741.    DOWNS, C. R.  Impact of Tonnage Oxygen on American Chemical Industry.  Chem. Eng., vol. 55, No. 8, August 1948, pp. 113-117, 121.

     The paper was presented before the Chemical Market Research Association.  Tonnage O₂ of 90-95% purity is being produced experimentally, and enormous plants for its production are being constructed.  It will largely supplant 99.5% O₂, except for metal cutting and welding.  Production of 99.5% O₂ now amounts to about 15.5 billion cu. ft./yr.  7 plants for production of 95% O₂ are now being built, the estimated production of which is 40 billion cu. ft./yr.  The composition of 95% O₂ by vol. is approximately 95% O₂, 3.2% A, and 1.8% N₂.  Plant and operating costs for a plant of 1,000 tons/day capacity should be $4,000,000 and $3.67/ton, respectively, whereas the cost of 99.5% O₂ is approximately $64-$120/ton, depending upon a monthly volume of 190-10 tons respectively.  Several uses for tonnage O₂ are presented and discussed, such as synthetic fuels, chemicals, iron and steel production, roasting of ores, and city gas and chlorine production.