PSA apparatus for oxygen production comprising a common rotary valve

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for oxygen production applying so-called PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) technology, comprising a common rotary valve (10) positioned on the path for supplying tanks (5), which are configured to be pressurised / depressurised, the apparatus being able to be housed, in particular, at least partially inside a frame.

Description

Description Title of the invention: PSA installation for the production of oxygen comprising a common rotary valve

[0001] The subject of the present invention relates to an installation for the production of oxygen applying the so-called PSA technology (Pressure Swing Adsorption) comprising a common rotary valve placed on the supply path of tanks configured to be pressurized / depressurized, the installation being able in particular to be housed at least partially inside a frame.

[0002] Gas separation processes, particularly oxygen separation, using pressure- or temperature-swing adsorption are commonly used in industry. In this context, rotary valves are very often used to direct fluids from one or more process sources to one or more process destinations during repeatable cyclic process steps.

[0003] Thus, documents EPI 340531, EP1420197, CN112892153, CN112892154, US4705627, US6471744, CN101474520, CN208980325 and EP1872845 describe the use of rotary valves, in particular (for some of these documents) for supplying parallel adsorption chambers with a view to carrying out a PSA cycle.

[0004] However, among other problems encountered, the yields are not optimal for constant production, in particular in the production of oxygen with the devices described in these documents, which is notoriously problematic in industries / installations requiring consistency and quality of production (for example in the hospital environment or more generally in personal care). In addition, the installations described in these documents require, when a rotary valve is placed upstream of the columns and a rotary valve placed downstream of the columns, a synchronization of the valves complicating the implementation of gas production, and more notoriously generating a production fluctuation over time of the flow of gas produced.

[0005] The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and thus aims to propose an installation that is easier to implement and allows continuous and optimum production of oxygen.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] To this end, a first aspect of the invention thus relates, in its broadest sense, to an installation for the production of oxygen, said installation comprising at least one air compressor, one oxygen generator and one oxygen compressor, said oxygen generator applying the so-called PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) technology comprising tanks, each tank having two ends and a body at least partially filled with a molecular sieve (adsorbent), open at each of its ends to define between said ends a flow path through the molecular sieve, one of the ends called the first end of each tank being selectively connectable to a source of pressurized or exhausted air to allow a pressurization / depressurization cycle of said tank, each molecular sieve being capable of adsorbing nitrogen molecules and allowing oxygen to pass under the effect of pressurization of the tank and releasing nitrogen molecules by desorption under the effect of exhausting the tank, in which the installation comprises, for the pressurization / depression of the tanks or at least part of the tanks, a rotary valve common to said tanks,this rotary valve interposed between the first end of each tank and at least one source of compressed air having for each tank to which it is connected at least two angular positions corresponding one, called pressurization position, to a position of supply of pressurized air to said tank, another, called depressurization position, to a position of exhaust of said tank, characterized in that the second end of each tank opens into a line connecting the second ends of the tanks to each other by a connecting interface, this connecting interface defining two parallel pipes over at least part of their length and each connecting the second end of the tank and the connecting line to each other, each pipe has a non-return valve, the non-return valves being reversed from one pipe to another,and in that each pipe has at least one flow regulator arranged in series with said non-return valve.,

[0008] The connection lines of the second ends of the tanks between them by a connection interface arranged as described above allow continuous production of oxygen by limiting flow rate variations.

[0009] Preferably, the tanks include columns.

[0010] Preferably, the tanks comprise adsorbent beds.

[0011] Preferably the adsorbent beds comprise molecular sieve.

[0012] Advantageously, each pipe has at least one flow regulator arranged in series with said non-return valve. This flow regulator makes it possible to improve the consistency of oxygen production.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, one of the two conduits of the interface is a production conduit, the other of the two conduits of the interface is a purge conduit, the production conduit being configured to allow a passage of production flow exiting the second end of the tank to the connection line, the purge line being configured to allow a passage of purge flow from the connection line to the second end of the tank, said at least one flow regulator of the purge line and said at least one flow regulator of the production line being configured so that the maximum possible flow rate of the production flow is strictly greater than the maximum possible flow rate of the purge flow.

[0014] This difference in flow rate helps ensure good oxygen production because it ensures that the production flow, which is essential for oxygen generation, is not compromised by the purge flow. In other words, a flow regulator for production that is independent of the flow regulator for purge allows for optimal parameters to be obtained to increase the volume of oxygen production.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, said at least one flow regulator of each of the two pipes of the interface comprises a calibrated orifice for the passage of gas flow, the gas flow passage section of the calibrated orifice of said at least one flow regulator of one of the two pipes being different from the gas flow passage section of the calibrated orifice of said at least one flow regulator of the other of the two pipes. The use of such regulators, the regulation of which is based solely on dimensional differences, makes it possible to have passive regulation, i.e. without continuous control.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the gas flow passage section of the calibrated orifice of said at least one flow regulator of the production line is strictly greater than the gas flow passage section of the calibrated orifice of said at least one flow regulator of the purge line.

[0017] Preferably, the first end of each tank is furthermore selectively connectable to another tank to allow an equalization phase in the pressurization / depression cycle and in that the rotary valve has for each tank to which it is connected in addition to the pressurization and depressurization positions an equalization position corresponding to a position of connection of the tank to another tank. Such a pressure equalization phase makes it possible to improve the consistency of oxygen production by allowing better selectivity of the extracted oxygen.

[0018] Advantageously, the valve is configured to, in at least one angular position, occupy a position corresponding for one of the tanks to the pressurization position of said tank and for the other or another of the tanks to the position corresponding to the depressurization position of said tank. Thus, by varying the pressures of the different tanks asynchronously, it can be envisaged to have a production of oxygen constant.

[0019] Advantageously, at least one of the angular positions of the valve corresponds, for a first tank or a first series of tanks, to a pressurization position of said first tank or the first series of tanks, for a second tank or a second series of tanks, to a depressurization position of said second tank or the second series of tanks, and for the third tank or the third series of tanks to an equalization position of said third tank or the third series of tanks. Thus, the different tanks are, taken all together in the three pressurization modes (pressurized, equalized, depressurized), which guarantees production consistency.

[0020] Such constancy of oxygen production is particularly advantageous in applications requiring a regular flow of oxygen, for example in hospitals, hospices, or any other place where people are accommodated requiring an oxygen supply, or in chemical synthesis or production industries requiring a constant supply of oxygen. The invention thus makes it possible to produce the desired oxygen at the place of consumption (or adjacent to this place), without requiring an oxygen buffer tank which may be relatively large depending on the expected demand. The invention thus makes it possible to limit the safety risks linked to the storage of oxygen reserves.

[0021] In one embodiment, the installation according to the present invention has a rotary valve comprising:

[0022] (a) a stator having a stator face and a plurality of openings disposed on the stator face and passing through said stator,

[0023] (b) a rotor having a rotor face rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the rotor face in sealing and compressive contact with the stator face to form a rotary valve plane seal defining at least a first and a second chamber on the rotor face, said first and second chambers being arranged such that at least two openings of the stator are positioned to coincide jointly and sequentially respectively with said chambers of the rotor face, the stator further comprising a pressurized fluid inlet configured to coincide with only the first chamber, and the rotor comprises at least one exhaust port, the rotor being further configured to occupy an angular position in which the first chamber is in coincidence with the pressurized fluid inlet and the second chamber is in coincidence with the exhaust.

[0024] The "stator," also known as the "fixed barrel," is the functional stationary part of a rotary valve.

[0025] The "rotor", also known as the "moving barrel", is the part functional rotating part of a rotary valve, as opposed to the stator.

[0026] By "rotary valve flat seal" is understood in the context of the present invention a sandwiched element of generally flattened shape in contact with both the stator face and the rotor face and providing a seal between the stator and the rotor.

[0027] By "sequentially coinciding respectively with said chambers of the rotor face" it is understood that said at least two stator openings are placed so that when the rotor rotates, these stator openings coincide with said chambers of the rotor face, one after the other, therefore in a sequential manner.

[0028] By "exhaust", it is understood in the context of the present invention an outlet to the outside of the installation, in particular, of the rotary valve, and in particular of the assembly constituted by the rotor and the stator.

[0029] Preferably, the rotary valve flat seal comprises at least a first lubrication seal in contact with at least a second elastically deformable seal. Thus, thanks to the presence of the elastically deformable seal, the lubrication seal ensures perfect sealing of the rotor-stator assembly of the valve while limiting friction. The mechanical stresses between the rotor and the stator are therefore much lower than those of the prior art, which therefore makes it possible to limit maintenance with the same level, or even a higher level of efficiency given that the lubrication and sealing are better controlled.

[0030] By "lubricating seal" is understood in the context of the present invention a seal whose properties limit friction.

[0031] By "elastically deformable joint", in the context of the present invention is understood a joint which has the property of regaining, at least partially, its shape or its volume, after having lost at least one of the two by compression or extension.

[0032] Thus, in one embodiment, the installation according to the present invention comprises a rotary valve as described above, in which the stator and / or the rotor comprises at least one groove configured to at least partially accommodate the rotary valve flat seal. There are several advantages to such a groove. For example, such a groove makes it possible to fix the position of the rotary valve flat seal with respect to the rotor and / or the stator.

[0033] In a particular embodiment, the stator and / or the rotor comprises at least one groove configured to at least partially accommodate said at least one second elastically deformable seal.

[0034] In a particular embodiment, the stator and / or the rotor comprises at least one groove configured to fully accommodate said at least one second elastically deformable seal.

[0035] Preferably, the elastically deformable seal of the valve plane seal rotating is accommodated at least partially in a groove of the rotor face.

[0036] The advantage of a groove configured to at least partially accommodate said at least one second elastically deformable seal is to be able to increase the exposure of said at least one first lubrication seal, thus making it possible to promote lubrication.

[0037] In a particular embodiment, the stator and / or the rotor comprises at least one groove configured to accommodate: - completely said at least one second elastically deformable joint, and - partially said at least one first lubrication seal.

[0038] Such configurations in which said at least one second elastically deformable seal is partially or totally accommodated in at least one groove allow greater exposure of said at least one first lubrication seal, which thus makes it possible to promote lubrication between the rotor and the stator.

[0039] In a particular embodiment, pressure is exerted on the stator and / or the rotor so as to exert pressure on the rotary valve flat seal and promote the reception of the latter in said at least one groove of said stator and / or rotor.

[0040] Advantageously, the rotor and the stator are held in compression against each other by means of a spring. This promotes, where appropriate, the reception of said rotary valve flat seal in said at least one groove of said stator and / or rotor.

[0041] In a particular embodiment, the rotor is accommodated by a fixed barrel having a leakage opening communicating with the second chamber. In this embodiment, the rotor is in contact with the stator and on the opposite side of the rotor, the latter is accommodated by a fixed barrel. This fixed barrel is distinguished from the stator in that it does not necessarily have a face (in contact with the rotor) with a plurality of openings passing through it as is the case with the stator.

[0042] In a particular embodiment, the lubrication seal is a seal made of a self-lubricating material. The advantage is that the seal and thus the valve gain in operating autonomy and require less maintenance than with a seal without self-lubricating material.

[0043] Advantageously, the lubricating seal comprises PTFE and / or graphite.

[0044] Preferably, the lubrication seal comprises PTFE. The configuration of the lubrication seal allows PTFE to be incorporated in a minimal quantity, but sufficient to ensure self-lubrication.

[0045] Preferably, the elastically deformable seal has a toric cross-section. The toric section will have the advantage of being able to deform relatively easily by conforming to the surface of the rotor or stator. on which it is in contact and said at least one first lubricating seal. Furthermore, in the case where the elastically deformable seal is accommodated in a groove, such an O-ring allows effective anchoring of the seal in said groove.

[0046] Advantageously, the pressurization opening is placed along the axis of rotation of the rotor. Thus, the opening can be configured to always be supplied with pressurized fluid.

[0047] In a particular embodiment, the rotary valve face seal defines at least one third chamber on the rotor face configured to allow pressure equalization between said at least two stator openings which coincide with said at least one third chamber. Thus, a pressure equalization chamber between at least two stator openings.

[0048] Advantageously, the plurality of openings passing through said stator form channels having at least one bend. Thus, the stator has a fluid communication means (a channel) which is not necessarily parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor, since the rotary valve plane seal is limited to the stator-rotor contacting interface with this particular rotary valve.

[0049] Additionally, and advantageously, the oxygen compressor is oil-free. One advantage is that it limits compressor maintenance.

[0050] In a particular embodiment, the connection line is provided with at least one outlet for discharging the produced oxygen. An outlet can, for example, allow the produced oxygen to be placed in an external tank, or in the event of overpressure, to have an escape of the oxygen at a particular point and thus better control the risks associated with the use of oxygen.

[0051] Advantageously, the air and oxygen compressors are housed at least partially inside a frame. Thus, by isolating the air and oxygen compressors in a frame, the frame preferably being transportable, it is possible to move the assembly in order to position it, for example, in a building such as a hospital.

[0052] In a particular embodiment, the oxygen compressor is arranged in the upper part of the frame. Thus, such an arrangement allows for easier heat dispersion. Indeed, since heat rises naturally, the compressor insulation is therefore simpler to achieve and the other elements contained in the frame are less exposed to this heat.

[0053] Preferably, the cabinet-shaped frame has a width of at most 2 meters and a height of at most 3 meters, preferably the width and / or the height being configured to allow a door to pass through. More preferably, the cabinet-shaped frame has a width of at most 1 meter and a height of at most 2 meters. Thus, such frames are relatively easy to install in buildings, without having to dismantle parts of this building (such as partitions and / or doors).

[0054] In a particular embodiment, the frame is a rolling frame. Thus, it is easy to move the frame without additional moving tools, for example in a reception building.

[0055]

[0056] FIGURES

[0057] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0058] [Fig.1] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the installation according to the present invention employing in particular twelve tanks.

[0059] [Fig.2] Figure 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the installation according to the present invention employing a rotary valve 10 (the fluid paths in the valve of which are detailed) with 6 reservoirs.

[0060] [Fig.3] Figure 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the installation according to the present invention integrating optional structural elements.

[0061] [Fig.4] Figure 4 is a sectional view of a frame incorporating an embodiment of the installation according to the present invention.

[0062] [Fig.5] Figure 5 is a schematic view of another embodiment of the installation according to the present invention using in particular twelve tanks.

[0063] With reference to Figure 1, the installation shown comprises a compressed air source 9 supplying a rotary valve 10 and twelve tanks 5.

[0064] The tanks 5 each comprise a first end 7, a body 6 and a second end 8.

[0065] Each reservoir 5 has two ends 7, 8 and a body 6 at least partially filled with a molecular sieve, open at each of its ends 7, 8 to define between said ends 7, 8 a flow path through the molecular sieve.

[0066] The rotary valve 10 supplies the twelve tanks 5 via their first end 7.

[0067] The rotary valve 10 allows the first ends to be selectively connected to a source 9 of pressurized or exhausted air to allow a pressurization / depressurization cycle of the tanks 5.

[0068] The rotary valve 10 is interposed between the first end 7 of each tank 5 and the source 9 of compressed air. The rotary valve 10 has for each tank 5 to which it is connected at least two angular positions corresponding one, called the pressurization position, to a position for supplying pressurized air to said tank 5, another, called the depressurization position, to a position for exhausting said tank 5,

[0069] The second end 8 of each tank 5 opens into a line 16 of connection of the second ends 8 of the tanks 5 to each other by a connecting interface 17.

[0070] This connecting interface 17 defines two parallel pipes 18 over at least part of their length and each connecting the second end 8 of the tank 5 and the connecting line 16 between them.

[0071] In particular, one of the two lines 18 of the interface 17 is a production line 181 and the other of the two lines 18 of the interface 17 is a purge line 182.

[0072] The production line 181 is configured to allow a passage of production flow from the second end 8 of the tank 5 to the connection line 16. The purge line 182 is configured to allow a passage of purge flow from the connection line 16 to the second end 8 of the tank 5.

[0073] Each pipe 18 has a non-return valve 20, the non-return valves 20 being reversed from one pipe to another.

[0074] Furthermore, each pipe 18 has at least one flow regulator 19 arranged in series with said non-return valve 20.

[0075] In this example, said at least one flow regulator 19 of the purge line 182 and said at least one flow regulator 19 of the production line 181 comprise a calibrated orifice 185 for the passage of gas flow. In particular, the gas flow passage section of the calibrated orifice 185 of said at least one flow regulator 19 of the production line 181 is strictly greater than the gas flow passage section of the calibrated orifice 185 of said at least one flow regulator 19 of the purge line 182.

[0076] This difference allows a maximum possible flow rate of the production flow passing through the production line 181 strictly greater than the maximum possible flow rate of the purge flow passing through the purge line 182.

[0077] The connection line 16 is provided with at least one outlet 21 for evacuating the oxygen produced.

[0078] Figure 2 represents a particular embodiment of the installation according to the present invention, in which a rotary valve is configured to allow both pressurization of two tanks 5, depressurization of two tanks 5 and equalization of two other tanks 5, i.e. an installation comprising six coupled tanks.

[0079] The rotary valve is supplied with air, for example in the same way as shown in Figure 1 (via a compressed air source 9).

[0080] Each tank 5 is then connected, downstream in the same way as in figure 1, that is to say via the second end 8 of each tank 5 opening into a line 16 for connecting the second ends 8 of the tanks 5 to each other by a connecting interface 17.

[0081] In the same way as in Figure 1, this link interface 17 defines two pipes 18 parallel over at least part of their length and each connecting the second end 8 of the tank 5 and the connection line 16 between them.

[0082] In the same way as in Figure 1, each pipe 18 has a non-return valve 20, the non-return valves 20 being reversed from one pipe to another.

[0083] Furthermore and in the same manner as in Figure 1, each pipe 18 has at least one flow regulator 19 arranged in series with said non-return valve 20.

[0084] In the same way as in figure 1, the connection line 16 is provided with at least one outlet 21 for evacuating the oxygen produced.

[0085] Figure 3 represents an installation 1, according to the present invention, comprising an air compressor 2, coupled to a heat exchanger 14 (cooled for example by a fan driven by a first motor M).

[0086] An oxygen generator 3 supplies a buffer tank 12 (for example with an internal pressure measuring means PT), which is coupled to an oxygen compressor 4.

[0087] This oxygen compressor 4 has a conduit, configured in one direction, for example thanks to a valve possibly also connected to a solenoid valve EV, supplying a second heat exchanger 14.

[0088] An extraction device A, as shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2, is integrated into the assembly to produce pure oxygen which is then stored in an oxygen tank 13 which, in turn, feeds a network, for example a hospital oxygen network.

[0089] Optionally, a frame 11 accommodates these different elements (preferably the oxygen tank 13 is placed outside the frame).

[0090] Figure 4 shows a frame 11, comprising an oxygen generator 3, an oxygen compressor 4, an air compressor 2, a rotary valve 10 and a drying device 22.

[0091] The air compressor 2 and the oxygen compressor 4 are placed on the upper part of the frame in order to improve the thermal insulation of the other components of this frame placed below these two compressors.

[0092] With reference to Figure 5, the installation shown, of design very close to the installation according to Figure 1, comprises a source of compressed air 9 supplying a rotary valve 10 according to the present invention and twelve reservoirs 5.

[0093] Thus, the embodiment as shown in Figure 1 presents an optimized installation allowing an adjustable variation of the flow rate according to the direction of the fluid downstream of the reservoirs 5, as described below.

[0094] The tanks 5 each comprise a first end 7, a body 6 and two second (outlet) ends 8.

[0095] The rotary valve 10 supplies the twelve tanks 5 via their first end 7.

[0096] The second ends 8 of each tank 5 open into a line 16 connecting the second ends 8 of the tanks 5 to each other by a connecting interface 17A.

[0097] This connecting interface 17A defines two parallel pipes 18 over at least part of their length and each connecting the two second ends 8 of the tank 5 and the connecting line 16 between them.

[0098] Each pipe 18 has a non-return valve 20, the non-return valves 20 being reversed from one pipe to another.

[0099] Furthermore, each pipe 18 has at least one flow regulator 19 arranged in series with said non-return valve 20.

[0100] The connection line 16 is provided with at least one outlet 21 for evacuating the oxygen produced.

[0101] This installation with the 17Atelle interface shown allows the fluid flows downstream of the tanks 5 to be controlled, which allows production optimization, particularly in terms of consistency of the flow rate of the fluid produced.

[0102] For ease of implementation of such an installation, it can be incorporated, at least partially, in a frame (not shown in Figure 5) configured to be moved and installed easily in a room of limited size (such as a hospital room or a dedicated technical room).

[0103] Thus the installation according to figure 5 has valves 20 arranged in parallel instead of being in series as in figure 1.

Claims

Claims

1. Installation for the production of oxygen, said installation comprising at least one air compressor (2), one oxygen generator (3) and one oxygen compressor (4), said oxygen generator (3) applying the so-called PSA technology comprising tanks (5), each tank (5) having two ends (7, 8) and a body (6) at least partially filled with a molecular sieve (adsorbent), open at each of its ends (7, 8) to define between said ends (7, 8) a flow path through the molecular sieve, one of the ends (7, 8) called the first end (7) of each tank (5) being selectively connectable to a source (9) of pressurized or exhausted air to allow a pressurization / depressurization cycle of said tank (5),each molecular sieve being capable of adsorbing nitrogen molecules and allowing oxygen to pass through under the effect of pressurization of the tank (5) and releasing the nitrogen molecules by desorption under the effect of exhausting the tank (5), in which the installation (1) comprises, for the pressurization / depression of the tanks (5) or at least part of the tanks (5) a rotary valve (10) common to said tanks (5), this rotary valve (10) interposed between the first end (7) of each tank (5) and at least one source (9) of compressed air having for each tank (5) to which it is connected at least two angular positions corresponding one, called the pressurization position, to a position for supplying pressurized air to said tank (5), another, called the depressurization position, to a position for exhausting said tank (5),characterized in that the second end (8) of each tank (5) opens into a line (16) for connecting the second ends (8) of the tanks (5) to each other by a connecting interface (17), this connecting interface (17) defining two parallel pipes (18) over at least part of their length and each connecting the second end (8) of the tank (5) and the connecting line (16) to each other, each pipe (18) has a non-return valve (20), the non-return valves (20) being reversed from one pipe to another, and in that each pipe (18) has at least one flow regulator (19) arranged in series with said non-return valve (20).,

2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the two pipes (18) of the interface (17) is a production pipe (181), the other of the two pipes (18) of the interface (17) is a purge line (182), the production line (181) being configured to allow a passage of production flow exiting from the second end (8) of the tank (5) to the connection line (16), the purge line (182) being configured to allow a passage of purge flow from the connection line (16) to the second end (8) of the tank (5), said at least one flow regulator (19) of the purge line (182) and said at least one flow regulator (19) of the production line (181) being configured so that the maximum possible flow rate of the production flow is strictly greater than the maximum possible flow rate of the purge flow.

3. Installation according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said at least one flow regulator (19) of each of the two pipes (18) of the interface (17) comprises a calibrated orifice (185) for the passage of gas flow, the gas flow passage section of the calibrated orifice (185) of said at least one flow regulator (19) of one of the two pipes (18) being different from the gas flow passage section of the calibrated orifice (185) of said at least one flow regulator (19) of the other of the two pipes (18).

4. Installation according to claim 3 in combination with claim 2, characterized in that the gas flow passage section of the calibrated orifice (185) of said at least one flow regulator (19) of the production pipe (181) is strictly greater than the gas flow passage section of the calibrated orifice (185) of said at least one flow regulator (19) of the purge pipe (182).

5. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first end (7) of each tank (5) is furthermore selectively connectable to another tank (5) to allow an equalization phase in the pressurization / depression cycle and in that the rotary valve (10) has for each tank (5) to which it is connected in addition to the pressurization and depressurization positions an equalization position corresponding to a position of connection of the tank (5) to another tank (5).

6. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the valve (10) is configured to, in at least one angular position, occupy a position corresponding for one of the tanks (5) to the pressurization position of said tank (5) and for the other or another of the tanks (5) to the position corresponding to the depressurization position of said tank (5).

7. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one of the angular positions of the valve (10) corresponds, for a first tank (5) or a first series of tanks (5), to a pressurization position of said first tank (5) or of the first series of tanks (5), for a second tank (5) or a second series of tanks (5), to a depressurization position of said second tank (5) or of the second series of tanks (5), and for the third tank (5) or the third series of tanks (5) to an equalization position of said third tank (5) or of the third series of tanks (5).

8. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the oxygen compressor (4) is oil-free.

9. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the connection line (16) is provided with at least one outlet (21) for evacuating the oxygen produced.

10. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the air (2) and oxygen (4) compressors are housed at least partially inside a frame (11)

11. Installation according to claim 10, characterized in that the oxygen compressor (4) is arranged in the upper part of the frame (11).

12. Installation according to claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the frame (11), in the form of a cabinet, has a width at most equal to 2 meters and a height at most equal to 3 meters, preferably the width and / or the height being configured to allow passage of a door.

13. Installation according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the frame (11) is a rolling frame (11).

Images