No one wants impurities in results, especially in high-stakes environments such as laboratories.
In gas applications, many laboratories are sensitive to contamination from elements such as moisture and oxygen. These contaminants can enter the system when the regulator is removed from the cylinder during a change-out or through leaks in a pipeline.
Small leaks in regulators or a gas supply system can also allow atmospheric air to infiltrate, degrading the supply of ultra-high purity gas.
Quality in materials
Less experienced users often select the cheapest regulator that fits the cylinder, and this can compromise the outcomes of the analysis. It is important to understand why a laboratory gas regulator can cost more than an industrial or less reputable brand regulator.
Laboratory regulators that are machined from solid metal, are smoother and cleaner, making them better at purging contaminants like moisture and oxygen.
In contrast, industrial regulators made from forged brass can absorb contaminants due to their porous structure. Body material is crucial. Brass suits most inert gases in industrial settings, but high purity applications need stainless steel to avoid reactions with reactive gases.
Laboratory regulators use stainless steel while industrial ones use rubber or EPDM. Elastomer materials, which absorb and release contaminants, are economical for coarse applications but unsuitable for high purity applications.
To learn more about gas supply and gas supply materials, contact Coregas