Production
It is produced by heating Ammonium Nitrate to a temperature of approximately 250 C. Heating could be either electrically or by gas. It is then purified in a series of towers before collecting in a gas holder.
Gas is then Compressed by a water lubricated compressor, dried and liquefied. Liquid Nitrous oxide is stored in storage vessels where Nitrogen , if present, is removed. Pure liquid Nitrogen oxide is then filled into cylinders by weight.
Uses
Nitrous oxide gas is mainly used for anesthetic purposes. It is administered with oxygen. It is also used as carrier gas in laboratory Instruments. It also finds application, as a propellant in aerosols and food stuff.
Properties of NITROUS OXIDE
Nitrous Oxide is a chemical compound of Nitogen and Oxygen. Its Chemical symbol is N20.
It is colourless, non flammable and nontoxic gas with a slightly sweetish taste & odour. The most common way of distributing Nitrous oxide is as a compressed liquid in Cylinders of the same kind, as used for oxygen, Nitrogen etc. The pressure in Nitrous oxide cylinders is approximately 50 Bars at 20oC
It is stable and comparatively un-reactive chemical compound at ordinary temperatures. At elevated temperatures, however, the gas decomposes to Nitrogen & Oxygen.
It supports combustion and hence organic substances particularly oil and greases which are petrochemical in nature must be kept away from the gas.