Life cycle of medical oxygen from production to consumption

J Family Med Prim Care. 2022 Apr;11(4):1231-1236. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_956_21. Epub 2022 Mar 18.

Abstract

Oxygen is used extensively in illnesses involving respiratory system. In emergencies such as the one created by the flare of Covid-19, oxygen consumption has increased tremendously. This article aims to improve our understanding about the medical oxygen, its production (air separation unit, pressure swing adsorption, oxygen concentrators), the supply chain, storage methods, and the final delivery system to the patient. This article also provides a comprehensive review on the additions in the medical infrastructure during the time of oxygen crisis in India along with the introduction of certain novel approaches towards oxygen production and conservation. We aim to minimize the panic among our readers by giving them an insight about the course behind the oxygen supply in that oxygen mask.

Keywords: Covid-19; PSA (Pressure Swing adsorption); cryogenic air separator unit; cylinders; medical oxygen; oxygen.

Publication types

  • Review