• Mining sector endures worst recessionMay 27, 2025
    Mining shows zero confidence on better business conditions Weaker global demand of rough diamonds trouble the sector Other sectors optimistic about improved conditions in 2025   BAKANG TIRO RelatedPosts Mining sector endures worst recession Who is the PSP PROTECTING?… Read more: Mining sector endures worst recession
  • Who is the PSP PROTECTING?May 27, 2025
    “She is protecting those facing corruption probe, hence removing DCEC intelligence head”- claim The DCEC recently confirmed that it was investigating some senior govt officials   DITIRO MOTLHABANE RelatedPosts Mining sector endures worst recession Who is the PSP PROTECTING?… Read more: Who is the PSP PROTECTING?
  • TIKI MEDIA * Head Branding SolutionsMay 26, 2025
    RelatedPosts TIKI MEDIA * Head Branding Solutions WILDERNESS AIR * Quality Assurance Manger MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INNOVATION * Deputy Director – Department of Shared Digital Services * Director – Research and Knowledge Business
  • WILDERNESS AIR * Quality Assurance MangerMay 26, 2025
    RelatedPosts TIKI MEDIA * Head Branding Solutions WILDERNESS AIR * Quality Assurance Manger MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INNOVATION * Deputy Director – Department of Shared Digital Services * Director – Research and Knowledge Business
  • MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INNOVATION * Deputy Director – Department of Shared Digital Services * Director – Research and Knowledge BusinessMay 26, 2025
    RelatedPosts TIKI MEDIA * Head Branding Solutions WILDERNESS AIR * Quality Assurance Manger MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INNOVATION * Deputy Director – Department of Shared Digital Services * Director – Research and Knowledge Business
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Analysis & Opinions
  • Vacancies & Tenders
  • Login
  • Register
Saturday, May 31, 2025
17 °c
Gaborone
21 ° Tue
22 ° Wed
24 ° Thu
26 ° Fri
The Patriot On Sunday
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Analysis & Opinions
  • Vacancies & Tenders
No Result
View All Result
Cart / $0.00

No products in the cart.

  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Analysis & Opinions
  • Vacancies & Tenders
No Result
View All Result
The Patriot On Sunday
No Result
View All Result
Home News

‘Converting BCL Oxygen Plant costly’

patriot by patriot
August 19, 2021
in News
240
0
Moagi

Moagi

491
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
ShareShareShare

Assesment ongoing for feasibility of converting the plant

Operating BCL Oxygen could cost P2.8 million per month

RelatedPosts

Who is the PSP PROTECTING?

BDP shakes BPF

Civil Service salary talks begin

Govt proposes Pressure Swing absorption oxygen generators

PHILLIMON MMESO

& VICTORIA MARUMO

editors@thepatriot.co.bw

As the country struggles with medical oxygen leading to a high mortality rate due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Member of Parliament for Selibe Phikwe West,  Dithapelo Keorapetse has called on government to convert the BCL oxygen plant.

In answering the question, Minister of Minerals Resources, Green Technology, and Energy Security Lefoko Moagi indicated that he has engaged the liquidator for BCL Limited regarding the possibility of liquefaction and bottling of oxygen at their facility. “The Liquidator has duly directed his team to continue investigating the option of utilizing the industrial plants for the production and bottling of oxygen deemed safe for medical use,” he said.

Moagi said the oxygen produced by an industrial oxygen plant would not conform to standards required for medical grade oxygen used in hospitals for patients. He also said, the size of the components in an industrial plant is much larger than in any medical-grade plant. Therefore, an alternative solution should be considered while it is still being investigated whether to convert the BCL Oxygen plant to fit for medical purposes.

“I have researched and have further been advised that a far safer, more cost effective and time frame sensitive option may be to invest in what is called Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) type oxygen generators (O2 generators), which are suitably sized and can be installed on any hospital site in a relatively short time,” he informed Parliament.

By using the PSA-type oxygen generators on hospital sites, Moagi said that issues of supply vendors, contracts for transport, delivery, bottling, and the stock would be fully mitigated. Thus it may be a lasting solution. He reasoned that it would avert the possible insurmountable constraints of modifying the industrial plant by opting for the PSA Oxygen generators.

Moagi revealed that the BCL Plant electrical loading is such that to run the plant would cost in the region P2.2 million to P2.8 million per month. The only active oxygen in Selibe Phikwe, according to Moagi, are the ones owned by Air Liquide, and the company is aiming to sell them.

Keorapetse had aske Moagi to specifically clarify whether or not the BCL Oxygen Plant can be converted to manufacture medical oxygen to deal with the current crisis of acute shortage.

Experts say

A source close to Air Liquide Botswana said converting the existing oxygen plants in Botswana is not the wisest alternative to dealing with the depreciating oxygen situation amid the pandemic.

According to the expert, it is important to first understand how much oxygen is used in hospitals, highlighting that the consumption has doubled following the increase in Covid-19 related admissions. “Quality oxygen ranges between 90% and 95% and globally 93% is considered the standard rate for human medical applications,”he explained. However,

the source explained that to produce the required oxygen was not feasible from a financial perspective because the costs incurred overweigh the advantages. He went on to explain that oxygen can be compressed into liquid but there would be a need to purchase a

purifier for any impurities before it is taken to medical centers.

Moreover  transporting it from Selibe-Phikwe to final destinations adds an additional cost. “The tanks are too big and would need to run for no more than 5 days to produce enough oxygen for the whole country’s month supply of oxygen. But the cost of resuscitating them

and running them in between intervals is worth millions,”he pointed out.  The source in question additionally suggested that purchasing oxygen generators that supply oxygen through cylinders was the cheaper option.

“I do not have the full details but I also recall not long ago that there was a project involving SPEDU and BDC to set up a medical specific oxygen plant in Selibe Phikwe and that might also be another viable option,” he added.

Keorapetse who was at the forefront of suggesting the use of the industrial oxygen plants said he was aware of the latter mentioned project; but explained that it is unclear where they are with regards to the project. Efforts to reach SPEDU and Botswana Development

Corporation (BDC) for a comment proved futile.

Related

Tags: BCL oxygen plant

Get real time update about this post categories directly on your device, subscribe now.

Unsubscribe
Previous Post

READY FOR THE FAST LANE

Next Post

Markus dumps politics

Related Posts

Who is the PSP PROTECTING?
News

Who is the PSP PROTECTING?

May 27, 2025
BDP shakes BPF
News

BDP shakes BPF

May 26, 2025
Civil Service salary talks begin
News

Civil Service salary talks begin

May 19, 2025
Mine workers blast Boko
News

Mine workers blast Boko

May 19, 2025
Khama pokes Motshegwa
News

Khama pokes Motshegwa

May 13, 2025
Europe Day 2025 – Celebrating 75 Years of Unity and Solidarity
News

Europe Day 2025 – Celebrating 75 Years of Unity and Solidarity

May 12, 2025
Next Post
Markus dumps politics

Markus dumps politics

Please login to join discussion
  • Mining sector endures worst recessionMay 27, 2025
    Mining shows zero confidence on better business conditions Weaker global demand of rough diamonds trouble the sector Other sectors optimistic about improved conditions in 2025   BAKANG TIRO RelatedPosts Mining sector endures worst recession Who is the PSP PROTECTING?… Read more: Mining sector endures worst recession
  • Who is the PSP PROTECTING?May 27, 2025
    “She is protecting those facing corruption probe, hence removing DCEC intelligence head”- claim The DCEC recently confirmed that it was investigating some senior govt officials   DITIRO MOTLHABANE RelatedPosts Mining sector endures worst recession Who is the PSP PROTECTING?… Read more: Who is the PSP PROTECTING?
  • TIKI MEDIA * Head Branding SolutionsMay 26, 2025
    RelatedPosts TIKI MEDIA * Head Branding Solutions WILDERNESS AIR * Quality Assurance Manger MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INNOVATION * Deputy Director – Department of Shared Digital Services * Director – Research and Knowledge Business
  • WILDERNESS AIR * Quality Assurance MangerMay 26, 2025
    RelatedPosts TIKI MEDIA * Head Branding Solutions WILDERNESS AIR * Quality Assurance Manger MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INNOVATION * Deputy Director – Department of Shared Digital Services * Director – Research and Knowledge Business
  • MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INNOVATION * Deputy Director – Department of Shared Digital Services * Director – Research and Knowledge BusinessMay 26, 2025
    RelatedPosts TIKI MEDIA * Head Branding Solutions WILDERNESS AIR * Quality Assurance Manger MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INNOVATION * Deputy Director – Department of Shared Digital Services * Director – Research and Knowledge Business
The Patriot On Sunday

© 2024 Copyright The Patriot On Sunday - Inspired by Search Mart.

Navigate Site

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact Us

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Cart
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Analysis & Opinions
  • Vacancies & Tenders

© 2024 Copyright The Patriot On Sunday - Inspired by Search Mart.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?