Effectiveness of pressure swing adsorption oxygen plants: A scoping review in Indian context

Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) is a gas separation technique that separates some gas species from a mixture of gases under pressure based on the species' molecular characteristics and affinity for an adsorbent material. During the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, the need for medical oxygen was critical due to the overwhelming surge in respiratory-related cases. The establishment of PSA plants across the country was a strategic move to ensure a continuous and reliable supply of oxygen to healthcare facilities.

The objective of this review was to systematically collect and assess evidence regarding the effectiveness of PSA.

A scoping review was carried out using the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) checklist.

Studies, reports, review articles, and gray literature that addressed the economic viability, ease of operation, overall feasibility, and reliability of PSA plants in the Indian context were particularly considered for inclusion.

This review aims to assess the effectiveness of PSA technology, focusing on its cost efficiency, user-friendliness, overall feasibility, and reliability. The goal is to offer a clear understanding of the practical implications and outcomes related to the adoption of PSA plants in the Indian context.

Sixty-four relevant records were reviewed and analyzed. After considering all the eligibility criteria 33 records were included. The scoping review revealed the different characteristics of PSA plant. A total of six studies from the reviewed literature collectively state that this advancement marks a significant progress toward establishing a dependable and renewable supply of medical-grade oxygen, eliminating the dependency on external sources, and thereby enhancing hospital security.

This review showed that properly maintained, and operated, PSA oxygen plants can be highly effective in providing a reliable source of medical-grade oxygen, especially in higher level of health facility where patient load is more.