What common method is used to produce large quantities of Oxygen?

The production of large quantities of oxygen primarily occurs through fractional distillation of atmospheric air. This process takes advantage of the different boiling points of the components found in air. Air is composed mainly of nitrogen (approximately 78%) and oxygen (around 21%), along with small amounts of other gases.

In fractional distillation, ambient air is first cooled and compressed, causing it to liquefy. Once liquefied, the mixture is gradually heated in a distillation column. As the temperature rises, nitrogen evaporates first due to its lower boiling point, allowing for its separation from the oxygen. The remaining liquid is predominantly oxygen, which can then be collected in a purified form. This method is favored for industrial-scale production because it is efficient and can yield large quantities of high-purity oxygen.

Other methods, while they may produce oxygen, are typically less efficient for large-scale production. Electrolysis splits water into hydrogen and oxygen, but it requires substantial energy input and is more suitable for smaller quantities. Physical separation methods like pressure swing adsorption (PSA) are effective but also tend to be used for smaller projects or specific applications. Chemical synthesis involves reactions that can produce oxygen, but they are not practical or cost-effective for generating significant amounts of oxygen compared