Uses of Oxygen

Oxygen is a tasteless gas. It has no smell or color. It comprises 22% of the air. The gas is part of the air people use to breathe. This element is found in the human body, the Sun, oceans and the atmosphere. Without oxygen, humans will not be able to survive. It is also part of the stellar life cycle.

Common Uses of Oxygen

This gas is used in various industrial chemical applications. It is used to make acids, sulfuric acid, nitric acid and other compounds. Its most reactive variant is ozone O3. It is applied in assorted chemical reactions. The goal is to boost reaction rate and oxidation of unwanted compounds. Hot oxygen air is required to make steel and iron in blast furnaces. Some mining companies use it to destroy rocks.

Usage in the Industry

Industries use the gas for cutting, welding and melting metals. The gas is capable of generating temperatures of 3000 C and 2800 C. This is required for oxy-hydrogen and oxy-acetylene blow torches. A typical welding process goes like this: metal parts are brought together.

A high temperature flame is used to melt them by heating the junction. The ends are melted and solidify. To slice metal, one end is heated until it turns red. The oxygen level is augmented until the red hot component has oxidized. This softens the metal so it can be hammered apart.

Atmospheric Oxygen

This gas is required to produce energy in industrial processes, generators and ships. It is also used in airplanes and cars. As liquid oxygen, it burns spacecraft fuel. This produces the thrust needed in space. Astronauts’ spacesuits have close to pure oxygen.