Oxygen is a colorless, odorless and non flammable gas which is the earth's most abundant element. Combined in water as H2O and in other combinations, oxygen make up close to 50% of the earth's crust. The principal uses of oxygen stem from its strong oxidizing and life-sustaining properties.

Oxygen is used in the metals industry in conjunction with acetylene and other fuel gases in metal cutting, heating, welding, hardening, and scarfing. In the chemical and petroleum industries, oxygen is used in the production of synthetic gas from coal and liquid fuels.