Applications
Nitrogen gas has a variety of applications, including serving as an inert replacement for air where oxidation is undesirable;
- As a modified atmosphere, pure or mixed with carbon dioxide, 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.
- 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
- Used in military aircraft fuel systems to reduce fire hazard, (see inerting system)
- On top of liquid explosives as a safety measure
- Filling automotive and aircraft tires due to its inertness and lack of moisture or oxidative qualities, as opposed to air. The difference in N2 content between air and pure N2 is 20%
- Used as a propellant for draft wine, and as an alternative to or together with carbon dioxide for other beverages.
Nitrogen is commonly used during sample preparation procedures for chemical analysis. It is used to concentrate and reduce 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. Nitrogen must be kept at higher pressure than CO2, making N2 tanks heavier and more expensive.
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