Oxygen (CO2, gas at O0/1 matm. 1.429 g. /l, crit. pressure, 49.7 matm.) is a colorless, odourless, and tasteless gas, somewhat heavier than air. It is one of the most active elements and plays on essential part in the respiration of living cells and in combustion.
Oxygen gas comprises 21 percent of atmospheric gas. Its symbol is O2. Atomic weight of oxygen is 16 and atomic no. is 8. Oxygen gas is nonmetallic element. Oxygen reacts with all elements, but not with inert gases to form compound called oxides. Oxygen support combustion and support flammable materials to burn more rapidly. And this combustion supporting property prefers it for different industrial applications.
Oxygen is non corrosive and can be contained in any common metals. However care must be taken to remove all oil, grease and other combustible material from piping and containers before putting them into oxygen service. Oxygen handling systems must also be designed to withstand safely the working pressure involved. The inhalation of gaseous oxygen of course has a tonic effect on the human system rather than any toxic effect, and its tonic properties have led to the many therapeutic applications of oxygen.
Liquid Oxygen is shipped as a cryogenic fluid in insulated cylinders, insulated tank trucks and insulated tank cars. Atmospheric air is used to produce Oxygen and Nitrogen, in most industrial processes. Atmospheric air mainly contains the elements given in the table below.
Industrial grade Oxygen vigorously supports the combustion of many materials such as copper, brass, stainless steel. Oxygen is widely used in combination with a fuel gas for cutting and welding these materials. The chemical industry employs all major industrial gases as a raw material or for inerting.
Medical gases are known to show a great environmental impact and also to consume relevant resources in terms of hospital management. The use of medical gases is essential for adequate medical interventions in hospitals and healthcentres provided their advantageous anaesthetic, analgesic and respiratory properties in the ambit of disease diagnosis, treatment, prevention or relief.
· Oxygen majorly uses stem from its life-sustaining and combustion sustaining properties.
· It is used extensively in medicine for therapeutic purposes, for suscitation in asphyxia and with other gases in anaesthesia.
· It is also used in high altitude flying, deep sea diving, and as both an inhalant and power source in U.S spaces program.
· Industrial applications include its very wide utilization with acetylene, hydrogen and other fuel gases for such purposes as metal cutting, welding, hardening, scaring, cleaning and dehydrating.
The Indian industrial gases market is dominated by oxygen. Oxygen accounts for nearly 75% of total production of gases outside carbon dioxide in the merchant market. If the captive segment is included, oxygen enjoys an over 70% share in all gases (outside carbon dioxide).
The gas industry in India has a large number of small plants spread all over the country. Also there are tonnage plants of global standards and capacity, which are set up in different parts of the country. There are about 330 industrial gas plants with capacities ranging from 100 to 350 m3 per hour or 2.5 tonne to 8.5 tonne per day. These plants mainly serve small industrial consumers, hospitals and nursing homes.
The industrial gases industry has gone through substantial reorganisation and modernisation with a large increase in capacity since liberalisation of the Indian economy. Some of the Indian majors are expanding their capacities or replacing their old plants. Most of the new plants are captive units. These are reasonably large sized plants involving new technologies which have been sourced from abroad. These are backed by large resources. With the new growth and intense competition, the small and weak units are getting marginalised. Thus, due to demand it is best to invest in this project.
Few Indian major players
1. Air Liquide India Holding Pvt. Ltd.
2. Arrow Oxygen Ltd.
3. Bellary Oxygen Co. Pvt. Ltd.
4. Bhagawati Oxygen Ltd.
5. Bhilai Oxygen Ltd.
6. Govind Poy Oxygen Ltd.
7. Howrah Gases Ltd.
