Glass – High Volume Oxygen

Posted on August 12, 2026 by calyxann — Leave a comment

HVO Classic Plus™: Oxygen-Generating System for Glassblowing

Manufacturer: High Volume Oxygen (HVO) | Product: Classic Plus™ | Application: Glassblowing, flameworking, lampworking, hot shops, teaching studios, home studios

What Is the HVO Classic Plus™?

The Classic Plus™ is an on-demand oxygen-generating system designed and manufactured by High Volume Oxygen (HVO) in Lincoln, Nebraska. It is not a compressed gas tank, a liquid oxygen (LOX) dewar, or a home-fill device. It is a complete, automated system that uses oxygen concentrators to extract oxygen from ambient air, compress it, and store it at pressures between 100 and 160 psi — ready to use whenever your torch is running.

The Classic Plus™ is the system HVO built its reputation on, in use by glassblowers across the United States and internationally since 2011.

How Glassblowers Use the Classic Plus™

Glassblowing requires a consistent, reliable oxygen supply to sustain the high-temperature flame needed to work molten glass. Traditionally, studios have sourced oxygen through compressed gas cylinders (such as K-tanks), liquid oxygen dewars, or home-fill concentrator setups.

The High Volume Oxygen Classic Plus™ is an alternative to all three. It generates and compresses oxygen on-demand, automatically cycling on and off to maintain your set pressure range. You do not need to schedule deliveries, transport cylinders, or manage liquid oxygen handling.

The system is compatible with a range of torch types and studio sizes — from single-torch home studios to multi-station teaching facilities.

System Specifications

Output pressure: 100–160 psi
Flow rate range: 20–280 LPM, depending on configuration
Power: Single-phase household current (120V or 240V depending on model)
Concentrators: Pairs with oxygen concentrators (DeVilbiss and AirSep)
Storage tanks: Oxygen-clean steel tanks in 30, 60, and 80-gallon sizes
Compressor options: Standard, Mighty Mite, Titan 1, Titan 2 and the FLEX — each supporting a different number of concentrators and maximum tank pressure

For industrial use only. Not for human medical use.

Modular and Expandable

The Classic Plus™ is built to grow with your studio. Start with a configuration sized for your current needs and add concentrators, storage tanks, or a Drone compressor later — without replacing the components you already own. This makes it a practical choice for a home studio artist who may want to expand capacity over time, as well as for institutions that need to plan for growth.

Oxygen Cost Comparison

One of the primary reasons glassblowers consider an HVO system is oxygen cost. Delivered oxygen — whether compressed K-tanks or liquid oxygen — carries gas company pricing, delivery fees, tank rental charges, and in some cases hazmat fees. These costs vary by region and supplier.

An HVO Classic Plus™ system produces the equivalent of a K-tank for under $2 in electricity. Actual savings depend on your local power rates, your usage volume, and your current oxygen costs. HVO provides detailed cost comparison resources to help you evaluate whether on-demand generation makes financial sense for your specific situation.

Lewis Wilson, Crystal Myths — Lewis Wilson, HVO Standard 60 gallon system since 2022

Safety Considerations

Compressed oxygen cylinders (K-tanks) typically store gas at approximately 2,200 psi. Liquid oxygen introduces cryogenic handling requirements. The Classic Plus™ stores oxygen at a maximum of 160 psi depending on the compressor model, which is a significantly lower pressure than compressed cylinders.

Additionally, some jurisdictions restrict or prohibit the use of high-pressure compressed tanks or liquid oxygen in residential or commercial building settings. An on-demand oxygen-generating system may be permitted where cylinder or LOX storage is not. HVO recommends consulting your local fire marshal and insurance provider before purchasing any oxygen supply system.

Tim Drier, Barware Reimagined — Tim Drier, HVO Mighty Mite 30 gallon system, since 2020

Who Uses the Classic Plus™?

Home studio glassblowers looking for an alternative to cylinder delivery or liquid oxygen
Flameworkers and lampworkers who need consistent pressure for borosilicate and soft glass work
Teaching studios running multiple torch stations
Universities and institutions that need a scalable, low-maintenance oxygen supply
Hot shops requiring reliable, on-demand oxygen without the logistics of gas delivery

Support and Service

The Classic Plus™ is designed to be self-serviceable. Components are available, affordable, and straightforward to replace without specialized tools or a service technician. HVO provides direct support by phone, video, chat and email — when you contact HVO, you reach staff with direct knowledge of the system and its applications.

High Volume Oxygen 500 W. South Street, Suite #4 | Lincoln, Nebraska 68522 📞 (402) 476-0555 ✉ sales@highvolumeoxygen.com

Posted on April 22, 2024April 23, 2024 by calyxann — Leave a comment

Mastering Glassblowing: Generating Your Own Oxygen Supply for Optimal Crafting

Glassblowing is an ancient art form that has captivated artists for centuries. From delicate ornaments to intricate sculptures, the possibilities with glass are endless. However, one crucial element often overlooked in glassblowing is the necessity for a reliable oxygen supply. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of generating your own oxygen for glassblowing and how it can elevate your craft to new heights.

Why Oxygen is Crucial for Glassblowing:

Oxygen plays a vital role in the glassblowing process. It fuels the flame that heats the glass to its molten state, allowing artists to shape and manipulate it with precision. Without an adequate oxygen supply, work sessions are interrupted while supply issues are dealt with. This can result in frustration for the artist as the creative flow is interrupted.

Benefits of Generating Your Own Oxygen:

While there are various ways to obtain oxygen for glassblowing, such as purchasing liquid or compressed oxygen tanks and relying on an external supplier, generating your own oxygen with High Volume Oxygen Systems offer several advantages:

1. Cost-effectiveness: Investing in an oxygen generator may require an initial upfront cost, but it can save an enormous amount of money in the long run compared to purchasing oxygen tanks repeatedly. The return on investment is far better than the interest rates you can get on your money in standard investments or a bank account. No more rental or delivery fees, or hazmat charges that leave you feeling empty with nothing to show for your investment.

Cost of buying oxygen from a supplier include rental fees, hazmat and delivery charges that leave you with nothing for your investment. — **High Volume Oxygen CAN help with financing!!!**
**We’ve got a few options to help cut back on the initial investment.**

2. Independence: By generating your own oxygen, you’re not reliant on external suppliers or subject to their pricing and availability. This independence ensures uninterrupted crafting sessions and greater flexibility with your time.

3. Sustainability: High Volume Oxygen Systems produce oxygen on-demand, eliminating the need for transportation and storage of compressed gas cylinders. This reduces carbon emissions associated with transportation of heavy cylinders and promotes eco-friendliness. High Volume Oxygen Systems can be run on solar power and generators off grid, as well.

4. Convenience: High Volume Oxygen Systems come in all sizes, making them suitable for various studio setups. They require minimal maintenance and can be easily integrated into your existing glassblowing studio. They are modular and expandable to grow with you. As your oxygen needs increase, simply add on to your initial investment to generate more oxygen by adding oxygen concentrators to increase your flow, oxygen clean storage tanks to increase your volume, or a drone compressor to increase your compression capacity.

HVO Classic Plus mini 10 lpm oxygen generator

The HVO Classic Plus mini with 10 lpm for small glassblowing studio

Small glassblowing studio with a High Volume Oxygen System generating oxygen for a torch.

Large HVO System for torches that have high consumption rates, working larger pieces, or multiple small torch studio

HVO Main and Drone Systems power a large glass studio with multiple torch stations for rental and teaching

5. Safe and simple to run and maintain: A plug and play glassblowing oxygen supply like the High Volume Oxygen System is simple to install, while meeting building requirements for a safe oxygen supply. The relatively low pressure of an on-demand oxygen generator for glassblowing like the HVO System is far safer than compressed and liquid tanks and doesn’t require a separate blast room in commercial locations. High Volume Oxygen uses oxygen rated parts and offers you the convenience of DIY oxygen production with the peace of mind that everything will run optimally with limited maintenance, a warranty for parts and labor and liability insurance.

Generating your own oxygen for glassblowing is a game-changer for artisans seeking reliability, consistency, and sustainability in their craft. By investing in a High Volume Oxygen System, you not only elevate the quality of your work but also gain independence and control over your creative process. Embrace the power of self-sufficiency and watch your glassblowing endeavors flourish like never before.

Posted on November 19, 2020November 19, 2020 by calyxann — Leave a comment

How much will I pay in electricity? (Part Three)

Add up to five 10 lpm oxygen concentrators to the Mighty Mite 20 gallon system

In previous posts, we’ve examined the electrical usage of a large studio setup and a medium studio setup. In this article, we’re looking at a small High Volume Oxygen system for a single torch – the Mighty Mite 20 gallon system with two HVO Pro Gen 10 lpm oxygen concentrators.

This small setup works great for someone working with a Bethlehem Bravo or GTT Phantom. It could handle a couple of folks working on smaller torches like Bethlehem Alphas or GTT Lynxs. High Volume Oxygen systems are modular and expandable, so you can always add more concentrators or additional storage if you upgrade or need more oxygen, but this setup is a great starter system.

Posted on October 23, 2020July 27, 2023 by calyxann — 5 Comments

How much oxygen does my torch use?

When considering a High Volume Oxygen system to replace your dependence on compressed or liquid oxygen tanks, there are various considerations. Knowing how much oxygen you go through in a set period of time is a great way to figure out which High Volume Oxygen system will work best for you. It helps to know how long a tank of oxygen lasts you, but short term usage is also helpful to make sure you get a system that can keep up with you. How do you figure out your short term usage? Start with your torch(es).

Posted on October 8, 2020November 19, 2020 by calyxann — Leave a comment

Using Compressed Oxygen to Supplement for Glass Blowers

Why would you want to supplement your High Volume Oxygen System with compressed oxygen tanks?

When considering a High Volume Oxygen system to replace your dependence on compressed or liquid oxygen tanks, there are various considerations. One of the most important things to consider is your typical overall oxygen usage vs your peak oxygen usage (the highest volume of oxygen you might need during certain time periods). When making your initial investment, sometimes it makes more sense to plan for your typical oxygen usage and supplement with compressed oxygen for the rare occasions that your usage is much higher than normal (like for events or classes).