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High-purity industrial argon gas is available in various qualities for use in different sectors. Argon gas, a colorless, odorless, and tasteless noble industrial pure argon gas, is the most practical and cheap source for purging furnaces and other high-temperature equipment. It is also available in bulk at cryogenic temperatures of approximately -189 degrees Celsius, where its storage and transportation become easier. Nonetheless, argon can also be stored in pressurized cylinders. The following are its types.
Hospitals and healthcare centers use this gas, mainly in LASER treatment, where abnormal tissue growth, tiny blood vessels, and other conditions require ablation. The argon is mixed with other elements, for example, krypton, to generate the laser beams. Medical argon typically has a purity level of 99.998% to 99.999% argon concentration. This argon concentration guarantees no impurities will interact with biological tissues or interfere with medical equipment's functioning.
At 99.9999% purity level, this argon gas is used in the electronics sector, where it is required for the production of semiconductors, circuit boards, and other electronic elements. Its primary function is to create inert operational environments during welding, where it prevents oxidation and guarantees high-quality welds. Other sectors where high-purity argon is used include the production of LED lights and other electronic gadgets.
This gas with a typical purity of at least 99.99% is commonly used in industries where metallic materials are joined using the tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding method. Common welding applications are usually in the aerospace, automotive, and metals manufacturing industries where the integrity of the joint is at stake. Other areas of application include heat treatment, metal coating, and mineralized water bottling.
This argon is used in scientific research and analysis and is normally available in varying purities, mainly between 99.997% and 99.999%. Its applications include gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and other analytical techniques that require non-reactive atmospheres to get accurate results. It is also used to support flames in flame photometers. The purity standards for this argon depend on the research or testing level.
High-purity argon is tears resistant, and hence its cylinder design is better for safely storing this noble gas at high pressures. The cylinders are manufactured using special alloy steel to ensure that argon gas does not dissolve in the metal and also to avoid contamination. Here are the key design elements argon gas cylinder features.
Standard high-purity argon cylinders are normally 244 cm tall and 46 cm in diameter, although their sizes may vary depending on the storage level's required volume or the gas supplier's preferences. Note that the standard 244 cm cylinder holds up to 10 m³ of argon gas measured at room temperature and pressure (RTP) and hence will seek an expansive area for storage. Smaller variants exist for applications in confined spaces or portable equipment.
The wall thickness of pure argon gas cylinders is approximately 5-10 cm. High-waisted thickness offers enhanced safety by preventing cylinder failure due to excessive pressure, compromising safety, and causing low-thickness cylinders to explode. High-purity argon cylinders are rated to withstand pressures of up to 220 bars or more.
To enable the connection of equipment or regulators, cylinder necks are fitted with pressure outlets that have tailored threads. Common outlet types are the CGA (Compressed Gas Association) series, for instance, CGA-580 neck for high-purity argon. The CGA-580 features a single channel and a keyed rim, which only allows similar equipment connections.
Cylinders used to carry high-purity argon gas are internally cleaned before fabrication to eliminate any possible contaminants. This cleaning is done using medical-grade solvents and brushes such that the argon purity is maintained at the required level. Besides the internal cleaning, purification is done by passing the gas through molecular sieve filters to eliminate oxygen, moisture, and nitrogen traces.
Industrial-grade argon gas is used across a range of industries thanks to its unique chemical properties and versatility. Below are its common applications.
High-purity argon is vital in the metallurgical sector, specifying vacuum arc remelting and other processes that require inert atmospheric argon to avoid oxidation and uphold the alloy composition. Aerospace manufacturers rely on argon for welding and metal treatment to maintain the integrity of critical components exposed to extreme conditions.
Welding is a common application where automotive manufacturers employ argon to guarantee clean and strong welds on stainless and aluminum steel. Furthermore, in the heat treatment of vehicle components, argon's inertness preserves desirable material properties and enhances the finished product's strength and longevity.
The medical industry employs argon in LASER treatments for precision surgeries. Its purity guarantees no impurities in the argon gas will interact with biological tissues, making it safe for use in delicate procedures like tissue ablation. Moreover, in the pharmaceutical sector, argon creates inert atmospheres for synthesizing pharmaceutical compounds to avoid oxidation and preserve product efficacy.
Argon's role as an inert gas in the production of semiconductors is unmatched. High-purity argon creates the ideal environment for depositing thin films and other vital materials during electronic component manufacturing. Besides, in gas discharge lamps (for instance, fluorescent and LED lighting), argon helps achieve consistent performance and longevity by filling the lamp space.
High-purity argon works well in the food and beverage bottling industry as a non-reactive gas. Typically, it is used to purge oxygen from bottles and cans to prevent oxidation, which would otherwise spoil food and beverages over time. In mineral water bottling, argon preserves the water's original taste and prevents contamination; thus, consumers receive quality water.
In scientific research, argon is indispensable in gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, where it provides inert calibration and analysis environments. Its purity level ensures accurate research results essential for groundbreaking medical, environmental, and technological advancements. Moreover, high-purity argon shields reactants in chemical research to keep experimental integrity.
To maintain operational efficiency and safety, high-purity argon cylinders require regular inspections, proper storage, and safe handling. Below are key maintenance and specification considerations for argon gas cylinders.
Regular Inspections
Inspect cylinders regularly for any signs of wear, corrosion, or damage. Check for leaks or abnormal sounds upon opening the valve. A hissing sound is a leak, while a low-pitched moan indicates argon has run out in the cylinder. Additionally, valves should be checked to ensure they are functioning properly and not clogged with contaminants.
Safe Handling Practices
Always use a cylinder cart or dolly to move argon cylinders, as they are heavy and can cause injury if they fall. While moving them, avoid knocking them against one another as they can explode. Cylinder tops should always be fitted with valve caps before movement to prevent accidents in case of falls during transportation. Argon is a high-purity bottled gas, and high-purity argon leak testing is the only way to determine if there are leaks.
Proper Storage
Store argon cylinders in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area that is not directly exposed to sunlight. The storage place should not be prone to moisture as it causes corrosion on the cylinder, which may allow impurities to enter the gas. High-purity industrial argon gas cylinder stacks should be secured in an upright position to prevent falling over and causing explosions.
Regulator Maintenance
Since argon is classified under inert gas, argon gas cylinder regulators control the gas flow pressure during usage. Regularly check the argon regulator for wear or damage and ensure it is free from contaminants. Besides, high-purity argon regulator maintenance is done by lubricating moving parts and checking for leaks. Routine purging and cleaning of the regulator is vital before connecting it to the cylinder.
A pressure argon gas cylinder is rated up to 220 bar working pressure. Although the pressure rating may differ by manufacturer and cylinder type, note that these ratings are crucial for cylinder safety. A high-purity argon regulator is designed to control the gas flow from the cylinder at these pressures safely.
High-purity argon cylinders are mainly available in various sizes to conveniently suit different applications. Note that smaller cylinders, for instance, 40L, provide easier handling for tasks in confined spaces, while larger industrial-grade cylinders for bulk high-purity argon are more appropriate for extensive industrial processes.
High-purity argon is internally and externally manufactured to avoid contamination. During production, the manufacturers use high-grade stainless steel to ensure that no residue from previous gas usage remains in the cylinder. Internally, the cylinders undergo a rigorous cleaning process utilizing ultra-high-purity solvents and nitrogen to eliminate all possible traces of moisture, oil, and particulate matter.
Filtration using molecular sieves, purification high-purity argon gas cylinders, and pressure-changing through microporous membrane are the most used methods for purifying argon gas. The first two methods remove moisture, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen traces, while pressure-changing eliminates oxygen and any remaining impurities.
High-purity argon is commonly utilized across multiple sectors for various applications. Some of its current applications are electronic and semiconductor manufacturing, tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding in the aerospace and metalworking industries, mineral water bottling, food packaging, and even medical argon laser surgery.
High-purity argon is an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical and ozone-depleting substances used in various industries. Its status as a non-toxic, inert, and abundant noble gas means that it does not harm natural ecosystems or contribute to air pollution, thus making it safer for the environment.
Gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and residual gas analysis are the most common methods for measuring argon gas purity. The techniques were developed depending on the argon gas application level to measure trace contaminant concentrations and ensure the purity level met the required standard.
While argon is non-toxic, it displaces oxygen, causing suffocation in closed areas. Therefore, working in confined spaces requires adequate ventilation or a breathing apparatus. Also, because argon is high pressure, high-purity gas cylinder must be stored upright, secured, and protected from heat to prevent explosions.
