Five Key Industrial Uses of Nitrogen Explained

It’s invisible and odorless, but nitrogen is used in countless industries – without this gas, many of the products and technologies we take for granted simply wouldn’t exist. Nitrogen can do everything from keeping your potato chips crispy to helping to build your smartphone.

Oh, and you might remember from science class that it makes up around 78% of the Earth’s atmosphere.

Below, we cover five key industrial uses of nitrogen.

Food Preservation and Packaging

Nitrogen has revolutionized how we keep food fresh and safe for consumption. By replacing oxygen with nitrogen in food packaging, manufacturers can significantly extend shelf life while maintaining product quality.

Food companies use nitrogen gas to create so-called Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP). This process displaces oxygen, which would otherwise cause food spoilage and oxidation. You’ll find this technology in everything from potato chips to prepared meals.

The same principle applies to beverage packaging, particularly in craft beer production. Nitrogen-infused beverages maintain their freshness and prevent oxidation that can lead to off-flavors.

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Industrial Manufacturing and Metal Processing

Nitrogen’s unique properties make it invaluable for numerous industrial applications. One of the most significant uses is in the production of stainless steel, where nitrogen improves durability and corrosion resistance.

Metal fabricators use liquid nitrogen for shrink fitting – a process where metal parts are cooled to extremely low temperatures, causing them to contract. When warmed back to room temperature, these parts form incredibly strong bonds.

In pipeline construction and maintenance, nitrogen plays a critical role in purging and pressure testing. Engineers use it to remove oxygen and moisture from pipelines, preventing corrosion and ensuring safe operation.

Power plants rely heavily on nitrogen for processes like generator cooling and fire suppression. The inert nature of nitrogen also makes it perfect for preventing oxidation in sensitive equipment.

Medical and Pharmaceutical Applications

Nitrogen is used throughout the healthcare industry. Hospitals use liquid nitrogen to preserve blood samples, tissue specimens, and other biological materials.

In pharmaceutical manufacturing, nitrogen creates the controlled environments necessary for producing medicines. It helps prevent oxidation and degradation of sensitive compounds during the production process.

Cryotherapy, a growing medical treatment option, uses liquid nitrogen to create extremely cold temperatures for therapeutic purposes. This technique is commonly used to remove warts.

Electronics and Specialized Manufacturing

The electronics industry requires ultra-pure environments for manufacturing sensitive components. Nitrogen provides the inert atmosphere necessary for producing semiconductors and other electronic components.

Other related uses include:

• Soldering: during the soldering process in circuit board manufacturing, nitrogen prevents oxidation that could compromise electrical connections. This results in higher-quality products with better reliability.
• Fire suppression: data centers use nitrogen-based fire suppression systems to protect sensitive equipment. They are less likely to damage electronic components than water-based systems.
• Laser cutting and 3D printing: in specialized manufacturing processes, nitrogen is used to create controlled atmospheres for laser cutting and 3D printing. This ensures optimal conditions for precise manufacturing operations.

Environmental and Safety Applications

Power plants and industrial facilities use nitrogen for purging and inerting systems. This critical safety measure helps prevent explosions and fires in potentially hazardous environments.

Pipeline operators use nitrogen for pressure testing and maintenance. The inert nature of nitrogen makes it ideal for checking system integrity without risking oxidation or combustion.

In tire inflation – particularly for aircraft and racing vehicles – nitrogen provides advantages such as reduced moisture content and oxidation.

Wrapping Up

By using nitrogen in these various applications, industries can operate more safely and efficiently while ensuring higher product quality. From the food on your table to the electronics in your pocket, nitrogen’s importance in modern industry cannot be overstated.