The application of nitrogen in the chemical industry
The application of nitrogen in the chemical industry is very extensive. As one of the main products in the gas industry, nitrogen can be classified into high-purity nitrogen, pure nitrogen, and industrial nitrogen based on its purity. Due to the high content of nitrogen in the air, the output of nitrogen in air separation devices often exceeds that of oxygen. With the continuous growth of the economy, the market demand for nitrogen is also expanding. In the chemical industry, nitrogen is mainly used as raw gas and protective gas.
Various uses of nitrogen as raw gas:
1. Production of calcium cyanamide: Nitrogen reacts with calcium carbide to produce calcium cyanamide, which is a nitrogen-containing fertilizer and is mainly used for the improvement of acidic soil. Calcium cyanamide needs to be converted before it can be absorbed by plants, and it can also be used as a defoliant or herbicide.
2. Synthesis of ammonia: Nitrogen is a key raw material for ammonia synthesis, and ammonia synthesis is the basis for the production of nitrogen fertilizers.
3. Synthesis of metal nitrides: Nitrogen can combine with various elements under specific conditions to form metal nitrides, such as lithium nitride (Li3N), which is an excellent solid electrolyte material.
4. Synthesis of metal cyanides: Nitrogen participates in the synthesis of cyanides such as sodium cyanide, although this method is no longer commonly used.
5. Synthesis of silicon nitride: Nitrogen is used to synthesize silicon nitride, which is a material with various excellent properties.
6. CVD method for synthesizing TiN coatings: Nitrogen is used as a carrier gas in the CVD process to help form a hard TiN coating on the material surface.
The application of nitrogen as a protective gas:
7. Prevention of oxidation and corrosion: Nitrogen is used as a protective gas when handling flammable substances or during metal processing to avoid oxidation and corrosion.
8. Improvement of product quality: In steel rolling and metal heat treatment processes, nitrogen helps improve the surface quality of the products.
9. Ensuring production safety: Using nitrogen in flammable environments can reduce the risk of fire and explosion.
10. Application in the electronics industry: Nitrogen is used to keep silicon wafers dry and clean, as well as to blow off flammable substances from pipes and storage equipment.
11. Improvement of metallurgical efficiency: In the smelting of non-ferrous metals and steel water treatment, nitrogen is used to reduce hydrogen content and improve the strength of steel.
These applications of nitrogen in the chemical industry demonstrate its multi-functionality and importance, and its stability and cost-effectiveness make it an indispensable part of industrial processes. With the continuous advancement of technology, the application scope and methods of nitrogen may continue to expand.
