Although no two Liquid Oxygen loading solutions will be identical, the product itself determines much of the critical design criteria that will ensure that optimum safety and productivity can work together in harmony. 

What is Liquid Oxygen? Liquid Oxygen, also referred to as LOX or Liquid Oxygen USP is a light blue, odorless liquefied gas under pressure; and while not flammable, it accelerates combustion.

LOX is primarily used in the aerospace, submarine and gas industries.  It was used as a propellant in the first liquid-fueled rocket back in 1926 by Robert H Goddard, and it’s still used to propel today’s rockets and spacecrafts.

Liquid Oxygen is dangerous to human tissue because of its extremely low temperature; and as a result, its vapors can freeze skin tissue and cause cold or cryogenic burns.

In the United States, Liquid Oxygen is a closed-loop loading operation and is loaded or unloaded into rail cars via chemical hoses or carbon steel loading arms. Liquid Oxygen, if not handled properly can be harmful and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required. Additionally, because operators are on top of the vehicles during the loading process, robust, well-designed fall prevention is essential to ensure increased throughput, without compromising operator safety.

Liquid Oxygen is typically shipped in 26,000 gallon DOT-113 insulated tank cars with safety valves and/or vents.  The rails cars themselves are ~ 9′ outside diameter with an overall length of ~45’ to 55′, with a 6’ x 6’ center opening or off-set crash box openings.