Airgas profit rises on higher gas sales, tank rentals

Jan 24- Industrial gas supplier Airgas Inc reported a 14 percent higher third-quarter profit as gas sales and storage tank rental revenue rose by 6 percent. Profit rose to $82.9 million, or $1.05 per share, in the quarter ended Dec. 31, from $72.6 million, or $0.93 per share, a year earlier. Revenue rose 5 percent to $1.21 billion.