Context

The Indian space agency has announced to transfer the technology to make portable medical oxygen concentrators, Shwaas.

About

About the Concentrator, Shwaas

• It is developed by ISRO’s rocket centre Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
• It can deliver an enriched level (over 95 per cent) of oxygen than in air to support patients with respiratory illness or who are on oxygen therapy.
• The device enhances the oxygen gas content by selectively separating the nitrogen gas from ambient air through Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA).
  • Pressure swing adsorption(PSA) is a technology used to separate some gas species from a mixture of gases under pressure. 
  • It separates them according to the species' molecular characteristics and affinity for an adsorbent material.
• Shwaas is capable of supplying enriched oxygen continuously at 10 litres per minute (LPM) adequate for two patients at a time.
• It is a 600 W device and operates at a voltage of 220 V/50 Hz.
• It has a controllable oxygen flow of 0.5-10 LPM.
• It has two oxygen outlets for oxygen concentration of 82 per cent and 95 per cent normal at a pressure of 50-80 kPa.
• Shwaas has audible alarm for low purity, low & high levels of pressure and flow rate of oxygen.
• The device has a LCD display showing oxygen concentration, flow rate, and pressure.