The difference between medical oxygen and industrial oxygen
Although medical oxygen and industrial oxygen are both oxygen, they have many differences and should not be confused. The differences are as follows：
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The oxygen concentration is different. Medical oxygen has high purity, oxygen content is not less than 99.5%, colorless, tasteless and less harmful impurities. Generally speaking, aluminum cylinders are used for filling medical oxygen. Industrial oxygen concentration is qualified as long as it is above 99%.
Industrial oxygen contains excessive amounts of carbon monoxide, methane and other harmful gases, as well as large amounts of moisture, bacteria and dust. When filling industrial oxygen with cylinders, acidic or alkaline lubricants are carried into the cylinders during the compression and filling process, which will cause the inner walls of the cylinders to be corroded, thus causing the gas in the cylinders to stink.
The scope of use is different. Medical oxygen is used for anesthesia and to provide additional oxygen to patients. Industrial oxygen is a gas used for industrial production and product processing, mainly for welding, gas welding, gas cutting, etc.
Moisture control is different. Medical oxygen requires a very low water content of ≤ 0.07%. Such a small amount of water is not enough to exist as a liquid, but only as water vapor. In contrast, industrial oxygen contains much more water and the water is present in liquid form.
In addition, medical oxygen must have a drug lot number approved by the competent authorities, and medical oxygen has a shelf life, generally 12 months from the date of manufacture, and oxygen should be strictly checked for exceeding the shelf life before use.
Based on the above differences, medical experts believe that the use of industrial oxygen on patients may not only cause respiratory damage, but in serious cases may even cause the death of the patient. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to use industrial oxygen under the guise of medical oxygen to avoid medical accidents. However, there are exceptions to everything, for example, in 2020, the Indian government approved oxygen produced and sold by industrial oxygen manufacturers for medical use because the rampant Covid19 virus was overwhelming hospitals in India and the supply of medical oxygen was severely inadequate.
