Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] O2

["David Deffner" <deffner@glade.net>]

Being a pilot, and presently building a plane, I believe the only real
difference with aviation grade, other than what Paul has already stated, is
that it has a lower moisture content.  Don't want to get way up there in
really freezing conditions and have an oxygen line freeze.  I'll ck on this.
David
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul B" <paul_victor@hotmail.com>
To: <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 07, 2002 9:49 AM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] O2


> As far as I know, oxygen is divided into 3 major groups:
>
> 1. Medical
> 2. Aviation
> 3. Welding
>
> To get medical grade O2, you DO have to have a prescription. Now, in case
> with aviation grade as far as I know it's the same purity as medical. The
> difference is that you don't need a prescription to get it; and a tank,
> unlike in case with medical grade, does not have a unique serial number
each
> individual cylinder can be traced by, only the lot number. I think they're
> doing it in case of medical grade because life and death depend on it -
they
> need a way to find out where the stuff came from if something goes badly
> wrong.
>
> Medical and aviation O2 cylinders are getting purged of all gases before
> they're filled with gas. Welding grade O2 cylinders are not. There's no
> telling what could be in it other than O2. For all you know, it could be
CO
> or some other pretty nasty stuff.
>
> However, welding O2 manufacturers say it's critical to have very pure O2
for
> metal cutting purposes, so I guess that stuff should be more than fit to
> breathe.
>
> I'd try my chances trying to get aviation grade first. And then, if I
> failed, I would talk directly to the manufacturer of welding grade O2 and
> ask him about chemical contents of his product.
>
> Sincerely, Paul.
>
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