DRDO gears up to set up 500 medical oxygen plants under PM CARES Fund
Within three months, it is estimated that 500 medical oxygen plants will be installed
The Medical Oxygen Plant (MOP) technology developed by DRDO for On-Board Oxygen Generation for LCA( Light Combat Aircraft )will now assist in combating the ongoing oxygen shortage for COVID-19 patients.
The oxygen plant is planned to produce 1,000 liters of oxygen per minute (LPM). At a flow rate of 5 LPM, the machine will serve 190 patients and charge 195 cylinders per day.
Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Bengaluru, and Trident Pneumatics Pvt. Ltd., Coimbatore, have received technology transfer and will be manufacturing 380 plants for installation across various hospitals across the country.
Industries collaborating with the CSIR’s Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun, will develop 120 plants with a capacity of 500 LPM.
Medical Oxygen Plant (MOP) technology
Oxygen is an important clinical gas in the treatment of COVID-19 patients in health care facilities and hospitals. Medical Oxygen Plant (MOP) technology can generate oxygen with a concentration of 93±3% which can be delivered directly to hospital beds or used to fill medical oxygen cylinders. Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) and Molecular Sieve (Zeolite) technology are used.
During the [andemic, MOP technology would be useful in providing oxygen to hospitals in both urban and rural areas. With this oxygen factory, hospitals will be able to produce on-site medical oxygen in a cost-effective manner rather than relying on outside sources.
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The installation of this plant reduces hospital reliance on scarce oxygen cylinders, especially at high altitudes and in remote areas. MOP has already been mounted at Army locations in the North East and the Leh-Ladakh area.
DRDO has begun fabrication of 380 medical oxygen plants with a goal of producing 125 plants per month under the PM CARES Fund.
Within three months, it is estimated that 500 medical oxygen plants will be installed.
Defence Minister of India Rajnath Singh praised the DRDO for using MOP technology to produce much-needed oxygen for COVID-19 patients, which will help the country overcome the current crisis. He has assured support to hospitals and other health institutions that DRDO will encourage the use of the technology.