Sunday, June 9, 2013

Basics Of The Elements Produced In Chicago Oxygen Plants

By Liliana Mills


In Chicago oxygen has many uses it is put to in many different spheres of life. According to science, oxygen is a chemical element with a symbol O but a chemical formula of O2. It has an atomic number of 8. The name was derived from a Greek words oxys and gonos, which means sour taste of acid. During that time, people thought that all acids needed oxygen in their compositions, but it was later discovered to be false.

At STP which is the short form for standard temperature and pressure, this substance occurs in gaseous form with 2 atoms bonded together to form a dioxygen. It is tasteless and odorless. This element forms a vital part of Earth and supports almost all terrestrial life. It supports certain forms of marine life though not all of it. It is positioned at number three among compounds that are most abundant on Earth in after Hydrogen and Helium.

In terms of periodic table, this element falls under the chalcogen group. It is an extremely reactive non-metallic element reacting with several other substances in exception of noble gases like Helium and Neon. Its reaction results into many compounds particularly oxides. The substance is a good oxidizing agent and has its electronegativity after that of Fluorine.

Two main methods are used in production of over one hundred tons of O2 for industrial use every year. The gas is extracted from the atmospheric air. The most widely applied method is fractional distillation of liquefied air. Once air is liquefied, nitrogen escapes as a gas while O2 is left behind in form of a liquid. The variation in densities of the other components of air such as carbon dioxide and noble gasses is used to separate them.

The other most common method entails passing a jet of dry and clean air through a bed of double identical zeolite molecular filters. The sieves take in nitrogen gas and release a jet of O2 gas, which is approximately ninety three percent pure. This method involves production of the 2 gases simultaneously as if the process is continuous. Though in reality, production alternates from one gas to another. This is known as pressure swing absorption.

Various fields have several areas that require O2 gas. The medicine field is one of them, where it is used to moderate the flow of blood to lungs that have developed complications. This eases the propulsion of blood to the lungs. Congestive heart failure, pneumonia, and emphysema among other complications that hinder the capability of the body system to utilize and absorb fresh oxygen are treated using this substance.

O2 sustains combustion therefore it is used to fuel rockets and other types of missiles. It undergoes complete combustion releasing a white high temperature flame. Submariners and divers also depend on its artificial packaged form for deep sea diving. The gas is usually combined with air and given to them in solid tanks.

In Chicago oxygen is used for many other functions ranging from classroom experiments to military applications. There are many firms in the area which produce clean gas for use. One can check the internet for more precise location of the firms.




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