Except for chlorine, which is considered a basic inorganic chemical, other industrially significant gases have their own distinct category. The most important of industrial gases are oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. Oxygen and nitrogen are obtained from air primarily through cryogenic liquefaction and distillation. The use of nitrogen (and of hydrogen) is dominated by ammonia manufacture. Nitrogen is also used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and maintenance of inert atmosphere in processes, and the other significant application of hydrogen is in adjusting the carbon-to-hydrogen ratio in hydrocarbons, particularly transportation fuels. Pure oxygen is used in chemical manufacturing, including that of metals, and in medical applications. Carbon dioxide, as an industrial gas, is formed as a by-product of hydrogen manufacture. Its dominant use is in refrigeration, the food industry, and manufacturing chemicals. Figure 2.1 provides a very broad overview of the basic inorganic chemical and industrial gas products.
Figure 2.1 Major basic inorganic chemicals and industrial gases.
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