Four Ways to Use Specialty Gases

Although natural gas and petroleum are the most common products in the oil and gas industry, so many options are available for use. Specialty gas suppliers help keep manufacturing plants functioning because they provide the kinds of gases that most consumers would never use. However, customers do have to use specialty gases. Here are four ways that specialty gases help the public.

Transportation

Getting natural gas from one spot to another is not easy, but when you turn that natural gas into its liquid state, transportation gets easier. That is why companies sell liquified natural gas. Currently, the market for LNG is growing. It has jumped 11 percent this year and is expected to rise to 384 million tons in 2020. The United States exported LNG to South Korea, Mexico, Japan, China, and India. And, the demand from China is expected to continue steady growth. LNG is exported by ship most of the time.

Refrigeration

Some gases allow scientists to keep items cold. Companies can purchase cryogenic liquids to act as refrigeration. Specialty gas suppliers will provide high purity bulk refrigerants to the large scale LNG terminals. Keeping things at the right temperature is necessary for many reasons. Refrigerants are used for storage at terminals, which is why the market is expected to continue to be strong.

Metalworking

For 30 years, metalworkers have turned to propylene gas. This fuel is perfect for flame cutting, heating, preheating and stress relieving, brazing, soldering, flame hardening and HVOF metalizing. Because of its high flame temperature, propylene and oxygen speed the cutting process. In some cases, it would be 30 percent to 60 percent faster than natural gas. It also has proven better than acetylene. Propylene has a double bond in its molecule that produces that higher flame temperature. That is why it is so popular in metalworking.

High-Pressure Situations

Specialty gas suppliers also provide the right gas needed for high pressure. Carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, ethane, and ethylene are some gases used in high-pressure situations. For example, hydrogen chloride is used in treatment facilities. In the petrochemical industry, consumption of ethane is going to surpass other liquid petroleum products. Therefore, the market for ethane looks bright for the future.

These are just four ways that specialty gases are used. In creating other products, companies have to rely on specialty gases and those companies that sell the gases.