Well, one of the 3 medicine gases, in a health care establishment, the oxygen can be provided either from small tanks, that here in Brazil, we call them “bala”, or from an oxygen central system, that features among others, a big tank that receives the oxygen in the liquid form, and under pressure. It creates a gas, supplied to the hospital. The problem’s that this work eliminates the heat, causing a huge freezing and an ice creation on the external side of the pipes that composes the complex, what prejudices the good working of it.
That’s why the oxygen central system, it must to be wet all the time to minimize the ice creation.
But all the water used can’t be wasted, especially in these times of dry climate, I guess you know what I mean.
So a reusing system of this water was thought and planned, by the HEAPN's maintenance team. The water, which has been wasted untill then, is now, storaged in a concrete box, able to save until 1,000 liters.
There's no need of keeping a drinkable water, but just able to melt the ice formed. Anyway a component was put before the the storage. This component is a box that should have a system of small boards on the inside, creating hydraulical closings, in order to make a decantation of the liquid, but this was judged unecessary.
Obviously the rain water is also caught by the system, but it has the function of renewing the water, eliminating dusts, salts, chlorides and others.
After a while, the liquid is decanted in the box and sent for the oxygen central either by a shower made of pipes, placed over the serpentine, or directly by hose through manual work.
It’s a simple initiative, but I should tell you that It’s been a good experience not only for me, but all the team in the HEAPN’s construction's maintenance.
I’ve trying to show you fragments of the project's plank, as well as the result through images.
On behalf of all I hope you appreciate.
Leandro Salerno – architect.
