Liquid Nitrogen Facts, Safety and Uses

Liquid nitrogen is a form of the element nitrogen thats cold enough to exist in a liquid state and is used for many cooling and cryogenic applications. Here are some facts about liquid nitrogen and crucial information about handling it safely. Liquid Nitrogen Facts Liquid nitrogen is the liquefied form of the element nitrogen thats produced commercially by the fractional distillation of liquid air.  Like nitrogen gas, it consists of two nitrogen atoms sharing covalent bonds (N2).Sometimes liquid nitrogen is denoted as LN2, LN, or LIN.A United Nations Number (UN or UNID) is a four-digit code used to identify  flammable  and harmful chemicals. Liquid nitrogen is identified as UN number 1,977.At normal pressure, liquid nitrogen boils at 77 K (−195.8 ° C or −320.4 ° F).The liquid-to-gas expansion ratio of nitrogen is 1:694, which means liquid nitrogen boils to fill a volume with nitrogen gas very quickly.Nitrogen is non-toxic, odorless, and colorless. It is relatively inert and is not flammable.Nitrogen gas is slightly lighter than air when it reaches room temperature. It is slightly soluble in water.Nitrogen was first liquefied on April 15, 1883, by Polish physicists  Zygmunt Wrà ³blewski and Karol Olszewski.Liquid nitroge n is stored in special insulated containers that are vented to prevent pressure buildup. Depending on the design of the Dewar flask, it can be stored for hours or for up to a few weeks.LN2 displays the Leidenfrost effect, which means it boils so rapidly that it surrounds surfaces with an insulating layer of nitrogen gas. This is why spilled nitrogen droplets skitter across a floor. Liquid Nitrogen Safety choja / Getty Images When working with liquid nitrogen, taking safety precautions is paramount: Liquid nitrogen is cold enough to cause severe frostbite on contact with living tissue. You must wear proper safety gear when handling liquid nitrogen to prevent contact or inhalation of the extremely cold vapor. Cover and insulate skin to avoid exposure.Because it boils so rapidly, the phase transition from liquid to gas can generate a lot of pressure very quickly. Do not enclose liquid nitrogen in a sealed container, as this may result in it bursting or an explosion.Adding large quantities of nitrogen to the air reduces the relative amount of oxygen, which may result in an asphyxiation risk. Cold nitrogen gas is heavier than air, so the risk is greatest near the ground. Use liquid nitrogen in a well-ventilated area.Liquid nitrogen containers may accumulate oxygen that is condensed from the air. As the nitrogen evaporates, theres a risk of violent oxidation of organic matter. Liquid Nitrogen Uses Liquid nitrogen has many uses, mainly based on its cold temperature and low reactivity. Examples of common applications include: The freezing and transporting of food productsThe cryopreservation of biological samples, such as sperm, eggs, and animal genetic samplesUse as a coolant for superconductors, vacuum pumps, and other materials and equipmentUse in cryotherapy to remove skin abnormalitiesThe shielding of materials from oxygen exposureThe quick freezing of water or pipes to allow work on them when valves are unavailableA source of extremely dry nitrogen gasThe branding of cattleThe molecular gastronomy preparation of unusual foods and beveragesThe cooling of materials for easier machining or fracturingScience projects, including making liquid nitrogen ice cream, creating nitrogen fog, and flash-freezing flowers and subsequently watching them shatter when tapped onto a hard surface.