What is nitrogen gas used in?

Answer 1

Nitrogen gas has a wide variety of applications, including serving as an inert replacement for air where oxidation is undesirable:

* To preserve the freshness of packaged or bulk foods (by delaying rancidity and other forms of oxidative damage) * In ordinary incandescent light bulbs as an inexpensive alternative to argon. * On top of liquid explosives as a safety measure * The production of electronic parts such as transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits * Dried and pressurized, as a dielectric gas for high voltage equipment * The manufacturing of stainless steel * Use in military aircraft fuel systems to reduce fire hazard * Filling automotive and aircraft tires due to its inertness and lack of moisture or oxidative qualities, as opposed to air, though this is not necessary for consumer automobiles. Nitrogen is commonly used during sample preparation procedures for chemical analysis. Specifically, it is used as a means of concentrating and reducing the volume of liquid samples. Directing a pressurized stream of nitrogen gas perpendicular to the surface of the liquid allows the solvent to evaporate while leaving the solute(s) and un-evaporated solvent behind.

Nitrogen tanks are also replacing carbon dioxide as the main power source for paintball guns. The downside is that nitrogen must be kept at higher pressure than CO2, making N2 tanks heavier and more expensive.

A further example of its versatility is its use as a preferred alternative to carbon dioxide to pressurize kegs of some beers, particularly stouts and British ales, due to the smaller bubbles it produces, which make the dispensed beer smoother and headier. A modern application of a pressure sensitive nitrogen capsule known commonly as a "widget" now allows nitrogen charged beers to be packaged in cans and bottles.

It is also important to note that nitrogen is the major component of air, being 78.08% of it, although its physiological purpose is currently disputed.

Answer 2

Nitrogen gas is commonly used in food packaging to extend the shelf life of products, as an inert gas in chemical processes to prevent unwanted reactions, and in the electronics industry to create an inert atmosphere during manufacturing.