Industrial Oxygen vs. Medical Oxygen: Differences & Storage

Oxygen is a vital element for both human survival and industrial applications. While medical oxygen is specifically designed to support life, industrial oxygen is tailored for various industrial processes. To help you understand the key differences between these two distinct types of oxygen, we have curated this blog to provide a comprehensive explanation. Keep reading! 

A] What is Industrial Oxygen?

Industrial oxygen is also the purest form of oxygen primarily used in industrial settings. It is utilised for cumbustion and oxidation processes and supports various industrial applications, such as metalworking, chemical reactions, and water treatments. It is produced using cryogenic distillation and pressure swing absorption (PSA) and requires tailored gas cylinders to store them. These high-pressure cylinders store industrial oxygen at optimal pressure and dispense it safely when needed. 

B] What is Medical Oxygen? 

Medical oxygen is the purest form of oxygen utilised typically in the medical industry to treat a variety of health conditions, including respiratory diseases, surgeries, heart failure and asthma. It is produced through pressure swing absorption (PSA) and cryogenic production methods. Medical oxygen is stored in a robust and specialised cylinder at 150-200 bar pressure with 99.5% oxygen content. The use of medical oxygen is governed and regulated by CDSCO (India).

C] Industrial Oxygen vs. Medical Oxygen: Key Differences

1. Purity

Industrial oxygen has a low purity level compared to medical oxygen. It contains 95% oxygen and has chemical and biological impurities. It requires highly safe gas cylinders to store industrial oxygen safely.

Medical oxygen is one of the purest forms of oxygen stored in medical cylinders at its 99.5% purity level. It is free of chemical and biological contamination and follows stringent compliance to meet medical needs. It is also filled and stored in a specialised cylinder that maintains its purity and preserves it from contamination.

2. Regulations

As industrial oxygen is not used for medical purposes, it may have certain impurities or additives present because the associated authorities do not strictly regulate it, as in the case of medical oxygen. It contains impurities and contaminations, making it not at par with medical oxygen. However, India Gas Cylinder Rules , 2016, sets various guidelines for storing and transporting industrial oxygen gas with optimum safety.

When comparing industrial and medical oxygen differences, medical oxygen is governed and regulated by various authorities, including the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). These authorities ensure medical oxygen is manufactured and reaches end users without impurities and contaminations.

3. Intended Use

Industrial oxygen is different from medical oxygen as It is typically meant for industrial use. It is manufactured to support industrial processes, such as oxidation, metalworking, chemical reactions, and gasification. Industrial oxygen has high reactive properties. Therefore, it is stored in highly safe and robust industrial cylinders to eliminate any possible accident.

Medical oxygen is typically used to treat a range of health conditions, such as surgery, trauma, heart failure, oxygen therapy, and life support. It also supports various anaesthetic techniques to facilitate surgical or critical medical procedures.

4. Additives

Industrial oxygen may contain a trace amount of additives, such as nitrogen, argon, or lubricants, present due to the production and purification process. These additives are used to enhance the performance of industrial operations.

Medical oxygen contains no additives as it is manufactured for human inhalation. It must not add any catalyst or additives to deteriorate its purity level. Various medical authorities are responsible for ensuring medical oxygen is free of additives.

D] Why is It Dangerous to Use Industrial Oxygen Medically?

• Presence of Impurities: Industrial oxygen contains impurities and contaminations which can be dangerous if administered to the human body.
• No Sterilisation: Industrial oxygen may contain particulates or microorganisms which significantly hamper the human body if inhaled.
• Legal Implications: Various laws are imposed to restrict the use of industrial oxygen into medical applications.

E] Industrial Cylinders Vs Medical Oxygen Cylinders: Importance of Using the Right Cylinder

1. Medical Oxygen Cylinders

Medical oxygen cylinders are robust and tailored gas cylinders specially designed to store and dispense medical oxygen in a controlled way. It is manufactured from steel and utilises German technology to ensure medical oxygen can be stored in the purest form for a long time. They are made to handle transportation intricacies. It is mandated to store medical oxygen only in medical oxygen cylinders as it adheres to every regulatory guideline that is sanctioned by associated authorities.

2. Industrial Oxygen Cylinders

Industrial oxygen cylinders are tailored gas cylinders that are designed to store and dispense industrial oxygen with safety and control. These cylinders are manufactured from modern techniques and robust materials to handle, store, dispense, and transport industrial gases more conveniently and safely. Industrial gas cylinders are the only recommended containers suggested by industrial gas cylinder authorities to store industrial gases.

F] Industrial Cylinders vs. Oxygen Cylinders: Exploring the Differences

Conclusion

Medical and industrial oxygen are two completely different gases used for distinct purposes. Medical oxygen is used for medical purposes, while industrial oxygen is used for industrial purposes. The robust and highly secured gas cylinders are required to store, dispense, and transport critical and reactive oxygen gas.

If you are searching for one of the largest cylinder manufacturers in the world, Rama Cylinder is here to help. We have delivered 7 million medical and industrial oxygen cylinders worldwide with complete quality and safety satisfaction. Contact us now to get cost-effective gas cylinders as per domestic and international manufacturing standards.