The Difference Between Industrial Gas Purity and Quality

The Critical Role of Gas Purity and Quality in Various Industries

Gas purity and quality are crucial in industries like pharmaceuticals, food processing, and manufacturing.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers rely on high-purity gases, such as nitrogen (N2), to maintain sterile environments and synthesise active ingredients.

Similarly, the food processing sector depends on food-grade carbon dioxide (CO2) for product freshness, processing, and preservation.

The manufacturing industry also requires pure gases for applications such as controlled atmospheres and precise cutting processes.

Overall, gas purity and quality are vital for maintaining standards, safety, and product efficacy.

This blog explores the crucial question regarding the difference between gas purity and quality.

Disentangling Quality and Industrial Gas purity

Understanding the difference between the purity and quality of industrial gases is essential.

• The definition of purity is the concentration of the main gas component, indicating the absence of impurities.
  
• Purity refers to the concentration of the main gas component, indicating the absence of impurities.
  
• Quality encompasses factors like pressure and humidity, making the gas suitable for specific intended applications.
  

Clearly, understanding both concepts is essential for optimal and safe operations in various industries.

Understanding Gas Purity

Gas purity is expressed as a percentage, indicating the amount of the main gas (e.g. nitrogen, oxygen, argon, helium, or carbon dioxide) in the total volume. For example, ‘99.999% pure’ means that only 0.001% of the mixture contains other gases or contaminants.

This high purity is crucial in industries like pharmaceuticals or electronics, where even tiny impurities may impact product quality and safety. In a nutshell, a higher number of nines indicates higher purity.

Importance of High Purity in Specific Applications

Laser cutting is widely used in the manufacturing, construction, and automotive sectors. High-purity assist gases prevent contaminants from compromising the precision and quality of laser cuts. Contaminants in the assist gas can significantly affect the quality of cuts.

Many industries need high-purity gas to maintain efficiency, preserve equipment, and ensure precise, high-quality outcomes.

Different Purity Levels in Different Industries

Different industries have specific purity requirements for their industrial gases, matched to their applications.

The pharmaceutical industry, for example, requires 99.999% purity for drug manufacturing and storage to ensure sterility and preserve product integrity. Even a seemingly low amount of impurities may compromise patient safety and regulatory compliance. Hence, the pharmaceutical industry enforces rigorous minimum purity analysis standards for industrial gases.

Exploring Industrial Gas Quality

Gas purity is crucial, but we must also consider the importance of gas quality.

The “quality” of industrial gases refers to the absence of unwanted contaminants like dust, water, and oil. Contaminants such as dust can damage machinery, water can cause oxidation, and oil may interfere with processes like combustion.

For example, dust particles can cause machinery abrasion, water can initiate oxidation, and oil can affect combustion.

ISO 8573-1 Standards: A Benchmark for Gas Quality

The ISO 8573-1 standard sets air quality requirements for industries with sensitive applications. This international standard categorises contaminants as particles, water, and oil. ISO 8573-1 defines purity classes for particles, water, and oil, with class 0 being the highest level of purity.

Purity classification defines the maximum allowable concentration of contaminants. Contamination severity ranges from class 0, the highest purity level, to class 5.

Adherence to ISO 8573-1 is crucial in the food, pharmaceutical, and electronics industries. It ensures consistent air quality and, as a result, operational safety, efficiency, and longevity.

The Impact of Poor Gas Quality on Production Systems and Final Products

Poor gas quality can significantly affect production systems and final products.

For example, particulate matter in compressed air can damage precision tools, reducing efficiency and requiring costly repairs.

In the automotive industry, low-quality gas during painting can cause surface imperfections, impacting the final finish of vehicles.

In food processing, low-quality gases may introduce contaminants that compromise taste, safety, and shelf life. Maintaining high gas quality is crucial for operational excellence and product safety across industries.

Purity vs. Quality: Understanding the Difference

As discussed, distinguishing between gas purity and gas quality is vital. Gas purity refers to the concentration of the primary gas in a mixture.

For example, the chemical composition of pure argon gas may have a purity level of 99.998%, indicating a minimal percentage of other gases.

On the other hand, an analysis of gas quality will determine the actual absence of contaminants. Even high-purity gas may not meet quality standards if it contains detrimental impurities like moisture, dust, or oil particles. 

In industries like electronics, even trace levels of contaminants can negatively impact efficiency and equipment longevity. Therefore, while purity is important, gas quality is often more crucial in many industries and applications.

Real-world Implications of Purity and Quality

Carbon Dioxide in the Beverage Industry

The distinctions between purity and quality have wide-ranging implications in various industries.

The beverage industry demands high-purity CO2 for better taste, while quality ensures safety by avoiding impurities caused by hydrocarbons, like benzene and acetaldehyde, or sulphur compounds.

Nitrogen Gas in the Pharmaceutical Industry

In the pharmaceutical industry, nitrogen (N2) purity and quality are essential to ensure intended chemical reactions and prevent contaminants that compromise drug safety and efficacy.

Dispelling Common Misconceptions: Higher Purity Doesn’t Always Equate to Better Quality

High purity indicates a higher concentration of the desired gas but does not guarantee freedom from contaminants.

In the industrial gas industry, there’s a misconception that higher purity (99.999 % as used in semiconductor manufacturing) always means better quality.

However, this is only sometimes true. While high purity indicates a higher concentration of the desired gas, it doesn’t guarantee freedom from harmful contaminants.

For example, trace levels of contaminants can still exist in high-purity gases, although fewer than in lower-purity gases, posing risks in some industrial settings. The semiconductor, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical industries employ stringent quality standards to ensure safety and efficacy.

Industry-Specific Requirements

Food-grade carbon dioxide (CO2) must meet 99.9% purity for carbonated drinks and packaging to ensure safety and preserve flavour.

Healthcare

High-purity (99.5 %) medical-grade gases are crucial in healthcare. They are used in various applications, including patient care and specialised treatments.

For example, healthcare providers typically specify the use of pure oxygen, as it is essential for respiratory therapies to ensure effective treatment and patient safety.

Similarly, medical-grade nitrous oxide, used for anaesthesia, must meet high purity and quality standards. Impurities can compromise its efficacy and patient safety.

The margin for error is narrow in healthcare, and the risks associated with impure gases are considerable.

Quality and purity must meet stringent specifications and regulatory requirements, not to mention the ethical imperatives in the industry.

Food and Beverage Industry

The food and beverage sector prioritises the purity and quality of gases. These gases feature in various production stages, such as carbonating drinks and preserving packaged foods. Ensuring gas purity prevents unwanted reactions from affecting product taste, aroma, or appearance.

For example, beverage-grade carbon dioxide must be of high purity to maintain the flavour of soft drinks or beer. But purity alone is not sufficient.

Gas quality, especially the absence of contaminants, is vital for food safety. Contaminants can lead to microbial growth, compromising product safety and shelf life. So, strict quality control protocols are necessary to detect potential contaminants.

The balance between gas purity and quality directly impacts taste, product appeal, consumer safety, and brand reputation in the food and beverage industry.

Manufacturing and Metalworking

Gas purity and quality are crucial in manufacturing, specifically metalworking and fabrication.

High-purity gases like oxygen, nitrogen, and argon are essential for cutting, welding, and heat treatment operations.

For example, in MIG and TIG welding, the purity of argon gas directly affects weld strength and appearance. Contamination can lead to weld defects like porosity, weakening the final product.

Similarly, in heat treatment processes, nitrogen purity influences characteristics such as hardness, toughness, wear and corrosion resistance of the metal.

However, purity alone is not enough. The absence of contaminants is equally prioritised. Contaminants can cause unwanted chemical reactions, compromising the integrity of the metal and the overall quality of the finished product.

Therefore, maintaining a precise balance between gas purity and quality is vital in manufacturing, directly impacting product performance, durability, and reliability.

Importance of Purity Grade and Quality in Research and Development

In the world of research and development, the purity and quality of gases are vital to success.

Labs and research facilities rely on high-purity, contaminant-free gases for accurate and reliable results.

Research facilities rely on ultra-high purity gases to eliminate variables and ensure reliable experimental outcomes.

For example, pure gases are essential in pharmaceutical research to prevent unwanted reactions and impurities. Environmental research also requires high-purity gases for precise data collection.

Therefore, strict control over gas purity and quality is vital for scientific innovation.

Choosing the Right Specialty Gases for Your Needs

It’s not just about purchasing a gas; it’s about making a strategic choice that aligns with your objectives, requirements, and standards. This understanding prevents errors, ensures efficiency, and produces high-quality results.

Here’s an example examining the difference between the quality of food-grade vs. non-food-grade carbon dioxide. Food-grade carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide used in other industries differ primarily in terms of purity and the presence of potentially harmful impurities. Food-grade CO2 must meet strict purity standards (typically 99.9 %) set by organisations like the International Society of Beverage Technologists (ISBT) to ensure its safety for use in food and beverages.

It is commonly used in carbonated drinks, as well as for extending the shelf life of packaged foods and in processes like dry ice blasting.

On the other hand, industrial-grade carbon dioxide, while highly pure (99.95 %), may not have the highest quality and contain small amounts of impurities unsuitable for human consumption. This type is typical in fire extinguishing systems, oil recovery, electronics manufacturing, and other applications.

The Importance of Choosing Reputable Suppliers

Choosing a reliable gas supplier helps ensure the desired gas purity and quality.

• Established suppliers often have strict quality control processes and issue a Certificate of Analysis indicating purity rating and quality.
  
• Always verify the supplier’s certifications, like ISO 17025 or ISO 9001, which demonstrate adherence to recognised quality standards. These certifications ensure that the supplier meets high manufacturing, testing, and delivery standards for industrial gases.
  

Partnering with a certified supplier reduces product failure risk, promotes operational consistency, and enhances overall reliability.

Balancing Cost-Effectiveness with Required Purity and Quality Levels

Balancing cost-effectiveness with required purity and quality is vital for managing industrial operations. Avoid the temptation to reduce costs by using lower-purity gases; remember that substandard gases can lead to inaccuracies, inefficiencies, and equipment damage.

Identify precise quality and purity requirements for your intended application and stick to them, even if upfront costs are slightly higher.

The right supplier, such as Control Gear, can provide a cost-effective solution without compromising standards.

Emerging Technologies in Gas Purification and Production

Modern technologies have driven significant transformations in the industrial gas purification and production landscape.

On-site gas generators, like those from Atlas Copco, allow industries to produce gases efficiently while maintaining control over purity levels.

A notable trend is the rise of on-site gas generators such as those from Atlas Copco UK. These systems enable industries to produce gases on-site, reducing reliance on delivered gas cylinder supplies, boosting operational efficiency, and enhancing control over purity levels.

Advanced sensors and AI in these systems allow for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance, improving equipment longevity and ensuring optimal gas quality.

Sustainability and Environmental Considerations in the Industrial Gas Sector

As awareness of our ecological footprint grows, industries have recognised the importance of waste reduction, emissions reduction, and resource conservation.

Carbon capture techniques and gas recycling are becoming integral to reducing industrial emissions and supporting environmental goals.

Gas suppliers and users are embracing greener practices, such as gas recycling and energy-efficient technologies, which minimise environmental impact.

For example, carbon capture techniques can help to reuse CO2 instead of releasing it into the atmosphere. Tighter regulations are also driving industries to prioritise sustainability in gas purification and production processes.

Key Takeaways

Understanding the difference between gas purity and quality is crucial for optimal performance in many industrial applications.

Gas purity refers to the percentage of a single gas in a mixture, while quality encompasses factors like contamination levels, delivery, and consistency.

Technological advancements have improved both purity and quality control, enhancing operational efficiency. As sustainability becomes a priority, gas quality now includes environmental impact.

Recognising these differences is essential for industries to ensure efficient, sustainable operations.

For further insights or consultations, contact us at Control Gear. We’re here to help you optimise your operations.