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With the name of liquefaction (or liquefaction) one of the changes of state that matter can have is known, in particular that of a gaseous state goes to liquid state.
The process occurs due to the effect of pressure and temperature, to the extent that for all gases there is a temperature level below which, by applying a sufficiently great pressure, they can transform into liquids. In the same way, no matter how great the pressure, the gas cannot be liquefied as soon as its temperature exceeds a certain level.
Discovery and Applications
The process of the change of state from gas to liquid through the high pressures and low temperatures It was discovered by Michael Faraday in 1823, and the most important subsequent study was by Thomas Andrews, who in 1869 discovered that each gas has a critical temperature above which liquefaction is impossible, and on the contrary, when compression occurs that the speed of the molecules and the distances between them decrease until they experience the change of state.
During the 20th century, the liquefaction of gases played an indispensable role in matters weapons, especially at the time of the World Wars.
Another of the most important uses that is given to the liquefaction process is that from it they can analyze the fundamental properties of gas molecules, for storing them. On the other hand, many liquefied gases are used in different areas of medicine in order to improve the quality of life of people.
Liquefied natural gas
However, the most typical example of liquefaction is the liquefied or compressed natural gas, the natural gas that has been processed for its transport in liquid form. Those places where it is not profitable to build a gas pipeline or generate electricity, appeal to the transport of fuel by this means: the gas here is transported as a liquid at atmospheric pressure and at a temperature of -162 ° C, in huge trucks that can usually seen on the roads of most countries.
This type of gas is colorless, odorless, non-toxic, and highly safe, as well as lowering infrastructure costs and energy production in many projects.
Soil liquefaction
A liquefaction that occurs involuntarily is what occurs when some soils are shaken by an earthquake, and then they release the substances that they have in gaseous form, causing the sediment to fall and the water from within.
It is very important to analyze the character of the soil in areas prone to earthquakes, since the loss of soil resistance in these cases makes the structures mounted there unable to remain stable, being dragged on the mass of liquid soil.
Examples of liquefaction
The liquefaction of the air, to obtain the gases that form it, mainly oxygen and nitrogen, in a state of purity. This was fundamental in the war industry.
- Compressed natural gas.
- The liquefied chlorine, for water purification.
- The liquefaction of helium, which is used to be used in superconducting magnets, or in matters related to magnetic resonance.
- A nitrogen tank.
- Liquid nitrogen, used in dermatology and artificial insemination.
- Lighters and carafes, which contain liquid gas obtained from liquefaction.
- The sanitation of industrial waste uses different types of liquefied gases.
- Liquid oxygen, used for patients suffering from respiratory problems.
- LP gas, liquefied petroleum, used in refrigeration and air conditioning.
It can serve you: Examples from Liquids to Gaseous (and the other way around)
