A process for the cryogenic separation of mixtures containing oxygen to
obtain a produce having a high concentration of oxygen. In this process, a
heat and material exchange occurs in counter-current between a descending
liquid and a rising gas in at least one transfer zone including a bundle
of organized linings consisting of cross-undulated metallic layers. In at
least one transfer zone where the concentration of oxygen is higher than
98%, the layers are made of a sheet of aluminum having a thickness between
0.3 and 1 mm. Additionally, the bundles of layers have a specific surface
lower than 400 m.sup.2 /m.sup.3.