Hmmmm. I wonder if this is a good idea???

[Rbeckett]

I just found a concentrator/ filler for filling oxygen tanks for a hundred bucks. I wonder what else I would need to get good clean O2 that is suitable for welding from this rig. It is a Divelbis (SPELLING?) machine and that's about all I know at this point. Think it is worth a hundred bucks or should I low ball it to see how cheap I can get it to go. If it will fill Oxygen tanks It would pay for itself in about 4 or 5 fills, especially since I own my tanks anyway. I think I am gonna give it a serious look anyway...

Bob

 

[John Hasler]

I just found a concentrator/ filler for filling oxygen tanks for a hundred bucks. I wonder what else I would need to get good clean O2 that is suitable for welding from this rig. It is a Divelbis (SPELLING?) machine and that's about all I know at this point. Think it is worth a hundred bucks or should I low ball it to see how cheap I can get it to go. If it will fill Oxygen tanks It would pay for itself in about 4 or 5 fills, especially since I own my tanks anyway. I think I am gonna give it a serious look anyway... Bob

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen_concentrator http://www.devilbisshealthcare.com/products/oxygen-therapy/stationary-oxygen You won't do much welding at 5L/min and you need a suitable compressor (an air compressor won't do) to fill bottles. I'd still buy it though, given the opportunity and the money. Note that it produces (impure) nitrogen as well as oxygen.

 

[Tony Wells]

Medical oxygen from one of those breathing generators is not as pure as what you get for welding.

It is made by a process whereby the N is removed from atmospheric are, which contains ~78% N, so unless you
can remove much of the other gases, your Oxygen level tops out only after that is removed, which can be done
fairly efficiently, but there are other gases, plus water vapor involved. Usual rating is around 93% concentration.

 

[Rbeckett]

According to the fellow who is selling it for his dad it will fill a bottle to 3000 PSI, so it is not a medical concentrator like the one I am currently hooked to. It is a high pressure compressor that compresses the gas to the point of liquefying it like our missile air on the missile system I worked on in the army. I'm going to look at it and see what it actually will do in the next couple of days or so and I'll report back what I find out. If nothing else and it is a medical gas machine like I have I may go ahead and get it to hardwire in the shop so I will have one that can get dirty if necessary. That would be OK too. That way if I touch it with dirty hands I don't have to clean it all up to go somewhere like the Dr or clinic.


Bob

 

[John Hasler]

According to the fellow who is selling it for his dad it will fill a bottle to 3000 PSI, so it is not a medical concentrator like the one I am currently hooked to. It is a high pressure compressor that compresses the gas to the point of liquefying it like our missile air on the missile system I worked on in the army.

In that case go over there right now and buy it.

 

[xalky]

In that case go over there right now and buy it.

Yeah...what he said.

 

[GLCarlson]

For what it's worth, the original question is a really good one.

Remember that liquid oxygen is kinda exciting to have around. High pressure oxygen is dangerous two ways: pressure, and because it's very reactive. Liquid oxygen takes that to serious extremes. There's also the issue of being sure your gas bottles are safe (hydrotested on schedule) and -depending on how this gadget works, not overfilled.

With all due regard to the competence, caution, maturity, and expertise of everyone here, this may be a good time to remember that there are tempting opportunities that on reflection are better avoided.

 

[kevinpg]

Finally, an area where I have some experience!

first, the O[SUB]2 [/SUB]concentrator uses a nitrogen dessicant that traps the nitrogen under pressure. Oxygen and trace gasses are delivered through the cannula. and there is a continuous compress and exhaust of the N[SUB]2[/SUB]. they are not as effective at altitudes ( at least they were not when I was a therapist.)

as noted previously, the liter per minute output would be inadequate for most torches. also, as the demand increases, the purity generally decreases. it can be a large or small difference.

the biggest problem is how you would then trap a sufficient volume and then compress that to be usable with a standard industrial O[SUB]2[/SUB] gauge? I think it would be impractical.

now for the largest issue, how many hours on the meter? if over 50K, the dessicant canisters likely need replacement. that would destroy the good buy. I suspect this is the case as a crappy used one is worth 250 to any low rent nursing home.

my 2 cents
kevin
y

- - - Updated - - -

According to the fellow who is selling it for his dad it will fill a bottle to 3000 PSI, so it is not a medical concentrator like the one I am currently hooked to. It is a high pressure compressor that compresses the gas to the point of liquefying it like our missile air on the missile system I worked on in the army. I'm going to look at it and see what it actually will do in the next couple of days or so and I'll report back what I find out. If nothing else and it is a medical gas machine like I have I may go ahead and get it to hardwire in the shop so I will have one that can get dirty if necessary. That would be OK too. That way if I touch it with dirty hands I don't have to clean it all up to go somewhere like the Dr or clinic.


Bob

I would love to see a photo of that! I have rarely seen a H cylinder filled beyond 2200psi, 3000 would potentially be exciting. I know they are tested around that on recert. if you did not have a safe way protect yourself form the potential energy conversion, I would be nervous.

If it is as the son says, it is a fractional distillation concentrator, but I bet it is a compressor for filling Large O[SUB]2 [/SUB]bottles from a liquid o[SUB]2[/SUB] source and expansion tank. very cool. take care to wear gloves and not even let oil from your hands get on the unit.

 

[Rbeckett]

Havent been able to arrange a meeting to see the machine yet. Still unable to really quantify what he is really selling. Once I get a look at it I'll post back. If it does really fill cyliders then it will work for me, otherwise I already have an O2 concentrator so the price will have to be way cheap for me to be interested in another.

Bob

 

[aliva]

If your ever in Northern Ontario Canada my employer has a an O2 plant that produces around 5,000 tosn of liquid O2 per day, I'm sure I could sneak out a few pounds of liquid
.LOL