Oxygen concentration from room air. A new source for oxygen therapy in the home

D. M. Libby, W. A. Briscoe, T. K. King and J. P. Smith

Most oxygen concentrators use molecular sieves that selectively adsorb molecules according to their size and polarity. Their present rental cost is about half that of the traditional oxygen tanks or liquid-oxygen systems. Two concentrators have been tested. They are able to produce both high oxygen concentrations (95% oxygen at 2 L/min) and high flow rates (10 L/min with 40% oxygen), which remained stable for one week. After 24 hours of continuous use, neither machine concentrated toxic gases from room air in a city. Both were suitable for use with 24% and 28% Venturi masks.