FA

Nitrogen

N2 CAS Number 7727-37-9 UN1977 (refrigerated liquid)

Nitrogen

N2|CAS Number 7727-37-9|UN1977(refrigerated liquid)

Liquid volume

Calculating the volume or mass of a given amount of liquid

At the boiling point (1atm | 77.36k) Equal to: -195.79 C° || -320.42 F°

Liquid phase

More information

The phase diagram of a molecule shows the transition between solid, liquid, and gas phases as a function of temperature and pressure.

Solid phase    Liquid phase    Vapor phase    Critical point    Triple point
Molar mass: 17.030 g/mol
Percentage of presence in dry air/
Critical point Temperature: 132.50 °C Pressure:
112.8 bar
Density:
235.00 kg/m³
Triple point Temperature: -77.66 °C
Pressure:
6.1111E-2 bar

Pressure equal to 1.013 bar

kJ/kg 199.18 Latent heat of vaporization (at boiling point)
°C -195.8 Boiling point
kg/m³ 806.11 Liquid density (at boiling point)

GHS04

Gas under pressure

Hazards and Safety Precautions of Liquid Nitrogen

1. Rapid Expansion and Risk of Pressure Build-up: One of the key characteristics of liquid nitrogen is its rapid expansion upon vaporization—its gaseous volume increases several hundred times compared to its liquid state. If discharged into a sealed container or confined space, this can result in a dangerous pressure build-up, potentially leading to an explosion. To prevent this, always use ventilated and pressure-relief-equipped containers when handling liquid nitrogen.

2. Frostbite and Severe Cold Burns: Liquid nitrogen has an extremely low temperature of −196°C (−320.8°F). Direct contact with skin or body tissues can cause severe frostbite or cold burns. To avoid injury, it is essential to use thermal insulated gloves, face shields, and other protective gear when handling liquid nitrogen. ⚠️ Never allow liquid nitrogen to come into contact with bare skin.

Safety equipment

Safety Equipment & Handling Guidelines

To ensure safe handling of liquid nitrogen, the following precautions are critical:

  • Use specialized cryogenic containers with proper thermal insulation and secure lids.
  • Keep away from heat sources, flames, or sparks.
  • Store in well-ventilated areas to avoid gas accumulation and displacement of oxygen.
  • Never pour liquid nitrogen into sealed or non-ventilated vessels.

Can Liquid Nitrogen Explode?

Liquid nitrogen itself is not explosive. However, if it evaporates inside a sealed container, it can create excessive pressure, leading to rupture or explosion of the container. Always use approved vessels with pressure-relief valves to avoid such hazards.

Key Features of Liquid Nitrogen Storage Tanks

Storage tanks designed for liquid nitrogen must meet specific safety and performance standards to minimize evaporation and pressure build-up. These tanks typically have:

  • Vacuum-insulated double walls for thermal efficiency
  • Secure lids and safety valves for controlled vapor release
  • Portability and durability for industrial use in various environments
Nitrogen tank

General Safety Tips

Due to its cryogenic nature, liquid nitrogen poses multiple hazards to skin, eyes, and respiratory systems. In enclosed spaces, nitrogen gas can displace oxygen, leading to asphyxiation. To reduce risks:

  • Always wear protective equipment such as cryo-gloves, safety goggles, and face masks.
  • Avoid using liquid nitrogen in areas without proper ventilation.
  • Handle and transfer with extreme caution and by trained personnel only.

Following these guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and ensure a safe working environment across industries such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, chemical manufacturing, and research laboratories. ✅ Proper and safe handling of liquid nitrogen is essential for maximizing efficiency while protecting people and property from preventable hazards.

Food & Beverage Industry:
One of the most important applications of liquid nitrogen in the food industry is rapid freezing of food products. This process helps preserve the flavor, texture, and nutritional value of the items and prevents the formation of large ice crystals, which can damage food structure. In addition, liquid nitrogen is used in the preparation of smoky drinks and specialty desserts, where it creates dramatic visual effects.
Food Industry
Medical and Clinical Use:
Liquid nitrogen is used in scientific research to store biological samples and laboratory materials at extremely low temperatures. In experiments requiring special temperature conditions, it enables effective execution of chemical reactions under cold environments.
Medical
Laboratories and Scientific Research:
In laboratories and scientific studies, liquid nitrogen is used to preserve biological samples and maintain extremely low temperatures. For experiments that require controlled cold conditions, this substance supports precise chemical reactions.
Research
Electronics and Information Technology Industry:
In the electronics industry, liquid nitrogen is used for cooling semiconductors and high-performance processors. This prevents overheating and damage to components. Especially in devices like personal computers, servers, and specialized systems that require temperature management, liquid nitrogen offers an effective solution.
Electronics
Metals Industry and Welding:
Liquid nitrogen is used in metal industries for welding, cutting, and cryogenic cooling. It allows for faster cooling of metals, preventing thermal damage and structural changes. It is also employed in tensile testing of metals and in analyzing physical changes in materials at low temperatures.
Metals
Transport of Temperature-Sensitive Materials:
For transporting medicines, vaccines, and temperature-sensitive chemicals, liquid nitrogen acts as a reliable cooling system to maintain the required temperature. This method prevents thermal fluctuations and helps preserve product quality and safety.
Transport
Chemical Industry:
In certain chemical processes, liquid nitrogen is used to control temperature during sensitive reactions or to freeze chemical compounds. This is particularly important when reactions must occur under low-temperature conditions.
Chemical
Liquid Nitrogen as a Coolant:

Liquid nitrogen is one of the most advanced and effective coolants used across various industries. Due to its extremely low temperature (77.4 K or −196°C), it can absorb heat quickly and lower the temperature of the environment or equipment in minimal time. This makes it an ideal choice for cooling in industrial, scientific, and medical applications.

1. Cooling Sensitive Electronic Equipment
One of the most significant uses of liquid nitrogen is in the electronics industry. High-performance processors, servers, and semiconductors generate substantial heat during operation. Without proper heat management, their lifespan may be reduced or they may fail. Liquid nitrogen efficiently absorbs this heat, helping to stabilize performance and extend component life. In research labs, it is also used for thermal testing of electronic parts.

2. Food Industry and Freezing Edibles
In the food sector, liquid nitrogen enables rapid freezing of food products. This process forms smaller ice crystals, which helps maintain the texture, taste, and quality of the food. It is commonly used in freezing meat, vegetables, fruits, and even dairy products like ice cream. In modern gastronomy, it’s also used for smoky effects in dishes and drinks, especially in premium restaurants and events.

3. Storage of Biological and Chemical Samples
Another major application of liquid nitrogen is in long-term storage of biological materials, such as stem cells, blood samples, tissues, and vaccines. Its low temperature allows these samples to be preserved for years without degradation. In medical and research laboratories, maintaining the cold chain using liquid nitrogen is essential.

4. Use in Industrial Processes
Liquid nitrogen also plays a critical role in many industrial processes, including:
• Welding and cutting: To rapidly cool metal parts and prevent deformation or damage
• Chemical processing: For temperature control during sensitive chemical reactions
• Mechanical testing: For analyzing material behavior under extreme cold and simulating harsh environments

5. Cooling Turbines
In power plants and large-scale industries, high-powered engines and turbines require precise temperature regulation. Due to its unique properties, liquid nitrogen is used as a high-efficiency coolant in these systems to optimize performance and prevent overheating.

Food and beverage industry:
One of the most important uses of liquid nitrogen in the food industry is the rapid freezing of food. This process helps preserve the flavor, texture, and nutritional value of food and prevents the formation of large ice crystals that destroy the texture of food. Liquid nitrogen is also used in the production of smoked drinks and special desserts to create dramatic effects.
Food industry
Medicine and treatment:
Liquid nitrogen is used in scientific research to preserve biological samples and laboratories at low temperatures. In experiments that require specific temperature conditions, it helps chemical reactions to occur efficiently under cold conditions.
Food industry
Laboratories and scientific research:
Liquid nitrogen is used in scientific research to preserve biological samples and laboratories at low temperatures. In experiments that require specific temperature conditions, it helps chemical reactions to occur efficiently under cold conditions.
Food industry
Electronics and Information Technology Industry:
In the electronics industry, liquid nitrogen is used to cool semiconductor equipment and powerful processors. This helps prevent overheating and damage to electronic components. Liquid nitrogen is an effective solution, especially in electronic devices such as personal computers, servers, and specialized devices that require temperature management.
Food industry
Metals and welding industry:
Liquid nitrogen is used in the metal industry for welding, cutting, and cold forming processes. This property allows metals to cool faster, preventing thermal damage and structural changes. Liquid nitrogen is also an important tool for tensile testing of metals and analyzing physical changes in materials at low temperatures.
Food industry
Transportation of sensitive materials:
In the transportation of temperature-sensitive drugs, vaccines, and chemicals, liquid nitrogen is used as a cooling system to maintain the proper temperature. This method prevents temperature fluctuations and helps maintain the quality and safety of the materials.
Food industry
Chemical industry:
In some chemical processes, liquid nitrogen is used to control the temperature of certain reactions or to freeze chemical compounds. This application is especially important when chemical reactions require low temperatures.
Food industry
Liquid nitrogen as a coolant:

Liquid nitrogen is one of the most advanced and effective coolants used in various industries. Due to its extremely low temperature (77.4 Kelvin or -196 degrees Celsius), this substance can absorb heat quickly and reduce the temperature of the environment or equipment in the shortest possible time. This feature makes it an ideal choice for cooling in many industrial, scientific and medical fields.

1. Cooling sensitive electronic equipment
One of the most important uses of liquid nitrogen is in the electronics industry. Many sensitive electronic equipment, especially powerful processors, servers, and semiconductor components, generate a lot of heat during their operation. If this heat is not managed properly, it may reduce the useful life or failure of these components. Liquid nitrogen helps cool these equipment by quickly absorbing heat and ensuring their stable operation. In research laboratories, this material is also used for thermal testing of electronic components.

2. Food industry and food freezing
In the food industry, liquid nitrogen is used to quickly freeze food. The quick-freezing process causes smaller ice crystals to form in the food, which helps preserve the texture, flavor, and quality of the food. For example, liquid nitrogen is very common in the production of frozen meats, vegetables, fruits, and even dairy products such as ice cream.
Also in the show food and beverage industry, this material is used to produce smoky or cold effects, which are especially popular in special restaurants and show events.

۳. Storage of biological and chemical samples
Another major application of liquid nitrogen is the long-term storage of biological samples such as stem cells, blood samples, tissues and even vaccines at very low temperatures. This feature allows these samples to be preserved for years without affecting their quality. In medical and research laboratories, the use of liquid nitrogen is crucial for maintaining the cold chain.

4. Application in industrial processes
Liquid nitrogen is also used as a cooling agent in many industrial processes. For example: Welding and cutting: to cool metal parts quickly and prevent them from deforming or being damaged. Chemical processing: in the chemical industry to control the temperature in sensitive reactions and prevent materials from overheating. Mechanical testing: to analyze the behavior of materials at low temperatures and simulate extreme temperature conditions.

Food industry

5. Turbine Cooling
In power plants and large industries, powerful engines and turbines require controlled temperatures for optimal performance. Liquid nitrogen is used as a highly efficient cooling agent in these systems due to its unique properties.