Monday 27 August 2018

Important Applications Of Cryogenic Gases

By Nancy Edwards


Cryogenics is a term that is used to refer to the process of producing of materials at extremely low temperatures. It may also refer to any process or material that relates to low temperatures. On the other hand, the term cryogenic liquid refers to a liquefied gas that is stored in a liquid state.Cryogenic gases usually have extremely low boiling point.

The boiling point of these gasses is usually lower than -150 degrees Celsius. That means that they usually exist as gasses at room temperature and pressure. Temperature and pressure conditions under which different cryogens become liquids vary a lot. Regardless of the differences, all cryogens have two properties in common. The first property is that they are all extremely cold. The second property is that small quantities of the liquid usually expand to form large amount of gas.

Many cryogenic liquids and the resultant gasses usually fall under three main categories or classes. Flammable gasses, inert gasses, and oxygen are these three categories. Inert gasses never support combustion besides undergoing minimum chemical reaction. Moreover, they do not undergo combustion. Neon, krypton, helium, nitrogen, and argon are great examples of materials that fall under inert gases category.

Flammable gasses are gasses that can burn in air and are produced from cryogenic liquids. Examples of these gasses include methane, hydrogen, and liquefied natural gasses. Lastly, liquid oxygen is capable of causing mot materials that are viewed as non-combustible to burn in its presence. In fact, some materials such as organic materials undergo explosive reaction with liquefied oxygen.

A number of applications for cryogenics exist. The medical and industrial fields are some of the major users of these gasses. The electrical resistance of many metals reduces with decrease in temperature. Therefore, cryogens find a lot of use in decreasing the electrical resistance of metals. Food preservation and freezing industries also make great use of cryogens. Foods that require immediate preservation to prevent them from getting spoilt are preserved using cryogens.

In the field of medicine, cryogens are is put into application through the process of cryosurgery. Here, a specific body part is subjected to extremely low temperatures intended to kill any undesirable or malfunctioning tissues in the body. In a case where the body cells and tissues are cancerous, the process can be used as a cancer treatment option. The rate at which this method is gaining popularity and being put into application has risen tremendously.

Another major use of cryogens is in blood banking. Low temperatures are necessary in the storage of certain rare blood groups. The temperatures may have to be as low as -165 degrees Celsius. Liquid nitrogen has been used in certain cryogenics technology incorporated in night club effect systems. These systems produce a chilling effect and white fog, which is then illuminated using colored lights.

Cryogenic cooling is also used during the machining process where it is used to cool the tips of machines. The cooling is important because it helps to prolong the life of tools used. Rockets also use cryogens as propellants. The cryogens used include liquid methane, liquid hydrogen, and liquid oxygen.




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