Government to set up temporary hospitals with 10,000 oxygenated beds near industrial units

The authorities expects to make 10,000 oxygenated beds obtainable in a brief time period by making temporary hospitals near industrial units which produce oxygen of requisite purity to increase the availability of the life-saving gasoline to battle COVID-19.

Following a number of conferences held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday to evaluate the COVID-19 scenario, a press release mentioned the federal government HAS additionally explored the feasibility of conversion of current nitrogen vegetation to produce oxygen, and numerous such potential industries the place the present nitrogen vegetation could also be spared for manufacturing of oxygen have been recognized.

After a gathering on the utilization of gaseous oxygen, the federal government famous that many industries like metal vegetation, refineries with petrochemical units, industries utilizing wealthy combustion processes and energy vegetation amongst others have oxygen vegetation that produce gaseous oxygen.

“This oxygen can be tapped for medical use,” it mentioned.

The technique getting used is to establish industrial units which produce gaseous oxygen of requisite purity, shortlist these that are nearer to cities, dense areas and demand centres and set up temporary COVID care institutions with oxygenated beds near that supply.

A pilot for 5 such amenities had already been initiated, and there’s good progress on this, the federal government mentioned, including that that is being completed by PSUs or personal industries working the plant and with the coordination of the central and state dispensations.

“It is expected that around 10,000 oxygenated beds can be made available in a short period of time by making temporary hospitals near such plants. State governments are being encouraged to set up more such facilities with oxygenated beds to deal with the pandemic,” it added.

Modi additionally reviewed progress on the setting up of stress swing adsorption (PSA) vegetation and was knowledgeable that round 1,500 PSA vegetation are within the strategy of being established by the contribution of PM Cares Fund, PSUs and others. He directed officers to guarantee speedy completion of those vegetation, the federal government mentioned.

Exploring the feasibility of conversion of current nitrogen vegetation to produce oxygen, one other assembly chaired by Modi mentioned the method of changing the present PSA nitrogen vegetation for the manufacturing of oxygen.

In the nitrogen vegetation, carbon molecular sieve (CMS) is used whereas zeolite molecular sieve (ZMS) is required for producing oxygen, the federal government famous, including that by changing CMS with ZMS and finishing up a number of different adjustments corresponding to oxygen analyzer, management panel system and movement valves amongst others, current nitrogen vegetation might be modified to produce oxygen.

“On deliberation with industries, so far 14 such industries have been identified where conversion of plants is under progress. Further 37 nitrogen plants have been also identified with the help of industry associations,” it mentioned.

A nitrogen plant modified for the manufacturing of oxygen might be both shifted to a close-by hospital or, in case it isn’t possible to shift the plant, it may be used for on-site manufacturing of oxygen, which might be transported to the hospital by specialised vessels or cylinders, it asserted.

Several senior bureaucrats, together with Principal Secretary to PM, Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary, Road Transport & Highways Secretary and & different senior officers, participated within the conferences.