What are the important uses of nitrogen in daily life?

Important uses of nitrogen in daily life

nitrogen is a gas that is ubiquitous in our daily lives. Although its content in the air is as high as 78%, its use is far more than that. Nitrogen plays an important role in many fields because of its chemical inertness and physical properties. This article will explore in detail the important uses of nitrogen in daily life, helping us to better understand how this seemingly ordinary gas affects our lives.

1. Food preservation and packaging

The use of nitrogen in the food industry is one of the most common and important uses. Nitrogen is an inert gas that does not chemically react with food, so it is widely used in food preservation. In food packaging, nitrogen can replace air to prevent food oxidation deterioration. Due to the stable nature of nitrogen, it can effectively inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold and extend the shelf life of food.

For example, foods such as snacks, cereals and nuts that we buy in supermarkets are usually packed with nitrogen. This technology can not only maintain the freshness of the food, but also prevent the deterioration of the food due to oxidation. Nitrogen is also used in the packaging of coffee beans to preserve the flavor and aroma of the coffee. It can be said that nitrogen plays an indispensable role in the field of food preservation.

2. Industrial production applications

Nitrogen is also widely used in industrial production. It is used in the manufacture of various chemicals, plastics and rubber products. For example, in the production process of synthetic ammonia, nitrogen is one of the important raw materials. Synthetic ammonia is an important part of the production of chemical fertilizers, and the use of chemical fertilizers has played a vital role in increasing agricultural production.

Nitrogen is also used for tire inflation. The chemical inertness and stability of nitrogen make it ideal for tire inflation. Compared with air, nitrogen has a lower expansion rate, which can reduce tire wear and improve driving safety. Many car manufacturers and tire suppliers recommend use nitrogen to fill tires to extend the life of tires.

3. Medical and health field

Nitrogen also has important uses in the medical field. Liquid nitrogen is a cryopreservative that is widely used to preserve biological samples and vaccines. In hospitals and biological laboratories, liquid nitrogen is used to cryopreserve biological materials such as cells, tissues and blood. This technology can not only maintain the activity of biological samples, but also ensure the stability of the vaccine during transportation and storage.

Nitrogen is also used in medical cryotherapy. Through the cryogenic action of liquid nitrogen, doctors can precisely freeze and destroy abnormal tissues, such as warts and moles. This treatment method has the advantages of small trauma and quick recovery, so it has been widely used in the treatment of skin diseases.

4. Electronics and semiconductor industry

Nitrogen is also essential in the electronics and semiconductor industries. In the chip manufacturing process, nitrogen is used as an inert shielding gas to prevent oxygen and other impurities from contaminating the semiconductor material. The purity of nitrogen directly affects the performance and quality of the chip, so the use of high-purity nitrogen is very important in semiconductor production.

Nitrogen gas is also used in the manufacture of display panels. In the production process of liquid crystal displays (LCD) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), nitrogen is used as a protective gas to ensure the quality and life of the display panel. It can be said that nitrogen plays a fundamental role in the manufacture of modern electronic equipment.

Summary

Nitrogen as an inert gas, although rich in air, but its use is very extensive. From food preservation to industrial production, from healthcare to electronics manufacturing, nitrogen plays an important role in many fields. It can be said that the existence of nitrogen makes our life more convenient and safe. With the continuous advancement of science and technology, the use of nitrogen will become more and more extensive and become an indispensable part of our lives.