Raising air pressure in a single bedroom by 1.5psi or 2.5 InHg approx?

[dbreese]

Hi, I live at 7000ft and spend a lot of time at 10000 ft altitude. However, I have a horrible time sleeping at the 10000 ft elevation. (horrible == hardly at all and poses a medical risk unfortunately).

Talking with a sleep specialist, it is obviously pressure related (along with O2 concentration).

I am wondering if it is possible to raise the ambient pressure in a bedroom by 1.5psi or 2.5 In. Hg. Abs easily? Or, is this just a dream?

What if cost is [mostly] not an issue? Can someone point me in the right direction on more research or who I should talk with?

Thanks!

 

[dbreese]

I meant to say, I can work on making the room air-tight. It is approximately 1800 cubic feet in volume, and temperature can be kept close to 70 degrees F.

 

[DRWeig]

Work out the forces on the walls, windows, and doors.

Door: 30" x 84" x 1.5 PSI = 3780 lbf. If the door opens into the bedroom, I don't think I could get out. I'm betting the windows wouldn't appreciate that level of pressure either.

That's a tough problem. Can you do an oxygen tent?


Best to you,

Goober Dave

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[DRWeig]

Ooops, I clicked submit too early. Danged arthritis.

To limit the pressure on doors and glass (and walls), the highest you want to be is about 0.25" H20 pressure difference. That's about 0.009 PSI or 25 lbf on a door. You might be able to mitigate that with an airlock entry (refer to 2001 - A Space Odyssey for an example. The room would have to be sealed really, really well. Think submarine.

Best to you,

Goober Dave

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[IRstuff]

Have you considered something along the lines of a CPAP machine? That would be substantially easier to do, and cheaper, that a whole room pressurization system.

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[dbreese]

Thanks for the info -- didn't realize it would be that difficult and cause that much pressure. I am currently trying a special type of machine called an Auto BiPap ASV, but it costs close to $8000 and is taking some time to get accustomed to. Was hoping that there would be another solution that would be "easy". Amazing that I sleep great at 7000/8000 feet, but not at 10000 and am in excellent shape/health. Oh well, such is life and it sure could be a lot worse, I suppose.

 

[MintJulep]

Not at all a practical thing to do.

Most likely your problem is oxygen concentration, not pressure. So try a mask or cannula.

If you really want to sleep in a higher pressure environment, consider a pre-made hyperbaric chamber rather than making an attempt at a DIY version.

 

[IRstuff]

Have you considered getting a sleep anea study, particularly at 10 kft?

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[DRWeig]

Good suggestion, IRstuff -- I had to do CPAP for a while, it took maybe two good months to get completely used to it. Also, I can't think of a reason that some extra oxygen can't be piped into the supply to enrich the air.

Only half kidding here, dbreese: You could make a sleeping chamber, I suppose. Small space that looks like a bank safe, maybe even a large diameter pipe with an airlock door on one end? I envisioned an iron lung that encloses the head as well as the body.

Be safe, though. If the space is tight enough to pressurize, it's tight enough to suffocate you. I would alarm the tar out of it and have a super-reliable backup ventilation system.

Good luck with it, that sounds like a tough time you're having.

Best to you,

Goober Dave

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[dbreese]

MintJulep: Yes, I've tried just straight O2 concentration, but didn't help. Apparently it is the CO2 that is backing up and causing issues, though. Have done a sleep study already, and was just exploring different options! Many thanks for your input and advice!

 

[IRstuff]

Have you looked into sleeping with your head elevated? It can create neck pain, but I think I sleep better that way.

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[317069]

Talking with a sleep specialist, it is obviously pressure related (along with O2 concentration).
does it mean that everyone living in your area has the same or similar problem or only you?
I think you need a medical help not engineering help.

 

[dbreese]

317069: Definitely is a medical issue, but am investigating alternative options -- to simulate lower altitude while I sleep (awake hours are not an issue, just while sleeping).

Thanks again for input from everyone. Sounds like I'm back to the drawing board!

 

[KiwiMace]

Stay at 7000ft. Is this your job at 10000ft?

 

[willard3]

So......move down to where you sleep well.

 

[ChasBean1]

Consider hyperbaric chambers. HVAC systems provide air with pressure at a much lower order of magnitude than major altitude changes. Example: Denver is a mile high (5,300 ft) and typically runs at about a 5" of mercury lower pressure than coastal cities. A high pressure air handling unit might deliver 5" water column static pressure to a building. Due to density of mercury to water of about 13.7 to 1, the high pressure air handler delivers this "high pressure" air at about 7% of the pressure difference resulting from a change in altitude between LA and Denver.