Oxygen is necessary for human survival. A clinician may prescribe supplemental oxygen to maintain or boost systemic levels for patients whose oxygen levels are compromised due to a respiratory condition. When we think of supplemental oxygen solutions, a classic big oxygen tank comes to mind. Nonetheless, oxygen delivery technology is constantly changing and has achieved significant advancements in recent years. The two most common oxygen delivery devices at home are oxygen tanks and oxygen concentrators. We'll go through what they are and how they differ so you can make an informed decision about your oxygen delivery method.

How Do Oxygen Tanks Work?

The most common method of delivering medical-grade oxygen to patients is via an oxygen tank. Steel or aluminium is commonly used to construct oxygen tanks or cylinders. There are two types of oxygen tanks: compressed oxygen tanks and liquid oxygen tanks.

Oxygen is taken from the air and compressed at a high pressure of 2,200 PSI before being stored in tanks. Because these tanks are under high pressure, the oxygen is fed via a regulator to maintain the required oxygen flow rate.

Liquid oxygen is created by cooling the gaseous form to -297°F. To keep the oxygen liquid, it is stored in vacuum-insulated containers. Liquid oxygen requires substantially less storage space.

One litre of liquid oxygen is equivalent to 860 gaseous litres. When the liquid oxygen is exposed to room temperature, it quickly converts to its gaseous form, ready to be consumed.  Usually, the compressed oxygen and the liquid oxygen are stored at a 99.5% purity level.

How Do Oxygen Concentrators Work?

Because they do not store oxygen, oxygen concentrators (or oxygenators) differ dramatically from typical oxygen tanks. Air is composed of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases. An oxygen concentrator takes in ambient air, filters it to remove nitrogen while retaining oxygen, and then delivers it through the nozzle. Oxygen concentrators typically offer 90 to 95 per cent pure oxygen.

They provide air in either a constant or intermittent flow. Continuous flow oxygen concentrators deliver the same amount of oxygen no matter how many times a patient breathes per minute. Conversely, intermittent flow (also known as pulse flow) distributes oxygen in the form of a periodic air bolus. Pulse-flow oxygen concentrators monitor the user's breath and give oxygen as soon as the user inhales.

Size and Weight

The size and capacity of oxygen cylinders and tanks vary. When fully charged, the commonly used E-type cylinder can give 680 litres of oxygen (at 2015 PSI). With this capacity, the tank can give oxygen for more than five hours at a flow rate of two litres per minute. This cylinder is over two feet long and weighs about eight pounds.

The user's oxygen requirement is the most important consideration in determining the size of an oxygen tank. H or M250 tanks are recommended for high oxygen flow requirements. These massive tanks are immovable and weigh approximately 120 pounds.

Because oxygen in liquid form is extremely cold, specifically engineered oxygen reservoirs are necessary. A nasal cannula can be connected to the reservoir to meet the oxygen needs at home. The liquid oxygen reservoirs are large and stationary. Furthermore, liquid oxygen may be given at a higher flow rate for a considerably longer amount of time than a compressed gas system. However, liquid oxygen is significantly more expensive than gas oxygen.

Portable oxygen concentrators are compact and lightweight. The Inogen One G4 is the smallest portable device, weighing 2.8 lbs. A twin battery can last more than 4 hours on setting 2. These devices are intended to meet the patients' active lifestyle requirements.

Home oxygen concentrators are designed for use at home and can deliver up to 10 litres of oxygen per minute in continuous flow. As a result, these machines are larger and heavier than portable oxygen concentrators, weighing roughly 30 pounds. However, they have wheels on the bottom and can be readily transported to any room in your house. These machines are as loud as a refrigerator whirring. If this troubles you, the gadget can be placed in a different room and connected to a piece of tubing that allows the patient to move around the house.

Mobility

Portable oxygen tanks include types A, B, C, D, JD, and E. They can be transported into and out of your home. Some of these tanks come with a trolley to transport them.

With the help of a portable liquid oxygen container, liquid oxygen can be used outside the house. The storage tank can transport liquid oxygen to this smaller container. Depending on capacity and use, many of these smaller portable canisters can provide oxygen for up to 10 hours.

Portable oxygen concentrators (POC) are, as the name implies, extremely portable. They are battery-powered and produce oxygen, allowing them to be taken everywhere except in water or at high temperatures. POC includes a DC charger, so you can charge it in your car, RV, or boat with the cigarette lighter. POC can be carried in a custom-made backpack or cart or fitted into a messenger-bag-style carrying case.

Portable oxygen concentrators are also TSA and FAA-approved, allowing them to be utilised throughout a flight. They are permitted on planes if they are FAA authorised, have a sufficient battery, and can fit under a seat or in an overhead compartment. Travel oxygen concentrators can be rented.

Some Other Important Points

Compressed Oxygen Tanks

• The oxygen tank needs to be handled with care and kept upright

• Oxygen tanks have to be changed multiple times in a day when empty

• The pressure valve attached to oxygen tanks must be checked consistently

• Pressurized oxygen is a fire hazard, and appropriate measures must be taken for safe storage

Liquid Oxygen

• Like gas, liquid oxygen containers need to be kept level

• The bottle attached to the reservoir to collect condensed water needs to be emptied regularly

• When mishandled while filling the portable tank, it can cause frostbite burns to the skin

Oxygen Concentrator

• Oxygen concentrators feature several alerts to make sure you get the required oxygen

• They are more expensive up-front, but in the long term, they cost less than oxygen tanks

Conclusion

When choosing between a traditional oxygen tank and an oxygen concentrator, there are many things to consider. These include how much oxygen the patient has been prescribed, how often he or she will leave home and what types of activities will be engaged in. You should also consider how much the unit weighs and balance that with personal strength so that the oxygen tank or concentrator can be moved easily when necessary. Finally, choose a system that can grow with you if you anticipate that your oxygen needs may increase in the future.