Medical Gases
Norco's Medical Gas Division provides bulk liquid delivery systems, high pressure cylinders and specialty gases to customers throughout the Northwest.
We provide the following U.S.P medical grade gases:
- Oxygen
- Carbon Dioxide
- Helium
- Air, Compressed
- Nitrogen
- Nitrous Oxide
- Mixed Gases
All medical grade gases are produced according to Current Good Manufacturing Practices in our FDA registered Fill Plants.
At room temperature and atmospheric pressure, oxygen is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It is pale blue when liquid or solid. Gaseous oxygen is commonly shipped in cylinders at pressures between 2,000 to 2,600 psi. In liquid form, oxygen is shipped in vacuum insulated liquid can containers at pressures ranging from 22 to 600 psi.
Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) is a nonflammable, colorless, odorless, non-toxic and slightly acidic gas. CO 2 is a simple asphyxiant (lack of oxygen) and is approximately one and one-half times heavier than air.
Carbon dioxide has unique characteristics as it can exist in three forms: gas, liquid and solid (dry ice). CO
2
can be filled one container at a time by weight into cylinders or liquid cans. These containers can be modified to allow either gaseous or liquid use of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is typically stored in refrigerated liquid or vacuum jacketed tanks. These characteristics lend themselves to CO
2
's multitude of uses.
Helium (He) is an inert gas and a member of the rare gas family. At room temperature and atmospheric pressure, helium is a colorless, odorless and tasteless. Gaseous helium is commonly shipped in cylinders at pressures between 2,000 to 2,600 psi. In liquid form, helium is shipped in vacuum insulated non-metal (aluminum) dewars at very low pressure. Helium is: a simple asphyxiant, colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, nonflammable, and lighter than air.
Cryogenic helium is used extensively in laboratories and MRI units at hospitals. Helium is also used extensively in the welding industry as an inert shielding gas for arc welding. It is also used in mixtures of neon and argon for electronic tubes and the familiar neon signs.
Helium is also used in laboratories as a leak detector, as a temperature standard, and as a carrier gas in gas chromatography . Mixtures of helium and oxygen are used as a diving gas for divers working under high pressures (created during low-depth diving).
Compressed air is a mixture of Nitrogen and Oxygen filled in high pressure cylinders. While Air does not burn, it does supply oxygen necessary for combustion.
Nitrogen (N 2 ) is an inert gas. At room temperature and atmospheric pressure, Nitrogen is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Nitrogen is commonly shipped in cylinders at pressures between 2,000 to 2,600 psi. In liquid form, it is shipped in vacuum liquid can containers at pressures ranging from 22 to 600 psi.
Nitrous Oxide (N 2 O) is a clear, colorless, oxidizing liquefied gas with a slightly sweet odor. The product is stable and inert at room temperature. The U. S. Department of Transportation classifies Nitrous Oxide as a non-flammable gas. Nitrous Oxide will support combustion and can detonate at temperatures in excess of 650° C (1202° F). Over 80 percent of the Nitrous Oxide market is used as an analgesic property in the medicine/dentist industry.
* Available for laboratory and food dispensing only. Not available for automotive or racing applications.
Our specialty gas division has been producing the following specialty medical grade gases for decades.
- Oxygen Helium Drug Mixtures
- Anaerobic Carbon Dioxide
- Lung Diffusion Mixtures
- Anaerobic Gas Mixtures
- Blood Gas Mixtures
- Aerobic Gas Mixtures
- Laser Gas Mixtures
- Sterilant Gas Mixtures
