Medical Gases Flashcards
1atm = ? psi
1atm = 14.7psi
PSI
pounds per square inch
psig
pounds per square inch gauge
o Difference btw measured pressures and surrounding atmospheric pressure with most gauges constructed to read zero at atmospheric pressure
psia
pounds per square inch absolute
o Absolute pressure based on reference point of zero pressure for perfect vacuum
o = psig + local atmospheric pressure
Nonliquefied compressed gas
gas that does not liquefy at ordinary ambient temperature regardless of pressure applied
o Oxygen, nitrogen, air, helium
Cryogenic Liquids
Nonliquefied gases that become liquids at low temp
Liquefied compressed gases
becomes liquid to large extent in containers at ambient temperatures, at pressures 25-1500psig
o Nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide
Which organizations regulate manufacturer, marking, labeling, etc of medical gas cylinders?
DOT - Dept of Transport
Transport Canada
Role of Dept of Labor, OSHA?
regulates matters affecting safety, health of employees in all industries
Body of Cylinders
o Steel +/- various alloys added, steel carbon fiber: “3AA”
o Advantages steel carbon fiber: hold more gas than older steel counterparts, lighter weight
o Aluminum for MRI: “3AL,” “3ALM”
o Flat, concave bases with neck fitting with tapered screw threads attached to valve
Function of valve?
Cylinders = Filled, discharged through valve (spindle valve) attached to neck – bronze, brass
–Only removed by cylinder owner
Parts: port, stem, packed or diaphragm valve
Stem of Cylinder Valve
rotated during valve opening/closing
To close valve, stem seals against seat that part of valve body
When valve opened, stem moves upward, allowing gas to flow through port
Port of Cylinder Valve
point of exit for gas, should be protected in transit by covering
Cylinder Packed Valve
Most common
Stem sealed by resilient packing eg Teflon to prevent leaks around thread
AKA direct acting, bc turning stem causes seat to turn
Valve capable of withstanding high pressures
Requires 2-3 full turns to open
Diaphragm Valve
–Closure accomplished by metal-to-metal seal, bonnet nut - clamps one or more circular disks in place
–Disks/diaphragms separate upper, lower stems, may be permanently attached to diaphragms
* Upper stem: actuated by manual/automatic means
* Lower stem: shuts/permits flow through valve
Advantages of a diaphragm valve
opened fully by using ½-3/4 turn, seat does not turn so less likely to leak, no stem leakage can occur bc of the diaphragm
When is a diaphragm valve preferred?***
pressures low, no leaks can be allowed ie flammable gases
Disadvantages of a diaphragm valve?
More expensive
Handle/Handwheel
o Open (counterclockwise) or close (clockwise) valve
o Variety of shapes
Ex: hexagonal opening (CUHA) one end opens tank, other fits hexagonal nut of valve (risk of loosening packing nut instead of opening tank)
o Good practice: handle attached to each AM, check cylinder can be opened before use
o Each large cylinder has permanently attached handwheel that uses a spring and nut to hold firmly in place
Pressure Relief Devices
- Rupture Disc
- Fusible Plug
- Combination Rupture Disc/Fusible Plug
- Pressure Relief Valve
Pressure relief: rupture disc
non-reclosing device with disc held against an orifice
When predetermined pressure reached, disc ruptures allows cylinder contents to be discharged
Pressure opening: orifice against which disc functions
Used in some air, CO2, CO2-O2, He, N2O, He-O2, N2, O2 cylinders
Protects against excess pressure DT high temperature or overfilling
Rated Burst Pressure in Rupture Disc
Pressure at which disc designed to burst; determined by material, thickness, shape of disc, diameter of pressure opening
Fusible Plug
thermally operated, non-reclosing pressure-relief device with plug held against discharge channel
Offers protection from excessive pressure caused by high temperature but not from overfilling
Fusible plug yield temperature
temperature at which fusible material becomes sufficiently soft to extrude from its holder so that cylinder contents discharged
* Fusible plug with yield temperature of 212*F sometimes used on certain nitrogen, air cylinders