Liquid Oxygen and “Floating” Electricity

Björn Gunnarsson, a specialist in SAk’s Quality Department, teaches the course alongside colleagues. During the session, students learn about the hospital’s pipework and electrical systems, among other things.

“Many people know that there is a large tank of liquid oxygen outside the hospital, but fewer know that the oxygen is stored at an extremely low temperature, around −160 °C, at a pressure of approximately ten atmospheres. Storing oxygen in liquid form makes it possible to keep a large quantity in a relatively small space,” says Björn.

Operating theatres use what is known as a “floating” electrical system, which is a very different concept. “This is an isolated electrical system based on a special isolation transformer. The system significantly reduces the risk of electric shock when a first insulation fault occurs and also allows essential electrical equipment to remain in operation if such a fault arises,” Björn explains.

In this way, the training session gives students an insight into the technology behind the hospital’s daily operations. “It is very important for SAk to welcome postgraduate students and give them the opportunity to learn about our work. Training sessions like this strengthen the hospital’s teaching role and our important collaboration with the University of Iceland,” says Laufey Hrólfsdóttir, Head of the Department of Education and Research at SAk.