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OXYGEN
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Uses
Because of oxygen’s versatility in combining with other elements, it has a multitude of uses. Among them are steel production, hot welding flame, fuel, and protective layer of the Earth.
High pressure oxygen is used to burn away impurities in melted pig iron to produce steel.
When reacted with acetylene (C2H2), a very hot flame is made. Such a flame is useful for oxyacetylene welding.
When reacted with liquid hydrogen and liquid methane, a powerful rocket fuel is produced.
Ozone is produced by electrical discharge or irradiation by ultraviolet rays. Ozone (O3) provides the Earth’s surface a barrier against ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Additionally oxygen is a necessary component of most living organisms because it is needed for respiration. Oxygen is thus helpful for people with respiratory problems. The presence of oxygen is also required in a combustion reaction.
Oxygen is becoming important to producing the bleached pulp used in paper. Lignin in the pulp needs to be taken out in order for the pulp to be bleached. While chlorine can and has been used, it creates water pollution. Oxygen, combined with secondary substances, can be used as an environment-friendly and less pricy alternative to chlorine.
The flow of oxygen into a sewer area decreases
bad smell and corrosion because oxygen helps reduce hydrogen sulfide formation.