Argon, part of the rare or inert gases on the periodic table of elements, is a monatomic, colorless, tasteless and nontoxic gas, present in the atmosphere at a concentration of just under one percent (0.934 percent) by volume, according to Universal Industrial Gases, Inc. Argon, along with radon, neon, krypton, helium and xenon, is also a member of the noble gas group.
Although hypothesized as early as 1785, argon was discovered in 1894 by Lord Raleigh and Sir William Ramsay, according to the Chemistry Division of the Los Alamos National Labs. Argon is the most abundant inert gas and it is required for use in welding; steel, semiconductor, titanium and zirconium manufacture; cryosurgery; document storage; and wine making. Argon is also used as a gas medium for incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs.
Argon is transferred as pure liquid argon, denoted by the symbol PLAR, or as crude liquid argon, noted as CLAR. Crude argon is moved to welding and steel making industrial and manufacturing facilities and also to other plants for further purification into pure argon and argon gas. Argon is transported as a refrigerated liquid, labeled as LAR, or as a gas, identified by the labeling GAR Transportation for both argon states is done in pressurized tanker cars, cylinders and transportation tubes. The movement may be by truck, train or piggy-back rail transport that loads the truck tanker onto a train flatcar.