How Are Common Gases Industrially Prepared?

[danago]

Hi. I am working on an assignment involving common gases (oxygen, nitrogen, ammonia etc.). I've done it all, except for the 'Industrial preparation' of the gases. What is industrial preparation? i know what laboratory preparation is, but not industrial.

Thanks,
Dan.

 

[Astronuc]

Industrial preparation refers to the processes used in industry (large scale) for preparation of the gases. Since air is mostly nitrogen and oxygen, large plants are devoted to process air into its components. Since gases liquify at different temperatures, 'liquefaction' is used so condense (liquify) and separate the various gases.

http://www.boc.com/aboutus/history/1900s_1910s.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquefaction_of_gases

Other producers are Linde, Praxair, Air Liquide, Air Products.

Ammonia is chemically produced from N₂ and H₂. The Haber process is used. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haber-Bosch
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonia

A Better Catalyst for Ammonia Production
http://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/pubaf/pr/PR_display.asp?prID=04-I6

Hydrogen is a by-product of petroleum, or it can be produced by radiolysis of water, or chemically by reaction of carbides with water, which are more expensive.