Nitrogen  [ Return towards  Gases  ]

• Iron & Steel making

Nitrogen is used both as an inert and a vector gas to ensure safe processes and to maintain product quality. It is typically used for blanketing coal during storage and transport to the blast furnace, for equipment purging and stirring melt in the converter and ladles. Nitrogen provides the inert atmosphere that prevents undesirable reactions between liquid metal and the surrounding atmosphere. Applications also include slag splashing.

• Non ferrous metallurgy

In the production of nickel and copper, nitrogen is injected through lances or tuyeres into molten baths to provide metal stirring. It is also used for cooling. Nitrogen is also used for blanketing of lead baths to protect metal from oxidation. Others applications include degassing, removal of inclusions and injection of Al2O3 into cryolite baths and refer to primary aluminium processing.