Nitrous Oxide – Greenhouse Gas Source
Nitrous Oxide – Greenhouse Gas Source
Nitrous Oxide
- Commonly known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide (N2O) is a chemical compound with the formula N2O. It is an oxide of nitrogen.
- At room temperature, it is a colourless, odourless and non-inflammable gas, with a slightly sweet taste.
- It is known as ‘laughing gas’ due to the euphoric effects of inhaling it.
- It is also used as an oxidiser in rocket propellants and in motor racing to increase the power output of engines.
- At elevated temperatures, nitrous oxide is a powerful oxidiser similar to molecular oxygen.
- Nitrous oxide gives rise to nitric oxide (NO) on reaction with oxygen atoms, and this NO in turn reacts with ozone.
- It is also a major greenhouse gas and air pollutant. Nitrous Oxide – Greenhouse Gas Source
- Over a hundred-year period, nitrous oxide is calculated to have more impact per unit mass (between 265 and 310 times) than carbon dioxide.
Fluorinated Gases
- These are called so because these gases contain fluorine. They have the highest global warming potential, but they are released in small quantities.
- Fluorinated gases have the capacity to mix well in the atmosphere and thus can spread over large distances.
- These gases have high thermal stability, can reach the upper atmosphere and deplete the ozone layer
- Fluorinated gases are removed from the upper atmosphere, when they are destroyed by UV radiations emitted by the sun.
- Some of the important fluorinated gases causing global warming are:
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) or Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs):
- The HCFCs are substances containing hydrogen, carbon, fluorine and chlorine chemicals. The HFCs are replacement for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
- The CFCs are banned in all the countries, because the CFCs are ozone depleting substances.
- The HFCs are even more reactive than CFCs and get disintegrated on the surface of the earth.
- Thus, HFCs don’t affect the ozone layer. The HFCs are used as refrigerants, propellants, etc. Nitrous Oxide – Greenhouse Gas Source
Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6):
- Sulphur hexafluoride is a colourless, odourless, non-inflammable, an extremely potent greenhouse gas and an excellent electrical insulator.
Perfluorocarbons:
- Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) are typically used in the electronic sector (e.g., for plasma cleaning of silicon wafers) as well as in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry.
- In the past, PFCs were also used in fire extinguishers and can still be found in older fire protection systems. Nitrous Oxide – Greenhouse Gas Source
ALSO READ : https://www.brainyias.com/carbon-dioxide-and-methane-the-greenhouse-gases/
