AIR SEPARATION Meaning and
Definition
-
Air separation is a process of separating the various components of air using physical methods and technology. It involves the separation of atmospheric air into its individual constituents, which primarily include nitrogen, oxygen, and traces of other gases such as argon, carbon dioxide, and helium. This separation is commonly done through a technique called cryogenic distillation.
The process of air separation typically begins with the compression of atmospheric air, which increases its pressure and temperature. The compressed air is then cooled through a series of heat exchangers, reducing its temperature to very low levels, often reaching below -300 degrees Fahrenheit (-185 degrees Celsius). This extreme cooling causes the air to transform into a liquid state.
The liquid air is then fed into a distillation column, also known as a rectification column, where it is subjected to further cooling and distillation. Within the column, the different components of the air, primarily nitrogen and oxygen, can be separated through their varying boiling points. The nitrogen, which possesses a lower boiling point, is collected as a gas at the top of the column, while the oxygen, with a higher boiling point, is collected as a liquid at the bottom. This separation process can be repeated to obtain higher purity levels of either nitrogen or oxygen.
Air separation has various applications across different industries. The oxygen obtained through this process is often used in industrial processes, medical services, and the production of steel. Nitrogen is widely used in the food and beverage industry, as well as for blanketing and inerting in chemical and oil fields. The remaining trace gases, such as argon, carbon dioxide, and helium, can also be recovered for commercial use.
Etymology of AIR SEPARATION
The etymology of the word "air separation" can be broken down into the etymology of its constituent parts:
1. Air: The word "air" comes from the Old English word "ǣr", which referred to the invisible substance that surrounds the Earth. It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "aiθēr", meaning "upper region" or "atmosphere". The term ultimately has roots in the Proto-Indo-European word "*ayər-", which means "to blow" or "breathe".
2. Separation:paration" is derived from the Latin word "separatio", which comes from the verb "separare", meaning "to separate" or "divide". This Latin term is a combination of "se-" (meaning "apart") and "parare" (meaning "prepare" or "make ready").
