Basics of Oxygen :
The finer modalities of production of OXYGEN is worth understanding……
➡️ The air we breathe is a mixture of 78 % NITROGEN and 21 % OXYGEN
➡️ OXYGEN mfg.GAS PLANTS suck in atmospheric air into a compressor and this compressed air is purified to remove dust particles etc.
➡️ Purified Air is cooled to minus 10 – 15 degree Celsius. Gases other than Nitrogen and Oxygen are removed in a burning process.
➡️ Oxygen – Nitrogen mixture is cooled to minus 165 degree Celsius. Here the Oxygen gets converted into liquid form .
➡️ Liquid Oxygen is collected in a Cryogenic Vessel or Tank .
➡️ Nitrogen is collected in a separate tank and used as a coolant for the plant.
➡️ Medical Oxygen must have 93 – 95 Percentage PURITY.
Transportation of Oxygen
There are three options :
1 . # For a distance of 100-200 kms., Oxygen Cylinder is best. It carries Oxygen in gaseous form.
2 . # For a distance of 200-500 kms, Cryogenic Tanks mounted on trucks is preferred. They store Oxygen in liquid form.
3 . # For distances over 500 kms. Cryogenic Tanks have to be ferried by the Railways . Here the Liquid Oxygen is transported to far off destinations.
Real-time Problems in Oxygen Supply for COVID patients :
➡️ Nobody foresaw a second wave, creating a huge spurt in Oxygen demand.
➡️ Diversion of Industrial Oxygen to Medical Oxygen happened very late.
➡️ There are challenges in distribution of Oxygen to hospitals.
➡️ Shortage of Oxygen Cylinders and Cryogenic Tanks to supply Oxygen to the needy .
➡️ Hoarding of Oxygen Cylinders.
➡️ Wastage in hospitals, due to poor storage facilities.
➡️ Manufacturers desisted from increasing the Production of Oxygen, expecting the demand to be short lived.
We have lost innumerable human lives , for lack of proactive planning and execution, on Oxygen Supply Front