Ceramic Membrane Oxygen Separation for High-Flow Patient Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oxygen supply systems face challenges in delivering high flow rates of pure oxygen efficiently, particularly in resource-constrained environments, and existing systems for recycling exhaled gases are inadequate in maintaining oxygen purity and requiring frequent maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An installation comprising an electrochemical separation module with ceramic membranes and a gas purification system using adsorbers, where waste gas from exhaled CO2/O2 mixture is used to regenerate adsorbents, and a buffer tank combines oxygen from both sources to achieve high purity oxygen delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a PSA installation is used to separate ambient air and produce gaseous O2, then oxygen can be generated on site, but the flow rate is limited to less than 10 L/min and the device becomes heavy and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical PSA separation system with an electrochemical separation system using solid electrolyte fuel cells. This substitution enables higher oxygen flow rates (up to 15 L/min or more) while maintaining a more compact and lighter device design, as the electrochemical process occurs in a smaller volume compared to the mechanical compression and adsorption processes required by PSA systems.
2Reliability
If adsorbent cartridges are used to remove CO2 from exhaled gases, then oxygen can be recycled, but the adsorbent requires frequent regeneration and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-regenerating adsorbent system where the adsorbent cartridges are automatically regenerated using the waste gas stream from the oxygen generation process. The high-temperature waste gas (above 200°C) from the fuel cell anode serves as the regeneration medium, eliminating the need for external maintenance interventions and enabling continuous operation without frequent downtime for adsorbent regeneration.
3Ease of repair
If ambient air is used to regenerate adsorbents, then the adsorbent can be restored, but the regeneration is incomplete and adsorption capacity reduces over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of the waste gas stream (which contains CO2 and water vapor that would normally be discarded) into a beneficial regeneration medium. The waste gas, at temperatures above 200°C, provides the exact conditions needed for complete adsorbent regeneration, actually improving the adsorption capacity rather than merely restoring it. This transforms a waste product into a valuable resource for maintaining system performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system efficiently recycles exhaled gases, maintains high oxygen purity, and reduces the need for frequent maintenance, ensuring continuous supply of high-purity oxygen even in resource-limited settings.
Implementation Method 1
an electrochemical separation module with a ceramic membrane... electrochemical separation module comprising one or more ceramic membranes
Implementation Method 2
electrochemical separation module with a ceramic membrane... ceramic membranes... doped with one or more electrolytes
Implementation Method 3
a gas purification system comprising adsorbers arranged in parallel each containing at least one adsorbent... gas purification system comprising at least one adsorbent having a higher selectivity for CO2 than for O2
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an installation for supplying (50) a breathing gas, typically oxygen, to a user, such as a patient (P), comprising a gas source (3) for supplying oxygen, a main gas delivery line (23), a breathing interface (21), a gas recovery line (10) connecting the breathing interface (21) to a gas purification system (1) comprising adsorbers (130-132), and a gas recycling line (11) fluidly connecting the gas purification system (1) to the main gas delivery line (23). According to the invention, the gas source (3) comprises an oxygen generation unit (30) comprising one or more electrochemical separation modules (316), a first gas line (3100) for supplying the electrochemical separation module(s) (316) with air, and a second gas line (3200) for conveying a waste gas stream generated by the module(s) (316).The waste gas stream is used to regenerate the adsorbent contained in the adsorbers (130-132) of the gas purification system (1).