| Chemicals |
|
Oxygen can be used as a chemical reactant and in combustion systems. Benefits
over air include increased reaction rates, yield improvements, reduced capital cost
of new plants and reduced air emissions. |
| Food |
|
Oxygen can be used in fermentation to maintain an aerobic state. |
| 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 can be 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 blood stream in
situations of impaired breathing action and lung function. |
| Metals |
|
Oxygen enrichment is frequently employed in iron, copper and lead blast furnaces,
iron melting foundry cupolas and rock or slag-melting cupolas to increase productivity
and reduce the specific coke consumption. |
| Water Treatment |
|
Oxygen can be used in place of air in the activated sludge process to maintain a
higher population of micro-organisms. Using oxygen injected through a side stream
instead of using a mechanical aerator eliminates surface agitation, reducing odour.
Injecting oxygen into pumped sewer mains maintains the sewage in an aerobic state,
preventing formation of hydrogen sulphide. |