Nitrogen, an abundant element that makes up 78% of the Earth’s air, is a valuable byproduct of steelmaking. This colorless, odorless and tasteless gas with the chemical symbol N2 plays a vital role in biological processes and has various applications in various industries as well as in laboratories.
Nitrogen applications
- medical:
- It is used in the treatment of lung diseases such as pneumonia, emphysema and asthma.
- It is used in anesthesia and surgery to prevent tissue oxidation.
- It is used in the maintenance of transplanted organs to maintain their health.
- It is used in the treatment of some blood diseases such as sickle cell anemia.
Industry:
- It is used in steelmaking to create a protective atmosphere during steel melting.
- It is used in the production of chemicals such as ammonia, nitric acid and chemical fertilizers.
- It is used in the food industry to maintain the freshness and quality of food.
- It is used in rubber making to increase the strength and flexibility of rubber.
- It is used in the electronics industry to produce semiconductors and other electronic components.
Laboratory:
- It is used in various chemical and biological experiments to create an inert atmosphere.
- It is used in the storage and transportation of laboratory samples.
- It is used in gas chromatography to separate and identify different compounds.
Advantages of using nitrogen
Vital for life: Nitrogen is one of the main components of amino acids, proteins and DNA, which are essential for life.
Various applications: It is used in various industries and also in laboratories.
Safe and reliable: Nitrogen gas is non-toxic, non-flammable and inert.
Abundant: Nitrogen is the most abundant element in the Earth’s atmosphere.
Easy production: Nitrogen can be easily separated from air.
How to produce nitrogen
Separation from air: The most common method of nitrogen production is to separate it from air using low temperature air distillation process. In this method, air is alternately compressed and cooled to turn its components into liquid. Nitrogen, which has a lower boiling point than oxygen, turns into a liquid at a lower temperature and can be separated from liquid oxygen.
Cryoacid process: In this method, the air is cooled to a very low temperature (about -196 degrees Celsius) so that oxygen turns into liquid and nitrogen remains as gas. Then they separate gaseous nitrogen from liquid oxygen.
Absorption process: In this method, special adsorbents such as zeolite or silica gel are used to absorb oxygen from the air and separate nitrogen. Compressed air passes through the adsorbent bed and oxygen is absorbed by the adsorbent. Purified nitrogen is removed from the absorbent bed.
Safety tips in using nitrogen
Nitrogen gas is non-toxic and non-flammable, but breathing pure nitrogen for long periods of time can be harmful and lead to suffocation.
Storage and handling of nitrogen should be done carefully to avoid leakage or suffocation.
When working with nitrogen in large quantities, proper safety equipment such as mask, gloves and protective glasses should be used.
Nitrogen, as a valuable by-product of steelmaking, not only plays a vital role in human health and the environment, but also has many applications in various industries and is considered a key element in the modern world.
