In this article we will focus on the automation of Hyperbaric Chamber (HC) suitable for human beings, subjected to a high pressure environment.
Hyperbaric chambers are complex pressure vessels, monoplace chamber used only by one person or multiplace and multi-compartment systems used by a group of people. The HC usually made of steel, are pressurized with compressed air and oxygen gas or gases and mixtures of gases stored under pressure in cylinders. There are three categories of hyperbaric chambers:
- Class A – a chamber used for multiple human occupancy (multiplace).
- Class B – a chamber used for single human occupancy (monoplace).
- Class C – a chamber used for animals, not human occupancy.
The pressure chambers with two compartments, provide a main chamber mono or multiplace used for medical treatment or for decompression and recompression of divers, one as a prechamber used for transferring people or equipment. The management of the controls and the observation of the displays takes place by the control console installed directly on the chamber or in a control room.
A hyperbaric chamber or surface compression chamber used in commercial diving environments has two separate compartments or two separate chambers interconnected. One chamber allows the ingress or egress of divers or medicals/technicians, while the other compartment or chamber remains pressurized. The typical treatments consist of compression, treatment, decompression.
Hyperbaric chambers are used to administer pure oxygen at a pressure which is greater than atmospheric pressure (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy – HBOT), in order to increase the concentration of O2 and improve several conditions.
Automation and computer technologies can play an important role in hyperbaric treatments. Automation allows HBO treatments to be carried out more safely and accurately. An automation system carries out controls, alarm detection and processes all information such as pressures (compressors pressures, oxygen circuit pressure), valve signals and positions, oxygen concentrations, including data from the LSS (temperature, humidity, cooling and heating), etc. through a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). The PLC allows to handles the flow of operation, processes and communicates via Industrial Ethernet to share information with other networked devices, such as computer and Human-Machine Interface (HMI) or the user interface, a connection between an operator and the system, which allows the operator to see important information displayed in graphs, view and manage alarms. The use of PLCs represents several advantages, making it possible to perform several simultaneous treatments and if it detects any anomaly, the treatment cannot begin.
Automation of the hyperbaric system can provide the following benefits:
- Good pressure profile tracking
- Stability in pressurization
- Use of complex procedures during pressurization
- Simplification of depressurization and pressurization procedures.
- Accurately calculate the treatment.
Jessica Moro
DSO
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy – Therapy in which the patient is pressurized in a hyperbaric chamber and breathes 100% Oxygen.
Programmable Logic Controller – industrial computer specially designed to be used and reliable in harsh conditions, such as extreme temperature, high pressure and humidity rate.
Human-Machine Interface -set of hardware and software components that allows humans to use a machine and interact with it.
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Cover: Navy Diver carries some wrenches through the Ocean Simulation Facility, U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Fred Gray.
