How India only oxygen surplus state is managing the crisis: Kerala
- | Friday | 23rd April, 2021
The State has a total production capacity of 204 MTPD. The major producers in the State are Inox with 149 MT, Kerala Minerals and Metals with 6 MTPD, Cochin Shipyard with 5.45 MTPD, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation with 0.322 MTPD. In addition, 11 air separation units (ASU) also produce around 44 MTPD.
While patients in the National Capital Region, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh are reeling due to an acute shortage of oxygen, people in Kerala are much better off. The State has the distinction of being the only one with an oxygen surplus, so much so, that it has been sending supplies to Tamil Nadu, Goa and Karnataka as well.
Data available with the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) show that Kerala’s oxygen production is at 199 metric tonnes per day (MTPD). Demand for Covid care in the State comes to 35 MTPD, while non-covid care requires around 45 MTPD.
The State has a total production capacity of 204 MTPD. The major producers in the State are Inox with 149 MT, Kerala Minerals and Metals with 6 MTPD, Cochin Shipyard with 5.45 MTPD, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation with 0.322 MTPD. In addition, 11 air separation units (ASU) also produce around 44 MTPD.
PESO is assessing the availability of life-saving gas in Kerala and in neighboring States and looking at storage capacity and movement constraints. It also evaluates transport capacity, bulk tank availability, distances, road conditions, and security. “We evaluate the capacity to vaporize liquid oxygen into gas, either with existing installations or as a component on smaller/portable tanks. We also ensure that the installer has sufficient medical devices to deliver oxygen therapy,” Venugopal said.
In addition, the Central government has given three Pressure Swing Adsorption systems (PSAs) to the Kerala government’s medical colleges at Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Thrissur. “The systems were installed but piping and electric panel works are under progress by the respective medical colleges. Once that is completed the systems will start generating oxygen.”
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