In 1772, Scottish physician Daniel Rutherford found out that, in addition to oxygen, air was also comprised of a separate element known as nitrogen. Since this discovery, there have been many uses for nitrogen, from food packaging and diving equipment to leisure activities, such as paintballing and motor racing. But what is it about the characteristics of nitrogen gas that has made it ideal for such varied applications? Take a look at our five uses of nitrogen.
What Is Nitrogen?
Listed as the atomic number seven on the periodic table, nitrogen is a transparent, odourless gas at room temperature. It is the most abundant element within our atmosphere, making up around 78% of the air we breathe. Nitrogen gas also has many uses in various industries, being used in compounds such as fertilisers, explosives, ammonia and nitric acid, as well as the building blocks of all organisms, particularly in the form of amino acids within DNA.
Nitrogen has a variety of applications in all phases of matter. The gas is used in a multitude of things, from preserving food to use in motorsports. By using nitrogen’s chemical and physical properties, manufacturers can use it to develop their products.
Nitrogen Use in Everyday Life: Food and Drink
Food and drink are just some of the many uses of nitrogen in everyday life. In packaging industries, nitrogen is used to create a ‘modified atmosphere’ within the packaging. This essentially replaces the original atmosphere inside the packaging in order to prevent oxidation of the product. For example, it is regularly used in the bottling of wine in order to displace the oxygen within the bottle to protect the wine from oxidation. It can also be mixed with carbon dioxide to ensure there is no bacterial growth and prevent the onset of rancidification.
Motor Sports
Nitrogen is routinely used in motorsports for the inflation of tyres. Although normal air is still used to inflate the tyres of most cars, it was found that the moisture within the air can cause fluctuations in the pressure, which can lead to complications when driving at speed around race tracks.
Since nitrogen doesn’t contain any moisture, the tyre pressure stays consistent, regardless of the temperature, which is more ideal for racers.
Paintballing
Another benefit of nitrogen is that it can withstand a lot of pressure, meaning that it can be stored in sturdy gas tanks. Compression of nitrogen doesn’t affect its physical state, unlike some gases, making it perfect for pressurised storage in gas tanks. As a result, nitrogen became the main power source for paintball guns.
Some carbon dioxide tanks contain a small amount of liquid carbon dioxide, which can cause some issues to the paintball gun itself. However, nitrogen tanks do not have this issue, so all of the nitrogen gas within the tank is pressurised and gaseous.
Pharmaceuticals
Nitrogen is used in the medical industry for pharmaceuticals. In its nitrous oxide state, it can be used as an anaesthetic to relieve pain and relax patients. Nitrogen can also be used to preserve various biological specimens.
Electronics
Did you know that nitrogen is used in the manufacturing of many electronics? Our fifth listed use of nitrogen is its use in the internal components of many computers to help prevent them from overheating after continuous use. It is also widely used in the fire suppression systems for IT equipment, as conventional fire extinguishers are not effective in these situations.
Here at Adams Gas, we offer a wide variety of products to make sure that you find the best gas canister for your specific needs, whether it be for your home or business. We ensure that all of our products have regular safety checks because your safety is our top priority. If you would like to know more about our products, then please feel free to get in touch.
Give us a call on 01843 220 596 or email sales@adamsgas.co.uk and we will be more than happy to help. Make sure to keep up to date with our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.
Nitrogen: What Is It Used For?
In 1772, Scottish physician Daniel Rutherford found out that, in addition to oxygen, air was also comprised of a separate element known as nitrogen. Since this discovery, there have been many uses for nitrogen, from food packaging and diving equipment to leisure activities, such as paintballing and motor racing. But what is it about the characteristics of nitrogen gas that has made it ideal for such varied applications? Take a look at our five uses of nitrogen.
What Is Nitrogen?
Listed as the atomic number seven on the periodic table, nitrogen is a transparent, odourless gas at room temperature. It is the most abundant element within our atmosphere, making up around 78% of the air we breathe. Nitrogen gas also has many uses in various industries, being used in compounds such as fertilisers, explosives, ammonia and nitric acid, as well as the building blocks of all organisms, particularly in the form of amino acids within DNA.
Nitrogen has a variety of applications in all phases of matter. The gas is used in a multitude of things, from preserving food to use in motorsports. By using nitrogen’s chemical and physical properties, manufacturers can use it to develop their products.
Nitrogen Use in Everyday Life: Food and Drink
Food and drink are just some of the many uses of nitrogen in everyday life. In packaging industries, nitrogen is used to create a ‘modified atmosphere’ within the packaging. This essentially replaces the original atmosphere inside the packaging in order to prevent oxidation of the product. For example, it is regularly used in the bottling of wine in order to displace the oxygen within the bottle to protect the wine from oxidation. It can also be mixed with carbon dioxide to ensure there is no bacterial growth and prevent the onset of rancidification.
Motor Sports
Nitrogen is routinely used in motorsports for the inflation of tyres. Although normal air is still used to inflate the tyres of most cars, it was found that the moisture within the air can cause fluctuations in the pressure, which can lead to complications when driving at speed around race tracks.
Since nitrogen doesn’t contain any moisture, the tyre pressure stays consistent, regardless of the temperature, which is more ideal for racers.
Paintballing
Another benefit of nitrogen is that it can withstand a lot of pressure, meaning that it can be stored in sturdy gas tanks. Compression of nitrogen doesn’t affect its physical state, unlike some gases, making it perfect for pressurised storage in gas tanks. As a result, nitrogen became the main power source for paintball guns.
Some carbon dioxide tanks contain a small amount of liquid carbon dioxide, which can cause some issues to the paintball gun itself. However, nitrogen tanks do not have this issue, so all of the nitrogen gas within the tank is pressurised and gaseous.
Pharmaceuticals
Nitrogen is used in the medical industry for pharmaceuticals. In its nitrous oxide state, it can be used as an anaesthetic to relieve pain and relax patients. Nitrogen can also be used to preserve various biological specimens.
Electronics
Did you know that nitrogen is used in the manufacturing of many electronics? Our fifth listed use of nitrogen is its use in the internal components of many computers to help prevent them from overheating after continuous use. It is also widely used in the fire suppression systems for IT equipment, as conventional fire extinguishers are not effective in these situations.
Here at Adams Gas, we offer a wide variety of products to make sure that you find the best gas canister for your specific needs, whether it be for your home or business. We ensure that all of our products have regular safety checks because your safety is our top priority. If you would like to know more about our products, then please feel free to get in touch.
Give us a call on 01843 220 596 or email sales@adamsgas.co.uk and we will be more than happy to help. Make sure to keep up to date with our latest news on Facebook and Twitter.
How to be the Fastest Go-Kart Racer
As you zoom past competitors in your go-kart, we’re sure there’s a recurring thought you have: how can I be even faster? No, how can I be the fastest on the course! Whether you’re racing against your friends or complete strangers, crossing the finish line first is always the main goal.
Here are some easy tips to leave your opponents in the dust and be number one in every race.
Why Your Pub Needs a BBQ This Summer
The weather is finally starting to look more like summer, and you’re probably already experiencing the effects of the sun drawing in the public to your beer gardens.
The summer months become a pub owners dream; not only do the punters arrive in their droves to sup on your fantastic range of beers, the environment around the place becomes a lot more lively-yet-laid back, too!
As the warm weather is also associated with BBQ’s, the natural thing to do is host a BBQ event at your pub! What’s better than a pint of cold beer and a freshly barbecued burger?
Understanding the TIG Welding Process
Welding has been used for thousands of years (earliest records state that welding was used in the Bronze and Iron Ages) but in the past few centuries, there have been developments in welding to make it a much more manageable, cheaper and quicker process to do – the first of these being arc welding.
Going Camping? Don’t Forget Your Camping Gaz!
The summer season is perfect for getting out into nature and spending a weekend or more under the stars. If you’re not quite sure what we’re talking about – it’s camping!
If you’re a camping enthusiast and you’re looking for a reliable camping gas solution, you don’t get much better than Camping Gaz. It’s a brand that has long been renowned for providing gas products which are perfect for outdoor living, and we’re here to tell you why!
Tank Sizes For Paintballing: A Guide
Paintballing can be a fantastic hobby – the great sense of competition and warfare with none of the harm. But, there is a lot of equipment involved and at times it can be difficult to keep track of everything you need to make the most of your hobby. One of the most important elements of your equipment will of course be the CO2 canister that allows you to shoot your paintballs in the first place.
Obviously the CO2 in paintball canisters has a number of applications, but it’s the use in your paintball gun that is the real issue, or more importantly; which canister of CO2 do you need to use. Picking the right CO2 cylinder can be a confusing process, but it doesn’t have to be.
Home Use
Large Quantities or Group Filling
Not only will you save money in the long run, but you can create a core group to be able to paintball with regularly in a more affordable manner than might have previously been the case. If this is the route you choose to take then a number of CO2 cylinders are available to you: either the 15kg or the 34kg cylinder. Obviously the more avid a paintballer you are, the more CO2 you will need, so if you take part in this hobby regularly then it is highly recommended to acquire the larger option to be on the safe side.
CO2 or Compressed Air
As a counter-measure to the slight drawback of using CO2, some players have turned to compressed air tanks, or High Pressure Air. The tanks are pressurised up to the maximum of the canister, around 3000 to 4500 psi (Pounds per Square Inch), and this is regulated throughout the canister to deliver constant pressure.
There are of course some downsides to this method of paintballing also; refilling can be difficult as tire pumps and garage compressors do not work; they are bulkier than traditional CO2 canisters; and they cost a substantial amount more than CO2 canisters, sometimes 3 to 12 times as much.
At Adams Gas we pride ourselves on the wide variety of products that we provide and the variety of uses that they are applied to. Ensuring that you have the right product is paramount to what we do; we know gas and can advise you on its application across numerous uses. If you have any enquiries don’t hesitate to contact us on 01843 220 596, or keep up to date with all of our latest news via Facebook or Twitter.
Carbon Dioxide or Nitrogen: Which Gas Do I Need?
The summer season is hurtling towards us, which means that many people will be heading out to beer gardens to enjoy the beautiful weather that we’re hopefully going to have.
However, why go to the pub if you’ve got your own home bar? Not only is it convenient, but it works out being much cheaper for you and your friends, too!
As there are many different drinks that you can brew yourself at home, people often wonder which gas they need to successful create their own beer. As beer and cellar gas specialists, here’s our guide on the differences between carbon dioxide and nitrogen so that you can choose the right gas for your needs!
Inviting Helium To Your Kid’s Birthday Party
It’s your son fourth birthday and you want to celebrate the occasion with a great party in the garden. Looking for that unique touch for the event? Why not try balloons? They come in many designs and colours and are also very affordable whilst offering a fun and festive look.
Helium balloons are children’s favourite because they stay floating in the air for a long time, plus you can save your lungs! A cost-effective option is filling them by yourself – instead of purchasing them. We’ll tell you everything you need to know!
Refillable or Disposable?
These are the options whenever you want to rent a helium canister, and you might wonder what the difference between these two is. The question here is, how many balloons are you going to need? Disposable canisters are smaller whereas refillable canisters can have a capacity of 20L.
When in doubt, we advise you to go with the bigger canister. The amount of helium doesn’t just depend on the number of balloons you want to fill but also in the quantity of helium you want to put inside each one of them (and this can also vary).
What Kind of Balloon?
You probably entered the party shop thinking about buying yellow and purple balloons because these are your child’s favourite colours (at least this month!). Once inside though, you became overwhelmed with the vast choice of balloons you can actually acquire, all with different sizes, colours and materials…
Latex
This is by far the most popular kind of balloons. In their standard size, they stay floating for two to five days. If you want them to stay longer on the air, you can always use special products that will make them float up to 25 times longer.
Big Size
The maximum size for a balloon is around 24” and 36”. Their neck is bigger than normal, so you can use an adaptor to fill them with the canister. However, you can also hold the neck of the balloon tightly around the nozzle whilst you fill it, and then tie it as you would do with a standard balloon.
When a 36” balloon is filled with helium, it can pull a weight of around 750lbs. Because of this, large balloons are quite difficult to control. For instance, it may not be a good idea to use them for your four-year-old birthday party as, unless they are properly tethered, they will escape pretty quickly!
There is a trick you can use to manage balloons this size, though. You can inflate half of each balloon with normal air, then the other half using helium. In this way, they’d be easier to control (the only downside is that they will only stay on air only for a few hours instead of days).
Tiny Balloons
A small balloon is usually around 5”. Because they are so small, anything can sink them, so make sure you use a very light string to tie them (cotton is a good idea). They look especially cute if you add them as a decoration on top of the cake.
Your child’s birthday is a very special occasion (they grow so fast!) so you want to make it a lovely memory that will stay with him forever. Helium balloons are a cheap yet great idea – and if you want to fill them yourself, why not rent one of our refillable or disposable helium canisters? We have sizes ranging from 2L to 20L and you can buy them over the phone or online. Contact our friendly team with any enquiry and we’ll be happy to help! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more interesting updates.
The Surprising Applications of Helium Outside of Balloons
We’ve looked at some handy hints for your domestic helium and balloon use, but the uses of helium outside of Tommy’s sixth birthday party are genuinely mind blowing! From applications in futuristic science experiments to bigger than average balloons, helium is a truly versatile gas and is a star in its own right.
How To Use CO2 To Promote Plant Growth
The summer season is a time of blooming plants, the warmth of the sun on our backs (fingers crossed) and barbecues a plenty. But, we here at Adams Gas know that any dedicated gardeners and growers have been toiling year-round to get the best results possible. In the past we have looked at hydroponics and at what stages to apply CO2 to your plants: here we will share few top tips on how to maximise your yield using CO2 this summer.
Your Growth Space
First of all, it is important to make sure that your greenhouse itself is in the right shape for maximum efficiency. Proper labelling, organisation and sectionalising your plants is a great way to keep an orderly environment to achieve high yields.
Ventilation and shading are also important aspects of your greenhouse set up. Greenhouses are vulnerable to overheating from spring until autumn, and without protection from heat and a dry atmosphere few plants are likely to survive unharmed. Ventilation can come in a number of forms: simply opening the door of the greenhouse at high temperatures, installing roof vents or even side vents to allow air to move over plants and provide cooling.
The minimum amount of shading should be used if needed to keep the optimum temperature of 25-27ºC in your greenhouse – the plants need light to grow, but in between late spring and early autumn a small amount of shading can be very beneficial, either using external or internal blinds. Often it is not necessary to provide shading for sun loving plants, such as tomatoes for example, but the greenhouse is a more pleasant work environment when shade is provided.
The CO2 Effect
CO2 is vitally important in the process of photosynthesis and overall plant health (as high school biology taught us, once). Plants will often deplete the CO2 in a greenhouse drastically over time. So, artificially enriching your greenhouse is a logical step in improving plant development. The equipment needed includes: tank of compressed CO2, a pressure regulator, flow meter, valve, short-interval 24 hour timer, and connecting tubing, fittings and adaptors. Using this you can then set up a system that suits your particular greenhouse. Advantageously this method has fairly precise control, easily obtained equipment, does not add extra heat to your growing space, works well in small growing spaces and is not an expensive method to operate once you have set it up.
We offer a wide range of sizes in our CO2 canisters, so whether your greenhouse is a small hobby shed-size construction in your garden or on a much more industrial scale then we have the gas to cover your needs.
Managing CO2 Enrichment
Once you have successfully set up this CO2 system you will obviously want to monitor it and make sure that it is doing its job properly, there’s no point going to all that effort if it doesn’t work! But, CO2 is a not a gas that we can see, smell or taste so there is no way for you to do this without specialist equipment. So, don’t taste the soil or anything crazy like that. Instead, buy yourself a CO2 test kit! It is a simple case of taking a sample of the air in your greenhouse into a syringe, then pushing the air sample into a tube with a thermometer-like display on it which will tell your levels and makes it easy for you see if they are at optimum levels. Simple, but effective!
If you have any questions about how CO2 can help your greenhouse to flourish, don’t hesitate to contact us at 0800 195 445. Our team of dedicated specialists are ready and waiting to take your enquiries today.
Spotlight on: CO2
Carbon Dioxide was first identified in the 1750s by Joseph Black, a Scottish chemist and physician. It’s a molecule with the formula CO2, and it consists of one carbon atom double bonded to two oxygen atoms: O=C=O. It can be in gaseous form, which is odourless and colourless at room temperatures of 20-25 oC. It can also be solid and liquid, and in the earth’s atmosphere at a concentration of around 0.04%, it’s a vital gas in all life on earth.
Now that the chemistry talk is over, what are its uses in daily life? We’re sure you’ve wondered many times how CO2 improves life, and we’ve compiled a list to help you out.
Fire Extinguishers
You’ve surely, and hopefully, seen many fire extinguishers when you’re out and about in restaurants, in the cinema, and in every type of building. Many are CO2 based, helpful in small flammable fires. A fire is a dangerous, fast-acting catastrophe that can consume a house in minutes. Fires work because they have three main components: air (oxygen), fuel, and heat.
So how do CO2 fire extinguishers work? They are made of a mixture of liquid and gaseous carbon dioxide at a high pressure. When released, the gas expands and cools down what it touches. Ever seen those films where it comes out as a big white cloud and it extinguishes a fire? It works like that, by smothering the oxygen and cooling the fire.
Paintball Guns
There is nothing like paintballing in the summer; you feel the warm sun and the cool breeze as you run around shooting your friends full of paint. If you’re a beginner, a CO2 gun is the perfect choice for you: CO2 is not expensive and it’s easy to use.
If you’re on a more advanced level, you can add an expansion chamber to allow the CO2 more time to expand before reaching the valve, or a regulator to regulate its flow. These upgrades will help prevent your shots from varying 30 feet and allow you to make more accurate shots.
Hydroponics and Plant Growth
CO2 helps produce faster and more productive crop plants, if used correctly. The first step is to make sure your garden is in top shape to be able to take advantage of the CO2 intake, so make sure that things like temperature, light, and air flow are all regulated.
In hydroponics, where you grow plants in water instead of soil, and in regular plant growth CO2 is used to build plant matter that will strengthen the plant and ensure that it yields a substantial amount. Monitoring the balance of the CO2 is key for strong growing plants, so make sure to keep an eye on it!
Here at Adams Gas we sell a wide variety of products, to make sure you find the right gas canister for your home or business. We ensure that all of our products have regular safety checks because your safety is our top priority. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us on 01843 220 596 or through our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Home Brewing How-To
So, you want to be a home brewer. You’ve been to many a bar, sipped pints a plenty and gained knowledge enough to rival even the snootiest of wine tasters. It’s time to put your knowledge into practice and reach that next level of beer godliness. Here’s a handy guide from us at Adams Gas to get you started.
The First Steps
Full disclaimer from the outset: your first brew probably won’t be a masterpiece. But, the old words of wisdom, practice makes perfect, are applicable here. Start off with a typical, store bought, brewing kit from one of your high street retailers. These kits typically consist of the following: fermenting container, airlock and stopper, funnel, hose to transfer and a strainer. You will also want to pick up a beer kit, which usually consists of a malt concentrate and yeast; there are multitudes of these and they come in many different variations. Whether you’re a pale ale or a bitter drinker there’s plenty of kits in the sea.
Cooking Your Beer
Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a chef for this part (but it probably helps). After first sanitising your equipment you are ready to start the cooking process. Bring two litres of water to the boil; as soon as it boils remove it from the heat and add your beer kit according to the instructions provided. Stir the mixture well and then allow to gently simmer for a further 10-15 minutes. At this point you should add your pot to four gallons of cold water you’ve placed in your primary fermenter. Leave to cool for the next stage.
Fermentation
The fermentation process can take anywhere between eight and ten days. The exact time depends upon you, your beer of choice and your process so understandably results may vary. So, finally, attach your funnel and transferring hose to your container to start. You then need to strain your cooled unfermented malt mixture. It’s important that the mixture is at room temperature at this point as you add the yeast. Stir thoroughly, stopper with your air lock and then choose a cool, dark, place to store. A sure fire way to know if your beer is ready for the final step is when the yeast has all settled at the bottom of the fermenter. If you have a clear product then congrats, you’re almost there!
Bottling Your Fears
Once you’ve completed these steps the only thing left to do is preserve your beer. This step can go one of two ways: bottling or storing your beer in a keg. Choose wisely and gather the final ingredient for your masterpiece: sugar. This vital ingredient helps to continue the fermentation process and carbonate your brew. Leave space in your chosen container for fermentation and then seal away, and in about 8 to 15 weeks you should have the tasty beer of your choice. Mission accomplished! At this point, if you have chosen to store your beer in a keg, you may fear your beer going flat once open, but don’t worry with the help of our CO2 canisters you can enjoy your hard work for months to come by maintaining the carbon levels.
For more information of how we at Adams Gas can get your beer brewing journey off to the right start contact us at 0800 195 4445. We have a team of dedicated specialists who are ready to take your enquiries.