O2 and Bonus N2

One of our Elders, Elder JA, recently came into possession of an oxygen concentrator.

An oxygen concentrator is a device that concentrates the oxygen from a gas supply (typically ambient air) by selectively removing nitrogen to supply an oxygen-enriched product gas stream. They are used industrially, to provide supplemental oxygen at high altitudes, and as medical devices for oxygen therapy.

Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen concentrators use a molecular sieve to adsorb gases and operate on the principle of rapid pressure swing adsorption of atmospheric nitrogen onto zeolite minerals at high pressure. This type of adsorption system is therefore functionally a nitrogen scrubber, allowing the other atmospheric gases to pass through, leaving oxygen as the primary gas remaining.

Oxygen concentrators are considered sufficiently foolproof^[1] to be supplied to individual patients as a prescription item for use in their homes.

Wikipedia

^[1] Ha! We’ll see about that!

For some unknown reason, in the photo gallery in the Wikipedia article on oxygen concentrators featured this photo (although it is not referenced in the article):

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First Order of Business

WLBOTT blesses the oxygen concentrator in an ecumenical ceremony.

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Although Elder JA was hoping to get one of these bad boys….

…. sadly, his unit is pretty dinky, but it does not derail his enthusiasm.

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An Unfortunate Incident

Since Elder JA lives in the remotest areas of northern Canada, his barbecue window is only a few weeks long. He grew restless at the slow pace of the meager embers at the bottom of the charcoal pyramid.

JA considered using the output of his oxygen concentrator to speed things up.

By the way, Elder G strongly cautioned JA against this practice, and Elder G wanted to limit his/her own liability: I can’t help create an image of using oxygen equipment to intensify a fire or light charcoal, because that’s genuinely dangerous.

But Elder JA was eager and didn’t heed Elder G‘s caution, with unfortunate, but predictable results.

They were forced to call the local volunteer fire department to extinguish his eye brows. Here are JA’s recollections of the rescue, but we haven’t been able to independently corroborate his memories. Plus his smoke inhalation may have warped his memory.

Elder JZ’s Spousal Unit‘s comment: So he’s going to be doing this on a weekly basis now?

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Shareholder Value

Since oxygen concentrators work by sequestering and venting the nitrogen, it seems like a shame to waste all the good N₂. These seems like an opportunity for WLBOTT to increase shareholder value: we are now marketing an optional accessory to the oxygen concentrator – a home fertilizer generator. You attach a bar of sulfur to the attachment, and viola! now you are making ammonium sulfate fertilizer in the luxury of your own home! “No Free Ride for the Nitrogen!”