Licuefacción

Licuefacción refers to the process by which a gas is converted into a liquid. This transformation typically occurs when a gas is subjected to a decrease in temperature, a significant increase in pressure, or a combination of both. The fundamental principle behind licuefacción is that by reducing the kinetic energy of gas molecules (through cooling) or by forcing them closer together (through compression), their intermolecular attractive forces become strong enough to overcome their tendency to disperse.

Common examples of licuefacción are seen in everyday life and industrial processes. The production of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a mixture primarily of propane and butane, involves licuefacción of these hydrocarbon gases for easier storage and transport. Similarly, cryogenic liquids like liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen are produced through extensive cooling and compression, finding applications in medicine, research, and industry. The success of licuefacción depends on reaching specific temperatures and pressures known as the critical point. Above the critical temperature, a gas cannot be liquefied by pressure alone. The licuefacción process is crucial for various technologies, enabling efficient handling and storage of substances that would otherwise be difficult to manage in their gaseous state.