Non-Hydrocarbon Gases

Other gases that commonly occur in association with the hydrocarbon gases are : Nitrogen (N2): nonmetallic element of Group 15 [Va] of the periodic table. It is a colourless, odourless, tasteless gas that is the most plentiful element in the Earths atmosphere, and a constituent of all living matter. Commercial production of nitrogen is largely by fractional distillation of liquefied air. The boiling temperature of nitrogen is 195.8 C, about 13 below that of oxygen, which is therefore left behind carbon dioxide (CO2) : a colourless gas having a faint, sharp odour and a sour taste. It is a minor component of Earths atmosphere (about 3 volumes in 10,000), formed in combustion of carbon-containing materials, in fermentation, and in respiration of animals and employed by plants in the photosynthesis of carbohydrates Carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant, in fire extinguishers, for inflating life rafts and life jackets, blasting coal, foaming rubber and plastics, promoting the growth of plants in greenhouses, immobilizing animals before slaughter, and in carbonated beverages. Hydrogen (H) : a colourless, odourless, tasteless, flammable gaseous substance that is the simplest member of the family of chemical elements. noble gases : Helium (He) : chemical element, inert gas of Group 18 (noble gases) of the periodic table. Helium is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas that becomes liquid at 268.9 C (452 F). Argon (Ar) : chemical element, inert gas of Group 18 (noble gases) of the periodic table. Terrestrially the most abundant and industrially the most frequently used of the noble gases. Colourless, odourless, and tasteless. Argon is isolated on a large scale by the fractional distillation of liquid air. It is used in gas-filled electric light bulbs, radio tubes, and Geiger counters. It also is widely utilized as an inert atmosphere for arc-welding metals, such as aluminum and stainless steel; for the production and fabrication of metals, such as titanium, zirconium, and uranium; and for growing crystals of semiconductors, such as silicon and germanium

Nitrogen and carbon dioxide are noncombustible and may be found in substantial proportions. Nitrogen is inert, but, if present in significant amounts, it reduces the heating value of the mixture; it must therefore be removed before the gas is suitable for the commercial market. Carbon dioxide is removed in order to raise heating value, reduce volume, and sustain even combustion properties