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This section provides an overview for argon gas as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 7 argon gas manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked argon gas companies as of December, 2024: 1.NDIANA OXYGEN COMPANY, 2.Airgas, Inc., 3.Iwatani Corporation.
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Postdoctoral researcher, conducting research on the production of cathode composite particles for solid-state batteries in the Equipment Engineering Group of Osaka Prefecture University.
Belongs to the Resource and Energy Recycling Laboratory, Nagaoka University of Technology, and conducts research on the development of DDR-type zeolite membranes for CO2 separation and the capture of CO2 from digestion gas generated from sewage treatment plants.
https://researchmap.jp/eiji-hayakawa
Thesis
https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11080623
http://www.ijcea.org/index.php?m=content&c=index&a=show&catid=109&id=1177
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1387181119305529?via%3Dihub
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S138358661833154X?via%3Dihub
Argon gas' element number is 18 and its symbol is Ar. The etymology of the word means "lazy" in Greek and refers to its non-reactive characteristics.
Argon is used to create an inert atmosphere and is used in this way to produce titanium and other reactive elements. It is also used by welders to protect welds and in incandescent light bulbs to stop oxygen from corroding filaments.
Because argon is the most abundant of the noble gases (0.93%v/v in air), its coexistence with oxygen is problematic.
Argon is a colorless, odorless gas and a noble gas belonging to group 18 of the periodic table of elements. Group 18 elements include helium, neon, krypton, xenon, and radon in addition to argon. All of these elements exist in the atmosphere in gaseous form.
The most important characteristic of noble gases is that they are inert gases with very low reactivity due to their very stable electron configuration (however, even noble gases can be made to react under certain conditions.) Inert gases are used to avoid chemical reactions that accelerate degradation, which occurs in oxidation and hydrolysis reactions between the sample and oxygen or moisture in the air.
In particular, purified argon and nitrogen gases are the most commonly used inert gases due to their natural abundance (78.3% N2 and 1% Ar in air) and low cost. In particular, while argon is more expensive than nitrogen, its inertness is lower than nitrogen, making argon suitable for materials and environments where it would react with nitrogen. Argon has about the same solubility as oxygen and is 2.5 times more soluble in water than nitrogen.
Argon has a lower conductivity of heat than air, so better thermal insulation can be achieved by adding argon to the gaps between glass.
As an inert gas with very low reactivity, argon provides an inert atmosphere that prevents it from reacting with oxygen in semiconductors and steel. Argon gas is used in arc welding to prevent reactions with molten metal.
Argon is also used in fluorescent tubes and low-energy light bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs contain trace amounts of mercury and argon, and argon assists in the discharge of the filament. The low reactivity of argon is used to extend the life of the filament.
In food products, argon is also used as an encapsulating gas for wine. This is not only to prevent oxidation but also because argon, which is heavier than air, effectively flushes oxygen out of wine bottles.
Argon also has a lower thermal conductivity than air or nitrogen. For this reason, double-glazed windows use argon to fill the gaps between the panes.
Thus, argon is used in various industrial fields, especially because of its low reactivity and because it is the most abundant noble gas.
Argon gas is a non-hazardous substance when used normally. Argon is present in the air at about 1%, and we inhale it with oxygen and nitrogen when we breathe. Argon itself is not toxic, and inhalation of low concentrations has no effect. Argon is also an inert gas (nonflammable), so it will not react with other substances or cause fires in normal environments.
On the other hand, inhalation of high concentrations may cause asphyxiation, so environments with high concentrations should be avoided.
Since it is often handled filled in cylinders, there is a risk that the gas concentration in a room may become high due to leakage from the cylinders. This can be remedied by immediately stopping the source of the leak and providing adequate ventilation in the room. When handling liquefied argon, the cylinder itself becomes very cold due to the heat of vaporization when argon evaporates, so there is a danger of frostbite if you touch it with bare hands. In such cases, protective equipment can be used to ensure safe handling.
High-purity argon for cylinder gas is produced by separating argon from the air. In this case, the "deep-cooled air separation method" is used. In this method, water and carbon dioxide are first removed from the air by pretreatment, and then the purified air is cooled to a very low temperature of -170 to -190℃ to separate the gases in the air using the difference in vapor pressure (i.e., the difference in boiling points).
Incidentally, the boiling point of nitrogen is -195.8°C, oxygen is -183.0°C, and argon is -185.7°C. Using this method, oxygen, nitrogen, and argon are separated and purified from air, respectively.
Argon gas is usually sold in cylinders. Types of cylinders include general containers and cryogenic containers. While a high-pressure gas-related qualification is required for the production and sale of argon gas, no specific qualification is required for the use of gas cylinders.
In general containers, argon is filled at a high pressure of 14.7 MPa in its gaseous state. Cylinders are available in sizes of 7000L, 1500L, and 500L, depending on the amount of argon filled. A 7000L cylinder weighs approximately 60 kg, so care must be taken when carrying and transporting it.
In addition, very high purity argon gas may be required depending on the intended use, but argon gas is sold in cylinders of gas with a purity of up to 99.9999% (six nines).
In cryogenic containers, argon is filled in a liquid state. Since the amount of argon filled is greater than that of ordinary containers, they are suitable for large volume consumption. It also reduces the frequency of replacing cylinders, which helps to keep costs down. Cylinders are available in sizes of 127,000 L or 36,000 L. Because they are quite heavy, they require a distributor or specialized contractor to carry and transport them.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Heresite Protective Coatings LLC, founded in 1935 and headquartered in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, United States, is a manufacturer and supplier of lining systems, chemical resistance guidance, and corrosion prevention shielding layer solutions. The company's products include water-based air-dry coating, performance epoxy-siloxane coating, and phenolic coatings. These products have applications in a range of pH environments, including highly acidic environments, and are used to coat container linings, tank linings, and industrial HVAC exhaust hoods. It serves industries that include offshore oil drilling, wastewater treatment, and semiconductor production.
Iwatani Corporation, estabished in 1930 in Tokyo, Japan is a manufacturer of ‘decarbonized’ energy-related products such as liquified petroleum gas, natural gas, helium and hydrogen gas. The company specializes in producing energy for commercial purposes and develops home propane gas, cassette gas-associated products, LPG, hydrogen gas, and diverse energy development products which are used in applications such as residential and commercial cooking, heating, industrial processes, and fuel for vehicles as a clean energy source for the environment.They are also engaged in various other businesses such as industrial chemicals, machinery, livestock and agricultural products.
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. was established in 1940 and is based in Allentown, Pennsylvania as a manufacturer and distributor of atmospheric gases. Their product range comprises natural gas liquefaction (LNG) technology and equipment, liquid fuel, epoxy additives, advanced coatings, and adhesives, used in various industrial gas projects, including gasification initiatives that sustainably transform natural resources into syngas for the creation of valuable electricity, fuels, and chemicals. Its applications consist of effluent aeration, atmosphere control, atomic absorption, spectroscopy, annealing, and catalyst regeneration. The Company operates in various industries such as automotive, aerospace, chemicals, and healthcare.
Matheson Tri-Gas is a merger between Matheson Gas Products and Tri-Gas, Inc and is a manufacturer of semiconductors, industrial cylinders, and equipment since 1927 in the United States. Matheson Tri-Gas offers industrial, specialty, and medical gases including liquids, gases, and gas mixtures in various purity grades, and different types of cylinders or containers. The company also designs and manufactures various types of gas-handling equipment such as regulators, flow meters, filters, and purifiers. Matheson's range of customers includes food, medical and biotech companies.
Airgas, Inc. is an American distributor of specialty gasses and related hardgoods that was established in 1982 following parent company Air Liquide’s acquisition of Connecticut Oxygen. Based in Radnor, Pennsylvania, the company primarily offers gasses for medical and industrial applications, including argon, helium, and acetylene. It also stocks gas-related equipment such as cylinders and flowmeters, as well as welding products, safety products, and tools. Airgas chiefly serves clients in the construction, energy production, chemical processing, and life sciences sectors.
Linde PLC, established in 1879 and headquartered in Woking, England, is a global service provider of industrial gases and engineering. The company's industrial gases find applications in critical areas such as hydrogen production, medical oxygen, electronics manufacturing as well as in carbon capture systems for energy transitions. It also offers state-of-the-art gas processing solutions to support customer expansion accross the globe while promoting education, diversity, sustainability, and health on a global scale through its engineering technologies.
INDIANA OXYGEN COMPANY was established in 1915 and is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is a distributor of gas systems and welding equipment for various industrial and commercial applications. The company provides bulk gas systems, propane, welding products, and, gas delivery systems as well as micro bulk systems, medical gases, specialty gases, and, robotics & laser system designing facilities for construction, metal fabrication, universities & research, life sciences & healthcare, and, automotive sectors. They are a part of the We Supply America docuseries and their products also have applications in motorsports, food & beverage, energy, agriculture, and aerospace industries.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NDIANA OXYGEN COMPANY |
22.8%
|
| 2 | Airgas, Inc. |
16.3%
|
| 3 | Iwatani Corporation |
15.2%
|
| 4 | Heresite Protective Coatings, LLC |
13.0%
|
| 5 | Air Products |
12.0%
|
| 6 | Linde |
10.9%
|
| 7 | Matheson Tri-Gas |
9.8%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the argon gas page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
1 | 50.0% |
|
Ireland
|
1 | 50.0% |
2 products found
2 products
Taiyo Nippon Sanso Gas & Welding Co., Ltd.
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Standard Response
Argon is used for plasma (discharge) welding and cutting. It prevents color change due to oxidation and is effective for cutting and processing dec...
Osaka Gas Liquid
390+ people viewing
Last viewed: 15 hours ago
5.0 Company Review
We supply an indispensable industrial gas in a wide range of industries (food, medical care, architecture, car, steel, ceramics, chemistry, electro...
