Pune: NCL, BEL manufacture Oxygen Enrichment Unit helpful in treating patients

Pune, June 24, 2020: Oxygen is required in a higher concentration for oxygen therapy in hospitals. It can be as high as 90% (ICU, operation theatre), while for treating patients with lung diseases (COPD, asthma), 27-35 % oxygen is required in breathing air. Normal air has 21% oxygen content. Cryogenic technology at -200 °C and pressure swing adsorption to elevate oxygen content in the air are expensive making oxygen enrichment devices unaffordable. 

A team of scientists led by Dr Ulhas Kharul, Head of the Polymer Science and Engineering Division of CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pashan Road, have demonstrated the use of hollow fiber membranes to enrich oxygen. The Oxygen Enrichment Unit (OEU) developed Dr Kharul’s team is efficient in providing 35-40% oxygen concentration from the air with an adjustable flow rate of 0.5-15 lit/min. Atmospheric air at 5-6 bar pressure is passed through the membrane cartridge wherein the oxygen preferentially permeates through the membrane, due to intrinsic higher sorption capacity of oxygen into the membrane matrix. The technology was licensed to NCL start-up, GEnrich Membranes. About 50 units were assembled and demonstrated in various forums, hospitals and primary health centres. 

With the onset of Covid-19 pandemic, CSIR-NCL applied for certification of a prototype OEU to TUV, Bangalore, which was found to be qualified. “Overcoming several hurdles right from material supply to availability of manpower, CSIR-NCL and GEnrich Membranes quickly assembled three units during the lockdown period,” stated Dr Kharul. Naidu Hospital at Pune is testing these units for treating mildly hypoxic Covid-19 patients for more than a month. 

CSIR-NCL has tied up with Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL), Pune for the manufacture of OEU along with GEnrich. K Rajendra, GM BEL announced that “Looking at the emerging medical crisis, BEL took this project on a war footing and manufactured 10 units in record time and that too with skeletal workforce. BEL has plans to manufacture another 100 units and supply in hospitals to meet the critical requirement”.

Oxygen enrichment units have special significance given the Covid-19 pandemic. Patient recovery can be faster with supplemental oxygen in the early stages. It can reduce the number of patients who will need ventilators. Post-ventilator treatment patients can be served with this unit, thus reducing the demand for oxygen cylinders. Its portability makes it convenient for using such units in home care, villages and remote places. 

CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune India is a research, development and consulting organization with a focus on chemistry and chemical engineering. It has a successful record of a research partnership with industry. NCL is a flagship laboratory of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) which is the largest network of the publicly funded research institute in India.

Bharat Electronics Limited was set up to manufacture basic communication equipment. BEL now produces a wide range of state-of-the-art equipment in fields. Starting from a single Unit in Jalahalli, Bangalore, BEL has established its presence across the country by setting up eight more Units. Its vision is to be a world-class enterprise in professional electronics.

Genrich Membranes Pvt. Ltd  is a spin-off company based on the proprietary technology from CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune. With “hollow-fibre membranes” as a platform technology, Genrich aims to cater to niche-separation needs for the benefit of society and Industry.