Vasquez, Ryan Joshau R.
Written Report
Introduction of Nitrogen Gas
• It was first discovered and isolated by Scottish physician Daniel Rutherford in 1772.
• English word “nitrogen” entered the language in 1794.
• Nitrogen gas is a chemical compound with symbol N2.
Dinitrogen forms about 78% of Earth's atmosphere, making it the most abundant uncombined element.
Nitrogen occurs in all organisms, primarily in amino acids, proteins, chlorophyll, in the nucleic acids (DNA
and RNA) and other biomolecules. The human body contains about 3% nitrogen by mass. It is so inert at
standard temperature and pressure that it was termed "azote" (meaning “without life”). 78% 21% 1%
Nitrogen Oxygen Other
History
• Nitrogenous timeline – 1867, Dynamite is invented. Notroglycerin is highly unstable liquid , likely to
explode with slightest shock. – 1900, TNT The explosive yield of TNT is considered to be the standard
measure of bombs and other explosives. It is used as a weapon in World war I (1914).TNT is more power
full then Dynamite. – 1940 World War II, two weapon introduce as a explosive, RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-
trinitro 1,3,5-triazine) PETN (pentaerythritoltetranitrate) – 1945 Ammonium Nitrate, it is know as
potential explosive power. It is not safe to handle. – 1957, ANFO (Ammonium Nirate Fuel Oil) explosive
is developed by mixing of ammonium nitrate and liquid fuel oil. ANFO is relatively safe to handle.
Structure of Nitrogen Gas
• The extremely strong triple bond in elemental nitrogen (N≡N)
• It is the second strongest bond in any diatomic molecule after carbon monoxide.
Preparation of Nitrogen gas Method of preparation
• Polymeric Membrane
• Pressure Swing Adsorption or PSA
• Cryogenic distillation
Preparation of Nitrogen gas form cryogenic distillation
Technology for separating air into its primary components like nitrogen by cryogenic distillation has
been practiced for over 100 years. Cryogenic distillation of air for preparation of nitrogen is one of the
most popular air separation process, used frequently in medium to large scale plants. It is the most cost
effective technology for high production rate plants.
Process
• Compression of air
• Air cooling
• Purification of air
• Cooling of air
• Separation of air (distillation)
• Withdrawal and storage
Vasquez, Ryan Joshau R.
Written Report
Process flow diagram of cryogenic air distillation
Process flow diagram of cryogenic air distillation Boiling point Nitrogen gas = -196 °C Oxygen gas = -183
°C
Process
compression of air
Ambient air is filtered to remove dust particals and then fed to a series of turbo compressors to approx.
6 bar operational pressure , with an intercooler.
Air cooling
Process air is cooled with direct contact of chilled water. Cooling water is prepared in an evaporation
cooler against dry oxygen/nitrogen waste gas from rectification process.
Purification of air
Impurities such as water vapor and carbon dioxide are removed from the air in a so‐called molecular
sieve absorber. These impurities otherwise would freeze and disrupt equipment.
Freon Cooler
The purified air in the main heat exchanger is cooled to approx. ‐170°C. Cooling is achieved by the flows
of cold gas generated during the process cool the compressed air, it undergoes partial liquefaction. Now
the air is ready for the separating column, where the actual separation takes place.
Process Distillation Column
Separation of air into pure nitrogen is performed in two columns, the medium‐pressure and the low‐
pressure Columns.
The continuous evaporation and condensation brought about by excha nge of matter and heat between
the rising steam and the descending liq uid produces pure nitrogen at the top of the low‐pressure
column and p ure oxygen at the bottom.
Process Withdrawal and storage
Gaseous nitrogen are fed into pipelines for transport to users, e.g. steelw orks. In liquid form, nitrogen
is stored in tanks and transported to customers by tanker Lorries.
Vasquez, Ryan Joshau R.
Written Report
Cryogenic Distillation
• Advantages –
Can generate liquid nitrogen for storage on site.
Produce very high purity nitrogen.
Low amount of electricity per unit nitrogen.
• Disadvantages
High capital cost.
Large site space and utility requirements.
Long start-up and shutdown.
Physical Properties At standard temperature and pressure, two atoms of the element bind to form
dinitrogen N2. Incombustible, diatomic gas. Molecular Weight (lb/mol) 28.01. It does not burn.
Colourless, Odorless,Tasteless, Melting point −210.0°C , Boiling point −195.795°C , It is slightly lighter
than air. Gas Density @ STP is 0.0725 (lb/ft3). Specific Gravity 0.967.
Chemical Properties • When a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen is heated to about 500°C, 200-900
atmosphere and in the presence of a catalyst, ammonia gas is liberated. N2 + 3H2 → 2NH3 • When a
mixture of nitrogen and oxygen is heated at 2000°C- 3000°C in electric arc, they combine together and
give oxides of nitrogen. 2N2 + O2 → 2N2O (Nitrous oxide) N2 + O2 → 2NO (Nitric oxide) N2 + 2 O2 →
2NO2 (Nitrogen dioxide)
Uses
a protective atmosphere in the bright annealing of metals, as a shield to prevent oxidation in food
products, similarly In welding areas, as a reagent, and as a unique grinding aid for very hard or heat-
sensitive materials.4
NITROUS OXIDE
Nitrous oxide is generally prepared by heating very pure ammonium nitrate to 200°C. in retorts.
The purification consists in treatment with caustic to remove nitric acid - and with dichromate to
remove nitric oxid-e. it is shipped in steel cylinders as a liquid at a pressure of 100 atm. It is used
as an anesthetic. In 1952, 289,145,000 gal. were produced.
Reference:
THE CHEMICAL PROCESS INDUSTRIES BOOK
[Link]