Oxygen enrichment and its application to life support systems for workers in high-altitude areas |
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Authors: | Yongling Li Yingshu Liu |
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Affiliation: | School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, China |
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Abstract: | Background:Workers coming from lowland regions are at risk of developing acute mountain sickness (AMS) when working in low oxygen high-altitude areas.Objectives:The aim of this study was to improve the conditions that lead to hypoxia and ensure the safety of the high-altitude workers. We analyzed the influence of low atmospheric pressure on the oxygen enrichment process in high-altitude areas using an engineering method called low-pressure swing adsorption (LPSA).Methods:Fourteen male subjects were screened and divided into three groups by type of oxygen supply system used: (1) oxygen cylinder group; (2) LPSA oxygen dispersal group; and (3) control group. These tests included arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), pulse rate (PR), breaths per minute (BPM), and blood pressure (BP).Results:The results showed that after supplying oxygen using the LPSA method at the tunnel face, the SaO2 of workers increased; the incidence of acute mountain sickness, PR, and BPM significantly decreased.Conclusions:The LPSA life support system was found to be a simple, convenient, efficient, reliable, and applicable approach to ensure proper working conditions at construction sites in high-altitude areas. |
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Keywords: | High altitude Hypoxia Low-pressure swing adsorption Oxygen supply Life support system Acute mountain sickness |
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