Nitrogen-oxygen separation device

Abstract

Nitrogen-oxygen separation device (1), comprising: a housing (10) comprising a front cover (11) and a rear cover (12), wherein the front cover (11) and the rear cover (12) are spaced apart from each other and define an interior space; and a gas separation unit (20) arranged in the interior, wherein the gas separation unit (20) comprises the following: a front module (30) arranged near the front cover (11), comprising a first plate (31), an air supply first flow line, and a nitrogen-discharging second flow line, wherein the first flow line comprises a first inlet projecting laterally outward from a side wall of the first plate (31), and a first through-opening (351) connecting the first inlet to the reaction side (30a) and extending along the thickness through the first plate (31); and wherein the second flow line comprises a second through-opening (352) extending from the reaction side (30a) along the thickness through the first plate (31), and a second outlet projecting laterally outward from a side wall of the first plate (31) and connected to the second through-opening (352); a rear module (40) arranged near the rear cover (12), comprising a second plate (41), a first oxygen-discharging third flow channel, and a second oxygen-discharging fourth flow channel, wherein the third flow channel has a third through-opening (451) extending from the reaction side (40a) along the thickness through the second plate (41), and a third outlet projecting laterally outward from a side wall of the second plate (41) and connected to the third through-opening (451), and wherein the fourth flow channel has a fourth through-opening (452) extending from the reaction side (40a) along the thickness through the second plate (41), and a fourth outlet projecting laterally outward from a side wall of the second plate (41) and connected to the fourth through-opening (452); an electrochemical unit (50) arranged between the front module (30) and the rear module (40), comprising the following: a cathode collector (51) which is arranged adjacent to the first plate (31) and connects the first flow line to the second flow line; an anode collector (52) which is arranged adjacent to the second plate (41) and connects the third flow line with the fourth flow line; as well as an electrolysis reaction membrane (53) arranged between the cathode collector (51) and the anode collector (52).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a nitrogen-oxygen separation apparatus, particularly to an easily portable nitrogen-oxygen separation apparatus.

[0002] The technology for separating nitrogen and oxygen is used in a wide variety of fields, such as plastics molding, metallurgy, analytical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and the food and beverage industry. Currently, the most common processes for separating nitrogen and oxygen are based primarily on the use of nitrogen separation membranes and pressure swing adsorption (PSA). Nitrogen separation membranes utilize a large number of gas-diffusing fiber membrane walls to separate air into its components. However, this process is characterized by a comparatively slow separation rate and low purity of the produced gases. Pressure swing adsorption, on the other hand, uses adsorption materials such as zeolites, activated carbon, or molecular sieves to separate various gas molecules in the air through adsorption and desorption, thus separating nitrogen and oxygen.This process typically requires two or more adsorption towers. While one adsorption tower separates nitrogen, the other produces oxygen through the nitrogen flow. However, due to its complex design and construction, this method is hardly suitable for portable applications. Furthermore, conventional portable nitrogen-oxygen separation devices cannot handle large gas volumes, which significantly limits their application possibilities.

[0003] Against this background, there is an urgent need to develop a compact nitrogen-oxygen separation device that overcomes the limitations of conventional portable systems and enables the effective separation of large gas volumes.

[0004] For this reason, it is necessary to provide a device for separating nitrogen and oxygen.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of creating a miniaturized nitrogen-oxygen separation device and avoiding the problem that portable nitrogen-oxygen separation devices have so far been unable to efficiently separate large quantities of gas.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a nitrogen-oxygen separation device having the features specified in claim 1. Further advantageous developments of the invention emerge from the features of the subclaims.

[0007] According to the invention, a nitrogen-oxygen separation device is provided, comprising a housing and a gas separation unit. The housing consists of a front cover and a rear cover, which are spaced apart from each other and define an interior space. The gas separation unit is arranged in this interior space.

[0008] According to the invention, the gas separation unit has a front module arranged near the front cover, a rear module arranged near the rear cover, and an electrochemical unit positioned between the front and rear modules.

[0009] The front module consists of a first plate, a first flow line carrying the supply air, and a second flow line discharging the nitrogen. The first flow line comprises a first inlet extending laterally outward from a side wall of the first plate, and a first through-opening connecting the first inlet to a reaction side and extending along the thickness of the first plate. The second flow line comprises a second through-opening extending from the reaction side through the first plate along the thickness of the first plate, and a second outlet connected to the second through-opening and extending laterally outward from a side wall of the first plate.

[0010] The rear module consists of a second plate, a first oxygen-removing third flow line, and a second oxygen-removing fourth flow line. The third flow line includes a third through-opening extending from a reaction side through the thickness of the second plate, as well as a third outlet connected to the third through-opening and projecting laterally outward from a side wall of the second plate. The fourth flow line includes a fourth through-opening extending from the reaction side through the second plate along the thickness, as well as a fourth outlet connected to the fourth through-opening and projecting laterally outward from a side wall of the second plate.

[0011] The electrochemical unit comprises a cathode collector disposed adjacent to the first plate and connecting the first and second flow lines, an anode collector disposed adjacent to the second plate and connecting the third and fourth flow lines, and an electrolysis reaction membrane positioned between the cathode collector and the anode collector.

[0012] Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from further technical features disclosed in the embodiments of the invention, wherein preferred embodiments of the invention are shown and described only by way of illustration of the examples best suited to carrying out the invention.

[0013] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a better understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0014] The invention and its embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 is a perspective assembly view of an embodiment of a nitrogen-oxygen separation device according to the invention; Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B shows an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the nitrogen-oxygen separation device according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the first plate of an embodiment of the nitrogen-oxygen separation device according to the invention, viewed from the direction of the front cover towards the electrochemical unit; Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the second plate of an embodiment of the nitrogen-oxygen separation device according to the invention, viewed from the direction of the rear cover towards the electrochemical unit; Fig. 5 a section through the embodiment of the nitrogen-oxygen separation device according to the invention; and Fig. 6 is a perspective assembly view of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] The terms used herein are for the purpose of illustrating specific embodiments only and are not limiting of the subject matter. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms "a" and "the" used in the singular also include their plural forms.

[0016] The directional terms used here, such as top, bottom, left, right, front, rear, and their derivatives or synonyms, refer to the orientation of the components in the accompanying drawings and are not to be understood as a limitation of the subject matter unless expressly stated otherwise. The subject matter is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings to further explain the technical design and content.

[0017] Referring to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 shows Fig. An embodiment of the nitrogen-oxygen separation device 1. The nitrogen-oxygen separation device 1 can be a gas generator, in particular a nitrogen and / or oxygen generator, which separates nitrogen and / or oxygen from compressed air or other gases. The nitrogen and oxygen separation device 1 can be a stationary or mobile device. In one embodiment, the gas generator is not involved in the adsorption process. A nitrogen-oxygen separation device 1 according to the invention has a housing 10 and a gas separation unit 20. The housing 10 has a front cover 11 and a rear cover 12, which are spaced apart from one another and delimit an interior space. The gas separation unit 20 is arranged in this interior space. The front cover 11, the gas separation unit 20, and the rear cover 12 are arranged along the Y-axis from front to back [see Fig. 1] are stacked one above the other and connected to each other by a plurality of fastening elements 60 to form the nitrogen-oxygen separation device 1.

[0018] The gas separation unit 20 has a front module 30, a rear module 40, and an electrochemical unit 50. The front module 30 is arranged near the front cover 11, while the rear module 40 is positioned near the rear cover 12. The electrochemical unit 50 is located between the front module 30 and the rear module 40. The sides of the front module 30 and the rear module 40 facing the electrochemical unit 50 are defined as reaction sides 30a, 40a, respectively.

[0019] The front module 30 has a first plate 31, a first seal 32 and a first O-ring 33.

[0020] The first plate 31 comprises a first base body 310, a supply air duct wall 311, an exhaust air duct wall 312, a supply air opening 313, and an exhaust air opening 314. The first base body 310 extends along the XZ plane and forms a flat plate. The supply air duct wall 311 and the exhaust air duct wall 312 protrude along the thickness of the first base body 310, i.e., in the direction of the Y axis, and each define a first and a second cross-flow channel.

[0021] The supply air duct wall 311 has an inlet end 311a and an end piece 311b, which are respectively located at a first side edge 310a and a second side edge 310b of the first base body 310. The inlet end 311a is connected to a connector 341 to receive air, while the end piece 311b is closed. A first through-opening 351 is provided in a part of the first base body 310 within the first transverse flow channel of the supply air duct wall 311 and penetrates the first base body 310 along its thickness to the reaction side 30a. As a result, the air entering through the connector 341 first flows through the first transverse flow channel of the supply air duct wall 311 and then through the first longitudinal flow channel, which runs through the first through-opening 351, into the reaction side 30a.

[0022] The supply air duct wall 311 comprises a first section 311c, a second section 311d, and a third section 311e. The second section 311d connects the first section 311c and the third section 311e, wherein the first and third sections 311c, 311e run parallel to the X-axis, while the second section 311d is curved. In this embodiment, the supply air duct wall 311 is arranged near the upper end of the first base body 310, wherein the circular arc center of the second section 311d coincides with the geometric center of the first base body 310.

[0023] The exhaust duct wall 312 has an outlet end 312a and an end piece 312b, which are located at the first side edge 310a and the second side edge 310b of the first base body 310, respectively. The outlet end 312a is connected to a connector 342 for discharging nitrogen, while the end piece 312b is closed. A second through-opening 352 is provided in a part of the first base body 310 within the second transverse flow channel of the exhaust duct wall 312 and penetrates the first base body 310 along its thickness to the reaction side 30a. As a result, the nitrogen formed in the reaction side 30a is first guided through the second longitudinal flow channel, which runs through the second through-opening 352, into the second transverse flow channel of the exhaust duct wall 312 and is then discharged via the outlet end 312a.

[0024] The exhaust air duct wall 312 has a first section 312c, a second section 312d, and a third section 312e. The second section 312d connects the first section 312c and the third section 312e, with the first and third sections 312c, 312e running parallel to the X-axis, while the second section 312d is curved. In this embodiment, the exhaust air duct wall 312 is arranged near the lower end of the first base body 310, with the circular arc center of the second section 312d coinciding with the geometric center of the first base body 310.

[0025] The rear module 40 comprises a second plate 41, a second seal 42 and a second O-ring 43.

[0026] The second plate 41 has a second base body 410, a first exhaust duct wall 411, a second exhaust duct wall 412, a first exhaust opening 413, and a second exhaust opening 414. The second base body 410 extends along the XZ plane and forms a flat plate.

[0027] The first exhaust air duct wall 411 and the second exhaust air duct wall 412 protrude along the thickness of the second base body 410, i.e. in the direction of the Y-axis, and each delimit a third and a fourth cross-flow channel.

[0028] The first exhaust duct wall 411 comprises an outlet end 411a and an end piece 411b, each located at a first side edge 410a and a second side edge 410b of the second base body 410. The outlet end 411a is connected to a connector 441 to discharge oxygen, while the end piece 411b is closed. A third through-opening 451 is provided in a part of the second base body 410 within the third transverse flow channel of the first exhaust duct wall 411 and penetrates the second base body 410 along its thickness up to the reaction side 40a. As a result, the oxygen coming from the reaction side 40a is first guided through the third longitudinal flow channel, which runs through the third through-opening 451, into the third transverse flow channel of the first exhaust duct wall 411 and is then discharged via the outlet end 411a.

[0029] The first exhaust duct wall 411 comprises a first section 411c, a second section 411d, and a third section 411e. The second section 411d connects the first section 411c and the third section 411e, wherein the first and third sections 411c, 411e run parallel to the X-axis, while the second section 411d is curved. In this embodiment, the first exhaust duct wall 411 is arranged near the upper end of the second base body 410, wherein the circular arc center of the second section 411d coincides with the geometric center of the second base body 410.

[0030] The second exhaust duct wall 412 comprises an outlet end 412a and an end piece 412b, which are located respectively at the first side edge 410a and the second side edge 410b of the second base body 410. The outlet end 412a is connected to a connector 442 to discharge oxygen, while the end piece 412b is closed. A fourth through-opening 452 is provided in a part of the second base body 410 within the fourth transverse flow channel of the second exhaust duct wall 412 and penetrates the second base body 410 along its thickness up to the reaction side 40a. As a result, the oxygen coming from the reaction side 40a is first guided through the fourth longitudinal flow channel, which runs through the fourth through-opening 452, into the fourth transverse flow channel of the second exhaust duct wall 412 and is then discharged via the outlet end 412a.

[0031] The second exhaust duct wall 412 comprises a first section 412c, a second section 412d, and a third section 412e. The second section 412d connects the first section 412c and the third section 412e, wherein the first and third sections 412c, 412e run parallel to the X-axis, while the second section 412d is curved. In this embodiment, the second exhaust duct wall 412 is arranged near the lower end of the second base body 410, wherein the circular arc center of the second section 412d coincides with the geometric center of the second base body 410.

[0032] In this embodiment, the supply air opening 313 and the exhaust air opening 314 are located on the first side edge 310a of the first base body 310, while the first exhaust air opening 413 and the second exhaust air opening 414 are positioned on the first side edge 410a of the second base body 410. As a result, the supply air opening 313, the exhaust air opening 314, the first exhaust air opening 413, and the second exhaust air opening 414 are arranged on the same side wall of the gas separation unit 20.

[0033] The front cover 11, together with the supply air duct wall 311 and the exhaust air duct wall 312, forms a first flow line and a second flow line. Likewise, the rear cover 12, together with the first exhaust air duct wall 411 and the second exhaust air duct wall 412, forms a third flow line and a fourth flow line.

[0034] The first flow line has a first inlet formed jointly by the supply air opening 313 and the connection 341. The second flow line has a second outlet formed jointly by the exhaust air opening 314 and the connection 342. The first inlet and the second outlet extend laterally outward from a side wall of the first plate 31.

[0035] The third flow line has a third outlet formed jointly by the first exhaust opening 413 and the connection 441. The fourth flow line has a fourth outlet formed jointly by the second exhaust opening 414 and the connection 442. The third outlet and the fourth outlet extend laterally outward from a side wall of the second plate 41.

[0036] The electrochemical unit 50 has a cathode collector 51, an anode collector 52, an electrolysis reaction membrane 53, a first seal 54, and a second seal 55. The cathode collector 51 is adjacent to the first plate 31 and located on the reaction side 30a. The cathode collector 51 connects the first flow line to the second flow line via the first through-opening 351 and the second through-opening 352. The anode collector 52 is adjacent to the second plate 41 and located on the reaction side 40a. The anode collector 52 connects the third flow line to the fourth flow line via the third through-opening 451 and the fourth through-opening 452. The electrolysis reaction membrane 53 is arranged between the cathode collector 51 and the anode collector 52.The first seal 54 is located between the cathode collector 51 and the electrolysis reaction membrane 53, while the second seal 55 is arranged between the anode collector 52 and the electrolysis reaction membrane 53.

[0037] In this example, the housing 10 has a planar shape, as in Fig. 1. The planar shape has a first length L1, a second length L2, and a thickness T. Note that air is introduced into the gas separation unit 20 in a direction parallel to the first length L1 or the second length L2. Likewise, nitrogen and oxygen are discharged in a direction parallel to the first length L1 or the second length L2.

[0038] The electrochemical unit 50 can be considered an electrochemical cell with an anode side and a cathode side. The anode and cathode sides can be defined as the front and rear regions of the electrochemical unit 50. The anode side is a region near the anode collector 52, and the cathode side is a region near the cathode collector 51.

[0039] Oxygen released into the air reacts according to the following reaction (1), resulting in the release of residual nitrogen: O2 + 4H + + 4e - → 2H2O (1)

[0040] The following reaction (2) takes place on the anode side: 2H2O → O2 + 4H + + 4e - (2)

[0041] In one embodiment, a voltage of less than 1.2 V is applied to the electrochemical unit 50 during the performance of reactions (1) and (2).

[0042] With reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 5, the first base body 31 has a first guide slot 315 and a plurality of cathode flow field structures 316. The first guide slot 315 is formed along the edges of the first and second flow lines in the thickness direction toward the front cover 11.

[0043] The front cover 11 has a first locking pin 111 and a plurality of first recesses 112. The first locking pin 111 is shaped toward the gas separation unit 20 and positioned to correspond to the first guide slot 315. In the assembled state of the nitrogen-oxygen separation device 1, the first locking pin 111 is inserted into the first guide slot 315, with the first seal 32 positioned between the first guide slot 315 and the first locking pin 111 to seal the first and second flow lines. The first recesses 112 are positioned corresponding to the first inlet and the second outlet, or the connectors 341, 342.

[0044] The cathode flow field structures 316 protrude along the thickness toward the electrochemical unit 50 and are in contact with the cathode collector 51, ensuring a uniform distribution of the air flow entering the reaction side 30a. The first O-ring 33 is positioned around the cathode flow field structures 316 on the reaction side 30a to prevent gas leakage.

[0045] The second base body 41 has a second guide slot 415 and a plurality of anode flow field structures 416. The second guide slot 415 is formed along the edges of the third and fourth flow lines in the thickness direction toward the rear cover 12.

[0046] The rear cover 12 has a second locking pin 121 and a plurality of second recesses 122. The second locking pin 121 is shaped toward the gas separation unit 20 and positioned to correspond to the second guide slot 415. In the assembled state of the nitrogen-oxygen separation device 1, the second locking pin 121 is inserted into the second guide slot 415, with the second seal 42 positioned between the second guide slot 415 and the second locking pin 121 to seal the third and fourth flow lines. The second recesses 122 are positioned corresponding to the third outlet and the fourth outlet, or the connectors 441, 442.

[0047] The anode flow field structures 416 protrude along the thickness toward the electrochemical unit 50 and are in contact with the anode collector 52, ensuring a uniform distribution of the oxygen flow generated from the reaction side 40a. The second O-ring 43 is positioned around the anode flow field structures 416 on the reaction side 40a to prevent gas leakage.

[0048] With reference to Fig. 6, in one embodiment, multiple nitrogen-oxygen separation devices 1 can be provided. Three are taken as an example in the drawing. The nitrogen-oxygen separation devices 1 are stacked on top of each other and secured by multiple fasteners 61 to form a modular device for meeting the requirements for nitrogen and oxygen separation in large volumes of air.

[0049] In summary, the present invention is characterized by the arrangement of the housing and the gas separation unit. Compared to conventional electrochemical separation processes, this embodiment uses cathode collectors 51 and anode collectors 52 for the electrochemical reaction, enabling a lighter construction. Furthermore, the size of the nitrogen-oxygen separation device is significantly reduced compared to devices based on pressure swing adsorption, thereby achieving increased portability. Furthermore, the present invention allows for modular design by stacking multiple nitrogen-oxygen separation devices, which can be secured using fasteners. This modular design makes it possible to efficiently meet the requirements for nitrogen and oxygen separation in large air volumes. Summary

[0050] Nitrogen-oxygen separation device 1 comprising a housing 10 and a gas separation unit 20. The housing 10 essentially consists of a front cover 11 and a rear cover 12, which are spaced apart from one another and define an interior space. The gas separation unit 20 is arranged in this interior space and comprises: a front module 30 positioned near the front cover 11; a rear module 40 positioned near the rear cover 12; and an electrochemical unit 50 arranged between the front module 30 and the rear module 40. The electrochemical unit 50 comprises: a cathode collector 51; an anode collector 52; and an electrolysis reaction membrane 53 arranged between the cathode collector 51 and the anode collector 52.

Claims

[1] Nitrogen-oxygen separation device (1), comprising: a housing (10) having a front cover (11) and a rear cover (12), the front cover (11) and the rear cover (12) being spaced apart from each other and defining an interior space; and a gas separation unit (20) arranged in the interior space, the gas separation unit (20) comprising: a front module (30) arranged near the front cover (11), comprising a first plate (31), a first flow line carrying supply air, and a second flow line discharging nitrogen, wherein the first flow line comprises a first inlet projecting laterally outward from a side wall of the first plate (31), and a first through-opening (351) connecting the first inlet to the reaction side (30a) and extending along the thickness through the first plate (31); and wherein the second flow line has a second through-opening (352) extending from the reaction side (30a) along the thickness through the first plate (31), and a second outlet projecting laterally outward from a side wall of the first plate (31) and connected to the second through-opening (352); a rear module (40) arranged near the rear cover (12), comprising a second plate (41), a first oxygen-removing third flow line, and a second oxygen-removing fourth flow line, wherein the third flow line has a third through-opening (451) extending from the reaction side (40a) along the thickness through the second plate (41), and a third outlet projecting laterally outward from a side wall of the second plate (41) and connected to the third through-opening (451), and wherein the fourth flow line has a fourth through-opening (452) extending from the reaction side (40a) along the thickness through the second plate (41), and a fourth outlet projecting laterally outward from a side wall of the second plate (41) and connected to the fourth through-opening (452); an electrochemical unit (50) arranged between the front module (30) and the rear module (40), comprising: a cathode collector (51) disposed adjacent to the first plate (31) and connecting the first flow line to the second flow line; an anode collector (52) disposed adjacent to the second plate (41) and connecting the third flow line to the fourth flow line; and an electrolysis reaction membrane (53) arranged between the cathode collector (51) and the anode collector (52). [2] Nitrogen-oxygen separation device according to claim 1, characterized byin that the first plate (31) comprises a first guide slot (315) formed along the edges of the first flow line and the second flow line towards the front cover (11), and wherein the front cover (11) comprises a first locking pin (111) formed towards the gas separation unit (20) and aligned with the first guide slot (315). [3] Nitrogen-oxygen separation device according to claim 1, characterized by in that the second plate (41) has a second guide slot (415) formed along the edges of the third flow line and the fourth flow line in the direction of the rear cover (12), and wherein the rear cover (12) has a second locking pin (121) formed in the direction of the gas separation unit (20) and aligned with the second guide slot (415). [4] Nitrogen-oxygen separation device according to claim 1, characterized bythat the first inlet, the second outlet, the third outlet and the fourth outlet are arranged on the same side of the gas separation unit (20). [5] Nitrogen-oxygen separation device according to claim 1, characterized by that the first plate (31) further comprises a plurality of cathode flow field structures (316) projecting along the thickness toward the electrochemical unit (50). [6] Nitrogen-oxygen separation device according to claim 5, characterized by that the cathode flow field structures (316) contact the cathode collector (51). [7] Nitrogen-oxygen separation device according to claim 1, characterized by that the second plate (41) further comprises a plurality of anode flow field structures (416) projecting along the thickness toward the electrochemical unit (50). [8] Nitrogen-oxygen separation device according to claim 7, characterized bythat the anode flow field structures (416) contact the anode collector (52). [9] Nitrogen-oxygen separation device according to claim 1, characterized by that the front cover (11) has a plurality of first recesses (112) arranged to be aligned with the first inlet and the second outlet. [10] Nitrogen-oxygen separation device according to claim 1, characterized by that the rear cover (12) has a plurality of second recesses (122) arranged to be aligned with the third inlet and the fourth outlet.

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