Xenon Gas Pricing and Safety Concerns

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    Gas Xenon
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the pricing and safety concerns associated with Xenon gas, including its cost per volume and weight, as well as comparisons to other gases like SF6 and helium. Participants explore the implications of purity on pricing and the safety of inhaling different gases.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes a price of 8000 USD for 1000 liters of Xenon, while others mention a cost of 120 USD per 100 grams, raising questions about pricing consistency.
  • Another participant suggests that the price of Xenon may depend significantly on its purity, as separating it from Krypton can be challenging.
  • There is a mention of the utility of Xenon for parlor tricks, contrasting its effects with those of helium.
  • A participant draws a comparison between Xenon and SF6, noting similar molar masses and expressing interest in SF6 for classroom demonstrations, although they highlight economic challenges.
  • Concerns are raised about the safety of inhaling heavy gases, with a participant stating that they can block air access in the lungs, suggesting a method for removal by standing on one's head.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the pricing of Xenon and its safety compared to other gases, indicating that multiple competing perspectives exist without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not resolve the calculations for the cost of 82 kg of Xenon or 50 liters at 150 Kpa, and there are unresolved assumptions regarding the purity and economic feasibility of using SF6.

CognitiveNet
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One company is selling 1000 liters of Xenon gas for 8000 USD.
But other websites are stating that Xenon cost 120 USD per 100 grams.
And Xenon weight 5 grams per liter at 101300 Kpa.
I need to know how much 82Kg of Xenon would cost, or 50 liters at 150Kpa.
 
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The price depends strongly on the purity, I think, since Xenon takes some effort to separate from Krypton.

BTW: In addition to making lead balloons, Xenon gas is useful for parlor tricks, since breathing it has the opposite effect to breathing Helium.
 
SF6 has about the same molar mass. Wish I could get some for use in classroom demos, but the economics seem impossible unless you have a lab that's really consuming it steadily.

Cool videos with SF6:

Ship floating on nothing! :: Physikshow Uni Bonn --

Mythbusters - Helium and Sulfur Hexafluoride --
 
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Note: inhaling helium is much safer than inhaling heavy gases - they tend to stick in the lungs and block air access. Simplest way of removing them is to stand on your head.
 

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