Pilots Need Help

By ndpilot Date 07-23-2002 05:37

I am in flight training and the discussion of oxygen systems has left me with a question that you might be able to clear up. I was raised using oxygen and actylene, the first lesson my father taught me was to never allow oil by the oxygen. Why is this, will it actually create a explosion when they come in contact, or does it take a spark to ignite the oil. Does the pure oxygen saturate the oil making it extremely flamable.

By Lawrence (*****)

Date 07-23-2002 08:39

The short answer is YES, Pure or liquid Oxygen is highly volatile when in contact with oil and grease. The Chemistry behind this is more difficult to explain. None the less the rule applies. below are a few links that discuss not only oil/grease reactions but also some other examples of interesting Oxgen hazards/accidents.

http://www.saftek.com/worksafe/farm_17.htm

http://www.hoopersupply.com/msds/oxygen.htm

http://www.machinist.org/army_welding/Ch2.htm#BP

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/cryogens.html

http://www.cdc.gov/Niosh/face9824.html <-- This link is not directly related to oil/oxy damage but is still relevant and has excellent detail and photographs

By TolgaKantaroglu (*)

Date 07-23-2002 10:53

When you increase the oxygen percentage you increase flamability of the things extremely. If you allow oil contact with the oxygen tube this may increase the increase the initiation of the spark and if the spark happens then in the vicinity of the oxygen tube starts to burn very rapidly. Remember what happens when you blow air to the barbeque, when you blow you increase the oxygen percentage and it starts to burn more rapidly. I hope the above mentioned help you to visualize.

Regards

By stich585 (*)

Date 07-24-2002 03:39

KKKKKKAAAAAAAAABBBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!

By RonG

Date 07-24-2002 14:01

A key word left out of this discussion is COMPRESSED.
Pure Compressed Oxygen will ignite when in contact with petroleum.

By sparx

Date 07-25-2002 19:35

actually, any form of pure oxygen can cause a violent explosion when in contact with any petroleum based product...I have witnessed liquid oxygen in a beaker "explode" when a piece of steel wool dipped in oil was brought within a couple of inches of the O2. Safety is paramount when dealing with all hazardous materials.