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When I first heard of blending nitrox using the partial pressure method, I was
told that this leads to stratification in the tank. My experience in chemistry
tells me that this is impossible, O2 and N2 being miscible in any proportion
and the densities being very similar (1.43 vs 1.25 g/l). In fact I think it
would be very difficult to maintain an O2 and N2 gradient!

But we still hear this argument quite often and, in Canada at least, there are
many individuals (and maybe even a certification agency) that believe that
stratification can happen and will cause O2 toxicity problems!?

Although I'm convinced that this stratification thing was invented by Nitrox
detractors, I would like to know if someone has ever demonstrated (published?)
that it does not happen. We're thinking about mixing Nitrox at our workplace
and someone has already brought up the stratification story. Is there a paper
somewhere or maybe the proceedings of a conference that will help me prove that
is not a problem?

Any help would be appreciated,


Richard

r_larocque@qc*.df*.ca* (when it's working...)
larocqur@ii*.or* (usualy OK)

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