oxygengeneration

Oxygen generation is the production of molecular oxygen (O2) for uses such as medical treatment, industrial processing, and life-support in space, underwater, or aviation. It encompasses technologies that produce O2 from ambient air, water, or chemical reactions, providing reliable oxygen supplies when atmospheric oxygen is insufficient or unavailable.

The major approaches are electrolysis of water, cryogenic air separation, adsorption-based separation, membrane-based separation, and chemical generation. Electrolysis uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen (2 H2O → 2 H2 + O2), yielding high-purity O2. Cryogenic distillation cools and separates atmospheric air into its components at large plants. PSA and VSA units use adsorbent materials to remove nitrogen, producing O2-rich gas. Membrane systems rely on polymer membranes to separate oxygen from air. Chemical oxygen generators produce O2 through exothermic reactions, such as chlorate-based mixtures, used as emergency oxygen sources in submarines and aircraft.

Applications include medical practice, where oxygen concentrators and cylinder supplies deliver therapeutic oxygen at controlled concentrations. In industry, oxygen is used for metal refining, welding, and chemical synthesis. In transport and space missions, onboard oxygen generation supports crew safety when ambient air is insufficient. Submarines rely on onboard oxygen generation, while diving systems may employ oxygen-enriched breathing mixtures or recycling rebreathers.

Safety and performance considerations are important. Oxygen supports combustion and can intensify fires, so systems are designed with careful materials selection, leak prevention, and rigorous purity controls. Medical-grade oxygen requires regulatory specifications, typically around 90–100% concentration. Energy use, maintenance, and reliability influence the feasibility and cost of different generation methods, especially for portable versus stationary installations.