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What Is Liquid Oxygen & Oxygen Transfilling?

Oxygen is an elemental gas found abundantly in the air, and is one of the most important of all chemical elements for the propagation and possibility of life. Oxygen, in its liquid form, is not found naturally, but is synthesized in scientific or industrial laboratories. Liquid oxygen is used primarily in space travel. Liquid oxygen has also found a use in the emerging field of cryogenics.

  1. Basic Facts

    • Liquid oxygen is an artificially induced form of elemental oxygen that can exist only in a pure state, because it is highly reactive. At temperatures between 50.5 Kelvin and 90.5 Kelvin, oxygen remains in a liquid state. It can be stored with high pressure at room temperatures. Liquid oxygen is pale blue in color and highly unstable. A process called oxygen transfilling stores it in high-pressure canisters.

    Properties and Dangers

    • Also abbreviated as Lox or LOX, liquid oxygen is highly paramagnetic, meaning it is affected by magnetic fields and therefore can be easily suspended in the center of a powerful horseshoe magnet. Since it exists at such low temperatures, it has a rapid cooling effect on anything that is exposed to it. Organic items should never be brought into contact with liquid oxygen, because a sudden and powerful reaction occurs that may release a lot of energy, potentially causing damage to life and property.

    Use in Rockets

    • Primarily, liquid oxygen is used in space technology and submarine technology as fuel for travel. This is because liquid oxygen, when released, expands so rapidly that the necessary energy required for reaching space travel speeds is achieved by igniting this oxygen. Liquid stage rockets primarily use this kind of fuel, along with liquid hydrogen, because they require very little fuel.

    Liquid Oxygen Breathing Aid

    • The use of oxygen canisters in hospitals as a breathing apparatus is quite common. These canisters are filled using oxygen transfilling technology. Oxygen from the canister is supplied to the nose via a nasal tubing and cannula. The oxygen pressure is maintained such that the flow of oxygen is just right for the patient to breath in oxygen normally. A humidifier is used to help the patient breathe easier. Humid air is always easier to take in than dry air.

    Oxygen Transfilling

    • Oxygen transfilling is the process of putting oxygen into canisters that can be used commercially. The procedure is also used in hospitals to fill small oxygen canisters from larger ones. The technology involves the use of special oxygen transfilling equipment, which allows you to move oxygen from industrial-grade canisters to portable canisters. Transfilling is also used to fill the oxygen tanks of space rockets and space shuttles.

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