Liquid Oxygen (LOX)
Pure. Powerful. Life-Sustaining.
Liquid Oxygen (LOX) is oxygen in its cryogenic liquid state, easily identified by its pale blue color and strong oxidizing properties. With a boiling point of –182.96°C (–297.33°F), LOX is slightly denser than water and plays a critical role in both life-saving medical applications and high-temperature industrial processes.
Key Properties
- Appearance: Pale blue liquid
- Boiling Point: –182.96°C (–297.33°F)
- Freezing Point: –218.79°C (–361.82°F)
- Expansion Ratio: 1 liter of LOX = 861 liters of gaseous oxygen
- Oxidizing Agent: Intensifies combustion, essential for life support and industrial operations
How It's Made
LOX is produced through the fractional distillation of air in advanced cryogenic air separation units (ASUs), then liquefied and stored under carefully monitored conditions.
Applications of Liquid Nitrogen
- Medical Use: Delivers breathable oxygen in hospitals, ICUs, and emergency care
- Metallurgy: Enhances combustion in steel and metal manufacturing
- Welding & Fabrication: Powers high-precision oxy-fuel cutting and welding
- Aerospace & Rocketry: Acts as an oxidizer in liquid-fuel rocket engines
- Water Treatment: Supports oxygenation in wastewater and sewage treatment systems
Safety & Handling
Due to its extremely low temperature and reactive nature, LOX must be handled with care. Contact with organic or petroleum-based materials can be hazardous. Proper storage in cryogenic tanks ensures safe and effective use.
