Liquid Oxygen

Liquid oxygen is produced in large quantities at air separation plants which liquefy and distil air into oxygen, nitrogen and argon

It is delivered to customers by cryogenic tankers into onsite vacuum-insulated storage vessels which typically, with associated vaporisation equipment, provide several days' supply.

Features

  • Odourless and colourless
  • Blue in liquid form
  • Boiling point -183°C
  • Reacts chemically with many substances
  • Vigorously supports combustion
  • Materials not normally considered flammable can be ignited in an oxygen-rich atmosphere.

Specification

  • Oxygen 99.5%
  • Moisture <2vpm

Application and use

At ambient temperature, oxygen supports life and gives rise to applications associated with breathing for humans, animals and micro-organisms. At elevated temperatures, oxygen vigorously supports the combustion of many substances leading to many applications in the production and fabrication of metals. Oxygen can also be used as a chemical reactant for catalytic and non-catalytic oxidation reactions mainly in the hydrocarbon and chemical processing industries. 
Chemicals Many oxidation reactions use pure oxygen rather than air to benefit from higher reaction rates, higher yields, easier product separation and, reduced capital cost of new plants and reduced air emissions.
Food Oxygen can be used in fermentation to maintain an aerobic state. Also used in some cases for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) of foodstuffs.
Fish farms Higher levels of dissolved oxygen, resulting from the use of oxygen instead of air, allow more fish to be grown and remain healthy in a given volume of water.
Lasers Oxygen is used as an assist gas for the cutting of mild steel and stainless steel.
Medical Breathing oxygen instead of air allows greater oxygenation of the bloodstream in situations of impaired breathing action and lung function.
Steelmaking and combustion processes Oxygen is used to replace or supplement air in burners in many industries to obtain increased temperatures to increase throughput and improve energy efficiency. Typical industries include steel, non-ferrous, and glass amongst many others
Water treatment Oxygen can be used in place of air in the activated sludge process to maintain a higher population of microorganisms. Using oxygen injected through a side stream instead of using a mechanical aerator eliminates surface agitation, reducing odour.

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