Loptr
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Which would be more a useful gas: Nitrogen or Argon?
I should have an 80 c.f. inert gas tank on the way from a seller on eBay. I think Argon would probably be the most useful, since it won't form
compounds with things like Lithium, as Nitrogen is capable of doing.
What do you guys have to say?
"Question everything generally thought to be obvious." - Dieter Rams
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JJay
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For the most part, nitrogen is fine, but nitrogen does react under a few circumstances such as the one you mentioned. In amateur quantities, the price
difference is negligible.
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WGTR
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Argon is all around better, I think. Nitrogen is cheap when ordered as a liquid by the tanker-full, but otherwise when I have the choice I pick
argon. It's also heavier than air, and can blanket reactions better than nitrogen.
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MrHomeScientist
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Agreed, for all of the above reasons. Heavier than air, more inert than nitrogen, and comparable pricing. Ar is just better overall. Once you have the
cylinder, (re)filling it is cheap!
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Hendrik
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If the price for nitrogen is significantly cheaper than the price for argon, follow that route. If not, buy argon.
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Loptr
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Well, I am convinced. Argon it is.
Now what should I be aware of as far as the regulator? I still need to get one, maybe with a drying train? What else is there?
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WGTR
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A rotameter with an adjustment knob would be a must-have, I think. The necessary size of the rotameter really depends on what you intend to do with
it, as you may need several cubic feet per second for one thing, or 0.1 cubic feet per hour for something else. Welding supply stores often sell the
types that screw directly into the pressure regulator. Since the gas isn't supplied with the cylinder, the purity may not be guaranteed, and a
desiccant tube followed by a 10 micron filter might be a good buy if you think it is necessary.
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DrP
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I'd say Argon for the same reason - it's heavy and you can get away with popping the top of a vessel to add stuff in with an Argon flow from the
vessel. With Nitrogen, if you tried to do that you would let oxygen into the system for sure.
\"It\'s a man\'s obligation to stick his boneration in a women\'s separation; this sort of penetration will increase the population of the younger
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MrHomeScientist
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I'd be surprised if you need a drying tube for your argon; the gas should be very dry from the cylinder. If you need super dry gas, then using liquid
nitrogen might actually be preferable.
One thing I found incredibly annoying is it seems like every gas has its own specialized regulator, flowmeter, threading standard, etc. etc. etc. I
couldn't use a nitrogen regulator for argon, and couldn't connect regular NPT steel pipe directly to the regulator either. It's a never ending train
of couplers.  I highly recommend talking with the guys at the shop where you get
your gas and telling them exactly what you plan to do. My local shop was extremely helpful in getting me all the right fittings.
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Loptr
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Quote: Originally posted by MrHomeScientist  | I'd be surprised if you need a drying tube for your argon; the gas should be very dry from the cylinder. If you need super dry gas, then using liquid
nitrogen might actually be preferable.
One thing I found incredibly annoying is it seems like every gas has its own specialized regulator, flowmeter, threading standard, etc. etc. etc. I
couldn't use a nitrogen regulator for argon, and couldn't connect regular NPT steel pipe directly to the regulator either. It's a never ending train
of couplers. I highly recommend talking with the guys at the shop where you get
your gas and telling them exactly what you plan to do. My local shop was extremely helpful in getting me all the right fittings.
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Thanks MrHomeScientist!
I will be sure to ask them about my options. I have wanted to see how well air/moisture free techniques can be done at home with strong bases like
organometallics.
[Edited on 8-8-2018 by Loptr]
"Question everything generally thought to be obvious." - Dieter Rams
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