How Does RFID Track Gas Cylinders?
To improve tracking, the gas supplier deployed HID’s ADEPT 500, a high-memory UHF RFID solution optimized for gas cylinder management. The company—which owns and fills cylinders for hospitals, manufacturers and other industrial users—needed a system that could withstand extreme conditions and provide real-time visibility. It successfully deployed intrinsically safe RFID tags, designed to withstand constant exposure to harsh conditions—including impact, chemical exposure and volatile gases—as part of its global asset management program for more than 10 years.
The RFID solution consisted of:
- UHF RFID-Enabled Overhead Portal Readers – Allowed for hands-free detection of a diverse mix of cylinder sizes, reducing labor hours.
- Global UHF RFID Frequency Protocol – Ensured seamless worldwide deployment across multiple locations.
- High-User Memory RFID Tags – Enabled gas suppliers and customers to access compliance and certification details at the point of use, even in remote areas.
- Intrinsically Safe RFID Tags – Certified for C1D1, ATEX and IECEx compliance, ensuring safe usage in volatile environments.
- Scalable Attachment Methods – The company tested various VHB adhesives to securely affix RFID tags across different cylinder types.
Dual RFID Technologies for Cylinder Management
In another global use case, a gas supplier deployed custom RFID tags that combined UHF and NFC technologies to enhance operational flexibility:
- UHF RFID – Enabled bulk inventory tracking, allowing workers to scan multiple cylinders simultaneously with handheld RFID devices, improving accuracy while reducing manual labor.
- NFC RFID – Facilitated individual cylinder inspections and rental check-in/check-out processes. Field personnel could use mobile devices to access maintenance records, verify refurbishment dates, and review quality metrics—without requiring specialized equipment.
Key Features of Both Gas Cylinder Tracking Solutions:
- Custom Design – RFID tags resemble propane tank service labels, ensuring seamless integration into existing tracking systems.
- Interoperability – Dual NFC and RAIN UHF RFID functionalities allow for both broad inventory sweeps and detailed individual inspections.
- Durability – Engineered to last over 10 years, even under extreme conditions such as impact, chemical exposure, and volatile gas environments.
- Tamper Evident – RFID tags feature one-time-use mechanical tamper seals, providing visible evidence of removal or unauthorized handling.
“HID’s state-of-the-art dual RFID tags, combining RAIN UHF RFID and NFC, enable precise tracking, rapid identification and real-time inventory control. This significantly reduces labor and filling costs by delivering instant data on cylinder status, location and maintenance requirements.”
Lisa Moore, Sales Manager, U.S.A.
Benefits of RFID for Tracking Gas Cylinders
RFID technology helps gas suppliers improve efficiency, reduce costs and enhance safety:
- Improved Inventory Control – Provides real-time tracking, minimizing discrepancies and ensuring all cylinders are accounted for.
- Enhanced Safety & Compliance – RFID automates maintenance tracking, reducing the risk of regulatory non-compliance and safety breaches.
- Cost Reduction – Automates asset tracking, reducing labor costs, minimizing cylinder loss and optimizing lifecycle management.
- Efficient Refurbishment & Quality Control – Enables detailed tracking of each cylinder’s maintenance history, ensuring timely refurbishment and quality assurance.
- Simplified Cylinder Management – Dual UHF and NFC RFID functionalities provide scalable solutions for both bulk tracking and individual inspections.
