Gas distribution system to supply oxygen gas to a hospital facility

Abstract

Title of the Invention: Gas Distribution System for Supplying Oxygen Gas to a Hospital Facility. The invention relates to a gas distribution system (100) for supplying oxygen gas to a pipeline network (3) of a hospital facility, comprising a main gas source (1) containing oxygen supplying a main gas line (2) which connects fluidly (at 101b) to the hospital's pipeline network (3). An electrolyzer (9), supplied with electricity and water, produces oxygen gas. An additional supply line (7) carries the oxygen gas produced by the electrolyzer (9). A gas source selector device (82) is arranged on the main gas line (2) and fluidly connected to the additional supply line (7).A control unit (84) operates the gas source selector device (82) so as to connect the hospital's pipeline network (3) with either the main gas line (2) or the additional supply line (7). Figure from the abstract: 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Gas distribution system for supplying gaseous oxygen to a hospital facility

[0001] The invention relates to a gas distribution installation for supplying gaseous oxygen to a network of pipes in a hospital establishment, such as a hospital or the like.

[0002] In healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, clinics or others, it is necessary to bring medical gases, in particular medical-grade air and oxygen (O2), to the various points of use within these facilities, for example, intensive care or emergency departments, operating rooms...

[0003] Generally, oxygen is stored in liquid form in one or more large capacity tanks or storage vessels, arranged outside the hospital facility, which are replenished by tanker trucks used to transport oxygen from its production site to the various hospital facilities to be supplied.

[0004] Oxygen is then distributed to the various points of use, i.e. the various hospital departments, by means of gas pipes, lines or conduits, of the hospital establishment, commonly referred to as the "gas distribution network" or "gas network".

[0005] To reduce its "environmental footprint", a hospital establishment must limit the use of liquid oxygen (LOX) produced by liquefaction, therefore by a very energy-intensive production process which then requires logistics, in particular tanker trucks to deliver the LOX, which generate pollution.

[0006] The problem is therefore to be able to have oxygen available to treat patients within the hospital establishment while limiting the supplies of LOX which negatively impact the "environmental footprint" of the hospital establishment.

[0007] A solution according to the invention relates to a gas distribution installation for supplying gaseous oxygen to a pipeline network of a hospital establishment, comprising a main source of gas containing oxygen, and a main gas line fluidly connected to the pipeline network of the hospital establishment, said main gas line being fluidly connected to said main source of gas.

[0008] In addition, the gas distribution installation also includes: - at least one electrolyzer, supplied with electricity and water, configured to produce at least oxygen gas, - an additional supply line used to convey gaseous oxygen produced by said at least one electrolyzer, - a gas source selector device being arranged on the main gas line and fluidly connected to said additional supply line, and - a control unit operating said gas source selector device so as to connect fluidic, the hospital's pipeline network with the main gas line and / or with the additional supply line.

[0009] Depending on the embodiment considered, the gas distribution installation of the invention may comprise one or more of the following features: - According to one embodiment, the control unit operates the gas source selector device so as to connect the hospital's pipeline network with both the main gas line and the additional supply line simultaneously, supplying it with oxygen from the main gas line and the additional supply line. The proportions / quantities of oxygen from these two lines may be equal or different from one line to the other. - according to another embodiment, the control unit pilots said gas source selector device so as to connect fluidic, the hospital's pipeline network preferentially with either the main gas line or the additional supply line, that is to say alternately with one or the other of these lines. - the main gas source includes an oxygen tank containing oxygen in liquid form (LOX), feeding a gas vaporizer to transform the LOX into gaseous oxygen (GOX). - the oxygen tank contains LOX topped with a GOX gaseous layer. - at least one gaseous oxygen storage capacity is arranged downstream of said at least one electrolyzer to store all or part of the oxygen produced by said at least one electrolyzer. - the additional supply line is fluidly connected and supplied with gaseous oxygen by said at least one gaseous oxygen storage capacity. Pressure measurement means are arranged to measure the oxygen pressure within said at least one gaseous oxygen storage capacity. The means of measuring pressure include a pressure sensor. The control unit operates the gas source selector device based on pressure measurements taken by the pressure measuring means. the control unit includes at least one (or more) microprocessor electronic board(s), i.e. one or more microprocessors. The microprocessor(s) implements one or more algorithms. A main pressure regulator is arranged on the main supply line, between the main gas source and the gas source selector device. an additional pressure regulator is arranged between said at least one electrolyzer and the gas source selector device, in particular downstream of the gaseous oxygen storage capacity. The main pressure regulator and / or the additional pressure regulator are configured to reduce the pressure of the gaseous oxygen. The main pressure regulator and / or the additional pressure regulator are or include gas-reducing devices. The main pressure regulator and / or the additional pressure regulator are configured to supply gaseous oxygen (GOX) at an expansion pressure between 4 and 5 bar (relative bar), for example in the order of approximately 4 bar. an exhaust soup is arranged on the O2 supply line downstream of the electrolyzer(s). An exhaust soup is arranged between the electrolyzer(s) and the gaseous oxygen storage capacity. The exhaust soup is configured to escape gaseous oxygen to the atmosphere when the pressure reaches a safety pressure level, typically at least 30 bar (relative bar), i.e. the pressure level exerted in the O2 delivery line connected to (or to) the electrolyzer. The additional or secondary telemetry unit is associated with the gaseous O2 storage capacity, for example arranged on or near the storage capacity. The additional telemetry unit cooperates with the pressure measurement means measuring the oxygen pressure within the gaseous oxygen storage capacity, i.e. the pressure measurement means provide the pressure measurements to the additional telemetry unit. - the control unit includes a telecommunications module cooperating with an additional telemetry unit configured to transmit to said telecommunications module, at least a part of the oxygen pressure measurements operated by the pressure measuring means. - said at least one electrolyzer is supplied with electric current by at least one renewable energy source operating intermittently. - said at least one renewable energy source includes one or more photovoltaic panels, i.e. solar panels. - it further includes a fuel cell device configured to produce electric current from hydrogen produced by said at least one electrolyzer and to supply at least a part of the electric current produced by said at least one electrolyzer. - it includes several electrolyzers each supplying / producing oxygen and hydrogen. - the electrolyzer(s) are arranged outside the hospital establishment, for example on its roof, on a terrace, on a facade, in a courtyard or outdoor space, or elsewhere. - at least part of the electric current (i.e. electricity) produced by the renewable energy source(s) is used to power the electrolyzer(s) when the electricity production by the renewable energy source(s) exceeds the energy needs of the hospital, and to produce oxygen and hydrogen by electrolysis of water within said electrolyzer(s).

[0010] The invention will now be better understood with reference to the following detailed description, given by way of illustration but not limitation, with reference to the accompanying figures, among which:

[0011] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates an embodiment of a medical oxygen distribution installation arranged in a hospital according to the present invention.

[0012] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates an embodiment of a usable gas management unit in the gas distribution installation of [Fig.1].

[0013] [Fig.1] schematically illustrates an embodiment of a medical gas distribution installation 100, typically for the supply of medical oxygen, arranged within a hospital establishment, such as a hospital or the like, supplied by a main gas source 1, namely a main tank 11 used for storing O2 in liquid form in its internal volume 12. The main tank 11 can be stored outside the hospital establishment, for example in a back yard or the like.

[0014] A main telemetry unit 13 associated with the main gas source 1 continuously measures the level of liquid O2 in the main storage tank 11 and remotely transmits, via a communication network, such as GSM, internet or other, the liquid O2 level measurements to a gas supplier in order to alert him when a predefined low threshold, for example stored within the unit 13, is reached so that he can refill the main storage tank 11 with liquid oxygen brought by tanker truck or similar.

[0015] In other words, the main telemetry unit 13 is therefore configured to be capable of transmitting information, in particular measurements. To do this, it incorporates a suitable (tele)communication module, in particular a communication module using a GSM or similar protocol.

[0016] To transform liquid oxygen into gaseous oxygen, a gas vaporizer 10 is used, arranged downstream of the main reservoir 11. The outlet of the gas vaporizer 10 is fluidly connected (at 21a) to the upstream section 21.1 of a main supply line 2, i.e., a main gas conduit or pipeline, so as to supply it with gaseous oxygen. The upstream section 21.1, in turn, supplies (at 21b) a main pressure regulator 23, typically a gas pressure reducing device, arranged on the main supply line 2.

[0017] The main pressure regulator 23 is also fluidly connected (at 21c) to a downstream section 21.2 of the main gas line 2 in order to supply it with gaseous oxygen at a given pressure. In other words, the pressure regulator 23 guarantees, i.e. provides, a stable pressure in the downstream section 21.2 of the main gas line 2, referred to as the "nominal operating pressure", which is advantageously between approximately 4 and 5 bar (in the context of the invention, "bar" is simply used to designate a pressure measurement in "relative bar"), for example, on the order of approximately 4 bar.

[0018] The downstream end of the downstream section 21.2 of the main conduit 2 branches (in lOl.b) into a first section or secondary conduit 31 and, furthermore, into a second section or secondary conduit 32. The first and second secondary conduits 31, 32 are part of a secondary gas circuit or network 3.

[0019] The first secondary conduit 31 has a plurality of sub-branches 311-31n, respectively, forming gas lines opening at the level of wall oxygen outlets 41 to 41n, respectively, located in a department 4 of the hospital establishment, for example a resuscitation department or other.

[0020] Similarly, the second secondary conduit 32 also supplies a plurality of sub-branches 321-32n, that is to say gas lines also leading to wall-mounted O2 outlets 421-42n located in another department 5 of the hospital establishment, for example a light care department or other.

[0021] The gaseous oxygen circulating in the first secondary conduit 31 and in the second secondary conduit 32 is therefore distributed, via the sub-branches 311-31n, 321-32n, to the wall O2 outlets 411-41n, 421-42n in order to supply one or more medical devices using oxygen, such as flowmeters, mechanical ventilators, high flow oxygen delivery devices... or others, which connect fluidly to said wall O2 outlets 411-41n, 421-42n.

[0022] Furthermore, according to the invention, the installation 100 further comprises one (or more) electrolyzer device 9, simply called an "electrolyzer," used to produce gaseous oxygen, which is injected into the main supply line 2, as explained below, and also gaseous hydrogen. The electrolyzer 9 (or each one) decomposes water, using electrical energy supplied to it, to produce gaseous oxygen (O2) and hydrogen (H2).

[0023] The electrolyzer 9 is preferably electrically connected to the mains electricity supply three-phase, for example 3x400V (not shown) and to the water network.

[0024] It is also connected 45.1 to one (or more) renewable energy source(s) 45 which operate intermittently. In particular, the electrolyzer 9 is configured to operate at high / full capacity when the renewable energy source(s) 45 produces excess energy.

[0025] Preferably, the renewable energy source 45 here comprises one or more photovoltaic panels which can be installed on the roof or a facade of the establishment.

[0026] The electrolyzer 9 is equipped with an H2 94 outlet to supply the hydrogen produced and, furthermore, an O2 outlet 91 to supply the oxygen (O2) produced within the electrolyzer 9.

[0027] The H2 outlet 94 is fluidly connected, via a hydrogen delivery line 94.1, to a fuel cell device 40 used to generate electricity (when required) or, where applicable, to an H2 storage (not shown) used to store the hydrogen produced and / or to a gas evacuation line used to convey the hydrogen produced.

[0028] Advantageously, the electrolyzer 9 is of the Proton Exchange Membrane or PEM type, i.e., an extremely thin polymer membrane, typically 20 to 300 pm thick, is used as the electrolyte. This membrane is gas-tight and has a strongly acidic character, allowing H+ ions (protons) to pass through, notably due to sulfonic functional groups (R-SO3H) ensuring ion exchange.

[0029] However, in the event of a malfunction or shutdown of the renewable energy source 45, the operation of the electrolyzer 9 is carried out using the power supply electrical from the mains and / or from electricity produced by the fuel cell device 40.

[0030] More generally, the electrolyzer 9 is configured to be able, in operation, to generate gaseous O2 at a pressure greater than 30 bar, typically in the order of 33 bar.

[0031] In addition, the electrolyzer 9 preferentially has internal modules allowing the O2 produced to be dried to eliminate H2O species and, furthermore, to be purified to eliminate any residual H2 compounds that may be present, via a suitable catalyst, for example a platinum (Pt) catalyst.

[0032] Downstream of the O2 outlet 91 of the electrolyzer 9, i.e., on the O2 supply line 91.1, an exhaust valve 93 is provided, which is preferably set at a safety pressure level of approximately 30 bar. It allows O2 produced by the electrolyzer 9 to be released into the atmosphere when the pressure in line 91.1 exceeds 30 bar, i.e., it maintains the pressure at approximately 30 bar.

[0033] The O2 delivery line 91.1 supplies (at 91a) a gaseous O2 storage capacity 6, typically a secondary gas reservoir 61 under pressure, suitable for storing O2 from the electrolyzer 9 in gaseous form in its internal volume 62 at a safety pressure of approximately 30 bar.

[0034] An additional or secondary telemetry unit 63 associated with the gaseous O2 storage capacity 6 continuously measures the gaseous O2 pressure in the gas tank 61 and remotely transmits, via a communication network, such as LoRa®, Bluetooth® or other, the pressure measurement(s) taken to a gas management unit 8 arranged on the downstream section 21.2 of the main conduit 2, i.e. between the pressure regulator 23 and the branch site 101b.

[0035] To this end, pressure measurement means 70, such as a pressure sensor (not shown), are used, arranged and configured to measure the gaseous oxygen pressure exerted within the gaseous O2 storage capacity 6. The pressure measurement means 70 can be integrated into the secondary telemetry unit 63 or, where appropriate, associated with it to provide it with the oxygen pressure measurements.

[0036] In other words, the secondary telemetry unit 63 is therefore also configured to be able to transmit information, in particular pressure measurements, and also integrates a suitable (tele)communication module, in particular a communication module according to a LoRa®, Bluetooth® or other or similar type protocol.

[0037] The secondary telemetry unit 63 also includes one or more concentration sensors (not shown) measuring the concentration of O2 as well as those of any undesirable impurities, such as water vapor, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and hydrogen (H2) that may be present in the oxygen from gaseous O2 storage tank 6 are monitored to verify, preferably continuously, the purity of the stored O2 and ensure that its quality complies with regulatory specifications. In particular, this ensures that the quality of the O2 from storage tank 6 is equal to or equivalent to that of the O2 supplied by the liquid O2 source stored in storage tank 11. In the event of a quality deviation (e.g., non-compliant concentration), the telemetry unit 63 is configured to send an alarm signal to the gas management unit 8, which acts in response to this alert, as explained below in relation to [Fig. 2].

[0038] The secondary gas tank 61 is fluidly connected (at 71a) and supplies an additional supply line 7 used to convey the gaseous oxygen exiting the gas tank 61 to the gas management unit 8.

[0039] The additional supply line 7 further includes a secondary or additional pressure regulator 73, typically a gas pressure reducing device, arranged between the gas tank 61 and the gas management unit 8, in particular a gas source selector 82. The additional pressure reducing device 73 serves to regulate the gas pressure and to provide a stable pressure of approximately between 4 and 5 bar (relative bar), for example of approximately 4 bar, i.e. of the same order as that provided by the main pressure regulator 23 also provides a stable pressure in the upstream portion 21, of approximately between 4 and 5 bar relative, for example equal to approximately 4 bar.

[0040] The gas management unit 8 is therefore located on the downstream section 21.2 of the main conduit 2 which connects (i.e. at the branching site 101b) to the first and second sections 31, 32, as described above.

[0041] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates an embodiment of the gas management unit 8 used in the installation 100 according to the invention of [Fig.l].

[0042] The gas management unit 8 includes a gas source selector 82, i.e. a selection device, electrically connected to a control unit 84 comprising an electronic card 84.1 with microprocessor(s) 85, such as a microcontroller, via a connection cable 83 or similar.

[0043] More specifically, the gas source selector 82 comprises: - a first inlet 82a fluidically connected, via a first inlet conduit 86, to an upstream portion of the downstream section 21.2 of the main supply conduit 21 which supplies it with pressurized gaseous oxygen from the storage tank 11. - a second inlet 82b fluidically connected, via a second inlet conduit 87, additional supply line 7 which carries pressurized gaseous oxygen from the gas reservoir 61 which is supplied by the electrolyzer 90. - an outlet 82c fluidly connected, via an outlet conduit 88, to a downstream portion of the downstream section 21.2 which connects to the branching site 101b to the first and second secondary conduits 31, 32, therefore to the gas distribution network 3 comprising the secondary conduits 31, 32.

[0044] The control unit 84 controls the gas source selector 82. More specifically, the gas source selector 82 is controlled by the microprocessor 85 of the control unit 84, via the connecting cable 83 so as to allow or prohibit fluid communication between either of the first and second inlet conduits 86, 87 with the outlet conduit 88.

[0045] The gas source selector 82 is therefore configured to direct gaseous oxygen from the main gas source 1, namely the main tank 11, or from the secondary storage capacity 6, i.e. the secondary tank 61, to the first and second secondary conduits 31, 32, via said first and second inlet conduits 86, 87 and outlet conduit 88.

[0046] In other words, the gas source selector 82 operates in a manner analogous to a 3:2 valve.

[0047] The control unit 84 further comprises a telecommunications module 89 configured to transmit and / or receive data, i.e., information or other data. In one embodiment, the telecommunications module 89 is preferably integrated into the electronic board 84.1; however, it may also be separate from it.

[0048] More specifically, the telecommunication module 89 is configured to communicate in receive with the secondary telemetry unit 63 associated with the secondary gas tank 61. When the telecommunication module 89 receives data from the secondary telemetry unit 63, it provides them, i.e. retransmits or transfers them, to the control unit 84 which processes them.

[0049] As long as the secondary tank 61 is not under sufficient pressure, i.e., does not contain a given minimum quantity of oxygen ensuring the required pressure level, and the electrolyzer 90 is operating, for example due to a surplus of electricity produced by the renewable energy source(s), the microprocessor 85 of the control unit 84 commands the gas source selector 82 to ensure smooth communication between the main gas supply line and the gas distribution network 3 in order to supply it, via the inlet lines 86 and outlet 88 of selector 82, with oxygen coming only from the main storage tank 11, i.e. from the main gas source 1, i.e. oxygen.

[0050] While the electrolyzer 90 is in operation, it ensures the production of gaseous O2 which gradually fills the secondary tank 61. The pressure will therefore gradually increase there, being monitored by the telemetry unit 63 which operates pressure measurements continuously or periodically, and transmits them to the gas management unit 8.

[0051] When the pressure in the gas tank 61 increases and reaches a minimum required threshold pressure value, preferably of at least 10 bar, typically of at least 12 bar, the microprocessor 85 of the control unit 84 of the gas management unit 8 detects that the minimum threshold pressure has been reached or exceeded, from the processing of the measurements transmitted by the telemetry unit 63, and can then act in response to this detection, on the gas source selector 82 in order to fluidly connect the additional gas supply line 7 to the gas distribution network 3, via the inlet 87 and outlet 88 conduits of the selector 82, in order to supply it with oxygen from the secondary tank 61 instead of from the main storage tank 11.

[0052] It is understood that the gas source selector 82 is controlled by the gas management unit 8, in particular by the microprocessor 85 of the control unit 84, to authorize or prohibit the supply to the network 3 of pressurized gaseous oxygen from the main storage tank 11 or, where applicable, from the secondary tank 61, based on pressure measurements taken by the telemetry unit 63 associated with the secondary tank 61.

[0053] The primary telemetry unit 13 and secondary telemetry unit 63 are configured to be capable of transmitting information, in particular measurements. To do this, they each incorporate a telecommunications module.

[0054] Generally, depending on the quantity of O2 produced by the electrolyzer 90 and the O2 requirements, i.e., consumption / withdrawal, within the hospital, the pressure in the secondary tank 61 varies over time. In particular, it can reach a given maximum pressure (i.e., upper threshold), for example, approximately 30 bar, due in particular to the exhaust valve 93 which releases any excess pressure to the atmosphere, or, conversely, gradually decrease until it falls below a minimum threshold pressure level (i.e., lower threshold) below which the oxygen supply from the secondary tank 61 is no longer possible, i.e., is interrupted, and the supply from the main storage tank 11 resumes.

[0055] In other words, the microprocessor 85 of the control unit 84 is configured to (feedback) act on the gas source selector 82 in order to switch the supply back to Oxygen from network 3 is supplied to the main supply line 2 as soon as the oxygen pressure in the secondary gas reservoir 61 falls below the specified minimum pressure threshold. Advantageously, this minimum pressure threshold is greater than or equal to the pressure relief set at the secondary pressure regulator 73, i.e., here, for example, 7 bar or a pressure greater than 7 bar. This minimum pressure threshold is preferably stored in a storage device (not shown), such as a flash memory or similar, in the control unit 84 or directly in the microprocessor 85 itself.

[0056] According to another embodiment, the microprocessor 85 of the control unit 84 is configured to (feedback) act on the gas source selector 82 in order to control the oxygen supply of the network 3 from oxygen coming from the main supply line 2, i.e. the main storage tank 11, and from the additional gas supply line 7, i.e. the secondary tank 61. For example, to operate a proportional oxygen supply to the network 3 coming partly from the main supply line 2 and partly from the additional gas supply line 7.

[0057] In other words, according to the invention, by controlling / piloting the gas source selector 82, it is possible to ensure a supply of gaseous oxygen to the network coming either alternately from one or the other of the main supply conduit 2 and additional gas supply line 7, or simultaneously from both.

[0058] Moreover, according to a particular embodiment, depending on the size of the electrolyzer 9 and the oxygen requirements of the hospital in question, the O2 production by the electrolyzer(s) may exceed the hospital's O2 consumption and, therefore, provided a secondary gas reservoir 61 is sized to cover the hospital's daily needs, a supply of O2 in liquid form might no longer be necessary. In this case, it would even be possible to completely interrupt the supply from the main supply line 2, or even, in extreme cases, eliminate this main supply altogether and supply the network solely with oxygen produced by the electrolyzer(s) 9.

[0059] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the secondary telemetry unit 63 can also be configured to analyze the composition of the gas stored in the secondary tank 61, i.e., to verify that its quality conforms to the expected quality, for example by comparison to a threshold value stored in said secondary telemetry unit 63 (not shown). As long as the quality conforms, it does not emit an alarm signal.

[0060] On the other hand, if a compositional non-conformity is detected, the telemetry unit 63 sends an alarm signal to the control unit 84.

[0061] Upon receiving this alarm signal, the microprocessor 85 of the control unit 84 is configured to automatically act on the gas source selector 82 in order to stop the supply of oxygen from the secondary reservoir 61 and, on the other hand, ensure a supply of oxygen from the main supply line 2, i.e. from the main reservoir 11, of the gas distribution network 3 so that patients cannot be exposed to oxygen whose quality does not conform to the specified requirements, such as the pharmacopoeia.

[0062] In general, the installation 100 of the invention makes it possible to use gaseous O2 produced by an electrolyzer (or electrolyzers) 9 in order to reduce the consumption of LOX from the main source of liquid O2 1 and thus respond to the concern for improving the environmental footprint of hospital establishments.

[0063] Indeed, using one or more renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, i.e. photovoltaic panels, makes it possible to ensure all or part of the energy needs, i.e. in electrical current, of a hospital.

[0064] However, since a renewable energy source is intermittent by nature, electricity production fluctuates throughout the day and may, at certain times, exceed the energy needs of the establishment. Therefore, rather than losing the excess current produced when electricity production from the renewable energy source exceeds the energy needs of the establishment, in the context of the invention, it is used to power one (or more) electrolyzer(s) 9 in order to generate oxygen and hydrogen by water electrolysis, typically in a ratio of 1:8 (i.e., 1 kg of H2 for 8 kg O2).

[0065] This makes it possible not only to produce gaseous oxygen (GOX) which can be used in place of LOX and also hydrogen which can be stored, in gaseous form, in a dedicated hydrogen tank, at a pressure of about 30 bar.

[0066] In the event of a need for electrical current, for example during the night, the stored hydrogen can be transformed into electricity within a fuel cell and the electrical current thus produced can in turn be used to power and operate the electrolyzer to produce in particular oxygen, including when the photovoltaic panels are not working, for example during the night or in the absence of sun.

Claims

Demands

1. A gas distribution installation (100) for supplying gaseous oxygen to a pipeline network (3) of a hospital establishment, comprising: - a main gas source (1) containing oxygen, and - a main gas line (2) fluidly connected (at 101b) to the pipeline network (3) of the hospital establishment, said main gas line (2) being fluidly connected to said main gas source (1), characterized in that it further comprises: - at least one electrolyzer (9), supplied with electric current and water, configured to produce at least gaseous oxygen, - an additional supply line (7) for conveying gaseous oxygen produced by said at least one electrolyzer (9), - a gas source selector device (82) being arranged on the main gas line (2) and fluidly connected to said additional supply line (7),and - a control unit (84) operating said gas source selector device (82) so as to connect, via fluidic means, the hospital's pipeline network (3) with the main gas line (2) and / or the additional supply line (7).

2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the main gas source (1) comprises an oxygen tank (11) containing oxygen in liquid form (LOX), supplying a gas vaporizer (10) for transforming the LOX into gaseous oxygen (GOX).

3. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one gaseous oxygen storage capacity (6) is arranged downstream of said at least one electrolyzer (9) to store all or part of the oxygen produced by said at least one electrolyzer (9).

4. Installation according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the additional supply line (7) is fluidly connected and supplied with gaseous oxygen by said at least one gaseous oxygen storage capacity (6).

5. Installation according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that: - pressure measuring means (70) are arranged to measure the oxygen pressure within said at least one gaseous oxygen storage capacity (6), and - the control unit (84) controls the gas source selector device (82) from the pressure measurements operated by the pressure measuring means (70), preferably the control unit (84) comprises at least one electronic card (84.1) with a microprocessor (85).

6. Installation according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that - a main pressure regulator (23) is arranged on the main supply line (2), between the main gas source (1) and the gas source selector device (82), and / or - an additional pressure regulator (73) is arranged between said at least one electrolyzer (9) and the gas source selector device (82), in particular downstream of the gaseous oxygen storage capacity (6).

7. Installation according to claims 1 and 5, characterized in that the control unit (84) includes a telecommunications module (89) cooperating with an additional telemetry unit (63) configured to transmit to said telecommunications module (89), at least a part of the oxygen pressure measurements operated by the pressure measuring means (70).

8. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one electrolyzer (9) is supplied with electric current by at least one renewable energy source (45) operating intermittently.

9. Installation according to claim 8, characterized in that said at least one renewable energy source (45) comprises one or more photovoltaic panels.

10. An installation according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a fuel cell device (40) configured to produce electric current from hydrogen produced by said at least one electrolyzer (9) and supply at least a part of the electric current produced to said at least one electrolyzer (9).

Images