does elevation affect oxy-generator performance?

[Dennis Brady]

One of the questions being asked is, "How does high elevation affect how a generator performs?".

Can anybody that lives at a relatively high place (maybe Denver?) offer comments.

[RSimmons]

The concentration of oxygen at sea level is about 21% and the barometric pressure averages 760 mmHg. As altitude increases, the concentration remains the same but the number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced. At 12,000 feet (3,658 meters) the barometric pressure is only 483 mmHg, so there are roughly 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath. I would think that the same effect would apply to a concentrator that applies to the lung, fewer oxygen molecules per unit volume would decrease the efficiency of a machine that draws a standard volume. You'd have to run more air though the system to get the same amount of oxygen that you'd get at sea level. Granted, Denver is only a little over 5000 feet so the effect would not be as pronounced.

Robert

[Dennis Brady]

The concentration of oxygen at sea level is about 21% and the barometric pressure averages 760 mmHg. As altitude increases, the concentration remains the same but the number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced. At 12,000 feet (3,658 meters) the barometric pressure is only 483 mmHg, so there are roughly 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath. I would think that the same effect would apply to a concentrator that applies to the lung, fewer oxygen molecules per unit volume would decrease the efficiency of a machine that draws a standard volume. You'd have to run more air though the system to get the same amount of oxygen that you'd get at sea level. Granted, Denver is only a little over 5000 feet so the effect would not be as pronounced.

Robert

I've spent a lot of time on mountain tops skiing so know well that the air is thinner. I was hoping for some anecdotal comments about generator performance from people using them at 5000 ft or so elevations.

[Tanner Studios]

I'm at 4700 and it does effect the performance of my OG 15. I must qualify this statement. Its based on word of mouth. I have never use my set up at low elevation only talked to people with the same set up. They were able to work Boro and I was not. Well I could make a boro bead I just couldn't melt med to large gathers for twisty and cain.
Scott

[Aleigh]

I am in Wyoming and at 6200. I have been running an Invacare 5 Ocycon for a few years now on a Minor and a Pirahna and have great results, although cannot compare to lower elevations.

Amy

[Tancaro]

I have a minor and a 5 liter. I'm above 4000 feet and haven't used my concentrator at a lower altitude. However I did use a minor torch with a 5 liter oxycon in Phoenix last week at a bead meeting and it was at least twice as hot as I can get mine. It felt like I was using a different glass and had trouble controlling it! I didn't realize I was working so cool as I only had a hothead to compare it to and hadn't used anyone elses torch before.
I spoke to the person on the phone before I bought my oxycon and he said he made some adjustments to it so it would work better at this altitude.

-C

[Dennis Brady]

Thanks everybody. The responses here suggest that a reasonable answer would be:

Yes, elevation can slightly reduce the generator's performance, but for most applications it won't be enough to be a serious deficiency, and not so much that going one step up to the next size machine won't comfortably allow for the difference.

It's unlikely a generator will perform adequately at Everest base camp, but even in the Colorado or Wyoming mountains one can produce enough oxygen for most torch work.