Question on EAN

[serambin]

There is another thread on O2 issues, so as not to hijack it . . .

What is the difference between medical O2 and aviation O2?

Thanks,

Stan

 

[RIOceanographer]

There is another thread on O2 issues, so as not to hijack it . . .

What is the difference between medical O2 and aviation O2?

Thanks,

Stan

Aviation grade has lower moisture content than medical grade.

 

[Don Burke]

The overwhelming majority of the oxygen out there meets all requirements for aviators, medical, and welding oxygen. It is simply cheaper to do business that way.

Originally, moisture was the prime issue for aviators, purity was the prime issue for welding, and lack of certain contaminants was the issue for medical oxygen.

 

[scubatoys]

And just to expand on that... for medical use, moisture is good... flying at 14,000 feet, the air out side the plane can easily be below zero, and if the o2 lines run along the side of the plane, they could freeze up.

The moisture is filtered out anyway as you fill scuba, so it really does not matter one way or the other, but medical is normally cheaper and more readily available.

 

[Soggy]

The moisture is filtered out anyway as you fill scuba, so it really does not matter one way or the other, but medical is normally cheaper and more readily available.

Not that the small amount of moisture is an issue, but most people don't filter their o2 unless sending it thru a haskel.

 

[Charlie99]

Aviation grade has lower moisture content than medical grade.

Or to be more precise, the specification requirement for aviators O2 allows less moisture. In real life at most gas suppliers, welding O2, aviators O2, and medical O2 all come from the same bulk supply and therefore have the same moisture content --- very, very little.

 

[serambin]

Thanks. The reason I asked, is because my LDS said it was cheaper from a regulatory point to use aviation O2. He is just setting up a three tank system for use to use.

Stan

 

[Tamas]

I was also told that the welding grade might be labelled differently in different tanks that might not have been cleaned as well - since they do not need to support life they might contain small traces of other gases, thus sold as 99% O2 (my source is not 100% on this - he buys welding grade for his shop and this is what the supplier has told him) and thus slightly cheaper per bottle.

 

[Scuba_Steve]

Actually Tamas, the price difference around here for Welding vs. Medical is basically zero from the right source.

What the suppliers don't like to see is your medical grade bottle hooked up to the Oxy-Acetylene torches...so I oblige them.


.

 

[Snowbear]

What the suppliers don't like to see is your medical grade bottle hooked up to the Oxy-Acetylene torches...so I oblige them.

:11: Oblige them as in don't let them see it?