Synthetic air is a mixture of Nitrogen and Oxygen that is created in a controlled environment. Unlike natural air, which can contain a variety of trace elements and pollutants, synthetic air is produced through a specific process to achieve a high degree of purity.
Why is Synthetic Air Used?
- Controlled Composition: The primary purpose of synthetic air is to provide a precisely defined mixture of gases. By mixing nitrogen and oxygen in specific proportions, the composition can be controlled to eliminate impurities that might interfere with sensitive measurements.
- Calibration and Testing: Because of its purity and controlled composition, synthetic air serves as a ZERO GAS in the running and calibration of sensitive testing equipment. This is particularly important for environmental monitoring. For example:
- Monitoring pollutants in the air.
- Testing the accuracy of medical equipment.
- Calibrating analytical instruments in laboratories.
- Reduced Contamination: The restricted impurities in synthetic air make it ideal for applications where even small amounts of foreign substances could impact results.
How is Synthetic Air Made?
Synthetic air is not harvested; it's manufactured. The process generally involves:
- Separation of Gases: Nitrogen and oxygen are extracted and purified from atmospheric air, typically using cryogenic distillation or pressure swing adsorption.
- Precise Mixing: The purified gases are then mixed in a controlled ratio, commonly 21% oxygen and 79% nitrogen.
- Quality Control: The final mixture is analyzed to ensure it meets the purity standards before it’s released for use.
Uses of Synthetic Air
Here’s a table summarizing the key uses:
| Use Case | Importance |
|---|---|
| Environmental Monitoring | Calibration of equipment to ensure accurate readings of pollutants |
| Medical Equipment Testing | Testing medical instruments to maintain patient safety |
| Laboratory Analysis | Providing a baseline for sensitive analytical equipment to obtain precise data |
| Industrial Processes | Specific industrial applications requiring a consistent and pure source of nitrogen and oxygen |
Synthetic air plays a critical role in many sectors where consistent, reliable data is essential.
