Uses of Liquid Oxygen

When most people think of oxygen, they consider it to be in the air around us, existing as a gas that is necessary for humans to breathe in. It can also exist in a liquid form, though, and has a variety of different applications in that state. Liquid oxygen is always kept at very low temperatures and has a telltale blue color. It is used in aerospace, gas and other industries for a variety of purposes.

Explosives

Liquid oxygen is sometimes combined with a fuel source, like carbon, to create an explosive. However, this is rare because of the high flammability of liquid oxygen, which leads to accidents.

Rocket Fuel

It is often one of the components in rocket fuel. Liquid oxygen lowers the amount of fuel needed to provide a certain amount of momentum.

Supplements

Liquid oxygen is used to create vitamin supplements. These supplements increase the flow of oxygen throughout the body via the digestive rather than the respiratory system.

Aircraft

Liquid oxygen has an expansion ratio of 860:1. This property makes it great for use as breathing oxygen in some military aircraft.

Spray

Liquid oxygen is also used to manufacture certain oxygen therapy sprays. These are used topically to heal wounds, bug bites and various skin conditions.