Oxygen Concentrators for Use in Tropical Countries

Abstract

In Brief Oxygen for the treatment of sick patients in tropical countries is in very short supply. Oxygen concentrators, which filter nitrogen from atmospheric air to produce 90% oxygen, have considerable potential to meet this need. However, being produced mainly for North American and European home use, many concentrators may not be well suited to use in challenging tropical conditions. This report gives a detailed evaluation of 11 models of oxygen concentrator on the basis of the information supplied by their manufacturers. The aim of the survey was to identify concentrators specified to operate in the heat and humidity of tropical countries and to identify which would be most suitable based also on their cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, and maintenance requirements. Six of the 11 models surveyed were specified to operate at up to 40°C and 95% relative humidity. The highest ranking models for performance, cost, and energy efficiency were from one manufacturer, AirSep, which was the only manufacturer to produce independent data showing successful use of their concentrators in a tropical country. Oxygen for the treatment of sick patients in tropical countries is in very short supply. Oxygen concentrators, which filter nitrogen from atmospheric air to produce 90% oxygen, have considerable potential to meet this need. However, being produced mainly for North American and European home use, many concentrators may not be well suited to use in challenging tropical conditions. This report gives a detailed evaluation of 11 models of oxygen concentrator on the basis of the information supplied by their manufacturers. The aim of the survey was to identify concentrators specified to operate in the heat and humidity of tropical countries and to identify which would be most suitable based also on their cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, and maintenance requirements. Six of the 11 models surveyed were specified to operate at up to 40°C and 95% relative humidity. The highest ranking models for performance, cost, and energy efficiency were from one manufacturer, AirSep, which was the only manufacturer to produce independent data showing successful use of their concentrators in a tropical country.