Oxygen Plants in Kenya: How to Size a PSA System

An on-site oxygen plant can free a hospital or facility from cylinder deliveries and give it a dependable supply — but only if it is sized for real demand. Here is how PSA plants work and how to estimate what you need.

How a PSA oxygen plant works

Most on-site plants use pressure swing adsorption (PSA). Compressed, dried air passes through a vessel of zeolite molecular sieve that adsorbs nitrogen under pressure and lets oxygen pass. When the sieve is saturated, pressure is released so it gives up the nitrogen, while a second vessel takes over production. The two beds alternate, so output is continuous. A PSA plant typically produces oxygen of around 93% purity (±3%).

The main components

• Air compressor — supplies the compressed air the process starts from.
• Air dryer and filters — remove moisture, oil and particles that would damage the sieve.
• Air receiver — buffers compressed air for steady operation.
• PSA generator — the paired sieve vessels and control valves.
• Oxygen receiver and analyser — store the product and monitor purity.
• Booster compressor and filling manifold (optional) — to fill cylinders for wards, ambulances or backup.

Estimating demand

Oxygen demand is usually expressed in litres per minute (L/min) or cubic metres per hour (m³/h). 1,000 L/min equals 60 m³/h. To estimate it:

1. Count the oxygen outlets or beds that use oxygen — wards, ICU, theatres, emergency.
2. Estimate how many are likely to be in use at the same time.
3. Multiply by a typical flow for that area: many patients need a few litres per minute, while high-flow therapy and some critical care uses far more.
4. Add headroom for peaks, high-flow patients and future growth.

Your clinical team's actual usage records — cylinder consumption over recent months — are the best cross-check on this estimate.

Installation questions to answer early

• Power: the compressor is the largest load. Plan the electrical supply and generator backup so production continues during outages.
• Space and ventilation: the plant room needs airflow and moderate temperatures for the compressor and dryer to work reliably.
• Distribution: will oxygen feed a pipeline to the wards, fill cylinders, or both?
• Maintenance: compressor servicing, filter changes and eventual sieve replacement should be planned and budgeted from day one.

Getting a proposal

Share your bed numbers, current cylinder consumption, available power and whether you need cylinder filling. Our team will recommend a plant configuration and prepare a detailed quotation, with delivery within 0–30 days anywhere in Kenya depending on stock.