Question

What is the basis of separation of the different component gases from liquid air?

Answer 1

Component:

1. Air is a mixture of gases like Carbon dioxide$\left({\mathrm{CO}}_2\right)$, Oxygen$\left(\mathrm{O}\right)$, Nitrogen$\left(\mathrm{N}\right)$, Argon$\left(\mathrm{Ar}\right)$, Helium$\left(\mathrm{He}\right)$, Krypton$\left(\mathrm{Kr}\right)$, Neon$\left(\mathrm{Ne}\right)$, Xenon$\left(\mathrm{Xe}\right)$, etc.
2. But the major component of air is Nitrogen $78.03\%$ and then Oxygen $\left(20.09\%\right)$followed by Argon$\left(0.93\%\right)$.
3. All the remaining gases of air constitute only $\left(0.05\%\right)$air.

The various gases of air can be separated from one another by fractional distillation of liquid air.

Separation of the different component gases from liquid air:

The fractional distillation is based on the fact that the liquid air contains all the component gases in the liquid form which have different boiling points and so, when it is warmed, the liquefied gases present in it boil at different temperatures and get collected separately at different heights in the fractional distillation column.