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Oxygen (O₂) and nitrogen (N₂) are separated industrially by the fractional distillation of liquefied air in a column like that shown - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question c - 2017
Question c
Oxygen (O₂) and nitrogen (N₂) are separated industrially by the fractional distillation of liquefied air in a column like that shown. (i) Give two major uses of nit... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Oxygen (O₂) and nitrogen (N₂) are separated industrially by the fractional distillation of liquefied air in a column like that shown - Leaving Cert Chemistry - Question c - 2017
Step 1
Give two major uses of nitrogen.
Answer
Two major uses of nitrogen include:
-
Packaging food to prevent oxidation: Nitrogen gas is often used in food packaging to displace oxygen, which helps to keep food fresh and prevents spoilage.
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Flushing tanks of flammable liquids: Nitrogen is used to purge tanks to reduce the risk of fire by preventing the presence of oxygen and minimizing combustion risks.
Step 2
Name two components of the air feedstock that are removed prior to fractional distillation.
Answer
The two components that are typically removed from the air feedstock prior to fractional distillation are:
- Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
- Water vapour (H₂O)
These components can form ice and other unwanted compounds that could complicate the distillation process.
Step 3
Explain how the air intake is liquefied prior to fractional distillation.
Answer
The air intake is liquefied through a two-step process:
- Cooling: The air is first cooled significantly.
- Compression: The cooled air is then compressed under pressure, which increases the temperature before allowing it to expand rapidly, resulting in further cooling and liquefaction.
Step 4