How to Purchase Liquid Nitrogen
Liquid nitrogen is a form of liquefied atmospheric gas that is used in cryogenics, the freezing of foods for transport, and by auto racers to burn more fuel and air in their cars' internal combustion engines. Racing enthusiasts commonly refer to liquid nitrogen as NOS. Liquid nitrogen is transported in pressurized tanks called Dewars. Because of the large gas expansion ratio, the gas can be extremely harmful if vaporized or exposed quickly, causing possibly fatal explosions. Before purchasing or handling liquid nitrogen, it's important to know how to take the proper safety precautions.
Instructions
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Read about liquid nitrogen safety before purchasing a tank (See the Resources section). Understand what to use and what not use around liquid nitrogen. For example, you should not wear a watch or jewelry when handling liquid nitrogen. Set up a plan for what to do in any possible worst-case scenario, such as a pressurized Dewar tank venting spontaneously.
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Search online to determine the amount of liquid nitrogen you need in case you need to purchase more than one Dewar.
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Call your local welding supply company or gas supplier store ahead of time to let them know how much liquid nitrogen you need. This is the best option if you are purchasing a large amount. Other stores which may sell smaller quantities of liquid nitrogen include hardware and paintball stores.
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Go into the store to purchase one or more 5-gallon (25-liter) Dewars of liquid nitrogen. Make sure to purchase a Dewar with a loose cork. Also, while at the store purchase all other equipment that you need for handling the liquid nitrogen. For example, you can store some of the liquid nitrogen in a metal thermos for up to two days.
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Show your safety knowledge and be ready to give a reason for purchasing the liquid nitrogen. Depending on the store's policy of selling liquid nitrogen, you may be required to sign an agreement of purchase and use for the store's legal protection in case the liquid nitrogen is used for illegal purposes.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit race car image by Andrey Kiselev from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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hahahaha you beat me to it!
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Seriously? You think liquid nitrogen is used in auto racing? NOS is nitrous oxide a highly flammable gas (often sold in liquified form) that is also used as a mild anesthetic. Liquid nitrogen would reduce the power of an engine as nitrogen gas is inert and does not support combustion. Some experimental engines have tried to use liquid nitrogen to cool the air intakes of engines, but this is not a commonly used technique and provides very little additional HP. Also realize that a Dewar flask is not pressurized, but is rather a highly efficient insulated flask....storing liquid nitrogen in a pressure vessel in your home is very dangerous! Please learn to research your material before trying to give "expert" advice.
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THIS is a prime example of why E-How has stopped its writer contribution program.. people publishing things they DO NOT KNOW, but just read about and then write these kind of articles. NOS is NOT Liquid Nitrogen.. it is Nitrus Oxide (the OX is Oxygen). In the same way, you have no idea how many people (even Women) wrote about how to become a Navy SEAL and had it wrong.. When I wrote articles I wrote them about things I KNEW.. and made SURE of my facts even so. Now we ALL suffer because of people who just wrote FLUFF to line their pockets.
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THIS is a prime example of why E-How has stopped its writer contribution program.. people publishing things they DO NOT KNOW, bu just read about and write it up. NOS is NOT Liquid Nitrogen.. it is Nitrus Oxide (the OX is Oxygen). When I wrote articles I wrote them about things I KNEW.. and made SURE of my facts even so. Arrg.
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THIS is a prime example of why E-How has stopped its writer contribution program.. people publishing things they DO NOT KNOW, bu just read about and write it up. When I wrote articles I wrote them about things I KNEW.. and made SURE of my facts even so. Arrg.
