Oxygen Concentrator: How To Test & Why!

First, I would like to take a moment to discuss what an oxygen concentrator is and give a basic explanation of how one works. An oxygen concentrator is a machine that strips nitrogen from the air and concentrates the oxygen. Normal ambient air is about 78% Nitrogen and 21% oxygen (O2); the other 1% consisting of trace gases like carbon dioxide, helium, argon, etc. Because of this dynamic, by removing the nitrogen from the air, it is possible to concentrate oxygen as much as 97%. Oxygen concentrators use a simple adsorption process using a common media known as zeolite. In simplest terms, as air passes through an oxygen concentrator the nitrogen gets temporarily stuck or adsorbed by the zeolite and the oxygen passes through; concentrating the oxygen.

So now we have a basic understanding of what an oxygen concentrator is and what it does, but how do we know if it is working properly, how do we test it, and why is this so important? Let's first take a look at why this is so important!

Why is testing an oxygen concentrator so important?

First and foremost, because it is the difference between receiving treatment and not receiving treatment. Whether you are the patient or you administer oxygen to a patient, if it has been deemed important that the patient require supplemental oxygen, then quality control methods must be in place to ensure the patient is actually receiving something more than air. Of course you could also use an oxygen tank for supplemental oxygen, however this can be costly over the long term and quite encumber some swapping out tanks. With an oxygen tank, if there is flow... then there is oxygen. If the tank is filled with 100% O2 under pressure, this preceding statement must be true. On the other hand, just because you have flow... does not mean you have any higher than ambient air concentrations of oxygen when using an oxygen concentrator. Without going to deep into why... the reader needs to understand that oxygen concentrators must have internal pressure in order for the nitrogen adsorption process to occur. In the event that internal pressure is lost due to a bad gasket, cracked sieve bed, or an unsecured fitting, oxygen output levels would remain unchanged above ambient air percentages. Here is the kicker; oxygen is both odorless and colorless. As a result, without specific tools to test the percentage of oxygen from a machine, it is impossible for one to tell if they are breathing 21% or 100% oxygen.

How do we know if it is working properly and how do we test it?

To ensure proper functioning of an oxygen concentrator there are two options to choose from: external testing equipment and internal testing equipment. Externally, one can use an oxygen analyzer to test the percentage of oxygen that is being produced. There are a number of oxygen analyzer/indicators on the market that use different technologies to measure oxygen; the author recommends spending a little more money and acquiring a unit that uses a technology that will remain accurate for years and years. Some units use materials that degrade and must be replaced in as little as 12 months; sadly, for about $100 more you could purchase an oxygen analyzer that just might last a lifetime. The downside to external testing is that the oxygen concentrator must be disconnected from the breathing apparatus in order to test. In other words, you can't use the machine and test it at the same time. For this reason, internal testing equipment such as a purity alarm is a must for those who are concerned as to whether oxygen levels remain steady. These devices use the same technologies as analyzers or indicators except they aren't displaying an actual readout of what they are monitoring. Instead, they are connected to an alarm that will sound should the level of oxygen drop below a pre-set percentage. Typically, these alarms are set to sound at levels below 80%. Of course, not all oxygen concentrators have these built in alarms and in these cases an oxygen indicator is a must. For best results, a combination of internal and external testing devices gives the user complete confidence in their equipment and their treatment.

In Conclusion, due to the therapeutic importance of oxygen and its specific properties, a basic understanding of how the equipment works and how to ensure its proper performance is a must. Since oxygen is both odorless and colorless, either internal or external testing equipment is necessary for any patient/administrator that is concerned about proper therapeutic dosage. Ultimately, a combination of both internal and external testing devices provides the best protection and awareness in regards to oxygen concentrator quality control.

About the Author: Greg Harris is the founder of Hyperbaric Options LLC and has spoken publicly about health & wellness in various settings over the past eight years. Greg has a passion for human potential and is a firm believer that nearly all of the health problems we face today, from degenerative neurological conditions to the common cold, are preventable and reversible. As a health professional, Greg has a unique ability to connect the dots where others have left them scattered; it is this ability to integrate disciplines and think outside of the box that give his lectures and written materials a fresh point of view.