At 1600 psi, approximately how long could O2 be delivered from a cylinder at a flow rate of 2 L/min?

At 1600 psi, approximately how long could O2 be delivered from a cylinder at a flow rate of 2 L/min?

• A. 90 minutes
• B. 140 minutes
• C. 250 minutes
• D. 320 minutes

Answer: (C)

The amount of oxygen available in a cylinder is what determines how long you can deliver it, and that amount scales with the cylinder’s pressure using a size–specific factor that converts psi to liters of gas remaining. For a standard anesthesia oxygen cylinder, a practical factor is about 0.28 L per psi. At 1600 psi, the remaining O2 is roughly 1600 × 0.28 ≈ 448 L. If you’re delivering at 2 L/min, the duration is 448 L ÷ 2 L/min ≈ 224 minutes. Rounding to a practical estimate, about 250 minutes is a reasonable answer.

The amount of oxygen available in a cylinder is what determines how long you can deliver it, and that amount scales with the cylinder’s pressure using a size–specific factor that converts psi to liters of gas remaining.

For a standard anesthesia oxygen cylinder, a practical factor is about 0.28 L per psi. At 1600 psi, the remaining O2 is roughly 1600 × 0.28 ≈ 448 L. If you’re delivering at 2 L/min, the duration is 448 L ÷ 2 L/min ≈ 224 minutes. Rounding to a practical estimate, about 250 minutes is a reasonable answer.