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Two of the most common types of oxygen are medical and industrial. Medical oxygen is generated by medical air compressors for healthcare purposes. Industrial oxygen creates actions and reactions in industrial settings. When comparing medical oxygen versus industrial oxygen, there are important differences to consider.
Industrial and medical oxygen differ in the following ways:
Medical oxygen must be at least 99% pure and free of harmful contaminants. Impurities like nitrogen, carbon dioxide and moisture are controlled for patient safety. While 99% medical oxygen is suitable for most applications, special therapies may need higher purity levels.
Industrial oxygen is not as pure, with 90% and 95% purity levels. Its composition is a mix of oxygen and nitrogen.
Medical oxygen is pharmaceutical, so it must meet standards for medical use only. For example, the FDA regulates the type of compressor that can be used to prevent contamination and ensure patient safety. Medical oxygen is essential for maintaining blood oxygen levels and supporting the respiratory system, so it must be safe to breathe.
However, industrial oxygen is unsafe to breathe — it can contain contaminants, and its purity levels are dangerous for human use. Since industrial oxygen is used for industrial functions, the FDA does not regulate it.
Medical oxygen is generated by medical compressors, which are oil-free or oil-less. Industrial oxygen is generated by oil-free, oil-less or oil-lubricated compressors, depending on the product being produced. With fewer regulations, tanks for industrial gas may have some contamination.
Oxygen is used in healthcare and other industries. Medical oxygen is for patients with a need for oxygen as a treatment or prescription to support breathing. The healthcare industry also uses medical oxygen during procedures for patients going under general anesthesia.
Industrial oxygen is used in manufacturing plants to accelerate chemical reactions and create fuels. It’s a key part of:
Some of the regulations for medical oxygen involve storage. Medical oxygen must be stored in use-specific containers — these cylinders cannot be used for anything else to prevent contamination. Industrial gas storage cylinders do not need to be contaminant-free.
The purity levels of medical and industrial oxygen affect production costs, and, in turn, the final cost of the oxygen. Applications with strict purity needs require oxygen with higher purity levels, which typically costs more. Lower-purity oxygen can be used for applications with fewer regulations, resulting in cost savings.
Meritus Gas Partners will help you find the medical oxygen or industrial oxygen you need for your application. Contact us for support or information, and find a partner near you to get started.