By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, MAY 03, 2021: AS the surge of COVID-19 infections continue in India, Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi on Sunday chaired a meeting to review ways to boost production of medical oxygen and explored the the feasibility of conversion of existing nitrogen plants to produce the life-saving gas.

By replacing the Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS) in Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) nitrogen plants with Zeolite Molecular Sieve (ZMS), along with a few other changes such as oxygen analyser, control panel system, and flow valves, existing nitrogen plants can be modified to produce oxygen.

The conversion is under progress in 14 industries and a further 37 nitrogen plants have been identified with the help of industry associations.

The PM was informed such modified nitrogen plants can be either shifted to a nearby hospital or, in case that is not feasible, be used for on-site production of oxygen, which can then be transported to hospitals through specialised cylinders.

Industries using rich combustion process and power plants have oxygen plants which produce gaseous oxygen can also be be tapped for medical use, said the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

“The strategy being used is to identify industrial units which produce gaseous oxygen of requisite purity, shortlist those which are closer to cities, dense areas or demand centres and establish temporary Covid Care Centres with oxygenated beds near that source,” said the PMO. A pilot for five such facilities had been initiated, with the government planning to set up around 10,000 oxygenated beds.

State governments are also being encouraged to set up more such facilities with oxygenated beds to deal with the pandemic.

Mr Modi also reviewed progress on setting up of 1,500 PSA oxygen plants through contribution of PM CARES, public sector units and others.

Several senior bureaucrats, including Principal Secretary to PM Mr PK Mishra, Cabinet Secretary Mr Rajiv Gauba, Home Secretary Mr Ajay Bhalla, and other senior officials participated in the meetings.