3 Tips to Keep High-Pressure Oxygen Systems Safe

Those with experience in the industrial gas industry know that high-pressure oxygen industrial gas operations have the potential to be very dangerous without the proper precautions and engineering. Oxygen is unsurprisingly a powerful oxidizing agent. This means that oxygen has the ability to accept electrons from other substances and start the redox chemical reaction of combustion. Every high-pressure oxygen piping system has the ever-present risk of combustion and fire under the wrong conditions. Even typically ordinary objects can start combustion around leaking oxygen. Despite these inherent risks, many industrial gas operations and a variety of other industries continue to safely utilize high-pressure oxygen in vital applications. When it comes to keeping a high-pressure oxygen system safe, proper knowledge and quality engineering are key. At CPV Manufacturing, we have in-depth experience with vital parts of oxygen piping systems. Here are some tips about how the experts keep high-pressure oxygen systems safe.

1. Use Valves Designed for High-Pressure Oxygen

Valves are one of the parts of a pipeline most prone to issues. A major danger to high-pressure oxygen pipelines is adiabatic compression. A rapid change in pressure caused by a valve that opens too suddenly can cause compression and generate heat. Equipment like CPV’s oxygen master valves are designed to prevent this from happening. Never use ball, butterfly, or globe valves in oxygen systems. Valves like our oxygen master valves and other needle valves can prevent ignition from adiabatic compression.

2. Prevent Leaks

This is an obvious but vital part of keeping a high-pressure oxygen system safe. Tiny leaks can expose oxygen to many ignition sources outside of a pipeline. Valves are again one of the most common culprits for this issue. Quality oxygen master valves and needle valves that are designed for high-pressure systems can help prevent leaks in a pressurized system. Also, frequent inspections and maintenance can help protect your valves and pipe systems from wearing down and leaking.

3. Eliminate Sources of Ignition

This tip is not as straightforward as it may seem. Oxygen only requires sufficient energy as an ignition source. Ignition sources include, mechanical impact, particle impact, friction, and many heat sources. Make sure to wear gloves and thoroughly clean when you inspect and maintain your oxygen pipeline, to prevent any particles from entering. Remove objects that could cause mechanical impacts around the pipeline. Be sure there is no wear or lose materials that could cause heat via friction. Providing proper cleaning and maintenance is vital for keeping your high-pressure oxygen system free of ignition sources.

If you have any questions about industrial gas oxygen applications or oxygen master valves, contact our team at salesadm@cpvmfg.com.