Compressed Gas Orders
The Chemistry Stockroom provides compressed gas cylinders, cryogenic cylinders, supplies, and accessories to any Rice University department, research group, or service center with a valid account.
Gas Order Process
Rice University uses Airgas as our exclusive vendor for gas cylinders and cryogenic liquids. This allows us to have low contracted prices, with a vendor familiar with the Rice campus and facilities.
Users will manage their gas accounts through Airgas.com and will be required to enter their funding information when placing an order.
Every order placed will need review and approval from the Chemistry Stockroom. Two e-mails will be sent upon order submission: a requisition e-mail informing the order has been sent for approval followed by an order confirmation e-mail once the order has been approved.
Airgas.com enables our end users to access Rice University’s gas and gas equipment contract pricing, view the estimated time of delivery, check order history, create gas lists for commonly needed products, and view your gas inventory.
Every gas-using lab and room in the university has been assigned an account number called a “Ship To.” A “Ship To” account is a seven-digit number uniquely identifying that location. Since there are labs and rooms shared by multiple users, a single “Ship To” can be used by various users. Every dashboard (homepage) will display the total number of cylinders in possession of the selected lab/room.
Airgas will deliver gas directly to your selected location. Each user is responsible for ensuring that their delivery location is accessible to the Airgas driver. If a proper delivery cannot be made, Airgas will return the order to their facility and attempt delivery the following day.
Airgas will also pick up and return empty products. This is important to reduce the amount paid in rental fees and ensure that our supply of high-quality containers is not artificially lowered. When you need products returned, clearly indicate the cylinders and tanks that need to be picked up. You can schedule a visit to your location by simply ordering a new delivery or specifically requesting a pickup visit.
Return of Unused and Empty Cylinders:
- Ownership: Cylinders are owned by Airgas and incur a $13 monthly fee per cylinder.
- Supply Considerations: For some products, cylinders are in short supply. Returning a 230-liter cylinder for liquid nitrogen can expedite the delivery of the next full cylinder.
- Workspace Management: Returning cylinders can help clear up your workspace.
Creating an Airgas Account
New User Registration Form
To create an account, you must provide a Rice University e-mail, building, and room number, along with funding information. Once a new account has been requested, users will receive an email from Airgas with their login information.
Multiple Delivery Locations: New Ship to Request
To add or remove additional delivery locations to your Airgas account, fill out and submit the following form. Please include any additional information in the comment section.
New Ship to Request Form
Login to Airgas.com
Airgas Login
A step-by-step guide on how to access contract pricing, place orders and navigate the site is available below:
Airgas.com Quick Reference Guide
Accessing Rice University Contract Pricing Gas List on Airgas.com
End users have access to search all of Airgas’ products. However, Rice University has received special pricing for gases. To access, please select My Lists > My Items located at the very top of your dashboard page.
Additional Special Gas Mix/Pure Gas/Gases Not On Contract List
If users require special gas blends or gases not listed on our contract list, please reach out to the Chemistry Stockroom at chst@rice.edu. We will work with Airgas’s product experts to make your needed item available to purchase.
An Airgas specialty gas catalog is also available below; this includes all pure gases and their respective regulators:
Pure and Specialty (Mix Blends) Gas Catalog
Gas Equipment and Additional Laboratory Gas Resources
Rice University has also received special pricing on gas equipment such as regulators and safety equipment. Contract pricing can be accessed after logging in by searching on the bar that reads “Search Product, MSDS, and Manufacturers”. For any questions about a price or part number please contact the Chemistry Stockroom.
Airgas supports Rice University’s research and provides additional services for all gas equipment applications. If you would like to talk to an Airgas expert about how their products can support your activities, send us an email at chst@rice.edu.
About Your Online Order
Fund/Org/First Name Last Name is required in the P.O. field before checkout.
We encourage our end users to provide a phone number and any additional delivery instructions under the “Shipping Notes” section before submitting an order. This can help avoid unsuccessful delivery attempts.
Gas orders received by 3:00 p.m. will be processed on that same business day. Orders received after 3:00 p.m. will be processed on the next business day. Depending on availability, gas can be expected to be delivered:
- In-Stock Gases: 1 to 2 business days
- Special Mixed Gases: 2 to 4 weeks or longer: contact the Chemistry Stockroom to check on order times.
You can request a pickup from Airgas when viewing your shopping cart. You have the option to modify how many cylinders of each will be purchased and returned. To return a type of cylinder that you do not want to purchase, simply add that product to the cart but adjust the quantity desired to zero.
Helpful Links
Please contact Javier Chavez at jjc5@rice.edu or 713-348-3257 with any questions or concerns.