The Cool Stuff, Trucks Bring it Too: How Refrigerated Gases Power Manufacturing

Our specialized niche in the transportation industry doesn’t fall under the traditionally recognized “Good stuff. Trucks bring it.” segment of trucking. While we operate as a support industry, what we haul is elemental to the manufacture and production of all that good stuff. Here’s a quick rundown of some key uses for the commodities we deliver.

Liquid Nitrogen: The Ultimate Chiller

Liquid nitrogen is a real workhorse in the industrial world. With its ability to displace moisture and air, extremely low temperature, and inert nature, it has practical applications across many industries:

• Plant Shutdowns and Turnarounds: It is used to purge contaminants, dry, and or cool segments of a closed system for the regular maintenance of components.
• Shielding Gas: It can shield materials from oxidation and combustible atmospheres from oxygen exposure.
• Cryogenic Freezing: Food industries rely on liquid nitrogen to flash-freeze products, preserving freshness and texture.
• Metal Treatment: In metal manufacturing, it's used to shrink and fit metal parts precisely.
• Medical Uses: Cryotherapy uses it to remove skin lesions and treat some cancers, to preserve biological samples, and in cryosurgery to remove dead cells from the brain.
• Emergency Maintenance: It can be used to freeze the water in a line when a valve has failed.

Liquid Oxygen: Breathing Life into Industry

Oxygen is vital not just for us, but for several industrial processes:

• Medical Uses: Medical oxygen is used for those with respiratory conditions or surgical procedures.
• Steelmaking: Oxygen helps remove impurities from molten iron, making steel production more efficient.
• Waste Treatment: It supports the biological breakdown of waste in water treatment plants.
• Rocket Fuel: It's a key component in rocket propulsion systems.

Liquid Argon: The Silent Protector

Argon might not be as well-known, but it's essential:

• Welding: Argon provides an inert atmosphere, preventing oxidation and producing cleaner welds.
• Electronics Manufacturing: It's used in the production of semiconductors and light bulbs.

Liquid Carbon Dioxide: The Cool and Fizzy

We all love a cold soda, but CO2 does much more:

• Food and Beverage: Carbonates drinks, extends the shelf life of packaged foods, and is used in flash-freezing.
• Fire Extinguishers: CO2 is used in fire suppression systems, especially where water isn't suitable.
• Greenhouses: Enriching greenhouse environments to boost plant growth.

Ammonia: The Cooling King

Ammonia is a powerhouse in refrigeration:

• Industrial Refrigeration: Key for cooling in large-scale food storage and processing.
• Fertilizer Production: It's a critical component in producing fertilizers for agriculture.

Hydrogen: The Future Fuel

Hydrogen's versatility is unmatched:

• Fuel Cells: Powers fuel cells for a clean energy alternative.
• Refining Oil: Helps in converting crude oil into usable fuels.
• Food Processing: Used in hydrogenation processes to produce margarine and other fats.

Propane: The Portable Power

Propane's portability makes it incredibly useful:

• Heating and Cooking: Used in residential and commercial heating, and in BBQs.
• Forklifts and Vehicles: Powers forklifts and other vehicles, especially in warehouses.

Helium: Not Just for Balloons

Helium is light and non-reactive, making it special:

• MRI Machines: Essential for cooling the magnets in MRI scanners.
• Semiconductor Manufacturing: Used in the production of semiconductors and fiber optics.
• Aerospace: Used in space exploration for purging fuel systems and inflating airbags.

So, next time you're on the road with a tank full of one these commodities, remember the incredible journeys they're on. From freezing your favorite foods to powering rockets, these products are the elemental heart of modern manufacturing and production. Drive safe and keep those essential supplies rolling!