air vs Ean21 and tanks

[The Chairman]

I would love to work in the dive industry, but I couldn't handle the pay cut :tease: As for the hyper-filtered air, many shops use a filtraion system for their regular air, but a much nicer/cleaner one for their NitrOx. I would ALWAYS rather get the cleaner stuff, so I always ask for it, even when filling plain ol' air tanks.

BTW, technically Walter is right... Air (EAN 21) has NOT been enriched. However, when the natives use a term in a particular way and you can understand what they are talking about, go with the flow. I don't believe I have ever heard anyone use that term without their tongue firmly planted in their cheek.

 

[dkerr]

Wouldn't Ean 21 be considered enriched because you are not pumping in Argon and other gases present at trace levels that are in the air we breath?
Not trying to be technical, but thought that ANY increase in 02 would need to be considered enrichment.
Thanks
Dkerr

 

[sharpenu]

The difference between "Hyper Air" and air is only the one filter it requires to bring the air from "Grade E" to "Modified E". The LDS I get my fills from sells nothing but the O2 compliant "Modified E".

In Florida, the results and grade of the air must be tested every quarter, with the results being posted next to the filling station. ALWAYS ask to see them.

I ask myself if it is adviseable to get your fills from air that isn't as clean as it could be. IMO, "HyperAir" and EANx21 are scams to charge you extra for what you should be getting in the first place: clean, contamination-free air. The cost of a fill here is $4 for air and $8 for nitrox up to 39%. If you can sell "Hyper air" for $6 or EANx21 for $8, you are making extra money without having to use any of your O2 (the main expense in EANx fills).

You can dodge this entire problem by using a membrane system (the system is expensive) and not needing O2 cleaning, but you still have the problem of contaminants. They are still there, you just don't need to remove them, because no mix over 40% is ever in your tank.

 

[Ron Brandt]

Originally posted by bengalsmgtsucks
How come some of you guys don't work at a dive shop?

Actually I do work at a dive shop. Evenings and weekends. I have a day job to support me working at the store.

I am the "fill jocky" I refer to . I am also one of only three gas blenders in the province.

Has anyone seen the new nitrox snorkels ?

Ron

 

[The Chairman]

Originally posted by dkerr
Wouldn't Ean 21 be considered enriched because you are not pumping in Argon and other gases present at trace levels that are in the air we breath?
Dkerr

There is no real EAN 21. Air is 20.8% Oxygen and when rounded that comes out to 21%. Hyper filtered air only has contaminants removed... not any of the trace gasses. Enriched means GREATER than 21%. 22% would be considered to be enriched... a waste of time, mind you, but enriched. 32% and 36% are the most common blends of NitrOx.

 

[dkerr]

thanks pete. Kinda what I thought....

 

[CincyBengalsFan]

Net Doc is correct and beat me to the punch about trace gases NOT being removed. Thanks Doc. I've been in the dive Industry for 6 yrs. now. I make a nice living. Of course I'm a dive shop owner. I create the enviroment where people may want to hang out and not the "You must buy or get out" atmosphere. So we do OK here. MOST and I MEAN MOST!!! LDC's are BULLS*** YOU with the info. of modified graded air. I've been doing this for sometime now and that is just the way it is. Someone mentioned that they should ask to see the records of the type of air the LDS pumps. THAT is a GREAT idea. But, unfortunetly most LDS just pump regular air which is just fine. As long as the HYDROCARBONS have been pulled from it.

 

[sharpenu]

No LDS pumps regular air, per se. All compressors add contaminants. Oil, metals and other items are placed into the air by the compressor. It can't be helped, so filters are placed there to remove them.