Specialty Gas Equipment – Individual Solutions for any Application

Gases are usually stored compressed, liquefied or dissolved in suitable cylinders. In order to withdraw the gases from their containers the use of appropriate equipment plays a crucial role to ensure safety and preserve the quality of the gases.
Messer offers the full range of equipment for any application. We will be happy to support you in finding the optimal method of supply. 

Selection of Equipment 

The type and quality of gas basically determine the selection of materials for the supply equipment. 
We recommend the use of (chrome plated) brass equipment with metal diaphragms and corresponding sealing materials for non-corrosive, high purity gases up to 6.0 grade and mixtures. The Messer Spectrolab product line meets these requirements and can therefore be used for all non-corrosive, high purity gases and gas mixtures.
For corrosive gases and sensitive, low-concentration gas mixtures we recommend stainless steel components. On the one hand, it is necessary to protect the equipment against corrosion, and on the other, especially in case of low concentration gas mixtures (low ppm or ppb-range), it prevents the trace compounds from being absorbed by the surface and significantly affecting the composition of the gas mixtures. Sealing materials need to be adapted according to the type of gas. The Messer Spectrocem product line covers all the components for these types of applications.

Cylinder pressure regulator or central gas supply system?

In general, there are two types of gas supply: individual cylinders with pressure regulators at the point of use or a central gas supply system. If only one application has to be supplied with gas and the cylinder can be placed right next to the point of use, cylinders with pressure regulators can be used. With a central gas supply system, consisting of pressure control panels, pipelines and tapping points at the various points of use, the gas cylinders are safely stored outside of workplaces.

Cylinder pressure regulator

 

Cylinder pressure regulators are mainly used where only one point of use has to be supplied with gas and the cylinder can be placed right next to it. 
The pressure regulator can be directly connected to a cylinder valve. The adjusting screw allows adjustments for any desired working pressure. All pressure regulators are equipped with relief valves to protect the connected equipment and two pressure gauges indicating the cylinder and outlet pressure. 
Depending on the level and required stability of the working pressure, one or two-stage cylinder pressure regulators are used. When using a single-stage pressure regulator, the working pressure may increase with decreasing cylinder pressure and has to be adjusted by hand while emptying the cylinder. At low working pressures and high requirements on the stability of the working pressure, dual-stage pressure regulators or pressure regulators with compensated main valve have to be used.

Central gas supply system

 

In general, pressurized gas cylinders should be positioned outside of work areas. With a central gas supply, the gas cylinders are placed in a separate room or outside the building. The cylinders are connected to a pressure control panel consisting of a pressure regulator, which reduces the cylinder pressure to the line pressure, e.g. to 10 bar; pressure gauges for indication of cylinder and line pressure, and blocking and purge valves. Fixed pipelines supply the gas to individual points of use, where the gas consumers are connected via tapping points. At the tapping point the line pressure is reduced to the required working pressure. A pressure gauge indicates the current working pressure. 
The parallel connection of two cylinders or bundles is recommended for continuous gas supply. In this case gas is always withdrawn from one container, while the other is connected on standby. In the simplest case, changeover from one cylinder to the other is done manually. However, there are also pressure control panels available which provide automatic changeover between the containers. Pressure control panels are complete with pressure gauges for indication of the cylinder and outlet pressures. The panels can be supplied with contact pressure gauges which give a signal if the cylinder pressure drops below a certain preset level. This signal can be passed to a low pressure alarm panel.

Key advantages of a central gas supply are:
•    Safety: No gas cylinder in the working area, reduced handling of gas cylinders
•    Quality: integrated purging valves, pressure control panels and tapping point always form a two-stage gas supply
•    Efficiency: Supply of several gas consumers from one common source, uninterrupted gas supply with automatic changeover

Specialty Gas Equipment App

Our specialty gas equipment app supports you in finding suitable products to withdraw gases from their containers. The optimal product for your specific demands will be selected by only a few clicks. The app (is also available for mobile phones. You will find the download under “selectspec” (IOS) or specgas (Android) in the app store.