Oxygen concentrator
An oxygen concentrator is a device that enriches oxygen from the surrounding air.
In medicine, oxygen concentrators are used for patients who regularly depend on the enrichment of the air they breathe with oxygen. For details on the medical use of these and other oxygen equipment are under long-term oxygen therapy .
Oxygen concentrators are used in aviation to prevent a lack of oxygen in non-pressurized cabins.
Other areas of application are the operation of gas burners and aquaristics.
functionality
An oxygen concentrator first draws air through a filter system to remove microorganisms and dust. The cleaned air is compressed and the nitrogen contained in it is separated by a filter membrane or a molecular sieve . As a rule, the oxygen is enriched using the pressure swing adsorption process, which increases its proportion to around 96%. In the next step, the filter system is regenerated by expelling the adhering nitrogen. In order to achieve a continuous gas flow, many systems work with several modules that alternately filter and regenerate.
Types of oxygen concentrators
The first devices were stationary devices for oxygen therapy at home. Portable devices were later developed.
Stationary oxygen concentrators
These devices are intended for home oxygen therapy. They are operated via the electricity grid and enable a continuous supply of oxygen, even during sleep. They usually weigh between 15 and 20 kg and can be moved on castors. These devices offer an oxygen supply of up to 10 liters per minute and oxygen concentrations of up to 96%.
Portable oxygen concentrators
Portable oxygen concentrators weigh 2 to 5 kg and are operated with accumulators for a service life of up to eight hours.
The devices are handy and should enable those affected to participate in everyday life. Adapters allow batteries to be charged in motor vehicles, and devices certified by the Federal Aviation Administration can be carried on the aircraft.
Most mobile devices also achieve oxygen concentrations of up to 96%, but with a lower oxygen supply of 2 to 4 liters per minute. Mobile devices are significantly more expensive than stationary devices.
Individual evidence
literature
- H. Magnussen, G. Goeckenjahn, D. Köhler, H. Matthys, H. Morr, H. Worth, H. Wuthe: DGP guidelines for long-term oxygen therapy (PDF; 269 kB) , from Pneumology 55: 454–464, 2001
