Aluminium Cylinders are well known all over the world for their resistance to corrosion in every environment, either in Dry, Humidity or low-humidity conditions. In the Hospital & Medical Industry this feature of Aluminium Cylinders plays a very vital role, because Aluminium Cylinders does not rust like steel does when expose to moisture and Oxygen or other Medical Gases. Aluminium Alloy which used to manufacture Aluminium Cylinders are carefully formulated to enhance Cylinder’s corrosion resistance while maintaining mechanical strength and other desired properties, these alloys are selected based on their ability to withstand all environmental conditions. Aluminum naturally forms a thin oxide layer on its surface when exposed to oxygen in the air which is known as passivation. This oxide layer acts as a protective barrier against further oxidation and corrosion. It significantly prevents deeper penetration of moisture and contaminants that could cause corrosion.

Medical Oxygen (O2): – Medical Oxygen is a very crucial lifesaving gas, so reliable & safe storage of medical oxygen is essential for maintaining patient care and safety in the hospitals and healthcare facilities. The Medical Oxygen can be stored in Aluminium Cylinders for long time with maintaining the integrity and purity of Oxygen Gas, as Aluminium Cylinders are corrosion free so it could not affect the accuracy and performance of stored Oxygen and keep it free from any contamination.  On the other hand, steel cylinders are more susceptible to corrosion and rusting, thus oxygen taken from steel cylinders might contain iron particles making them unsuitable for medical use.

• In Western & European countries most of the hospitals and healthcare facilities are using Aluminium Cylinders for storage & supply of Oxygen Gas for the better safety and care of the patients.

• The University of Rhode Island’s study of cylinder internal corrosion reveals that:
  Under equal conditions of moisture in cylinders, aluminium cylinders are much better, so oxygen stored in aluminium cylinders may retain its quality longer.

Medical Carbon Dioxide (CO2): – Aluminium Cylinders are ideal to store Medical Carbon Dioxide, because when Carbon Dioxide comes in contact with moisture or water component accidently or while storing, it forms Carbonic acid, this carbonic acid corrode a steel cylinder that contaminate the carbon dioxide gas which used for medical applications. While on the other hand, Aluminium Cylinders are not affected by carbonic acid, and no corrosion will occur in Aluminium Cylinders.

• According to the ASM (American Society for Metals) Metals Handbook (1, 2, 3), aluminium and brass are not attacked by carbonic acid, but steel will corrode.

• The American Compressed Gas Association in, Pamphlets G-6 and G-6.3 (4,5), warns that wet carbon dioxide will cause severe corrosion in steel cylinders.

Medical Nitrous Oxide (N2O): – Medical Nitrous Oxide used widely for Anesthesia during Surgical Procedures, Dental Procedures & for Pain Management. It helps provide sedation, analgesia (pain relief), and relaxation to patients. So, storage of Nitrous Oxide is important as if due to any contamination the primary components of N2O gas are derogated then the gas integrity will loosen, which adversely affects patients. Aluminium Cylinders are the correct storing option for storage of N2O as these Cylinders are free from corrosion and any type of possible contamination. Rather, Steel Cylinders are prone to corrosion which may react with the properties of N2O Gas and can contaminate it while stored for long time.

• The important point is N2O Gas Cylinders are mainly use with the specialized machines and equipments like Anesthesia Machine, if the installed Cylinder is corroded then it also could adversely affect the machine functionality & life span, so nowadays many anesthesiologists prefer Aluminium Cylinders to use with Anesthesia machines.

Likewise, Aluminium Cylinders are an ideal choice for all other medical gases i.e. Nitrogen, Argon, Entonox etc.

In today’s world, all the modern hospitals and healthcare centers having centralized gas pipeline system for medical gases in all the respective wards, but centralized gas systems are stationary installations and cannot be moved. This lack of mobility poses challenges in the situations where critical ICU patients or respiratory disorder patients who require continuous medical gases supply need to be transferred within the hospital from one ward to another or to other healthcare facilities. To address this challenge of continuing Medical Gas supply to patients during transfers can only be fulfilled with Lightweight and Portable Gas Cylinders and Alcan Aluminium Medical Gas Cylinders are optimal choice for the mobile medical gas support, it ensures that oxygen or other medical gases can be administered promptly to patient during transfers. This quick response can make all the difference in critical situations, potentially saving lives.   

Here’s how Portable Aluminum Medical Gas Cylinders are useful in Hospitals:

Easy Transfer: – Portable Aluminium Cylinders are extremely suitable to shift patients from Ambulance to emergency ward, emergency ward to Operation Theatre, Operation Theatre to ward from any floor of Hospital to Ambulance. This ensures that patients can receive uninterrupted oxygen supply while being moved between different areas of the hospital or during transfers to other healthcare institutions. Portable Cylinders can easily fit to patient’s bed or stretcher which can make patient transit effortless.

Ease to Operate: – Portable Aluminium Cylinders are very easy to operate by nurses or any medical staff effortlessly without any technical assistance from technicians. Clear Labeling and simplified operating make portable cylinder’s operations hassle free, whether it’s adjusting flow rates or replacing the cylinders everything is user friendly.

Compatible with all hospital machines: – Portable Aluminum Cylinders are compatible with various types of medical equipment’s & machinery, including portable oxygen delivery systems, Ventilators, Baby Incubators, Anesthesia Machines, Laparoscopy Machines, & IABP Machines. This universal compatibility enhances efficiency in Clinical settings and allows medical staff to customize patient care on individual needs.

Useful in Hospital Ambulances: Portable Aluminum Cylinders are specially designed keeping in mind the space scarcity in ambulances and to facilitate medical staff for smooth on-site operations. Hospital ambulances, especially ICU ambulances and Cardiac ambulances need to be equipped with all the lifesaving equipment for initial medical care of patients in the pre-hospital phase and portable medical gas support is very crucial, which can be make all the difference.