Temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202522291003.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-09
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-10-29
AI Technical Summary
[0005]本实用新型的主要目的是提出一种温湿度可调节的变压吸附制氧机,旨在解决目前变压吸附制氧机中对进气未进行除湿或除湿效果不佳,导致分子筛易失效的问题
[0016]本实用新型的技术方案通过采用空压机、涡流管和温湿度调节器的组合结构,其中,通过让空压机的出气口分别与第一壳体的进气口和涡流管的入口连通,使得高压空气得以分流,一路进入后续的温湿度调节流程,另一路驱动涡流管工作,实现了系统动力的合理分配与利用。此外,通过让涡流管的冷气口与制冷换热器的进气口连通,热气口与制热换热器的进气口连通,从而利用涡流效应将高压空气分离为冷、热两股气流,并分别导入制冷换热器和制热换热器;由于涡流管本身无移动部件,该设计不仅简化了系统结构,降低了能耗与维护需求,还有助于实现设备的小型化与轻量化。制冷换热器和制热换热器均设置于第一壳体内,且制冷换热器相较制热换热器更靠近第一壳体的进气口,这使得从第一壳体进气口进入的高压空气能够先流经制冷换热器,利用制冷换热器的冷量使高压气体降温至露点下从而凝露并除湿,有效去除空气中的水分,避免水分后续进入分子筛组件导致分子筛水解失效;随后,除湿后的空气再流经制热换热器,利用制热换热器对除湿后空气进行加热升温,从而使升温后气体适于人体吸入。之后,通过让分子筛组件的进气口与第一壳体的出气口连通,从而接收经过精确调控温湿度的空气,以便后续高效、稳定地分离出高纯度氧气。本方案先冷除湿、后热调温的流程,有效解决了传统变压吸附制氧机因对进气的除湿程度不足导致的分子筛结构弱化、氧气纯度下降及设备寿命缩短的问题,显著提升了制氧机的环境适应性与运行可靠性。
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Figure CN224822097U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical and health care technology, and in particular to a pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator with adjustable temperature and humidity. Background Technology
[0002] The growing demand for high-purity oxygen in the healthcare sector has driven the continuous evolution of oxygen generation technologies. Among these, pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen generation technology, proposed by Skarstrom in the 1960s, has been widely used in oxygen therapy and health care due to its advantages such as low operating temperature and no need for heating regeneration. This technology utilizes the selective adsorption of nitrogen by zeolite molecular sieves to continuously separate high-concentration oxygen from the air through a cycle of pressure adsorption and depressurization desorption.
[0003] Currently, mainstream PSA oxygen concentrators are compressor-driven, using alternating adsorption / desorption through dual or multi-molecular sieve towers to achieve continuous oxygen supply. Large-scale equipment is typically equipped with a dry chiller to pre-cool and dehumidify the intake air, while small home models generally do not have a dry chiller and directly use ambient air as the feed gas.
[0004] However, small oxygen concentrators lack dry cooling devices, making them susceptible to molecular sieve hydrolysis and failure due to humid air. While large equipment may have dry cooling units, the higher cooling temperatures, due to considerations of energy consumption, size, and gas output comfort, result in insufficient dehumidification. This still makes it difficult to prevent moisture in the air from reacting with the molecular sieves, leading to structural weakening. This not only affects oxygen purity and equipment lifespan but also limits the reliable application of PSA oxygen concentrators in high-humidity environments. Utility Model Content
[0005] The main purpose of this invention is to propose a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen generator with adjustable temperature and humidity, which aims to solve the problem that the current PSA oxygen generators do not dehumidify the intake air or have poor dehumidification effect, leading to easy failure of the molecular sieve.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes a temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator, comprising an air compressor, a vortex tube, a temperature and humidity regulator, and a molecular sieve assembly. The temperature and humidity regulator includes a first housing, a refrigeration heat exchanger, and a heating heat exchanger. Both the refrigeration and heating heat exchangers are located within the first housing. The air outlet of the air compressor is connected to the air inlet of the first housing and the inlet of the vortex tube, respectively. The cold air outlet of the vortex tube is connected to the air inlet of the refrigeration heat exchanger, and the hot air outlet of the vortex tube is connected to the air inlet of the heating heat exchanger. The exhaust ports of both the refrigeration and heating heat exchangers extend out of the first housing, with the refrigeration heat exchanger being closer to the air inlet of the first housing than the heating heat exchanger. The air inlet of the molecular sieve assembly is connected to the air outlet of the first housing.
[0007] In one embodiment, the molecular sieve assembly includes two molecular sieve towers, each equipped with an inlet valve and an outlet valve. The top of each molecular sieve tower has an inlet, and the bottom of each molecular sieve tower has an outlet. The outlet of the first housing is connected to the inlets of the two molecular sieve towers via the two inlet valves, and the bottom of each molecular sieve tower is connected to an oxygen storage device via the outlet valve.
[0008] In one embodiment, the molecular sieve tower includes a second shell, a mesh limiter, molecular sieve particles, and at least two layers of nonwoven fabric. The mesh limiter and molecular sieve particles are both disposed inside the second shell, with the molecular sieve particles correspondingly disposed on the mesh limiter. The air outlet of the first shell is connected to the air inlets of the two second shells through two air inlet valves. The at least two layers of nonwoven fabric respectively seal the upper and lower ends of the second shell, and the mesh limiter and molecular sieve particles are located between the at least two layers of nonwoven fabric.
[0009] In one embodiment, the molecular sieve tower is further provided with a switching valve, an exhaust valve, and a pressure equalization valve. The outlet of the first shell is connected to the inlet of the switching valve through a first pipeline. One side outlet of the switching valve is connected to the inlet valve of one of the second shells through a second pipeline. The other side outlet of the switching valve is connected to the inlet valve of another second shell through a third pipeline. Each of the second and third pipelines is provided with an exhaust valve. The second and third pipelines are connected through a fourth pipeline, and the fourth pipeline is provided with a pressure equalization valve. And / or, the first shell is arranged vertically, with the inlet of the first shell facing downward and the outlet of the first shell facing upward.
[0010] In one embodiment, a perforated plate is provided at the bottom of the inner cavity of the first housing. The perforated plate is inclined relative to the horizontal plane and has multiple orifices. The orifices are raised upward and the diameter of the raised part of the orifice is larger than the diameter of the bottom of the orifice. A drain valve is also provided on the bottom side wall of the first housing. The downward inclined part of the perforated plate corresponds to the position of the drain valve. Compressed gas passes through the air inlet and the orifices of the first housing in sequence and enters the inner cavity of the first housing.
[0011] In one embodiment, the temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator further includes an air storage unit and an oxygen storage unit. The air compressor is connected to the vortex tube and the temperature and humidity regulator through the air storage unit. The air inlet of the oxygen storage unit is connected to the air outlet of the molecular sieve assembly.
[0012] In one embodiment, the temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator further includes a negative ion component. The negative ion component includes a jet tube and a water container. The jet tube has a mixing chamber, a constriction section, an oxygen inlet, a water inlet, and an outlet. The oxygen inlet and the water inlet are both connected to the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber is connected to the outlet through the constriction section. The inner diameter of the constriction section is smaller than the inner diameter of the mixing chamber and the diameter of the outlet. The water inlet is detachably connected to the water container. The outlet of the oxygen storage device is connected to the oxygen inlet.
[0013] In one embodiment, the temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator also includes a pressure control valve and a monitoring instrument. The outlet of the oxygen storage unit is connected to the oxygen inlet through the pressure control valve, and the monitoring instrument is located between the pressure control valve and the outlet of the oxygen storage unit.
[0014] In one embodiment, the monitoring instruments include a pressure gauge, an oxygen concentration meter, and a flow meter.
[0015] In one embodiment, the temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator further includes a filter assembly, which includes an air filter connected to the air inlet of the air compressor; the filter assembly also includes an oil filter, through which the air outlet of the air compressor is connected to the air inlet of the air reservoir; or, the air compressor is configured as an oil-free air compressor.
[0016] This invention employs a combined structure of an air compressor, a vortex tube, and a temperature and humidity regulator. By connecting the air compressor's outlet to both the inlet of the first housing and the inlet of the vortex tube, high-pressure air is split. One stream enters the subsequent temperature and humidity regulation process, while the other drives the vortex tube, achieving a rational distribution and utilization of system power. Furthermore, by connecting the cold air outlet of the vortex tube to the inlet of the refrigeration heat exchanger and the hot air outlet to the inlet of the heating heat exchanger, the vortex effect is used to separate the high-pressure air into cold and hot air streams, which are then directed to the refrigeration and heating heat exchangers respectively. Since the vortex tube itself has no moving parts, this design not only simplifies the system structure and reduces energy consumption and maintenance requirements but also contributes to the miniaturization and weight reduction of the equipment. Both the refrigeration and heating heat exchangers are housed within the first casing, with the refrigeration heat exchanger positioned closer to the air inlet of the first casing than the heating heat exchanger. This allows high-pressure air entering from the air inlet of the first casing to first flow through the refrigeration heat exchanger, where its cooling capacity lowers the high-pressure gas to below its dew point, causing condensation and dehumidification. This effectively removes moisture from the air, preventing it from subsequently entering the molecular sieve assembly and causing hydrolysis and failure of the molecular sieve. The dehumidified air then flows through the heating heat exchanger, which heats the air to a temperature suitable for human inhalation. Finally, by connecting the air inlet of the molecular sieve assembly to the air outlet of the first casing, precisely regulated air with controlled temperature and humidity is received, enabling the efficient and stable separation of high-purity oxygen. This solution, with its process of first dehumidifying and then adjusting the temperature, effectively solves the problems of weakened molecular sieve structure, decreased oxygen purity, and shortened equipment life caused by insufficient dehumidification of the intake air in traditional pressure swing adsorption oxygen generators. It significantly improves the environmental adaptability and operational reliability of the oxygen generator.
[0017] Overall, this embodiment innovatively achieves effective and reliable regulation of inlet air temperature and humidity through the synergistic effect of vortex tubes, refrigeration heat exchangers, and heating heat exchangers. It ensures the dehumidification effect of the inlet air without the need for traditional dry refrigeration units, thereby guaranteeing the service life of the molecular sieve. At the same time, it also reduces energy efficiency and facilitates equipment miniaturization. Attached Figure Description
[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.
[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a structure of an embodiment of the temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator provided by this utility model; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the mesh limiter in an embodiment of the temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator provided by this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the orifice plate in an embodiment of the temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator provided by this utility model.
[0020] Explanation of icon numbers: 1. Air compressor; 2. Vortex tube; 3. Temperature and humidity regulator; 31. First housing; 32. Refrigeration heat exchanger; 33. Heating heat exchanger; 34. Orifice plate; 341. Orifice; 35. Drain valve; 4. Molecular sieve assembly; 41. Molecular sieve tower; 411. Second shell; 412. Mesh limiter; 413. Non-woven fabric; 42. Inlet valve; 43. Oxygen outlet valve; 44. Switching valve; 45. Exhaust valve; 46. Pressure equalizing valve; 5. Oxygen storage unit; 6. Air storage unit; 7. Negative ion generator; 71. Jet tube; 72. Water container; 81. Pressure control valve; 82. Monitoring instrument; 83. Filter assembly; 831. Air filter; 832. Oil filter.
[0021] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation
[0022] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.
[0023] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this utility model involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.
[0024] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this utility model involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.
[0025] The growing demand for high-purity oxygen in the healthcare sector has driven the continuous evolution of oxygen generation technologies. Among these, pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen generation technology, proposed by Skarstrom in the 1960s, has been widely used in oxygen therapy and health care due to its advantages such as low operating temperature and no need for heating regeneration. This technology utilizes the selective adsorption of nitrogen by zeolite molecular sieves to continuously separate high-concentration oxygen from the air through a cycle of pressure adsorption and depressurization desorption.
[0026] Currently, mainstream PSA oxygen concentrators are compressor-driven, using alternating adsorption / desorption through dual or multi-molecular sieve towers to achieve continuous oxygen supply. Large-scale equipment is typically equipped with a dry chiller to pre-cool and dehumidify the intake air, while small home models generally do not have a dry chiller and directly use ambient air as the feed gas.
[0027] However, small oxygen concentrators lack a dry cooling system, making them susceptible to molecular sieve hydrolysis and failure due to humid air. While large equipment may have a dry cooling unit, its higher cooling temperature, due to considerations of energy consumption, size, and air comfort, results in insufficient dehumidification. This still makes it difficult to prevent moisture in the air from reacting with the molecular sieves, leading to structural weakening. This not only affects oxygen purity and equipment lifespan but also limits the reliable application of PSA oxygen concentrators in high-humidity environments. Furthermore, dry cooling units have drawbacks such as high power consumption, space requirements, and system complexity, thus limiting their application in small oxygen concentrators and making dehumidification difficult in these units.
[0028] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention proposes a pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator with adjustable temperature and humidity.
[0029] Please see Figure 1 In one embodiment of this utility model, the temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator includes an air compressor 1, a vortex tube 2, a temperature and humidity regulator 3, and a molecular sieve assembly 4. The temperature and humidity regulator 3 includes a first housing 31, a cooling heat exchanger 32, and a heating heat exchanger 33. Both the cooling heat exchanger 32 and the heating heat exchanger 33 are located inside the first housing 31. The outlet of the air compressor 1 is connected to the inlet of the first housing 31 and the inlet of the vortex tube 2, respectively. The cold air outlet of the vortex tube 2 is connected to the inlet of the cooling heat exchanger 32, and the hot air outlet of the vortex tube 2 is connected to the inlet of the heating heat exchanger 33. The exhaust ports of both the cooling heat exchanger 32 and the heating heat exchanger 33 extend out of the first housing 31, with the cooling heat exchanger 32 being closer to the inlet of the first housing 31 than the heating heat exchanger 33. The inlet of the molecular sieve assembly 4 is connected to the outlet of the first housing 31.
[0030] The technical solution of this utility model adopts a combined structure of an air compressor 1, a vortex tube 2, and a temperature and humidity regulator 3. By connecting the outlet of the air compressor 1 to the inlet of the first housing 31 and the inlet of the vortex tube 2, the high-pressure air is split. One stream enters the subsequent temperature and humidity regulation process, while the other drives the vortex tube 2, achieving a rational distribution and utilization of system power. Furthermore, by connecting the cold air outlet of the vortex tube 2 to the inlet of the refrigeration heat exchanger 32 and the hot air outlet to the inlet of the heating heat exchanger 33, the high-pressure air is separated into cold and hot air streams using the vortex effect, which are then introduced into the refrigeration heat exchanger 32 and the heating heat exchanger 33 respectively. Since the vortex tube 2 itself has no moving parts, this design not only simplifies the system structure and reduces energy consumption and maintenance requirements but also contributes to the miniaturization and weight reduction of the equipment. Both the refrigeration heat exchanger 32 and the heating heat exchanger 33 are housed within the first housing 31, with the refrigeration heat exchanger 32 positioned closer to the air inlet of the first housing 31 than the heating heat exchanger 33. This allows the high-pressure air entering from the air inlet of the first housing 31 to first flow through the refrigeration heat exchanger 32, where its cooling capacity lowers the high-pressure gas to below the dew point, causing condensation and dehumidification. This effectively removes moisture from the air, preventing it from subsequently entering the molecular sieve assembly 4 and causing hydrolysis and failure of the molecular sieve. The dehumidified air then flows through the heating heat exchanger 33, which heats the air to a temperature suitable for human inhalation. Finally, by connecting the air inlet of the molecular sieve assembly 4 to the air outlet of the first housing 31, precisely regulated air with controlled temperature and humidity is received, enabling efficient and stable separation of high-purity oxygen. This solution, with its process of first dehumidifying and then adjusting the temperature, effectively solves the problems of weakened molecular sieve structure, decreased oxygen purity, and shortened equipment life caused by insufficient dehumidification of the intake air in traditional pressure swing adsorption oxygen generators. It significantly improves the environmental adaptability and operational reliability of the oxygen generator.
[0031] Overall, this embodiment innovatively achieves effective and reliable regulation of inlet air temperature and humidity through the synergistic effect of the vortex tube 2, the refrigeration heat exchanger 32, and the heating heat exchanger 33. It ensures the dehumidification effect of the inlet air without the need for a traditional dry refrigeration unit, thereby ensuring the service life of the molecular sieve. At the same time, it also reduces energy efficiency and facilitates equipment miniaturization.
[0032] Since most mainstream pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen generators are equipped with an air compressor 1 as the power source for driving and compressing air, enabling the molecular sieve assembly 4 to separate oxygen-enriched products from the air through pressure adsorption, the air compressor 1 in this embodiment can simultaneously provide high-pressure air to both the vortex tube 2 and the molecular sieve assembly 4. This allows the vortex tube 2 to achieve the vortex effect condition and the molecular sieve assembly 4 to achieve the pressure swing adsorption condition. Therefore, the air compressor 1 in this embodiment can simultaneously serve as the power source for dehumidification, temperature control, and oxygen enrichment preparation, thereby effectively reducing energy consumption and saving the space required for the equipment.
[0033] It should be noted that high-pressure gas needs to be introduced into the vortex tube 2 through the tangential inlet (i.e., the inlet of the vortex tube 2 in this embodiment) in order to fully utilize the vortex effect to generate two airflows, cold air and hot air, and achieve separation. To generate a significant vortex effect, the typical inlet pressure of the high-pressure gas needs to be 0.4~0.8 MPa. Therefore, the air compressor 1 in this embodiment can be an air compressor 1 capable of generating compressed gas at a pressure of 0.4 MPa or higher to meet the requirements of the vortex effect; preferably, an air compressor 1 capable of generating compressed gas at a pressure of 0.8 MPa can be used to fully meet the requirements for generating the vortex effect and avoid the air pressure failing to meet the vortex effect requirements due to factors such as air pressure loss during transmission.
[0034] Furthermore, the temperature difference between the cold and hot air generated by the vortex tube 2 can reach over 50°C, with the cold air reaching a low temperature of -30°C and the hot air reaching a high temperature of over 80°C. This allows the high-pressure gas to first flow through the refrigeration heat exchanger 32 and be sufficiently cooled, bringing it below its dew point to condense moisture and effectively dehumidify. Then, it flows through the heating heat exchanger 33, which heats the dehumidified air, making it suitable for human inhalation. As a reference, the final temperature of the gas after temperature and humidity control can be controlled between 4 and 27°C, and the moisture content can be controlled to ≤0.07g / m³. 3 This is to meet the temperature and humidity requirements. Since the oxygen concentration in the oxygen-enriched gas prepared by pressure swing adsorption can reach 93%, and the temperature of the final oxygen-enriched gas generated in this embodiment is suitable for human inhalation, it is suitable for oxygen therapy and oxygen health care for various groups of people, as well as for the medical clinical field, and can also be used in industrial oxygen production and other fields, which will not be elaborated here.
[0035] In addition, the various components (such as the air compressor 1 and the vortex tube 2, the vortex tube 2 and the refrigeration heat exchanger 32, the heating heat exchanger 33, etc.) can be connected through various pipelines, and valves can be installed in the pipelines to control the connection status.
[0036] It should also be noted that the vortex tube 2 is located outside the temperature and humidity regulator 3 (i.e. outside the first housing 31). The first housing 31 may be provided with two connection ports. The first connection port is used to connect the cold outlet of the vortex tube 2 to the refrigeration heat exchanger 32, and the second connection port is used to connect the hot outlet of the vortex tube 2 to the heating heat exchanger 33. In addition, the first housing 31 may also be provided with an exhaust port so that the exhaust ports of the refrigeration heat exchanger 32 and the heating heat exchanger 33 can extend out of the first housing 31.
[0037] Please see Figure 1 In an embodiment of this utility model, the molecular sieve assembly 4 includes two molecular sieve towers 41. Each molecular sieve tower 41 is provided with an inlet valve 42 and an outlet valve 43. The top of the molecular sieve tower 41 is provided with an inlet, and the bottom of the molecular sieve tower 41 is provided with an outlet. The outlet of the first housing 31 is connected to the inlet of the two molecular sieve towers 41 respectively through the two inlet valves 42. The bottom of the molecular sieve tower 41 is connected to the oxygen storage device 5 through the outlet valve 43.
[0038] In this embodiment, by adopting a parallel structure design of dual molecular sieve towers 41, and ensuring that each molecular sieve tower 41 is equipped with an independent inlet valve 42 and an oxygen outlet valve 43, the two molecular sieve towers 41 can alternately perform adsorption and desorption regeneration operations, thereby achieving a continuous and uninterrupted oxygen supply and effectively improving the oxygen supply efficiency and stability of the equipment. Furthermore, by placing the air inlet of the molecular sieve tower 41 at the top and the air outlet at the bottom, forming an upward-inlet and downward-outlet flow direction, compressed air flows from top to bottom within the tower. This flow direction utilizes the weight and high pressure of the airflow to naturally compact the molecular sieve bed, significantly reducing the physical wear of the molecular sieve particles caused by long-term vibration and airflow impact, effectively extending the service life of the molecular sieve. Additionally, by connecting the air outlet of the first shell 31 to the corresponding top air inlets of the two molecular sieve towers 41 through two inlet valves 42, it is ensured that the dry, cold air, with precise temperature and humidity control, can be evenly distributed to each tower to participate in the adsorption process. Finally, by connecting the bottom of the molecular sieve tower 41 to the oxygen storage device 5 via the oxygen outlet valve 43, the high concentration of oxygen generated after adsorption can be successfully collected and stored, providing a stable and reliable gas source for the subsequent preparation of negative oxygen ions.
[0039] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2In an embodiment of this utility model, the molecular sieve tower 41 includes a second shell 411, a mesh limiter 412, molecular sieve particles (not shown in the figure), and at least two layers of nonwoven fabric 413. The mesh limiter 412 and the molecular sieve particles are both disposed inside the second shell 411, and the molecular sieve particles are correspondingly disposed on the mesh limiter 412. The air outlet of the first shell 31 is respectively connected to the air inlets of the two second shells 411 through two air inlet valves 42. At least two layers of nonwoven fabric 413 respectively seal the upper and lower ends of the second shell 411, and the mesh limiter 412 and the molecular sieve particles are both located between the at least two layers of nonwoven fabric 413.
[0040] In this embodiment, by employing a structure in which a mesh retainer 412 is placed inside the second housing 411 and filled with molecular sieve particles, the molecular sieve particles are effectively supported and restrained when airflow passes through, significantly reducing particle friction and displacement caused by airflow impact and mechanical vibration, thereby mitigating the physical wear of the molecular sieve. Furthermore, by using at least two layers of nonwoven fabric 413 to seal the upper and lower ends of the second housing 411 respectively, and completely encapsulating the mesh retainer 412 and molecular sieve particles between the layers of nonwoven fabric 413, the nonwoven fabric 413 allows airflow to pass through while also blocking pulverized particles. This effectively prevents trace amounts of pulverized particles generated by long-term operation of the molecular sieve from escaping with the airflow, preventing the powder from affecting the downstream oxygen purity and subsequent negative oxygen ion preparation process, and maintaining the stability of the molecular sieve bed. Finally, by connecting the air outlet of the first shell 31 to the air inlet of the second shell 411 through the air inlet valve 42, it is ensured that the dry and cold air that has been regulated by temperature and humidity can smoothly enter the molecular sieve tower 41 to participate in adsorption and separation. At the same time, the optimized design of the entire tower structure works together to significantly improve the service life of the molecular sieve and the long-term operational reliability of the oxygen production system.
[0041] It should be noted that the molecular sieve particles can specifically be zeolite molecular sieve particles. The molecular sieve tower 41 is filled with zeolite molecular sieve particles. When dry, cold, compressed air, after temperature and humidity control, passes through the zeolite molecular sieve particles, the particles selectively adsorb nitrogen. This is because nitrogen has a larger quadrupole moment (0.31 Å) than oxygen (0.10 Å), and nitrogen has a higher polarizability. Therefore, nitrogen interacts more strongly with the cations and polar surfaces in the zeolite than with oxygen, resulting in selective adsorption of nitrogen. After adsorption, 90%-95% of the oxygen molecules in the air are in a free state, resulting in oxygen enrichment. This oxygen enrichment is then carried by the airflow into the oxygen storage tank 5 for storage. The oxygen enrichment collected in the oxygen storage tank 5 remains under high pressure.
[0042] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2In one optional implementation, the number of grids in the mesh limiter 412 can be odd. Specifically, the center of the mesh limiter 412 can be a single grid, while a symmetrical even number of grids can be arranged in the surrounding annular area, resulting in an odd number of grids in total, with each grid having the same area. This symmetrical grid arrangement allows for more uniform gas flow, facilitating the selective adsorption of nitrogen from the air by the molecular sieve particles throughout the molecular sieve tower 41 to produce oxygen-enriched gas.
[0043] Please see Figure 1 In an embodiment of this utility model, the molecular sieve tower 41 is further provided with a switching valve 44, an exhaust valve 45, and a pressure equalization valve 46. The outlet of the first housing 31 is connected to the inlet of the switching valve 44 through a first pipeline. One side outlet of the switching valve 44 is connected to the inlet valve 42 of one of the second housings 411 through a second pipeline. The other side outlet of the switching valve 44 is connected to the inlet valve 42 of another second housing 411 through a third pipeline. An exhaust valve 45 is provided on each of the second and third pipelines. The second and third pipelines are connected through a fourth pipeline, and a pressure equalization valve 46 is provided on the fourth pipeline. And / or, the first housing 31 is arranged vertically, with the inlet of the first housing 31 facing downward and the outlet of the first housing 31 facing upward.
[0044] In this embodiment, by setting a switching valve 44 and connecting the inlet of the switching valve 44 to the outlet of the first housing 31 through a first pipeline, and connecting the outlets on both sides of the switching valve 44 to the inlet valves 42 of the two molecular sieve towers 41 through a second pipeline and a third pipeline respectively, the operator or control system can switch the two molecular sieve towers 41 between adsorption and regeneration states by controlling the switching valve 44, thereby ensuring a continuous and stable output of oxygen. Furthermore, since the molecular sieve becomes saturated with nitrogen molecules after a period of pressure adsorption, it needs to be regenerated. Therefore, by setting a fourth pipeline connecting the second and third pipelines and installing a pressure equalization valve 46 on it, the pressure between the two molecular sieve towers 41 can be balanced by opening the pressure equalization valve 46 during the switching process. This pressure equalization process significantly reduces the airflow impact and system energy consumption during switching, while also extending the service life of the molecular sieve. In addition, by installing exhaust valves 45 on the second and third pipelines respectively, the molecular sieve tower 41 in the desorption and regeneration state can promptly discharge desorbed nitrogen and other impurity gases by opening the corresponding exhaust valves 45, effectively restoring the adsorption capacity of the molecular sieve. In addition, by setting the first housing 31 vertically and making the air inlet of the first housing 31 face downward and the air outlet face upward, the compressed air entering from the bottom can condense the water generated when it flows through the refrigeration heat exchanger 32 and the heating heat exchanger 33. Even if the water still has a certain upward tendency, it can naturally collect downward under the action of gravity, effectively preventing the water from flowing out of the air outlet of the first housing 31 and effectively ensuring the dehumidification effect.
[0045] To facilitate understanding, the pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process of the two molecular sieve towers 41 is described below. For ease of explanation, the two molecular sieve towers 41 are referred to as the first molecular sieve tower 41 and the second molecular sieve tower 41 for easy distinction. First, dry, cold compressed air flows into the first molecular sieve tower 41 from the top through the switching valve 44 and the corresponding inlet valve 42 of the first molecular sieve tower 41, and flows downward through the entire tower body. The dry, cold compressed air is pressurized and adsorbed in the first molecular sieve tower 41 to obtain oxygen enrichment. The oxygen enrichment flows out from the oxygen outlet valve 43 at the bottom of the first molecular sieve tower 41 and finally flows into the oxygen storage tank 5. After pressurized adsorption for a period of time (about 58 seconds), the nitrogen molecules adsorbed in the first molecular sieve tower 41 reach saturation. At this time, the pressure equalization valve 46 is controlled to connect the first molecular sieve tower 41 and the second molecular sieve tower 41 through the pressure equalization valves 46 at the top and bottom. After a period of time (about 2 seconds), the pressure of the two towers reaches equilibrium. At this time, the switching valve 44 is adjusted so that the output of dry and cold compressed air is immediately switched to the top inlet valve 42 of the second molecular sieve tower 41, and flows from top to bottom through the entire tower body, entering the oxygen storage tank 5 through the oxygen outlet valve 43 at the bottom of the second molecular sieve tower 41, until the nitrogen molecules in the second molecular sieve tower 41 are saturated. While the second molecular sieve tower 41 adsorbs nitrogen, the corresponding exhaust valve 45 of the first molecular sieve tower 41 is opened, and the first molecular sieve tower 41 is regenerated through depressurization desorption. Since the molecular sieve can no longer adsorb gas molecules at low pressure, most nitrogen molecules are discharged from the exhaust valve 45 at the top of the first molecular sieve tower 41 during depressurization. The small amount of nitrogen remaining in the first molecular sieve tower 41 can be removed by backwashing the oxygen in the second molecular sieve bed. To achieve continuous gas supply, when one molecular sieve tower 41 is in the working adsorption state, the other molecular sieve tower 41 is in the regeneration state, preparing for the next pressurized adsorption.
[0046] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 3 In an embodiment of this utility model, a perforated plate 34 is provided at the bottom of the inner cavity of the first housing 31. The perforated plate 34 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane. Multiple orifices 341 are provided on the perforated plate 34. The orifices 341 are raised upwards, and the diameter of the raised part of the orifice 341 is larger than the diameter of the bottom of the orifice 341. A drain valve 35 is also provided on the bottom side wall of the first housing 31. The downward inclined part of the perforated plate 34 corresponds to the position of the drain valve 35. Compressed gas passes through the air inlet and the orifices 341 of the first housing 31 in sequence and enters the inner cavity of the first housing 31.
[0047] In this embodiment, compressed gas enters the inner cavity of the first housing 31 through the air inlet and the orifice 341 of the perforated plate 34, and then passes through the refrigeration heat exchanger 32 and the heating heat exchanger 33. When passing through the refrigeration heat exchanger 32, moisture in the compressed gas condenses and naturally collects downwards under gravity. Therefore, this embodiment uses an orifice plate 34 inclined relative to the horizontal plane at the bottom of the inner cavity of the first housing 31, allowing condensate to collect along the inclined surface under gravity. Furthermore, multiple upward-protruding orifices 341, wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, on the orifice plate 34 make it easier for the condensate to be received by the orifices 341 and flow to the bottom of the orifice 341, ultimately flowing down the bottom surface of the orifice plate 34 to the downward-sloping portion. In addition, by placing the drain valve 35 at the downward-sloping position of the orifice plate 34, it ensures that the collected condensate is discharged promptly, effectively preventing water accumulation inside the first housing 31. This maintains the efficient operation of the heat exchanger and avoids the adverse effects of water accumulation on dehumidification.
[0048] Please see Figure 1 In an embodiment of this utility model, the temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator further includes an air storage unit 6 and an oxygen storage unit 5. The air compressor 1 is connected to the vortex tube 2 and the temperature and humidity regulator 3 through the air storage unit 6. The air inlet of the oxygen storage unit 5 is connected to the air outlet of the molecular sieve assembly 4.
[0049] In this embodiment, by setting up an air storage tank 6 and connecting it to the air compressor 1, the vortex tube 2, and the temperature and humidity regulator 3, the high-pressure gas generated by the air compressor 1 can first enter the air storage tank 6 for storage and pressure balancing. This effectively alleviates the inherent pulsating characteristics of the airflow output from the air compressor 1, providing a more stable and continuous compressed air source for the subsequent vortex tube 2 and temperature and humidity regulator 3, thereby improving the stability of system operation. Furthermore, when high-pressure gas is needed later, it can be released from the air storage tank 6 without frequently starting and stopping the air compressor 1 to obtain high-pressure gas, thus reducing energy consumption and extending equipment lifespan. In addition, by setting up an oxygen storage tank 5 and connecting its inlet to the outlet of the molecular sieve assembly 4, the high-pressure oxygen-enriched gas generated by the molecular sieve tower 41 can be collected and stored in a timely manner. When oxygen is needed later, the high-pressure oxygen inside can be automatically released by adjusting the valve on the oxygen storage tank 5, without the need for an additional power source to extract the internal oxygen.
[0050] In one optional implementation, the air reservoir 6 has an inlet at the top and an outlet at the bottom. The outlet of the air compressor 1 is connected to the top inlet of the air reservoir 6, and the bottom outlet of the air reservoir 6 is connected to the inlet of the vortex tube 2 and the air inlet of the first housing 31, respectively. This allows the gas inside the air reservoir 6 to flow out more fully under the influence of gravity. Similarly, the oxygen reservoir 5 has an inlet at the top and an outlet at the bottom, and the outlet of the molecular sieve assembly 4 is connected to the top inlet of the oxygen reservoir 5. This allows the gas inside the oxygen reservoir 5 to flow out more fully under the influence of gravity.
[0051] Please see Figure 1 In an embodiment of this utility model, the temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator further includes a negative ion component 7. The negative ion component 7 includes a jet pipe 71 and a water container 72. The jet pipe 71 has a mixing chamber, a constriction section, an oxygen inlet, a water inlet, and an outlet. The oxygen inlet and the water inlet are both connected to the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber is connected to the outlet through the constriction section. The inner diameter of the constriction section is smaller than the inner diameter of the mixing chamber and the diameter of the outlet. The water inlet is detachably connected to the water container 72. The outlet of the oxygen storage device 5 is connected to the oxygen inlet.
[0052] In this embodiment, a negative ion assembly 7, comprising a jet pipe 71 and a water container 72, is configured with its oxygen inlet connected to the outlet of the oxygen storage unit 5. This allows high-pressure oxygen to flow through the jet pipe 71, creating a high-speed airflow in the converging section. Based on the jet effect, the high-speed airflow generates negative pressure within the mixing chamber, automatically drawing water from the water container 72 through the suction port, thus achieving the mixing of oxygen-rich water. Subsequently, water molecules collide and rub violently with the high-speed oxygen flow within the mixing chamber. This process causes some oxygen molecules to become charged, forming negative oxygen ions. This achieves negative oxygen ion generation without additional energy, simplifying the system structure and reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, by designing the suction port and the water container 72 as detachable connections, users can easily add water and perform cleaning and maintenance, ensuring water quality hygiene and the stability of the negative ion generation effect. Ultimately, the mixed gas rich in negative oxygen ions diffuses into the air from the outlet. When inhaled by the human body, the negative oxygen ions can bind more effectively with hemoglobin, thereby improving the oxygen transport efficiency in the human body and enhancing the health care effects of this temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator.
[0053] Please see Figure 1 In an embodiment of this utility model, the temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator also includes a pressure control valve 81 and a monitoring instrument 82. The outlet of the oxygen storage tank 5 is connected to the oxygen inlet through the pressure control valve 81, and the monitoring instrument 82 is located between the pressure control valve 81 and the outlet of the oxygen storage tank 5.
[0054] In this embodiment, by setting a pressure control valve 81 between the outlet of the oxygen storage tank 5 and the oxygen inlet of the jet pipe 71, the oxygen output pressure can be precisely regulated, thereby ensuring that a stable high-speed oxygen flow can be formed in the jet pipe 71. This not only ensures the continuous and stable generation of negative oxygen ions, but also allows the concentration of negative ions to be controlled by adjusting the pressure according to actual needs. In addition, by setting a monitoring instrument 82 between the pressure control valve 81 and the oxygen storage tank 5, the operator or control system can monitor the key parameters of the output oxygen in real time, providing users with an intuitive display of the operating status. At the same time, when the monitoring data is abnormal, the pressure control valve 81 can be adjusted in time to ensure that the system is always in the best working state, ultimately ensuring the stability of the negative oxygen ion preparation effect and the safety of equipment use.
[0055] In this embodiment of the invention, the monitoring instrument 82 includes a pressure gauge, an oxygen concentration meter, and a flow meter. Thus, the operator or control system can monitor key parameters such as the pressure, concentration, and flow rate of the output oxygen in real time, and make relevant adjustments to the pressure control valve 81 to ensure the stability and safety of the final output negative oxygen ion gas.
[0056] Please see Figure 1 In an embodiment of this utility model, the temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator further includes a filter assembly 83, which includes an air filter 831 connected to the air inlet of the air compressor 1; the filter assembly 83 also includes an oil filter 832, through which the air outlet of the air compressor 1 is connected to the air inlet of the air storage unit 6; or, the air compressor 1 is configured as an oil-free air compressor.
[0057] In this embodiment, by setting an air filter 831 at the front end of the air inlet of the air compressor 1, solid impurities such as dust in the ambient air can be effectively filtered to prevent them from entering the air compressor 1 and causing wear, while ensuring the air quality entering the system.
[0058] Furthermore, by installing an oil filter 832 between the air compressor 1 outlet and the air storage tank 6, liquid contaminants such as oil that may be present in the compressed air are further removed, preventing oil from contaminating or damaging subsequent precision components such as the vortex tube 2, heat exchanger, and molecular sieve. Alternatively, by setting the air compressor 1 as an oil-free air compressor, the possibility of lubricating oil entering the air path is reduced, ensuring the purity of the gas throughout the oxygen production process. This solution eliminates the need for an oil filter 832, thus simplifying the structure of the filter assembly 83.
[0059] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the patent scope of the present utility model. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the technical concept of the present utility model and the contents of the present utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator with adjustable temperature and humidity, characterized in that, include: Air compressor; Vortex tube; A temperature and humidity regulator includes a first housing, a refrigeration heat exchanger, and a heating heat exchanger. The refrigeration heat exchanger and the heating heat exchanger are both located inside the first housing. The outlet of the air compressor is connected to the inlet of the first housing and the inlet of the vortex tube, respectively. The cold air outlet of the vortex tube is connected to the inlet of the refrigeration heat exchanger, and the hot air outlet of the vortex tube is connected to the inlet of the heating heat exchanger. The exhaust ports of the refrigeration heat exchanger and the heating heat exchanger both extend out of the first housing, with the refrigeration heat exchanger being closer to the inlet of the first housing than the heating heat exchanger. A molecular sieve assembly, wherein the air inlet of the molecular sieve assembly is connected to the air outlet of the first housing.
2. The temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The molecular sieve assembly includes two molecular sieve towers, each equipped with an inlet valve and an outlet valve. The top of each molecular sieve tower has an inlet, and the bottom of each molecular sieve tower has an outlet. The outlet of the first housing is connected to the inlets of the two molecular sieve towers via the two inlet valves, and the bottom of each molecular sieve tower is connected to an oxygen storage device via the outlet valve.
3. The temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The molecular sieve tower includes a second shell, a mesh limiter, molecular sieve particles, and at least two layers of nonwoven fabric. The mesh limiter and the molecular sieve particles are both disposed inside the second shell, and the molecular sieve particles are correspondingly disposed on the mesh limiter. The air outlet of the first shell is connected to the air inlet of the second shell through two air inlet valves. At least two layers of the nonwoven fabric respectively enclose the upper and lower ends of the second shell, and the mesh limiter and the molecular sieve particles are located between the at least two layers of the nonwoven fabric.
4. The temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The molecular sieve tower is also equipped with a switching valve, an exhaust valve, and a pressure equalization valve. The outlet of the first shell is connected to the inlet of the switching valve through a first pipeline. One side outlet of the switching valve is connected to the inlet valve of one of the second shells through a second pipeline. The other side outlet of the switching valve is connected to the inlet valve of another second shell through a third pipeline. Each of the second pipeline and the third pipeline is equipped with an exhaust valve. The second pipeline and the third pipeline are connected through a fourth pipeline, and the pressure equalization valve is provided on the fourth pipeline. And / or, the first housing is arranged vertically, with the air inlet of the first housing facing downwards and the air outlet of the first housing facing upwards.
5. The temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The bottom of the inner cavity of the first housing is provided with a perforated plate, which is inclined relative to the horizontal plane. Multiple orifices are opened on the perforated plate, and the orifices are convex upward. The diameter of the convex part of the orifice is larger than the diameter of the bottom of the orifice. The bottom side wall of the first housing is also provided with a drain valve. The downward inclined part of the perforated plate corresponds to the position of the drain valve. Compressed gas passes through the air inlet of the first housing and the orifices in sequence and enters the inner cavity of the first housing.
6. The temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator also includes an air storage unit and an oxygen storage unit. The air compressor is connected to the vortex tube and the temperature and humidity regulator through the air storage unit. The inlet of the oxygen storage device is connected to the outlet of the molecular sieve assembly.
7. The temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator also includes a negative ion component, which includes a jet tube and a water container. The jet tube has a mixing chamber, a constriction section, an oxygen inlet, a water inlet, and an outlet. The oxygen inlet and the water inlet are both connected to the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber is connected to the outlet through the constriction section. The inner diameter of the constriction section is smaller than the inner diameter of the mixing chamber and the diameter of the outlet. The water inlet is detachably connected to the water container. The outlet of the oxygen storage device is connected to the oxygen inlet.
8. The temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator also includes a pressure control valve and a monitoring instrument. The outlet of the oxygen storage unit is connected to the oxygen inlet through the pressure control valve, and the monitoring instrument is located between the pressure control valve and the outlet of the oxygen storage unit.
9. The temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The monitoring instruments include a pressure gauge, an oxygen concentration meter, and a flow meter.
10. The temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The temperature and humidity adjustable pressure swing adsorption oxygen generator also includes a filter assembly, which includes an air filter connected to the air inlet of the air compressor. The filtration assembly further includes an oil filter, and the air outlet of the air compressor is connected to the air inlet of the air reservoir through the oil filter; or, the air compressor is configured as an oil-free air compressor.