Praxair Inc has entered an agreement with Integrated Automation Systems Inc to market the breakthrough OptiGas gas-filling system for insulating glass in windows and doors.

With conventional gas-filling systems, the largest cost factor is the considerable amount of gas lost (from 40 to 70 per cent) during the fill. Through a proprietary filling process, the patent-pending OptiGas system injects the precise amount of krypton, argon or a mix of both into the insulated glass unit at a controlled flow rate to eliminate losses. The OptiGas system can reduce krypton consumption by up to 70 per cent per unit. Another feature of the OptiGas system is the ThermalCert module which can analyse the gas in the windows or doors, providing gas content verification.

Praxair and Integrated Automation Systems took part in the GlassBuild America Expo in Atlanta, Georgia, US, and conducted live demonstrations of the new technology.

Integrated Automation Systems develops innovative manufacturing systems and accessories primarily for insulating glass fabrication companies. It partnered with Fenetech, a fenestration software company, to develop the software for the OptiGas system.

Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 2010 sales of $10 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and high-performance surface coatings.