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**lagavulin** · 03-23-2012, 09:28 PM

Anyone use an oxygen concentrator for wort oxygenation?

I have a line on a lightly used machine that was just serviced and has all new filters.

The guy wants $150 for it.

Just wondering if anyone has an opinion on O2 tank/regulator vs concentrator?

Figure in the long run the concentrator would be worth it as you can set the exactly liter per minute rate and it never needs refilled.

Thoughts?

malkore · 03-23-2012, 09:43 PM

I bet it works but will be slower than a small red pressurized O2 tank, mainly because its a medical device for breathing the oxygen so its not going to shoot out faster than someone could inhale it.

I see it much like the fish air pump method, with the advantage of it being a much richer oxygen level since the nitrogen is being removed (which is like 60% of our atmosphere or something).
Its 3x the cost of an O2 regulator, and while it doesn't need refilling...its used and could break and certainly won't be cheap to fix (per wiki home models start at $800, so I hope yours still works and works well)

**arkham_razors** · 03-27-2012, 01:54 PM

I've never even heard of these things. How much does it actually concentrate oxygen?

**cfrazier77** · 03-27-2012, 03:06 PM

It will work just fine. Christ White recommends using 1 liter per minute for 1 minute per 5 gallons of 1.040 wort. Increases of OG requires longer time not faster flow rates. This is with using a .5 micron stone. I use a medical O2 bottle and regulator. Anything much over 5 liters per minute will blow the stone off the hose. A oxygen generator will be able to produce O2 up to a rate of 5 liters per minute so 1 or 2 liters per minute will be easy for it. Also, since they are intended for medical oxygen therapy, the regulator built into it is accurate.

The big plus side of them is that it can be very hard to get medical O2 bottles refilled. Most places require a prescription to do so. We have a fill station at my fire department so I can fill mine, otherwise I would be out of luck.

**Bobby_M** · 03-27-2012, 03:12 PM

Once in a while I see them for 100 bucks on CL. Yes, it will work just fine if you don't mind storing the machine. How they work? Beats me... they magically take the 21% O2 out of ambient air, discard the bulk of nitrogen and other junk.

clark123456 · 12-21-2012, 11:27 AM

How they work:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxygen_concentrator#How_oxygen_concentrators_work

**patthebrewer** · 12-21-2012, 10:25 PM

My wifes an RN, and the way most of these things find there way to the used market is by theft...for the Med. equipment companys they rep. a significant investment......better be careful just because you bought it from "A guy" doesnt mean your not receiving stolen goods. I'd check the thing for a equipment companys sitcker or serial. Question the guy closely on where he go it etc.

FredTheNuke · 12-21-2012, 10:37 PM

Anyone measured how long the 1.4oz red cylinders will run at 1 lpm with a .5 micron stone yet?

Rbeckett · 12-21-2012, 11:16 PM

Welding grade O2 is just as pure as medical grade one is 99.999 medical is 99.9995. The possibility for any contamination is greater from your activities than from the gas. I use my welding gas all the time. I also use welding or fire extinguisher CO2. much cheaper than medical and no hasssles getting a bottle filled ever. That solves the O2 prescription issue nicely.
Wheelchair Bob

FredTheNuke · 12-22-2012, 01:45 PM

Dumb question that I need to ask National AirGas. Can I (a normal US Citizen) walk in without a fancy dancy special license and purchase a welding oxygen cylinder from them and swap it for refills as needed like I already do with CO2...?