Responds to Gas Chromatographers’ Need for Low-Cost, High-Purity, Lightweight Regulators

RADNOR, Pa.–Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG), the largest U.S. distributor of specialty gases and equipment, today introduced its new line of analytical specialty gas regulators designed especially for gas chromatography at the 61st Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy (PITTCON) in Orlando. The regulators were developed in response to chromatographers’ requests for a low-cost and a more lightweight option.

“Chromatographers will appreciate this new line of analytical regulators because now they can use these similarly priced, high-purity regulators and get optimum and accurate results.”

Chromatographers are tasked with working within the parameters of increasingly tight budgets. One option is to use low-cost regulators that are not designed for chromatography applications — a side effect of which is the introduction of impurities into the gas stream, producing inconsistent results. “We are always listening to our customers,” said Jim Muller, senior vice president for specialty gases and life sciences at Airgas. “Chromatographers will appreciate this new line of analytical regulators because now they can use these similarly priced, high-purity regulators and get optimum and accurate results.”

Airgas’ patented regulators are made from solid bar stock with a needle valve built in the regulator body to reduce internal volume and have stainless steel diaphragms to provide the consistent, high-purity results required in gas chromatography applications. “Typical low-cost regulators use a forged body and, as a result, have a large internal volume which can trap impurities and create inconsistencies in analytical results,” explained Frank Kandl, manager of Airgas’ national technical equipment center. “They also tend to use neoprene diaphragms which can absorb and off-gas contaminants into the gas stream.”

Kandl attributes a unique bonnet design that incorporates a special resin, to the regulator’s significantly reduced weight. Airgas regulators are more than 10 percent lighter than similarly priced models, making them easier to handle when connecting to a cylinder. The regulators also have an available check-valve cylinder connection to prevent contaminants from entering the gas stream during cylinder change out.

For more information about Airgas’ analytical regulators for gas chromatography, please visit the Airgas booth (number 3521), March 1 – 4, or by calling 800-939-5711, ext. 110. Registered PITTCON attendees who visit the Airgas exhibit will be entered to win a Kindle™, Amazon’s original wireless reading device.

About Airgas, Inc.

Based in Radnor, Pennsylvania, Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG), through its subsidiaries, is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and hardgoods, such as welding equipment and supplies. Airgas is also one of the largest U.S. distributors of safety products, the largest U.S. producer of nitrous oxide and dry ice, the largest liquid carbon dioxide producer in the Southeast, the fifth largest producer of atmospheric merchant gases in North America, and a leading distributor of process chemicals, refrigerants, and ammonia products. More than 14,000 employees work in over 1,100 locations, including branches, retail stores, gas fill plants, specialty gas labs, production facilities, and distribution centers. Airgas also distributes its products and services through eBusiness, catalog, and telesales channels. Its national scale and strong local presence offer a competitive edge to its diversified customer base. For more information, please visit www.airgas.com.