CryoService – 40 Years of Excellence in Special Gases

40 years in gases

2010 marks the 40^th anniversary of CryoService, the UK-based supplier of cryogenic gases and special gases to the Science, Industry and Leisure sectors. From humble beginnings in 1970, CryoService have grown to be one of the largest specialist gas companies, supplying almost 10,000 customers – both in the UK and overseas.

Refillable or non-refillable cylinders?

CryoService’s Special Gases business covers a comprehensive range of calibration gases, pure gases and gas control equipment, supplied from a state of the art factory in Worcester, UK. The gases range is available in both refillable and non-refillable cylinder types, allowing exceptional choice and flexibility depending upon the users demands. Refillable cylinders are the traditional method of supply for gases and are best suited to higher volume users due to their large gas capacity (typically 200 to 10,000 litre depending on type) or for applications where high levels of certification are required. Non-refillable cylinders are ideal for smaller volume or infrequent users and are particularly suited to the routine function checking of gas detection equipment. Unlike refillable cylinders, non-refillables do not attract rental charges and are significantly easier to ship and store.

I’ve been certified!

CryoService offer a wide range of certification options for Special Gases. Silver Standard (uncertified) gases are available for process use or lower level calibration, but the majority of users choose the Gold Standard range of “working” standards. These are manufactured gravimetrically for improved accuracy and individually analysed to validate the gravimetric values. Beyond Gold Standard there are two levels of higher certification available. CryoSpec mixtures have been developed for more critical applications – most specifically OAL3 testing of CEM systems – and feature extended shelf lives, tighter tolerances and improved traceability through analytical cross-referencing against mixtures certified to ISO17025. Finally, the flagship UltraCert range has been designed for the demands of OAL2 and AST activities and is issued with ISO17025 certificates from our own UKAS calibration laboratory.

Maintaining the quality to your equipment

Even the best certified gases can be ruined by worn or inappropriately specified pressure regulators. It is tempting to reduce costs by specifying cheaper regulators – but beware as these are often designed for low purity tasks, such as welding, and contain components unsuitable for calibration gas work.

CryoService recommend their Scientific range of pressure regulators, which consists of two key types. The first have an all stainless-steel construction and are designed to cope with the rigours of calibration gases containing aggressive components – including nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, sulphur dioxide, ammonia, chlorine and hydrogen chloride. The second have chrome plated brass bodies with stainless steel diaphragms, which are best suited to calibration and pure gases that do not contain acidic or basic components. Both types are available in single and twin stage variants.

For more information about CryoService Special Gases contact the Special Gases Sales Office via 01905 758200 or info@cryoservice.co.uk