The term industrial gases refer to gases such as acetylene, argon, ammonia, carbon dioxide, chlorine, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and a range of other speciality gases, used in a wide range of applications.
The industrial gases sector, and the industrial and medical gases companies it represents, are an important enabler for many strategic industry sectors that support the Australian economy.
Industrial gases [1] are essential to a diverse range of industries including:
- Water treatment – Oxygen and carbon dioxide can be used to improve water treatment
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Food processing – Carbon dioxide and nitrogen can be used to freeze food; carbon dioxide is used in beverages and in dry ice production.
- Refining and petrochemical plants
- Electricity generation
- Chemical processing.
Medical gases [1] are essential to:
- Healthcare - Oxygen is used in hospitals, aged care facilities and in-home patients. Nitrous oxide is used in surgery and medical procedures.
- Medical imaging - Helium is used in MRIs
- Cryobiology and cryotherapy, including assisted fertility and sample retention.
Australia New Zealand Industrial Gas Association (ANZIGA) represents companies that produce and distribute industrial gases, including bulk and compressed gas for the industrial, medical, food, scientifically and hospitality markets in Australia and New Zealand.
Safety
Safe use, storage, transport and handling of industrial, food and medical gases is important.
ANZIGA publish a range of safety publications covering topics including:
- Cylinders, installation, decant filling, manual handling, etc.
- Acetylene
- Load restraint and transport
- Medical gas
- Hydrogen
Additional safety information is also available on the following topics:
- Transport
- Flammable gases
- Helium
- Nitrous oxide
- Toxic gases
- Hydrogen
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is a major industrial gas and is utilised across a range of industries. It is widely used in the production of bulk chemicals, intermediates and specialty chemicals.
Hydrogen can be used as a green energy source and is a major player in a cleaner energy future.
More information on hydrogen is available on the ANZIGA website.