The length of time that a medical gas cylinder can provide continuous usage depends on its size, the type of gas and the flow rate.
duration of flow in minutes =
= ((gauge pressure in pounds per square inch) * (escape factor for gas cylinder) / (gas flow rate in L/min)
where:
• 1 atmosphere is 14.7 pounds per square inch.
• It appears that room temperature is assumed.
The escape factor is the volume of the gas (if expanded) divided by the pressure in psi. For example (from Cairo), an E cylinder contains 622 liters of air-oxygen at 2200 psi, with 622/2200 = 0.28.
Escape Factor
Cylinder Size
Air, Oxygen
Oxygen, CO2
Helium, Oxygen
D
0.16
0.20
0.14
E
0.28
0.35
0.23
G
2.41
2.94
1.93
H or K
3.14
3.84
2.50
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