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gas-technology-applications
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Whether in a mixture or in their pure state, gases play a major role in many areas of human activity. Many technological applications require gases of all kinds. For some applications, gases will be drawn directly from the atmosphere, while for others they will be synthesised. However, whatever the origin of the gases used, their uses in the various technological applications are many and varied. Here is a list of some of the technological applications where gases have an impact on our daily lives.
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Field of activity
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Technological applications
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| Transport |
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As a fuel, hydrogen (|H_{2}|) is used for space navigation.
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Natural gas, an excellent fuel, is sometimes used to power vehicle engines.
- Hot-air balloons fly using air heated by a burner.
- Commercial aircraft are pressurised using oxygen (|O_{2}|).
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Heating
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- Natural gas and propane are used to heat homes.
- Methane (|CH_{4}|), butane (|C_{4}H_{10}|) and petrol vapours can act as fuels, while the oxygen (|O_{2}|) in the air acts as an oxidiser.
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| Food industry |
- The addition of ethylene (|C_{2}H_{4}|) accelerates the ripening of certain fruits.
- Ozone (|O_{3}|) is used to improve fruit preservation.
- Nitrogen (|N_{2}|) is used in the bagging of crisps, as it protects these foods from the harmful presence of air while forming a protective cushion.
- CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) are used in refrigeration and freezing equipment.
- Nitrogen (|N_{2}|) is widely used in the manufacture of fertilisers.
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Medicine
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- Nitrous oxide (|NO|) is used as an anaesthetic agent.
- Ozone (|O_{3}|) is used as a disinfectant to clean wounds.
- The use of the oxygen tent (|O_{2}|) can cure certain respiratory disorders.
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Leisure
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- Helium (|He|) is used to inflate balloons.
- A special mixture of air is compressed in the tanks used in scuba diving, allowing you to be autonomous underwater for long periods of time.
- The air around us is important for certain sports, such as parachuting and sailing.
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Tools
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- The flames of welding torches are activated by oxygen (|O_{2}|).
- Lighters use butane (|C_{4}H_{10}|) as a fuel.
- Gas burners, used in barbecues or camping stoves, operate on natural gas (propane or butane).
- Pneumatic tools can be operated using compressed air.
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Lights
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- Incandescent light bulbs contain noble gases.
- Illuminated signs contain many rare gases, such as neon (|Ne|), argon (|Ar|) and xenon (|Xe|), depending on the desired colour.
- Some lanterns use propane (|C_{3}H_{8}|) or butane (|C_{4}H_{10}|) as fuel.
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