Technical oxygen is used in large quantities as a gas oxidizer in rockets and spacecraft. The steel industry consumes gaseous oxygen for blowing through molten iron using the Bessemer method to rapidly and efficiently remove impurities such as carbon (C), sulfur (S), and phosphorus (P). Steel produced with oxygen blowing is faster and of higher quality compared to air blowing. Oxygen is also used for spraying and welding metals (oxygen-acetylene flame) and for plasma precision metal cutting.

Oil Production

• Injection into the reservoir to enhance displacement energy (creating an effective mobile underground combustion zone)

Mining and Metallurgy

• In converter steel production, oxygen blowing in blast furnaces, gold extraction from ores, production of ferroalloys, nickel smelting, zinc, lead, zirconium, and other non-ferrous metals
• Direct reduction of iron
• Flame cleaning of slabs in foundry production
• Flame drilling of hard rocks

Environmental Applications

• Purification (ozonation) of drinking water
• Secondary metal recycling
• Aeration of wastewater with oxygen
• Neutralization (oxidation) of chemically active waste in treatment facilities
• In waste incinerators with oxygen blowing

Chemical Industry

• Manufacturing of explosive substances – oxyliquits (impregnation with liquid oxygen)
• Production of acetylene, cellulose, methyl alcohol, ammonia, nitric acid, and sulfuric acid
• Catalytic conversion of natural gas (in the production of synthetic ammonia)
• High-temperature conversion of methane (natural gas)

Energy Sector

• Gasification of solid fuels
• Air enrichment for domestic and industrial boilers
• Compression of water-coal mixtures

Military Technology

• In barochambers
• For underwater operation of diesel engines
• Fuel for rocket engines

Agriculture

• Production of oxygen cocktails to increase livestock weight
• Oxygen enrichment of aquatic environments in fish farming

Historical Background

The first information about oxygen became known in Europe from Chinese manuscripts in the 8th century. At the beginning of the 16th century, Leonardo da Vinci published data related to the chemistry of oxygen, not yet knowing that oxygen was an element. The reactions involving oxygen were described in the scientific works of S. Hales (1731) and P. Bayen (1774). Special attention is given to the research of C. Scheele in 1771-1773 on the interaction of metals and phosphorus with oxygen. J. Priestley reported the discovery of oxygen as an element in 1774, a few months after Bayen’s announcement of reactions with air. The name “oxygenium” (oxygen) was given to this element shortly after its discovery by Priestley and derives from Greek words meaning “generates acid,” which is related to the mistaken belief that oxygen is present in all acids. However, the explanation of the role of oxygen in respiration and combustion belongs to A. Lavoisier (1777).

• Oxygen is packaged in cylinders with volumes of 50 liters and 40 liters. Smaller cylinders corresponding to the gas type can also be filled. For medium consumption needs and production time optimization, oxygen can be supplied in monoblocks and bundles containing 10 and 12 cylinders, respectively.
• Packaging, labeling, transportation, and storage of technical oxygen are done according to GOST 26460-85. The nominal pressure of oxygen at 20°C during filling, storage, and transportation of cylinders should be (14.7 + 0.5) MPa (150 + 5) kgf/cm² or (19.6 + 1.0) MPa [(200 + 10) kgf/cm²].
• Returnable cylinders and receivers should have residual oxygen pressure not lower than 0.05 MPa (0.5 kgf/cm²).
• Small cylinders without caps and boots should be additionally packed in boxes manufactured according to the approved technical documentation. Medium-sized cylinders, for the purpose of optimizing loading and unloading operations and grouping cylinders for transportation by automotive vehicles, are placed in specialized metal containers.
• Transport marking follows GOST 14192-77, including the application of the handling sign “”, hazard signs according to GOST 19433-81 for Class 2 and 5, subclass 2.1, and the classification code of group 2121.
• Cylinders filled with oxygen are transported by all types of vehicles in accordance with the rules for the transportation of dangerous goods applicable to the respective mode of transportation, as well as the safety regulations for pressure vessels approved by the State Industrial Safety Inspectorate.
• Cylinders filled with oxygen are stored in specialized storage facilities or in open areas under cover, protecting them from atmospheric precipitation and direct sunlight. Storage of oxygen cylinders and cylinders containing other gases is allowed only in separate isolated rooms.