Liquid oxygen is an active, mobile (it has a lower viscosity than water) substance of blue color with pronounced paramagnetic properties. This substance was obtained at the end of the 19th century, and since then it has found application in many fields, such as medicine or various industries.
Despite the fact that liquid oxygen by itself does not have a harmful effect on the environment, does not emit toxic substances, does not burn and does not explode, working with it requires safety precautions. The fact is that this element is a catalyst for the strong oxidation of other materials, which just can lead to ignition or explosion of other substances in air saturated with oxygen. Therefore, the premises in which work is carried out must be equipped with sensors for monitoring the gas atmosphere and special exhaust ventilation.
You need to know that prolonged exposure to air containing a high percentage of oxygen can cause respiratory damage. It is forbidden to smoke in these rooms and, in principle, it is unacceptable to use open fire. The clothes of a person who worked in a laboratory with a high oxygen content in the atmosphere should be ventilated for at least half an hour. In addition, when using this substance, it is necessary to adhere to the general safety rules when working with cryogenic substances.
One of the most serious drawbacks of this substance is its coologenic properties, which makes it difficult to use when working with materials that, when subjected to strong cooling, dramatically change their characteristics. The temperature of liquid oxygen at normal atmospheric pressure is –183 ° . This chemical element freezes at -218.8 ° C, after which it turns into pale blue crystals.
Liquid oxygen is used:
- as an oxidizing agent in rocket fuel, as a rule, together with hydrogen or kerosene;
- in medicine, as a preparation for subcutaneous injection, for the manufacture of oxygen cocktails, to provide the necessary microclimate, refueling of special equipment, in the manufacture of drugs to enhance the growth of microorganisms, etc .;
- in the machine-building industry, liquid oxygen is used for various methods of welding, surfacing and cutting of metals;
- in the metallurgical industry is used for the production of steel, alloys and non-ferrous metals, as well as in the reduction of iron;
- used to improve the environmental situation: water treatment, recycling of materials, waste oxidation;
- in the chemical industry it is used for the production of oxyquiquites (explosives, currently rarely used), various acids, acetylene and cellulose, as well as in the conversion of natural gas or methane.
Where to buy liquid nitrogen and oxygen?
No problems with the purchase of these substances should arise - liquefied gases can be bought in any city or ordered their delivery. Another thing is that these substances are supplied in large cylinders with a volume of about 40 liters, so for household needs you will have to look for other options.