Liquid Air

[DP1]

Whilst on the motorway yesterday I passed a BOC truck carrying Liquid Air which started a debate about what it's used for and why can't they just create it on site for what it's needed for.

Supplementary question is how much space would a litre of liquid air take up in it's gaseous state.

Thanks in advance.

[Puggit]

For cooling things. Heavily used in various manufacturing processes.

Used in the Fat Duck too

[weeredmetro]

I'm not sure about liquid air, but liquid nitrogen (air is 80% nitrogen) is commonly used for cooling sensitive scientific equipment to -195 degrees C (at these temperatures, thermal effects are minimised)

Liquid air could be either literally air (80% nitrogen, 20% oxygen, traces of other gases) cooled to liquid temperatures, or a catchall phrase to cover the lorry delivering liquid nitrogen one day, liquid helium the next)

1L of liquid will fill approximately 1000L when it turns to gas. The exact number depends on the liquid, but 1:1000 is the usual "back of an envelope" calculation.

[Simpo Two]

Think of the number of trucks they'd need to carry it if it wasn't liquified.

By liquifying it they save 999 trucks.

[GokTweed]

Simpo Two said:

Think of the number of trucks they'd need to carry it if it wasn't liquified.

By liquifying it they save 999 trucks.

Or just one truck with the air at a really high pressure

[TheEnd]

GokTweed said:

Simpo Two said:

Think of the number of trucks they'd need to carry it if it wasn't liquified.

By liquifying it they save 999 trucks.

Or just one truck with the air at a really high pressure

er.. yes...

[GokTweed]

TheEnd said:

GokTweed said:

Simpo Two said:

Think of the number of trucks they'd need to carry it if it wasn't liquified.

By liquifying it they save 999 trucks.

Or just one truck with the air at a really high pressure

er.. yes...

that would be one hell of a bang

[TheHeretic]

Simpo Two said:

Think of the number of trucks they'd need to carry it if it wasn't liquified.

By liquifying it they save 999 trucks.

genius!

[Simpo Two]

Wait until I launch my next space-saving scheme - desiccated water. A must for travellers and explorers everywhere. No more cumbersome water bottles, just a tiny sachet of water crystals.

[TheHeretic]

Just add water?

[Simpo Two]

Yep, it's so easy to use you didn't even need instructions







How many cases shall I put you down for?

[TheHeretic]

3... Do you ship with water included? I realise it is an expensive extra, but...

[G600]

You'd need one hell of a compressor to make it on site, we use liquid nitrogen to cool bushes to shrink it for tight fits into bores.

[Simpo Two]

TheHeretic said:

3... Do you ship with water included? I realise it is an expensive extra, but...

We can, but recommend you source it at your destination, as it saves considerable weight during your expedition.

[The Wookie]

Simplest answer would be economies of scale for the cooling process

[Billsnemesis]

Simpo Two said:

Wait until I launch my next space-saving scheme - desiccated water. A must for travellers and explorers everywhere. No more cumbersome water bottles, just a tiny sachet of water crystals.

Those of a certain age may remember Magpie, the ITV competitor to Blue Peter

They actually did a spoof on dehydrated water tablets for April 1st one year. They had a picture of a flooded town showing where a lorry had shed its load in a crash and the tablets had rolled into the local stream

[Simpo Two]

Didn't know that, I was a Blue Peter sort of chap. But it sounds fun!

[thinfourth2]

Its a company called Air Liquide

Not liquid air

I've never heard of anyone using Liquid air

http://www.uk.airliquide.com

[Simpo Two]

thinfourth2 said:

Its a company called Air Liquide

Not liquid air

I've never heard of anyone using Liquid air

http://www.uk.airliquide.com

Crap website but it seems they don't actually do liquid air... looks like you have to buy the parts and assemble it yourself: www.uk.airliquide.com/en/products-and-services/bul...

[Mr2Mike]

You can make liquid nitrogen/oxgyen etc. on site if your requirements make delivery unviable, but it requires a honking great big fractional distillation column. The likes of Air Products will design and build one for you.