PureAire Introduces New Dual Oxygen/Carbon Dioxide Monitor

 PureAire Monitoring Systems is excited to introduce its new Dual Oxygen/Carbon Dioxide Monitor, an important addition to our full line of Oxygen Deficiency Monitors, Carbon Dioxide Monitors, and Combustible/Toxic Gas Detectors.  Our new Monitor is designed for continuous monitoring of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels  across a wide variety of applications, including cryogenic facilities, breweries, food processing plants, cannabis grow rooms, pharmaceutical manufacturing operations, laboratories, hospitals, and universities.

Our Dual Monitor can sample O₂/CO₂ levels from up to 100 feet away and is ideal for facilities that use inert gases, including, but not limited to, nitrogen, helium, and argon. Its NEMA 4X/IP66 dust-tight and water-tight enclosure will protect the Monitor against dust, water, and damage from ice formation.

PureAire’s new Dual O₂/CO₂ Monitor continually measures oxygen levels from 0-25%, and carbon dioxide levels from 0-50,000 parts per million (ppm), with both O₂ and CO₂ measurements readily visible on the Monitor’s easy-to-read backlit displays. Depending on our customers’ specific requirements, the Monitor can be linked to a programmable logic controller (PLC), a multi-channel controller, or tied into building systems themselves.

The new O₂/CO₂ Monitor features dual built-in LED visual alarms, two alarm level set-points for both O₂ and CO₂, as well as two relays for each monitored gas. The Monitor responds in seconds to changes in oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, and it will remain accurate over a wide range of temperature and humidity levels.

PureAire’s Dual Oxygen/Carbon Dioxide Monitor offers thorough air monitoring, with no time-consuming maintenance or calibration required. Built with durable, non-depleting, zirconium oxide sensor cells, and non-dispersive, infrared (NDIR) sensor cells to ensure longevity, PureAire’s Dual O₂/CO₂ Monitor can last, trouble-free, for 10+ years in normal working conditions.

3D Printed Auto Parts—The Future Is Now

Overview

3D printing (also known as “additive manufacturing”) affords manufacturers the ability to create custom parts that fit together perfectly.  Utilized for decades in the medical products and aerospace parts industries, 3D printing is increasingly being used in other industries as well, including the relatively recent advent of 3D printed metal auto parts.

 New and Replacement Auto Parts

Automakers have made use of 3D printing processes since the late 1980s, with the initial output comprised primarily of plastic parts.  Manufacturers such as Ford, BMW, Bugatti, Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, among others, have embraced 3D printing in their research and development efforts, including the production of working prototypes.  While the automobile industry is currently unable to mass produce an all 3D printed vehicle, carmakers are already producing 3D printed parts, with the eventual goal, as soon as is feasible, of more fully integrating 3D printed parts into the original manufacture of future generations of automobiles.

Availing themselves of 3D printing processes for producing auto parts allows manufacturers to generate parts that are lightweight (which can improve fuel efficiency) and customizable, and that can be created quickly, enhancing the lean manufacturing focus on just in time inventory.  Although plastic has traditionally been the material most often used in printing parts, as advances in additive manufacturing have been made, so too has the use of alternative materials.

For instance, in 2018, French luxury automaker Bugatti announced that it had developed a new 3D printed titanium brake caliper prototype which, it claimed, was the largest functional titanium component produced with a 3D printer.  DS Automobiles, Citroen premium brand, has created 3D titanium printed parts for the ignition elements, as well as 3D printed titanium door handles, to give their DS 3 Dark Side edition vehicle a sleek, high tech feel.

Gas Usage In 3D Printing Process

To prevent corrosion, and to keep out impurities that can negatively impact the final product, 3D printed parts must be produced in an environment made free of oxygen, typically by the use of argon (and sometimes nitrogen) within the building chamber. That creates a stable printing environment, prevents fire hazards by keeping combustible dust inert, and controls thermal stress in order to reduce deformities.

Oxygen Monitors Can Improve Safety in Additive Manufacturing Processes

Dust from materials used in additive manufacturing, such as titanium, is, when exposed to oxygen, highly combustible and, therefore, requires monitoring to prevent possible explosions.Argon and nitrogen, while used in 3D printing for their oxygen depleting properties, require monitoring to ensure both the integrity of the finished part, and the safety of manufacturing personnel.

PureAire Monitors 

For quality control purposes, PureAire Monitoring Systems’ Air Check O2 0-1000ppm monitor has a remote sensor that can be placed directly within the printing build chamber, to continuously monitor the efficiency and purity of the O2 depleting gases (e.g. argon and nitrogen) used therein.

Moreover, to ensure employee safety, PureAire’s Oxygen Deficiency Monitors should be placed anywhere argon and nitrogen supply lines and storage tanks are located. In the event of an argon or nitrogen leak, a drop in oxygen will cause the built-in horn to sound and the lights to flash, thereby alerting employees to evacuate the area.  PureAire’s Oxygen Deficiency Monitors measure oxygen 24/7, with no time-consuming maintenance required. PureAire’s monitors feature long-lasting zirconium sensors, which are designed to give accurate readings, without calibration, for up to 10 years.

Winemaking - A Must Read

Background

The art and science of winemaking have been around for thousands of years. Winemakers rely on their instincts, palettes, and a thorough knowledge of the nuances involved in every stage of the winemaking process as they strive to achieve the flavors and qualities that they desire.Even a cursory overview of certain elements of the process underscores the critical role played by gases…from fermentation to first sip…in preserving the flavors created and nurtured by the winemaker’s skills.

From Harvesting to Fermentation

Since grapes do not continue to ripen after they have been picked, winemakers must carefully monitor the fruits when still on the vine, to ensure that they are harvested when flavor and ripeness are at peak levels. To protect the fragile grapevines, harvesting is typically done by hand, a laborious but important undertaking.

Once grapes are harvested, they are sorted and, sometimes, destemmed, and then crushed. At one time, grapes were crushed by hand (or, rather, by foot), but winemakers today crush them by using mechanical presses, which improves sanitation and the lifespan of the wine “must” (derived from the Latin phrase vinum mustum, or “young wine”), which is the industry term for the mixture of grape juice, seeds, and skins(and, in certain red wines, stems) that is the result of crushing.

The wine must is blanketed with nitrogen to reduce excessive levels of oxygen, which can oxidize the must, leaving it discolored and overly tart.For white wines, solids in the must are quickly removed after the crushing, in order to preserve the pale color of the juice.  For reds, solids are left in the must, to create a more flavorful wine.

Next, the young wine is transferred to fermentation tanks. The fermentation process begins when yeast is introduced to the must.  Most winemakers today use commercial yeasts, so they can control the predictability of the final product, though some winemakers (much like certain Belgian beermakers) continue to use the old-fashioned method of allowing wild yeasts to mix with the wine must. In either case, during fermentation, the yeast converts the grape sugars into alcohol. A byproduct of the fermentation process is carbon dioxide.  Too much carbon dioxide in the fermentation area can displace oxygen and create potential health and safety risks to employees.

The fermentation process can take anywhere from ten days to a month or more.  To maintain sweetness, some wines are not allowed to fully ferment, which leaves higher levels of sugar in the wine.

Once fermentation is complete, the wine is clarified or filtered, in order to remove residual solids and any other undesired particles. At that point, the fermented wine is transferred into aging vessels, most often either stainless-steel tanks or oak barrels.

Aging and Bottling

Exposure to oxygen can negatively impact a wine’s flavor, longevity, and overall quality. Inert gases, including argon, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide, may be used to flush oxygen out of the environment during storage, to help preserve the flavor and quality of the wine.

Flushing fermentation vessels, aging tanks, barrels, and bottles with an inert gas before filling with wine helps prevent oxidation, which is much dreaded by winemakers, as it produces discoloration, unpleasant aromas, and off flavors reminiscent of vinegar.

Oxygen Monitors Can Protect Winemakers and Their Employees

The same property--oxygen displacement --that makes inert gases ideal for winemaking, can be deadly if gas leaks from the supply lines or storage containers, or if there is a dangerous buildup of carbon dioxide during the fermentation stage. Employees could suffocate from breathing oxygen-deficient air and, since inert gases lack color, and odor, there is no way, absent appropriate monitoring, to determine if there has been a leak.

PureAire Monitors 

PureAire Monitoring Systems’ line of oxygen and dual oxygen/carbon dioxide monitors offer thorough air monitoring, with no time-consuming maintenance or calibration required. A screen displays current oxygen levels for at-a-glance reading by employees, who derive peace of mind from the monitor’s presence and reliable performance.

Built with zirconium oxide sensor cells and non-dispersive infrared sensor (NDIR)cells, to ensure longevity, PureAire O2 and O2/CO2 monitors can last, trouble-free, for over 10 years under normal operating conditions.

As such, the use of PureAire’s monitors will enable winemakers, in a cost-effective manner, to preserve both the quality of their wines and the well-being of their employees.

Gas Distributors and Specialty Gas Suppliers Are the Key to Technology Companies

The technologies that power laptops, smartphones, LED televisions, and other technologies rely on one hidden ingredient: Gas. Compressed and inert gases help create a pure environment, control the temperature, and carry other substances for a high-quality end product. See how the different gases used play a pivotal role in technology product development and also how they introduce health and safety risks into the workplace. 

Compressed Gases Used in Technology Devices 

The most common compressed gases used in technologies include argon (Ar), helium (He), and nitrogen (N₂). 

Liquid and gas helium have a range of uses in science, laboratory, manufacturing, and technology settings. Within the semiconductor industry, helium keeps the manufacturing environment pure so that no unwanted chemical reactions occur. Since helium conducts heat efficiently, it stabilizes the temperature when silicon is introduced in the semiconductor manufacturing process. Helium's ability to cool quickly aids in a range of uses, from chilling semiconductor wafers to keeping an MRI magnet cool.  

Nitrogen (N₂₎ gas aids with the liquidous stage of semiconductor manufacturing, where the solder is wetting the surface to create a good bond. Since nitrogen flushes out oxygen, it's also used during the purging process. 

Some semiconductor manufacturing facilities have opted for nitrogen generations onsite rather than N₂ delivery from a commercial gas supplier. Since nitrogen is one component of air, it can be distilled for purity onsite using a generator. 

Like helium (He) and nitrogen, argon or Ar is inert. This gas is introduced in the sputtering phase of semiconductor manufacturing. Since argon maintains a highly pure environment, it prevents silicon crystals used in semiconductors from developing impurities. 

To source these gases, semiconductor, LED, and other manufacturers turn to compressed gas providers, who offer on-demand delivery of combustible gases. The chief gas distributors include Praxair, Airgas, Air Liquide, Linde, Matheson Tri-gas, and BOC.

The Hidden Dangers of Specialty Gas

While these specialty gases are highly useful, there is a danger associated with their use. Helium, nitrogen, and argon all deplete oxygen from the air. In the manufacturing process, this is a desired trait. Oxygen can cause flaws in the final product. 

Where trouble starts is when leaks occur and the specialty gas escapes into a closed room. Leaks can develop in supply lines, storage canisters, or nitrogen generators. These gases have no scent or color, so employees would not see or smell an argon leak. 

Within minutes of a leak, oxygen levels can fall from typical levels to deficient levels, which means that the air in the environment does not have enough oxygen for respiration. Employees can experience fatigue, dizziness, cognitive confusion, and respiratory distress. A few breathe of oxygen deficient air can render someone unconscious. Once an employee loses consciousness, the risk is death via asphyxiation. 

By tracking levels of oxygen using an oxygen monitor, employers can prevent workplace accidents and injuries and protect the well-being of their employees. An oxygen deficiency monitor tracks oxygen levels 24/7 and provides fast notification if oxygen levels plummet due to an inert gas leak. 

Just as these gases can leak in the semiconductor manufacturing plant, they can leak at the gas distributor as well. Leaks arise when storage equipment and supply lines develop holes, when storage dewars are not properly sealed, or when the equipment is used in a manner for which it was not originally intended or designed.

While end manufacturers are well aware of the risks of an oxygen deficient environment, there is less talk of the need for protection in gas distribution facilities. Wherever He, Ar, and N₂ are used or stored, oxygen monitors should be installed as a precaution. 

How an Oxygen Deficiency Monitor Works

An oxygen deficiency monitor has a built-in alarm to provide LED and sound alert when oxygen levels fall to the critical defined threshold, which is 19.5 percent. PureAire's monitors work in confined spaces, including basements and freezers, and function at temperatures of -40 C. PureAire's oxygen monitors are built to withstand 10+ years of use without subjectivity to barometric pressure shifts or temperature changes. The zirconium sensor needs no annual maintenance or calibration.

If you're looking for a reliable product that is easy to use out of the box, consider PureAire's O₂ monitor. Learn more about PureAire's oxygen deficiency monitor or read customer testimonials at https://www.pureairemonitoring.com or www.oxygenmonitors.com

Source:

http://summitsourcefunding.com/blog/helium-is-a-critical-part-electronics-supply-chain 
https://www.onsitegas.com/semi-conductor-nitrogen.html

Gas Chromatography and Breathe Safely While Using Nitrogen

Gas chromatography is a process used to separate chemical compounds for analysis. The analytical chemistry process is used with gases that won't decompose when vaporized. Gas chromatography are used in a wide range of industries -- everything from forensic science to medical marijuana. While the procedure is highly useful, there are risks when working with nitrogen gas. Learn how gas chromatography works, the role nitrogen plays, and how an oxygen sensor improves safety. 

How Gas Chromatography Work

In chromatography, one gas moves over the sample substance. The moving gas is known as the mobile phase, and it's usually an inert gas, such as nitrogen or helium. As the mobile phase passes over the substance, it separates out into its component parts. Since accuracy is key, it's vital that the moving gas not react with the substance being analyzed. For this reason, inert gases are recommended for gas chromatography.

Gas chromatography takes place within a special machine, known as a gas chromatograph machine. The substance being studied is injected into the chromatograph with a syringe, then the material is heated to the vapor stage. The carrier gas -- e.g. nitrogen -- is then added to the chromatograph to push the sample up the central column. As the substance being analyzed passes up the column, it's absorbed by the carrier and then separated into its distinct components. The components emerge from the column and pass through a detector, where they are identified and noted on a chart.

When the process is complete, every part of the mixture is identified. At this point, for instance, a forensic scientist will have the raw data needed to analyze evidence found at the crime scene. While television shows may portray the process as instant, it's often time-consuming.

Within the medical marijuana industry, scientists are using gas chromatography to test for pesticide residue in cannabis. While the medical marijuana industry is still young, and pesticide levels are not heavily regulated, industry leaders expect this to change as the marijuana industry grows. Thus, the use of gas chromatography to check for pesticides will grow too.

Whenever gases is used in the chromatography process, there's a potential for gas leaks, whether from the supply lines, storage tanks, or from the chromatograph itself. Nitrogen gas displaces oxygen. If nitrogen were to leak, air levels would become deficient of oxygen and employees could suffer health problems. 

Since nitrogen gas has no color or odor, there is no way for lab staff to tell that the gas has leaked. The best way to safeguard the lab is with an oxygen monitor. 

How an Oxygen Deficiency Monitor Protects Employees 

Risks of breathing oxygen deficient air include dizziness, fatigue, unconsciousness, and death via asphyxiation. All it takes is a couple breaths of air to experience adverse health effects. 

Since there is no way to tell whether a leak has occurred, it's necessary to use an oxygen sensor to track oxygen levels at all times. The oxygen monitor or sensor measures oxygen and only reacts when levels fall below a predefined threshold. Oxygen sensors from PureAire have alarms for oxygen levels of 18 percent and 19.5 percent, for instance. 

The oxygen deficiency monitor includes a flashing light and loud alarm, so that staff and passerby receive prompt notification of the leak. When the alarm goes off, employees can vacate the premises and contact emergency personnel. 

Given the serious risks posed by a nitrogen gas leak, it's important to use oxygen deficiency monitors anywhere inert gases are stored or used. 

PureAire is an industry leader when it comes to oxygen monitors. O₂ monitors from PureAire are designed for long-lasting and maintenance-free use. They feature a zirconium sensor, which lasts for 10-plus years without calibration. PureAire's monitors can handle temperature changes, barometric shifts, and even freezing temperatures. Learn more about PureAire's monitors and how they promote safety at 

www.pureairemonitoring.com.

Source: http://www.explainthatstuff.com/chromatography.html

The Overview on Inert Glove Boxes and How They Work

For businesses that work with inert gases or hazardous materials, glove boxes are essential. They allow employees to safely work with sensitive or hazardous materials without compromising either the material or their safety. While glove boxes are an effective solution to handling inert and hazardous materials, they are not failsafe. To ensure there are no leaks in the glove box, it's critical to pair a glove box with an oxygen monitor. 

How a Glove Box Works 

A glove box, sometimes known as a dry box, is a large box with at least one window and two ports. The ports allow workers wearing arm-length gloves to place their hands inside the inert environment, where they can work with hazardous materials or inert gases, such as argon or nitrogen. 

The interior of the glove box is filled with an inert gas -- usually nitrogen, although it could be argon or helium if the materials used inside the box react with nitrogen. While the glove box environment is intended to be closed, small amounts of oxygen can seep through the glove ports. Thus, it's essential that the glove box be purged nightly. 

There's an antechamber on one side of the glove box. This allows you to place materials in the chamber, then open the interior door and bring them into the glove box environment. To prevent the insert gas inside from seeping out through the antechamber, you must never have both the interior and exterior door open at the same time. 

Inert gases, such as nitrogen and argon, displace oxygen. If these gases were to leak into the air via the antechamber doors or through a hole in a defective glove box, it would push oxygen out of the room. Oxygen levels would begin to drop, eventually falling below the OSHA threshold. 

When oxygen levels drop below the OSHA threshold, it can cause respiratory and cognitive problems, as well as death via asphyxiation. To protect employee safety in a glove box environment, it's critical to use oxygen monitors onsite. 

How an Oxygen Monitor Protects Your Workers 

While your staff might see the antechamber doors open and understand that a leak has occurred, most leaks are undetectable until it is too late. 

Inert gases have no color or odor, so there is no way for someone working onsite to know at a glance or sniff there's been a leak. Meanwhile, the air in the room would slowly lose oxygen, eventually leading to an oxygen deficient environment that places your employees at risk of death by asphyxiation. 

A wall-mounted oxygen monitor samples room air 24/7. The monitor remains silent if there's sufficient air in the room. If there is a leak of nitrogen, for example, and oxygen levels fall, the monitor will sound an alarm and flash lights, so workers can see and hear there is a problem. 

Your employees will be able to leave the room before suffering adverse health effects. Staff will also be able to complete shifts with less stress when they know the environment is safe, because they trust the oxygen monitor is working properly. 

PureAire's oxygen monitors feature long-lasting zirconium sensors. Once installed, these oxygen monitors measure the oxygen in the air for 10 or more years, without needing annual calibration or maintenance. The monitors are unaffected by sudden shifts in barometric pressure or thunderstorms. The digital display provides legible, updated oxygen readings so employees can check ambient oxygen levels. PureAire's oxygen monitors can be used in confined spaces and in temperature extremes as low as -40 Celsius. All PureAire oxygen monitors come with a three year warranty for your protection. Review specifications or learn more about oxygen monitors from PureAire by visiting www.pureairemonitoring.com

Oxygen Monitors now Required for Nitrogen, Argon, Helium, and CO2 use in Denver

Oxygen Monitors now Required for Nitrogen, Argon, Helium, and CO2 use in Denver

The Colorado city of Denver recently passed a new law that requires facilities that use insert gas to install oxygen deficiency monitors wherever these gases are used in excess of 100 pounds. Learn what the new law requires from businesses and how an oxygen sensor protects your employees, your business, and your peace of mind. 

What Denver's New Law Requires 

The law specifically applies to Colorado commercial, industrial, or manufacturing facilities that use inert gases, including nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, and helium. Facilities covered by the new law include water treatment plants, laboratories, and food processing plants. 

Fire suppression systems and medical gas systems are not covered by the Denver law. 

Under the new law: 

• Inert gas storage tanks must be placed in approved locations, whether stored inside or outside of the building 
• Storage containers must be secured to prevent tip-overs
• All valves and tubing used with the gas system must meet applicable standards
• Gases must vent outside the building
• All areas where gas is used must either have an oxygen deficiency monitor or continuous ventilation system, which keeps the oxygen levels in the room steady 
• Oxygen alarms should be visually inspected daily by trained staff members
•  Storage tanks, piping, and other parts of the system must be checked on a monthly basis 
• Tests of the system must be conducted regularly with either air or an inert gas

The Denver law sets out regulations for the type of oxygen deficiency monitor, plus where and how to use them. Acceptable monitors must be installed in any location where an inert gas leak could result in an oxygen deficient environment where public health could be at stake. 

Oxygen detectors must be on an approved device list and directly connected to the electrical supply and fire alarm system for the site. The oxygen detectors must be permanently mounted to the wall at a height which is consistent with the given gas's vapor density, so they can work properly. The devices must be located within their specified ranges of operation, in order to ensure the monitors can work as intended. 

The law prohibits self-zeroing or auto calibrating devices, unless they can be spanned or zeroed to check that the oxygen monitor is working as it should be. All installed oxygen monitors must be calibrated regularly to ensure safe and reliable operation. 

Alongside mounted alarms, companies must place signage that notifies employees of the oxygen monitor and gives instructions for what to do in the event of an alarm. Typical instructions tell staff to leave the building and call 911 if the alarm is going off. 

Signs notifying employees of the risk for oxygen deficiency must be posted anywhere inert gas is stored or used.

To further protect employees, the Denver law mandates that gas be transported, filled, or moved only by qualified individuals who follow protocol. All equipment, including piping systems, must be inspected for competency and the organization must maintain records for a period of three years. 

Why an Oxygen Monitor is a Practical Suggestion 

Oxygen deficient environments occur when an inert gas, such as helium, nitrogen, or argon, escapes into the environment and begins to displace oxygen. Since these gases have no odor or color, there is no way that staff working in the room can tell something is leaking. As the oxygen levels fall, employees can experience confusion and respiratory distress, resulting in death by asphyxiation. 

An oxygen monitor tracks ambient levels of oxygen and sets off an alarm when oxygen levels fall below the safe threshold, thus protecting employee safety. Since employees can both hear and see the alarm, they will know there is a problem even if they are operating loud equipment that overrides the noise of the sensor. 

Oxygen monitors are simple solutions to pressing problems faced by organizations that rely on inert gases and want to mitigate their risk. 

PureAire's oxygen sensors are cost-efficient and high quality. They are designed with a zirconium sensor, which is capable of lasting for as long as 10 years. PureAire's oxygen sensor is accurate in diverse environments, from storage freezers to basements. The sensor functions between -40 and 55 C. While PureAire's oxygen monitors do not need to be calibrated, they are capable of calibration, thus eligible for use in Denver. 

PureAire's monitors need little maintenance to work reliably once they are installed using the included wall-mounting brackets, and they are not affected by changes in the barometric pressure, a known problem with other types of oxygen sensors. PureAire's products can be set to measure oxygen levels of either 18 percent or 19.5 percent (which is the OSHA action level), to comply with standards. 

To learn more about oxygen monitors from PureAire, and view specifications, go to www.pureairemonitoring.com.

University Environmental Health & Safety Departments: Handling Compressed Nitrogen and Cryogenics

*Click here for oxygen monitor details

An explosion at a university research lab in Hawaii last year highlights the dangers of working with compressed gas and the need for safety equipment on campus. Learn the dangers of working with compressed gas, how an oxygen deficiency monitor can help, and campus safety best practices. 

Compressed Gas on Campus: Uses and Dangers

Compressed gases including nitrogen, argon, and oxygen are widely used on campuses. These gases have many practical and educational uses across educational institutions. While the level of risk varies across schools, a few examples will illustrate the benefits and the risks of using compressed gas on campus.

Argon gas is critical in the 3D printing process, which campus design, fine arts, applied arts, and sciences may use. Culinary programs may use liquid nitrogen for cooking and freezing, and chemistry labs may use N2 as well. Autoclaves, which sterilize equipment, are regularly used in scientific, medical, and industrial programs. Sports programs and physical therapy training programs may use cryotherapy for injury recovery. Cryotherapy chambers rely on nitrogen to chill the air. The chambers can turn deadly if a nitrogen leak occurs. These gases may be used by facilities personnel, researchers, faculty members or teaching assistants and students assisting with teaching labs. No matter which gas students are working with, they are at risk if the gas is not handled, used, stored, or transported properly. 

As these few examples illustrate, there are many opportunities for dangerous leaks, explosions, or fires on campus if safety protocol isn't followed. Many schools find the gases are not properly stored, which leaves everyone on campus in danger. A recent safety bulletin from the University of Rochester found that liquid nitrogen was stored without an oxygen sensor, poisonous gas was used with a fume hood that did not adequately vent hazardous fumes, gas cylinders were modified using unacceptable materials, and gas tanks were stored without protective chains, stands, and gas caps. 

Why Schools and Universities Need an O₂ Monitor 

As the incident in the Hawaiian university lab illustrates clearly, compressed gases pose significant health risks in the university setting. Whenever safety protocol is not followed, the tanks are at greater risk of tipping, falling over, or leaking. 

While the lab worker escaped with her life, many others have not been so lucky. A nitrogen (N₂) gas leak causes death via asphyxiation in a matter of minutes. 

Nitrogen gas is both odorless and colorless. If gas leaks from a canister, there is no way for passerby to tell. As the gas leaks, it lowers ambient oxygen levels below safe thresholds. When levels of oxygen in the air fall below 16 percent, people can experience adverse health affects. Additionally, university property can be damaged by fires or explosions. 

All it takes it a couple of breaths of oxygen-deficient air for symptoms including confusion, dizziness, fatigue, muscular aches, lack of consciousness, and even death. 

Given the clear dangers that these gases pose, universities and schools must take steps to protect their students and staff. Fortunately, there is an easy and cost-effective way to detect gas leaks and alert everyone before oxygen is depleted from the air: Installing an O₂ monitor. 

An O₂ monitor, also called an O₂ deficiency monitor, measures levels of oxygen in the air all the time. As long as the air has adequate oxygen, the monitor will stay silent. When levels fall below safe thresholds, the oxygen deficiency monitor will flash lights and sound an alarm. This way, everyone in the vicinity of the leak can escape without suffering adverse health effects. 

An O₂ deficiency monitor should be installed anywhere that these gases are used or stored. Universities and schools may wish to equip labs, storage facilities, equipment rooms, and hallways or corridors that connect storage rooms with labs or classrooms where the gas is used. 

PureAire offers robust oxygen deficiency monitors that feature best in class construction. Made with zirconium oxide sensors, these monitors offer 10 or more years of maintenance-free performance once installed. These monitors can detect leaks of gases including argon, nitrogen, and helium. View PureAire's line of oxygen deficiency monitors at www.pureairemonitoring.com.
 

http://cen.acs.org/articles/94/web/2016/04/Spark-pressure-gauge-caused-University.html

Nitrogen Demand Increases for Semiconductor: How Safe Are You?

As users demand ever-smaller smartphones and better televisions, semiconductor manufacturing plants are tasked with developing new products faster and using new materials. Key to the continued success of the semiconductor industry are inert gases, which include nitrogen and argon. When used safely, both nitrogen and argon play a number of important roles within the semiconductor plant. Yet, these gases poses a health hazard for employees if a leak occurs. 

How and Why Nitrogen is used in Semiconductor Manufacturing Plants 

Nitrogen is used throughout the manufacturing process, from purging pumps to abatement. Nitrogen is also used in the process, especially now that fab size is growing. In a modern semiconductor manufacturing plant, as much as 50,000 cubic meters of nitrogen gas are used every hour. 

To meet this demand, semiconductor manufacturing plants are installing nitrogen generators onsite. Generators mean a cheap, efficient, and always-ready supply of nitrogen gas to supply production. 

As long as nitrogen gas is stored safely in the generator and used properly, there is no health risk. Yet if the generator or supply lines develop a leak, nitrogen gas can escape and deplete oxygen in the environment. Since nitrogen gas is both odorless and colorless, there is no way that staff can monitor their risk. 

Along with nitrogen, argon gas is used in semiconductor manufacturing, most notable as a sputtering gas. Like nitrogen, argon gas depletes oxygen from the environment. Like nitrogen, the gas has no color or odor. In a closed area, the gas can deplete oxygen and cause respiratory problems and eventual suffocation. 

How an Oxygen Analyzer Can Protect Staff Working in a Semiconductor Manufacturing Plant 

If either nitrogen or argon were to leak into the plant, these inert gases would begin to deplete the levels of oxygen in the air. OSHA sets the oxygen threshold at 19.5 percent or less oxygen in the air. If oxygen levels fall below this, staff could suffer. 

When oxygen levels fall to OSHA's threshold, staff may show signs of confusion or fatigue. Since there are no warning signs that something is wrong, staff can fall unconscious before they can escape the oxygen deficient environment. Once unconscious, they asphyxiate. 

It is critical for any workplace that uses these inert gases, including semiconductor plants, to monitor levels of oxygen in the air and alert workers if the ambient oxygen levels fall to the OSHA threshold. 

By installing an oxygen monitor and an oxygen analyzer anywhere inert gases are used, manufacturers can protect the safety of their workers through continual oxygen monitoring and fast alert if oxygen levels fall. A wall-mounted oxygen monitor scans the atmosphere and measures the amount of oxygen from 0 to 25 percent, well above the safety threshold. As long as there is enough oxygen in the air -- which there will be as long as there is no inert gas leak -- the oxygen monitor will remain silent. 

When oxygen levels fall to the OSHA threshold, the oxygen monitor will flash lights and sound an alarm, providing instant notification to workers. Staff can take notice and evacuate before negative health outcomes occur. 

An oxygen analyzer measures the level of oxygen present in gas produced via nitrogen generator to ensure the purity of the gas for use in manufacturing. Oxygen analyzers are ideal for low level analysis and can measure from 0 to 1,000 ppm. Workers can check oxygen levels at a glance and ensure the nitrogen generator is working properly. When combined with the oxygen monitor for safety, the oxygen analyzer streamlines and safeguards the semiconductor manufacturing process. 

PureAire offers industry leading oxygen monitors and oxygen analyzers that can last for up to 10 years after installation with no maintenance needed. These products offer worker protection and peace of mind for manufacturers who want to remain cutting edge in their industry. Learn more about PureAire's products at https://www.pureairemonitoring.com.

The Path to Safety for Pharmaceutical and Laboratories: Why O2 Deficiency Monitors May be Required?

To safeguard against gas leaks in pharmaceutical industries and laboratories, businesses are turning to oxygen deficiency monitors. Learn when, where, and why an oxygen monitor or O₂ monitor may be required.

Oxygen Monitors in Medical and Pharmaceutical Settings

In the hospital setting, nitrogen gas is widely used. During surgeries, nitrogen powers equipment and preserves blood and tissues. Nitrogen gas is also used to freeze and destroy tissue. 

Hospitals work with other gases, such as carbon monoxide, for lung diffusion testing and culturing. Laboratories growing cultures for analysis, testing, and research require that the tissue samples be grown under strict environmental conditions. Medical gases can control the environment to ensure that tissue samples are not contaminated by any sort of bad bacteria. 

Magnetic resonance imaging machines use nitrogen gas to cool the magnet and keep the machine working properly. As such, it is critical to have an oxygen monitor in an MRI room to protect the safety of patients in the MRI machine and technicians performing the MRI. In 2000, a technician was killed and several others were injured when nitrogen escaped from the closed chamber and into the room. 

Pharmaceutical facilities also rely on nitrogen gas for multiple uses. Since the gas can keeps oxygen out of an environment, it can ensure the purity of a chemical compound or preserve the longevity of a packaged medical product. Nitrogen is also kept on hand as a natural fire suppressant and purifier. Nitrogen gas generators allow pharma plants to access nitrogen gas on demand for a low cost. 

How an Oxygen Deficiency Monitor Protects Workers in Laboratories, Hospitals, and Pharma

Staff and patients in hospitals, pharma, and laboratories need to stay safe. By installing an O₂ monitor in any rooms where potentially harmful gases are used, employers can safeguard their workers' and their patients' air quality. 

The wall-mounted monitors continually check the levels of oxygen in the air. As long as oxygen levels are above the minimum amount, the alarm remains silent. If a gas like nitrogen were to leak in MRI rooms or lab storage facilities, the amount of oxygen in the air would begin to drop. Once oxygen fell to the minimum safe level, the alarm would go off, warning staff of the problem. Staff could then leave the room and evacuate patients. 

While these devices are important to protect public safety, they also keep the facility in compliance with the law. Hospitals, medical, and pharma facilities are required to install oxygen monitors where potentially hazardous gases are used. 

Since medical and pharma settings may store and use gases in many locations, multiple oxygen monitors may be needed. PureAire's oxygen sensors can last for 10 years with no maintenance. Our quality oxygen deficiency monitors are of the highest quality, to provide peace of mind and total protection in medical and pharmaceutical settings. Learn more about the line of oxygen monitors offered by PureAire at www.pureairemonitoring.com.

Nitrogen Generators: Where are they Installed and How to Stay Safe?

Used in a range of industries, nitrogen generators ensure a steady supply of 99.5% pure, commercially sterile nitrogen from a compressed air storage tank. From an industrial standpoint, nitrogen generators are seen as preferable to cylinders of nitrogen as they are more reliable, more compact, and easy to use and install. However, these generators are not without risk. Learn about nitrogen generator installation best practices and how to stay safe when using these devices in your facility. 

Where are Nitrogen Generators Installed? 

Since nitrogen generators have such a wide array of end use cases, they wind up getting installed in different commercial environments. Nitrogen generators may exist in: 

• Brewing operations - To sparge and mix the wort 
• Food processing and packaging plants - In the food packaging process  
• Industry - To test and clean tanks and vessels
• Engineering facilities - For use in manufacturing, testing, and product development
• Automotive plants - In paint booths 

These generators offer a steady supply of nitrogen at a lower cost than using gas cylinders. One generator takes up less room than several cylinders, saving floor space where it is needed most. A generator is easy to install and simpler for employees to use (since it requires less maintenance) than cylinders, so many manufacturers have switched from using cylinders of nitrogen to using generators. 

Nitrogen generators are most often operated indoors, as these typical use cases show. In the event of a leak or other problem with the generator, escaping gas has nowhere to go other than inside the building. In some cases, the building may be set up so that nitrogen generators vent to the outside, thus offering a buffer from the harmful gas; however, it is not always possible to vent the generator to plain air. 

That said, these units do post a risk. Nitrogen is a colorless, odorless gas that creates an oxygen deficient state. If the generator were to develop a leak, nitrogen gas could leak out undetected into the work environment. In a matter of minutes, nitrogen gas from a leaking tank can deplete the workspace of oxygen. To protect the health of your employees, it is necessary to only use nitrogen generators in conjunction with an oxygen monitor, which alerts staff to low levels of oxygen. 

Why You Need an Oxygen Monitor With Nitrogen Generators

An O₂ monitor, or oxygen monitor, continually monitors the level of oxygen in the room. When there is enough oxygen, the detector stays silent. A normal oxygen value is 21 percent by volume.  If something unexpected happens -- such as a nitrogen leak -- and the amount of oxygen in the room begins to fall, the monitor sounds an alarm and flashes to grab staff attention. This way, staff have advance knowledge and can leave the work space before oxygen levels fall too low. 

Oxygen monitors can alert staff if levels fall too low (19.5 percent or less) or too high (23.5 percent or above). Low levels of oxygen pose a severe health hazard for individuals, while high levels of oxygen pose a fire and combustion hazard. 

Without an O₂ monitor in place, staff would have no knowledge of a nitrogen problem until it was too late. When oxygen levels fall below the acceptable threshold, staff can become disoriented and fatigued, while succumbing to a euphoria that can dissuade them from noticing that something has gone wrong. Loss of coordination and mental processing skills, followed by poor judgment, vomiting, nausea, and eventually death by asphyxiation as oxygen levels continue to fall. 

An additional consideration for large facilities is that nitrogen gas is often used far from the actual location of the generator. Thus, even if the generator you have purchased comes with an O2 monitor of its own, the monitor may not be able to test working conditions where the nitrogen is actually in use. A facility may need multiple oxygen monitors to make sure that all areas where nitrogen gas is used have acceptable air quality. 

PureAire offers O2 monitors that work in conjunction with nitrogen generators. PureAire's line of oxygen detectors rely on zirconium sensors, which are guaranteed to work for at least 10 years without calibration. When it comes to protecting your staff, it's the wise choice. Explore PureAire's lineup of oxygen detectors at http://www.pureairemonitoring.com.