Industrial Oxygen: Its Generation and Use

This paper will look at the industrial uses for oxygen. It will categorize oxygen using processes into: 1) the purpose of oxygen in the process and 2) the effect oxygen enrichment has on the overall process. The paper will also look at four methods of producing oxygen: cryogenics, pressure swing absorption, membrane filter technology and electrolysis. It will compare each against one another in categories such as first time costs, running costs, percent oxygen enrichment attainable, and by-product capability. Furthermore, the paper will then select the appropriate process for each industry discussed. This paper is intended to address the above issues in such a way that a facility manager would be able to make an educated decision on whether or not to consider creating/using oxygen enhanced air in his/her process as well as which technology would be best suited for his/her process.