Liquefying atmospheric gases involves cooling them down to temperatures below their boiling points. Here’s a general method to liquefy atmospheric gases:
- Compression: The first step is to compress the gas. Compression increases the pressure of the gas, which makes it easier to cool down to its liquefaction point.
- Cooling: After compression, the gas is passed through a series of heat exchangers or coils where it is cooled down. This can be achieved using various cooling methods such as refrigeration or Joule-Thomson expansion.
- Expansion: In some cases, the gas may undergo expansion, which can further lower its temperature. This is known as the Joule-Thomson effect. Expansion valves or nozzles are used for this purpose.
- Further Cooling: The gas is continually cooled until it reaches a temperature below its boiling point at the given pressure. This is typically achieved by using cryogenic cooling methods such as liquid nitrogen or liquid helium.
- Collection: Once the gas has been sufficiently cooled, it condenses into a liquid and can be collected in a suitable container or storage vessel.