation.
Chemical Industry
Nitrogen is used in the production of fertilizers, nylon, nitric acid, dyes, and explosives. It also displaces oxygen and prevents explosions in highly dangerous atmospheres, such as chemical plants, mines, and manufacturing facilities.
Chemical Industry
Nitrogen is used in the production of fertilizers, nylon, nitric acid, dyes, and explosives. It also displaces oxygen and prevents explosions in highly dangerous atmospheres, such as chemical plants, mines, and manufacturing facilities.
Food Preservation
Nitrogen gas is used to generate a man-made atmosphere condition where it is combined with carbon dioxide to help aid in the preservation of packaged or bulk foods. It helps to preserve food by safeguarding against oxidative damage which causes spoiling. Pure nitrogen is classified as a food additive by the European Union.
Pharmaceuticals
Nitrogen is very influential in chemical reactions and compounds and is used extensively in the pharmaceutical industry, found in some amount in every major pharmacological drug class. It is used in mixes and compounds for other medicinal uses, for example, nitrous oxide as an anesthetic. Nitrogen is also used to preserve biological specimens such as sperm, egg, nerves, blood, and stem cells.
Manufacturing Industry
In manufacturing, nitrogen is commonly used for shrinking fittings to easily fit and then return to size to form a tight seal. It is commonly applied in transportation projects including tunnel creation and excavation during manufacturing and construction work.
Electronics
When electronics are being assembled, nitrogen gas is used for soldering to reduce the surface tension to provide a cleaner breakaway from the solder site. It is widely used in the fire suppression and heat reduction systems for computers and Information Technology equipment. Nitrogen is also used in X-ray detectors and other electronics in the medical field.