What are the disadvantages of LOX? There is only one disadvantage of LOX as compared to high-pressure gas alternatives. Because LOX is a cryogen and has to remain at -297°F in order to stay a liquid, the LOX in any storage vessel (or Dewar) will slowly boil off and have to release through a vent line. This is normally referred to as the Normal Evaporation Rate or NER. Essex designs and builds some of the most rugged and lowest NER Dewars in the market. However, if the system is used on a daily basis, or very near to a daily basis, the loss of oxygen, due to boil off, would be minimal, since the oxygen is being used for patient breathing. Based on the weekly use of oxygen, a relatively easy calculation could be performed to help determine if the overall cost of using LOX would be cheaper than the high-pressure alternative. In almost all cases, the cost for LOX is less expensive. |
