oxygen

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ost my post in here somewhere...my appologies....just wondering if the compressed oxygen in those small bottles that you use for small MAPP gas units is safe to breath? As far as I know it's not mixed with anything until it hits the brazing nozzle...might be useful for getting out if thinds are bad and the air in the area is unsafe...any welders out there?

-- Satanta (satanta@zdnetmail.com), December 08, 1999

Answers

I've had a cutting torch cylinder filled and I asked the guy about compressed air. He said that the main differences are in the tanks - they're rated for breathable air or something. He also told me that compressed air used for diving is NOT just compressed air. They mix pure nitrogen and oxygen to get "air." Standard compressors also provide a spray of oil droplets -- not much fun a hundred feet down (sort of like huffing Pam).

I would definitely breathe cutting torch oxygen in an emergency.

- Gary

-- Gary S. (garys_2k@yahoo.com), December 09, 1999.


Well, I won't be going a hundred feet down...the Nitrogen is to keep you from compression/decompression problems like the bends or something, I believe. and I can deal with the oil taste...sooo...unless someone comes up with a reason not to use, i may keep a couple of bottles handy for 'just in case'...

-- Satanta (satanta@zdnetmail.com), December 09, 1999.

I am a Registered Respiratory Therapist and I have NEVER heard of anyone dying due to using welding oxygen. It all comes out of the same plant and made the same way. The differences are in tank tolerances. Many people use welding O2 as its cheaper.

Taz

-- Taz (Tassi123@aol.com), December 09, 1999.


For what it's worth, the nitrogen in compressed air (normal air has almost 80% nitrogen). The nitrogen dissolves in your bloodstream under pressure when you remain underwater--faster and more of it at greater depths. When you surface, the nitrogen "comes out" of solution, and can cause bubbles which can cripple you. Interestingly, you can get bends if the pressurized aircraft you are in suddenly loses pressure.

Regarding Oxygen, I recommend that you exercise caution when using oxygen. In welding school I was told that putting oil on the fittings of the oxygen cylinders, when they were stiff, could cause the whole tank to blow up, with disastrous results.

ALK

-- Al K. Lloyd (all@ready.now), December 10, 1999.


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