1. Application of the industrial gases
2. Features of the industrial gas such as purity, form and quantity
3. Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP) for the pressurized industrial gas system
4. Requirement of safety fittings for gas pipelines
5. Capacity of the gas storage tanks

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy industrial gas from reputable industrial gas manufacturers

Once you identify your industrial gas requirements, you can direct the industrial gas manufacturer to supply you in cylinder or install an on-site manufacturing process.

I recommend: BOC Gases, a Linde Group company, supplies cylinder gases, liquefied gases and on-site Gases. Airgas, Inc. is another industrial gas supplier that provides argon, carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, welding gases, acetylene, propylene and propane.

Buy applications for handling and storing industrial gases from reputed manufacturers

While setting up a storage unit for high-pressure hydrogen, nitrogen or other industrial gases, you ask the gas manufacturers to supply applications like diaphragms, pistons and compressors.

I recommend: Howden Group, a reputable industrial gas equipment manufacturer, supplies compressors and pistons of various capacities and specifications. Gardner Denver, Inc. provides compressed air and gas, vacuum and fluid transfer technologies to industrial customers throughout the world.

Buy industrial gases through pipelines

If your industrial processes need large volumes of industrial gases, then choosing a pipeline supply from industrial gas companies would be much economical. However, you must install proper accessories and fittings such as safety valves, leak detectors and gas meters.

I recommend: Praxair, Inc. operates industrial gas supply pipelines to deliver industrial gases to chemical plants, refineries and steel manufacturers. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. is another industrial gas supplier that operates a 25-mile nitrogen pipeline.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consult an expert while using specialty gases such as inert gases and highly reactive industrial gases.
• •  Follow proper safety measures while installing industrial gas storage units and on-site manufacturing facilities.
• •  Register with the reputable associations of the industrial gas producers to keep yourself updated about the technological innovations.

Action Steps
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Learn about the different industrial gases

Identify the industrial gases used for different applications, such as hydrogen, oxygen, neon and krypton.

I recommend: Summit Gas & Gear distributes to companies industrial gases such as acetylene, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, helium and propane. Find argon, carbon dioxide, helium, nitrogen, propylene and more at Airgas.

Research which markets use industrial gases for their projects

Find out which markets industrial gas manufacturers serve. Industrial gases are commonly used in manufacturing and laser applications.

I recommend: Air Products and Chemicals processes industrial gases for the health care, energy and technology markets. Praxair Electronics specializes in industrial gas processing for industries such as biotechnology and pharmaceutical, aerospace, textiles, specialty ceramics, metal fabrication and many more.

Buy related industrial gas supplies and equipment

Working with industrial gases requires accessibility to storage tanks, distribution systems, pneumatic devices, pressure vessels, vaporizers and more.

I recommend: Universal Industrial Gases provides new and used storage tanks and vaporizers for its clients, as well as liquid production and cryogenic air separation equipment. Sutton-Garten maintains industrial gas equipment such as gas blending systems, beer dispensing systems, balloon fillers, nitrogen generators and more.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most industrial gases require special handling and storage to ensure that they're used safely. For instance, hydrogen is flammable whenever it is housed in industrial gas processing equipment. Acetylene becomes explosive whenever it is mixed with air. It is commonly used in high-temperature welding applications.

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Take courses in chemical engineering to learn about specialty gases

Anyone who wants to work with chemicals and specialty gases for research or manufacturing will need a four-year college education with a concentration in chemical engineering. These programs teach everything from basic chemistry to independent studies for graduate students who conduct experiments. A degree in chemical engineering is required for many jobs with companies that manufacture industrial gases.

I recommend: California Institute of Technology offers chemical engineering degrees for those who want to work for biotech, medical, environmental or government facilities. North Carolina State University has programs in chemical and biomolecular engineering, from undergraduate courses to graduate studies, including some online options.

Learn what kinds of specialty and inert gases are commonly manufactured

Those working with chemical gases need to be familiar with the types of gases that are most commonly manufactured and sold to companies. Many of these gases can be handled easily, but all will require extensive safety and quality control techniques to provide a suitable product for the industry.

I recommend: The Biodiesel Conference provides seminars and educational sessions that talk about safety, quality and new technologies in biodiesel gases. Sigma-Aldrich hosts seminars and live webinars that teach participants about the latest technology used in manufacturing specialty and inert gases.

Know the regulations and standards for industrial gas manufacturers

The most important part of manufacturing and distributing industrial gases is compliance with industry and government regulations. Many of these regulations concern safety for employees, as well as safety for the general public. Compliance will be needed for issues such as storage, distribution and compression.

I recommend: The Compressed Gas Association provides many publications, including the "Handbook of Compressed Gases" that outlines standards and regulations for creating, working with and transporting compressed gases for commercial use. TWSCO outlines the regulations for transporting industrial gases. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission posts gas safety seminars and presentations on its website.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Besides manufacturing chemicals, industrial gas producers also look for those who have extensive knowledge of industrial gases for consulting, law and production quality positions.

Action Steps
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Telemetry

Telemetry is the process of remotely monitoring the levels of gases and other products. Satellites use telemetry to locate and track the container carrying the industrial gas to see the amount of gas left.

I recommend: Find more information about telemetry at Tech Target. PC Mag also supplies information about telemetry.

Oxy-fuel

Oxy-fuel refers to the oxygen that is combined with other gases in order to make the industrial gas burn hotter. Oxy-fuel is most commonly burned with acetylene in welding.

I recommend: Read Oxy-Acetylene Welding to learn more about Oxy-fuel. The Everything Development Company also has information about Oxy-fuel.

Plasma gas

Plasma gas is a low density, fully ionized gas that conducts electricity and can be magnetized. Arc welding is the most popular industrial use for plasma gas.

I recommend: Visit Bartleby.com for more information about plasma gas. Read information at Encyclopedia.com to learn even more about plasma gas.

LEL

LEL, the lower explosive limit, and LFL, the lower flammable limit, both refer to the same measurement used in gases. The lower explosive limit is the minimum gas needed to burn when ignited. These measurements are taken in specific conditions. The lower the number, the less amount of gas is needed to burn.

I recommend: Boss Aircharters has more information about lower explosive limits. The EPA also provides information about lower flammable limits.

UEL

UEL, the upper explosive limit, and UFL, the upper flammable limit, are similar to the LEL except they are the opposite measurement. The UEL measures the highest concentration of gas where it begins to burn. Many gases have a very high UFL measurement, which allows higher thermo levels.

I recommend: Learn more details about UEL at the Engineering ToolBox. Visit the BusinessDictionary.com to find even more about UELs.

Calorific value

The calorific valve is the amount of thermal units a gas produces when burned in specific conditions. All industrial gases have a calorific value measurement.

I recommend: National Grid supplies information about the calorific value of industrial gases. Read more about calorific value measurements at Northern Gas Networks.