Sources of Medical Oxygen - Cylinder, Concentrator, Oxygen Plant, Liquid Oxygen Tank: In the midst of the second wave of corona in the world, these days there is a shortage and need medical oxygen. Many patients have died due to a lack of oxygen. In such a situation, its basic information has become very important for everyone, so that you can understand the importance and use of medical oxygen and its sources. There are mainly four sources of medical oxygen – cylinder, concentrator, oxygen plant, and liquid oxygen tank. Of these, cylinders and concentrators can be available with very little resources.
1. Oxygen Cylinder:
Compressed gas can be stored in an oxygen cylinder. Oxygen gas is filled in these cylinders in gas manufacturing plants. This process is done through cryogenic distillation or pressure swing absorption (PSA). These cylinders can be installed in hospitals through machines or directly to a patient. It is a challenge to fill these cylinders again and again. To meet this challenge, many hospitals install PSA oxygen plants on their campuses. At the same time, it does not depend on electricity. Therefore, in areas where there is a problem with electricity, they are very effective.
At the same time, with other oxygen systems, they also act as a backup. However, it requires a lot of equipment. Oxygen cylinders cost less as compared to other sources, but their maintenance, refilling, and transportation are expensive. They are also used in ambulances and other vehicles carrying patients.
2. Oxygen Concentrator:
An oxygen concentrator is an electric or battery-powered device that can condense oxygen from the atmosphere. The PSA ie Pressure Swing Absorption Technique is used in the concentrator. It removes nitrogen to form 95.5% concentrated oxygen. Its biggest feature is that they are portable and they can be easily carried anywhere.
In most cases, it is applied near the patient. Oxygen concentrators are also designed for the home. Their maximum flow rate is 5 to 10 liters per minute. Experts consider the 10 liter one to be the best oxygen concentrator. Oxygen from an oxygen concentrator can be administered to multiple patients with the help of a device such as a flow-meter stent. Most concentrators run on electricity, so it should have an oxygen cylinder as a backup.
3. Oxygen Plant:
The oxygen plant is the central source of oxygen. Through this, oxygen can be delivered directly to the patients through pipes. These plants use cryogenic distillation or pressure swing absorption (PSA) technology to produce oxygen. Like oxygen concentrators, oxygen plants are also dependent on electricity. Oxygen comes out of it with very high pressure, due to which it is used in oxygen supply in machines like ventilators.
Whereas oxygen cannot be supplied to these machines from the oxygen concentrator. As we have also mentioned above the oxygen plant is also used for refilling cylinders. Once the oxygen plant is installed, the supply of oxygen in the medical facility becomes easy. Then there is no problem with transportation.
4. Liquid Oxygen Tank:
Another source of oxygen in hospitals is to install liquid oxygen tanks. These huge tanks are filled by the supplier from time to time. Oxygen can be supplied from these tanks to the center pipe system of the health care facility. However, these tanks require a lot of space to be installed. It uses self vaporization technology so that it is not dependent on electricity. Apart from these medical oxygen sources, machines like flow meters, regulators, humidifiers, and ventilators are needed to deliver oxygen to the patients.
