What is nitrogen compressed gas used for?
If you’re someone who’s into beverages, you’ve probably come across the term “nitro” or “nitrogen-infused”. You might think to yourself, what the “heck” does nitrogen have to do with my beverage? Well folks, let me enlighten you on this gas and it’s not just good for making drinks!
The Basics of Nitrogen
In its pure form, nitrogen is a colorless, odorless gas that makes up about 78% of Earth’s atmosphere. That means when we take a breath in – almost 80% of what we breathe is made up of boring old nitrogen! Wowzers!
How Do We Get Nitrogen?
Nitrogen can be obtained through various methods such as fractional distillation and molecular sieve technology. These scientific-sounding techniques help us extract the component from air so that it can then be compressed and packaged.
Wait…Compressed gas?
Yes siree bob! Nitrogen compressed gas comes in handy little containers that are used in various industries all over the world. When putting more pressure than required onto tiny molecules forms this density by packing particles tightly together.
Why Compress It Though?
Glad you asked matey! By compressing nitrogen (or any other easily-compressed gas), it makes storing it easier while also allowing us greater control over its release rate. Alright…now let’s list some ways people use compressed nitrogen…
Food And Beverage Industry
Now back to drinks winks, get your mind outta there pals..We’ve got bigger problems here because nitrogen is an integral aspect when it comes to food & drink jazz.
Preservation
Food manufacturers use something called Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) which involves flushing food packaging with inert gases such as – “you guessed it” – NITROGEN. Flash freezing foods like french fries and chicken nuggets by using liquid nitrogen also helps preserve the product longer. Manufacturers use liquid nitrogen for this due to its low boiling point (−196 °C) which means it can freeze food incredibly fast.
Beverages
Alright, now let’s talk about our favorite subject: BEVERAGES! Many drink manufacturers add nitrogen gas to their ciders, beers or coffees resulting in a unique taste sensation- “nitro“. The process of manufacturing Nitro coffee involves putting cold brewed coffee in kegs along with pressurized N2 which then results in refreshingly smooth-textured iced Americano! Yum!
Why Does Nitrogen Work So Well for Iced Drinks?
Nitrogen bubbles are microscopically tiny compared to carbon dioxide bubbles; therefore they don’t diffuse as quickly. These smaller sized bubbles create an effect that works wonders with drinks that need foam on top – such as a good Irish Stout beer drooling or who could forget…
Whipped Cream
We all love whipped cream on pies…nom nom! And fun fact: whipped cream chargers often contain compressed nitrous oxide (N2O). By placing standard refrigerated cream into these containers and adding the compressed gas we have WON GOLD -the fluffy creamy goodness topping onto our desserts never tasted soo good before folks!! Another fun use of nitrous oxide y’all
Automotive Industry
Car enthusiasts may know these terms well NOS/Nitrous kit “yeehaww”!!! But seriously though, automotive industry is one of those industries where people will gladly pay more for extra horsepower goes crazy. Enter my magical friend – compressed nitrogen. Nowadays many performance car tuners equip drag race cars with something called “Laughing Gas,” making vehicles go zoom zoom at hyperspeeds by blasting concentrated amounts inside their cylinders during combustion.
And that’s not all! Nitrogen is also used in tires. Pressurized nitrogen provides better tire inflation stability due to its relative low vapor pressure, which further results in more consistent tire pressures and longer time before air leaks occur. All this helps save money on regular maintenance checks thumbs up.
Healthcare Industry
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy involves exposing a part of the human body (usually skin) to subzero temperatures (-130°C). This process can help decrease inflammation, boost recovery from strenuous exercise, and provide other benefits such as improving sleep quality & skin tone etcetera. And guess what kind of compressed gas they use for this? You’ve guessed it again – NITROGEN! The advantage with using Nitrogen is that when pressurized and insulated properly it remains liquid at very low temperatures thereby proving ideal for entities like cryosaunas where cold vapors need proper suppression inside their chambers.
Pharmaceutical Use
Liquid nitrogen usage has become popular over the past decade in medical sectors by “brrr-ing out” new possibilities through Cryopreservation. When biological samples or viral agents are frozen into liquid nitrogen; because molecules are so heavily packed together in a frozen state no biochemical reactions will take place- thus preserving these items indefinitely without fear of contamination/alteration/multiplication etcetera yay
Welding Industry
Nitrogen works wonders helping gaseous shielding purges maintain stable atmosphere during welding operations so there’s less oxygen to react with heated metal surfaces which reduces oxidation while keeping hazardous fumes generated –such as oxides-of-nitrides– minimal if any upon release into environment . MMMMHMMM good stuff kiddos even though its arguably not quite as fun-filled chaotic exhilarating as adding N2O Boost kits huh?.
Optical Fiber Production
Fun fact number 2: Did you know one method involved producing optical fibers to keep the fibers from sticking together during the high temperature drawing process is by adding Nitrogen or other methylated gases, this helps give us various core densities for fiber optic cable. Wow sounds fascinating doesn’t it? huh! Sweet Jesus our world is filled with interesting uses of nitrogen happy hippie dance
Conclusion
There we have it folks – a comprehensive overview on compressed nitrogen and its use across different industries. You can now impress your friends at parties with your slightly nerdy knowledge about N2 gas; all courtesy of yours truly “finger guns“. Nitrogen is an essential tool when it comes to preserving foods, powering cars, treating illnesses and much more! Can you think of any other innovative ways nitrogen might be used in the future?! Just mention them in comments below especially if they make good stories.
Until next time…stay curious my friends 😉 !