Oxygen | Metro Welding Supply Corp.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCT

Oxygen gas is a versatile element that finds applications in various industries, including healthcare, metalworking, aerospace, and more. In the healthcare sector, oxygen is a lifeline for patients in need of respiratory support. Researchers and laboratories depend on accurate and reliable sources of oxygen for various experiments and analyses. For welders and metalworkers, oxygen gas enables clean and efficient welding and cutting processes.

10 KEY CHARACTERISTICS

1. Chemical Symbol: Oxygen gas is represented by the chemical symbol "O2," indicating that it consists of two oxygen atoms bonded together.
2. Colorless and Odorless: Oxygen gas is colorless and odorless, making it imperceptible to human senses. It is typically identified through its reactivity with other elements.
3. High Reactivity: Oxygen is a highly reactive element. It readily forms compounds with other elements, especially metals, in processes like oxidation.
4. Supports Combustion: Oxygen is essential for combustion, enabling substances to burn. It provides the necessary oxygen molecules for the chemical reaction that produces heat and light.
5. Essential for Respiration: Oxygen is vital for cellular respiration in living organisms. It serves as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, allowing cells to generate energy.
6. High Solubility in Water: Oxygen is highly soluble in water, which is crucial for its transport in the bloodstream of organisms, where it binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells.
7. Necessary for the Ozone Layer: Oxygen is a fundamental component of the Earth's atmosphere, and in the stratosphere, it forms ozone (O3) which creates the ozone layer. This layer protects life on Earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
8. Supports Metabolism in Organisms: Oxygen plays a central role in the metabolic processes of organisms, particularly in the process of cellular respiration where it facilitates the breakdown of glucose to release energy.
9. Oxidizing Agent: Oxygen acts as a potent oxidizing agent. It readily accepts electrons in chemical reactions, leading to the oxidation of other substances.
10. Critical for Industrial Processes: In various industries, oxygen gas is indispensable. It is used for processes like welding, metal cutting, chemical synthesis, and in the production of steel, glass, and other materials.

10 COMMON USES

1. Medical Applications: Oxygen is used in healthcare settings for respiratory support. It is administered to patients with respiratory conditions or during surgeries to ensure adequate oxygen levels in the body.
2. Welding and Metal Fabrication: Oxygen is a crucial component in oxy-fuel welding and cutting processes. When combined with a fuel gas like acetylene, it produces a high-temperature flame for welding, brazing, and cutting metals.
3. Aerospace Industry: Oxygen is used in rocket propulsion systems and aircraft breathing systems. It's vital for supplying a controlled and breathable atmosphere for astronauts and aviation personnel at high altitudes.
4. Chemical Industry: Oxygen is a key component in various chemical reactions. It is used in processes like oxidation, combustion, and in the production of chemicals, including acids, alcohols, and plastics.
5. Metallurgical Processes: Oxygen is employed in the steelmaking industry through processes like the basic oxygen steelmaking (BOS) and electric arc furnace (EAF) methods. It enhances the combustion of impurities, resulting in higher-quality steel.
6. Glass Manufacturing: Oxygen is used in the production of glass. By replacing air with oxygen in the combustion process, higher temperatures can be achieved, leading to faster and more efficient glass melting.
7. Water Treatment: In wastewater treatment plants, oxygen is introduced into aeration tanks to facilitate the biological treatment of organic pollutants by microorganisms. This helps in the purification of water.
8. Aquaculture and Fisheries: Oxygenation systems are used in fish farms to maintain adequate oxygen levels in water. This ensures the health and survival of aquatic organisms, particularly in densely populated fish tanks.
9. Environmental Remediation: Oxygen is employed in processes like soil and groundwater remediation. It's used to enhance the microbial activity of naturally occurring bacteria, which aids in the breakdown of contaminants.
10. Scientific Research: In laboratories, oxygen gas is used in various experiments and analyses across different scientific disciplines, including chemistry, biology, and environmental science.