What Is Oxygen Used For?

Oxygen is used in medical therapy, industrial manufacturing, metal fabrication, and chemical production. It constitutes about 21% of Earth’s atmosphere and serves as the cornerstone of many healthcare, manufacturing, and environmental management processes.

In this article, we’ll explore the most important uses of oxygen gas to show you how various industries rely on this essential element.

Medical Applications of Oxygen

Oxygen therapy is among the most critical medical uses of oxygen gas. Hospitals and healthcare facilities use it to treat patients suffering from respiratory conditions like:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Pneumonia
• Asthma attacks

Medical-grade oxygen helps patients with low blood oxygen levels breathe more easily and reduces strain on their hearts and lungs. Depending on the patient’s needs, the gas is typically delivered through masks, nasal cannulas, or ventilators.

For critical care situations, oxygen can be lifesaving. For example, emergency medical services rely on portable oxygen tanks to stabilize patients during transport.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is another key medical application. This treatment involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, which helps treat conditions like:

• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Severe infections
• Non-healing wounds

The increased pressure in hyperbaric chambers allows oxygen to dissolve more readily in the bloodstream, reaching tissues that might otherwise receive inadequate oxygen supply. This enhanced delivery mechanism accelerates healing in many patients.

Industrial Manufacturing Uses

The steel industry is a major consumer of commercially produced oxygen. In steelmaking, oxygen is blown through molten iron to remove impurities like carbon, silicon, and phosphorus.

This process is known as basic oxygen steelmaking, and it produces higher-quality steel more efficiently than traditional methods. The reaction between oxygen and the impurities generates sufficient heat to maintain the high temperatures needed for the process.

Glass manufacturing also relies heavily on oxygen. Oxy-fuel combustion systems in glass furnaces use oxygen instead of standard air to achieve higher flame temperatures and better combustion efficiency.

This approach reduces energy consumption while producing clearer glass with fewer defects. The higher flame temperatures also allow for more uniform heating, which results in superior product quality.

Finally, paper and pulp mills use oxygen in the delignification process, where it helps break down lignin in wood pulp. This oxidative process enables more efficient bleaching with reduced environmental impact compared to chlorine-based alternatives.

Welding and Metal Cutting Applications

Oxygen plays a fundamental role in gas welding and cutting operations. When combined with acetylene or other fuel gases, it produces the intense heat needed for welding metals.

This is why the oxy-acetylene torch is a staple in metal fabrication shops despite advances in other welding technologies. Its portability and versatility make it invaluable for repair work and construction.

In metal cutting, oxygen jets directed at preheated metal create a rapid oxidation reaction. This reaction generates additional heat that helps cut through even thick metal plates with outstanding precision.

Shipyards, construction sites, and demolition operations rely on oxygen-fueled cutting equipment to shape and separate metal components. The process works particularly well on carbon steel and low-alloy steels.

Oxygen cutting can handle various metal thicknesses, making it useful for industrial applications where other cutting methods might be impractical.

Chemical Processing and Production

Chemical manufacturers use oxygen as a reactant in numerous synthesis processes. For example, it’s essential for producing ethylene oxide, an important intermediate for making materials and products like:

• Polyester
• Antifreeze
• Detergents

Oxygen also facilitates the partial oxidation of natural gas to produce synthesis gas (a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen). This gas serves as a building block for  important chemicals like ammonia and other industrial compounds.

In wastewater treatment facilities, oxygen enhances the biological breakdown of organic contaminants. Aeration systems pump oxygen into wastewater to support aerobic bacteria that consume pollutants.

This process, known as activated sludge treatment, significantly reduces biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and removes contaminants more effectively than anaerobic methods. The result is cleaner effluent that can be safely discharged into natural water bodies.

Finally, pharmaceutical manufacturing relies on oxygen for various oxidation reactions in the synthesis of active ingredients. Many complex drug molecules require precisely controlled oxidation steps during their production.

Leverage Oxygen’s Versatility in Your Operations

From supporting human life to enabling crucial industrial processes, oxygen is one of the most important gases on Earth. Its applications span healthcare, manufacturing, environmental management, and countless other fields.

As technology advances, we continue to find new and more efficient ways to utilize this essential gas. Industries that rely on oxygen benefit from ongoing improvements in production, storage, and application techniques, ensuring this vital resource remains available for its many critical uses.

Further Reading: What Is Industrial Oxygen?