General information on N₂O / Nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide (N₂O), commonly known by the trivial name laughing gas, is a colorless gas from the group of nitrogen oxides. In the literature, nitrous oxide is also referred to as nitrogen oxydul. Laughing gas is best known as an inhalation anesthetic. N2O is also produced in small quantities during the combustion of fossil fuels.
Properties for N₂O
Please note that these properties may change depending on pressure and temperature.
- Molecular weight: The molecular weight of N₂O is about 44.02 g/mol.
- Boiling point: The boiling point of N₂O is -88.48 degrees Celsius (-127.26 degrees Fahrenheit) under normal pressure.
- Melting point: The melting point is -91.01 degrees Celsius (-131.82 degrees Fahrenheit) at a pressure of 1 atmosphere.
- Density: The density of N₂O varies with pressure and temperature. At room temperature and normal pressure, the density is approximately 1.977 kg/m³.
- Physical state: N₂O is a gas at room temperature and normal pressure.
- Solubility in water: N₂O is about 0.15 g/l soluble in water at 0 degrees Celsius and about 0.09 g/l soluble at 25 degrees Celsius.
- Odor and taste: N₂O is odorless and tasteless.
- Thermal conductivity: The thermal conductivity of N₂O is about 0.0152 W/(m-K) at 25 degrees Celsius.
- Critical point: The critical point of N₂O is at a temperature of 36.5 degrees Celsius and a pressure of 7.28 MPa.
Application examples for N₂O
- Medicine: Nitrous oxide is used as an analgesic and anesthetic in dentistry and minor surgery.
- Food industry: Nitrous oxide is used as a propellant in spray cream and other foods to improve volume and texture.
- Industrial applications: N₂O is used in the chemical industry as an oxidizer and in the production of nitrogen oxides.
- Electronics industry: in semiconductor and electronics industry, N₂O can be used to oxidize silicon substrates.
- Laboratories: N₂O is used in laboratories as a propellant for aerosols and as an inert gas for various applications.
- Wastewater treatment plants: Monitoring of N₂O emission in open clarifiers and control of the process chain.
Nitrous oxide is considered a greenhouse gas: It contributes to global warming and climate change. Its greenhouse effect is 265 times higher than carbon dioxide (CO₂) and 9.5 times higher than methane (CH₄). It is mainly released by human activities, such as agriculture (through the use of fertilizers and animal husbandry) and the burning of fossil fuels.
Measuring N₂O (nitrous oxide) at wastewater treatment plants can be important to monitor and control emissions of this greenhouse gas.
Wastewater treatment plants can be a significant source of N₂O emissions because the breakdown of nitrogen compounds during the treatment process can result in the release of nitrous oxide. Regular measurement of N₂O emissions at wastewater treatment plants allows operators to assess the impact of their plants on climate change and take appropriate action to reduce emissions. This may include, for example, optimizing the treatment process, reducing nitrogen inputs, or implementing N₂O capture technologies.
In addition, N₂O measurements in wastewater treatment plants can also help to verify compliance with environmental regulations and standards and to improve the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants.
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Some relevant Applications to N₂O
- Simultaneous gas analysis of nitrous oxide N₂O, methane CH₄, carbon dioxide CO₂ and oxygen O₂
- Continuous gas measurement (Real Time Monitoring)
- Long-term stable NDIR technology down to the trace range
- For high carbon monoxide ranges additional gas filter for suppression of interfering gases are integrated
- Low N₂O measurement without CO₂ interference powered by software algorithm
- Solution for stationary, mobile and maritime analyzer
- Vibration tested according to DIN EN60068-2-64(04/2009)
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- The employees of Wi.Tec-Sensorik GmbH have extensive expertise in the field of industrial gas measurement technology and sensor signal processing.
Your requirement is our challenge – You have a measuring task beyond the usual standards and are looking for a competent partner? Please contact us. Your measurement task is our …
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- Detection limit: < 5 ppm H₂O
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- Efficient alternative for a dew point mirror measurement
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- Can be combined with other gas measurements such as CO₂, CO, CₙHₘ, CH4 etc.
