Daily Uses of Helium, Propane, and Other Industrial Gases

The global industrial gas market is predicted to reach $146.6 billion by 2028. You may be wondering: how is this market so expansive?

Industrial gases by used by a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, petrochemicals, chemicals, power, mining, steelmaking, metals, environmental protection, medicine, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food, water, fertilizers, nuclear power, electronics and aerospace.

Believe it or not, we use industrial gases like helium, CO2, propane and others in our daily lives, too. There are many purposes that you might not have thought of before. For example, you’re planning a party. There are at least four industrial gases involved in this activity: Helium, Propane, Carbon Dioxide and Nitrogen.

Helium Gas: Balloon Ready

What do you picture in your mind when you think of a party? Balloons, of course! These floating balls of celebration cannot be possible without the use of helium gas.

Helium is a lighter gas than the oxygen in our atmosphere, allowing the balloons to stay in the air for long periods without falling.

Some people inhale balloon gas for fun as this can heighten the pitch of one’s voice, but inhaling helium is dangerous and should be avoided because it can cause your body’s oxygen level to drop to dangerous low levels.

Propane Gas: Cookout Galore

The best parties offer a variety of foods, and propane grills are often used in outdoor parties whether you’re cooking burgers, sautéing vegetables, or toasting a marshmallow.

Heating lamps and fire pits often use propane to light up and warm outdoor restaurants and other activity venues.

Propane gas is also used to heat and power home appliances, as well as industrial and construction sites.

Carbon Dioxide: Drink Up

There’s no party without a nice glass of carbonated deliciousness. Carbon dioxide is used to carbonate your favorite sodas. A mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide (CO2) gas, often called beer gas, are used to dispense draft beer from the taps.

Carbonation can be a naturally occurring byproduct of fermented drinks such as beer or kombucha. However, that process is inconsistent. Therefore, the drinks we purchase today still get a little boost from a carbon dioxide tank. It’s unlikely that you step into a restaurant or club that does not have carbon dioxide attached to its drink machine.

Nitrogen Gas: Keeping Things Cool

No one wants a warm drink or stale appetizers during a party. Thanks to nitrogen, these things are kept cool in the refrigerator!

Nitrogen gas is a key cryogenic agent that aids in freezing our foods. It plays an important role in reducing food spoilage, discoloration, and off-flavors. So the next time you want a quick meal after a long day, thank the nitrogen that made it possible!

Party on With Industrial Gases

Whether it be a cookout, soirée, dance party, gala, or stay-at-home date, industrial gases like helium, propane, carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas have saved the day. They keep you comfortable, satisfied, and festive day-in and day-out.

Choosing a Propane Supplier

In Greater Boston and Eastern Massachusetts, heating is crucial to survive the winter. This applies to home heating, as well as commercial buildings and industrial sites. For those who use propane for heating, it is important to carefully choosing a propane provider.

How do you choose a propane delivery supplier? The first question to ask is whether you are in the propane supplier’s service area. You’d be wasting your time if they are not. Then you should ask the same questions you would normally ask when selecting a vendor: how long have they been in business? Do they have a good reputation? Is this their main line of business? When vetting propane service providers, you would prefer those have served your area for many years and avoid vendors that don’t have track records that you can verify.

Mishandling propane can have serious safety consequences. Therefore, it is important to choose a company with lots of experience in delivering, installing and maintaining propane. Ask the vendor about their commitment to propane safety. A professional propane supplier can tell you about their safety record and the regulatory programs they take. They will educate you on propane safety, what to do in an emergency, and the signs of a propane leak.

Speaking of emergency, being able to reach your propane provider in an emergency is critical. When there is a problem with your propane tank, you may need help immediately. You should choose a propane vendor that offers 24-hour emergency assistance, with a live service agent ready to assist you with any type of emergency, even in the middle of the night.

Now on to the good-to-have stuff:

Propane delivery

Good delivery service means that you don’t ever run out of propane. Automatic delivery is an option where the supplier knows when to deliver propane to you without you having to call them. You never run out of fuel because you forgot to check or to call. Of course, sometimes you really only want refills when you need it. Then the vendor should also be able to accommodate your requirement. Additionally, you want to check that the vendor has adequate staffing and trucks to service their customers. You don’t want to hire a company that is stretched so thin that they fail to deliver when you need it.

Propane tank delivery, installation and maintenance

Most propane suppliers offer installation and maintenance of your propane tank. You may choose to buy your tank or lease one for a monthly fee. Some suppliers offer free installation, a big savings because installation may cost thousands of dollars. If you sign up with a full service propane company that provides delivery, installation and maintenance and maybe even check your propane appliances, you can save a lot of time and have peace of mind.

Cost

Last but not least, you want to compare the costs. Everybody wants to save a buck here and there. But beware of extra fees. National propane gas companies sometimes offer low initial new customer rates but soon you’ll find that the fees add up to outweigh the initial savings. If you then switch to a local company, the national company may charge you a big termination fee.

Some propane suppliers offer a pre-buy program where you can buy propane in advance in the summer and have it delivered in winter. That way, you avoid buying propane when the prices spike in winter. It’s a cost-saving option that is worth investigating.

To find a propane supplier, it’s a good idea to get suggestions and referrals from family, neighbors, co-workers, and other people you know. You can also check the online reviews. Once you have a list of vendors, then evaluate your options and choose the one that best fits your needs.