Liquid Oxygen Output Up 10 Times as Government Readies to Counter Covid-19

NEW DELHI: Having got industry to ramp up liquid oxygen output by 10 times, the government is seeking to set up over 1,100 Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) plants by July as part of preparations for a possible third wave of Covid-19. Data available with the government showed that compared to an average daily output of around 900 metric tonnes liquid medical oxygen (LMO) in 2019, production was estimated at around 9,300 MT last week as steel plants stepped out output from around 1,250 MT a day at the start of April to 4,000 MT.

While this was the immediate move to meet the requirement of Covid patients, other steps are also being pursued as a medium to longterm solution so that the response is quicker. For instance, the 160 ISO tankers that have been either imported or converted (from LNG tankers) are expected to help in faster transportation. The capacity of cryogenic tanks has increased by over 60% from 1,040 tankers in March, capable of handling 12,480 MT, to 1,681 tankers that can handle 23,056 MT LMO. The storage capacity of these tanks installed in hospitals across India has also increased from 609 (with capacity of 5,959 kilo litre) at the end of March to over 901 (9,233 KL capacity) two weeks ago.

While 77 of the 162 PSA oxygen plants sanctioned under PM Cares have been commissioned, the remaining 85 are proposed to be installed by July. If things work as per plan, the additional 1,051 PSA plants announced by the government in March and April should also be installed by July, government sources said. These plants are being procured through DRDO and CSIR with state-run oil companies chipping in with 93 plants under their CSR plans.
The government has sought to leverage the full force of railways and Indian Airforce to transport oxygen in time over long distances.

Source: ToI (Headlines Changed)