Dense Membrane Oxygen Separation and Nitric Oxide Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oxygen concentrators for therapeutic applications, such as those used in COPD treatment, are costly, inconvenient due to noise, and require additional steps for disinfection, with non-sterile oxygen generation and inefficient nitric oxide production.
Innovation Solution
A method using a dense inorganic membrane to separate oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas, where heat generated during the process is used to produce nitric oxide from nitrous oxide, eliminating the need for additional heating devices and catalysts, and allowing for on-demand generation of sterile oxygen and nitric oxide in a single device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a compressor is used to compress the oxygen comprising gas, then oxygen separation is achieved, but noise increases and convenience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical compressor system with a membrane-based separation system that uses pressure differential created by a pump or natural pressure gradients, eliminating the noisy compressor while maintaining oxygen separation efficiency through the selective permeability of the membrane
2Productivity
If an organic membrane is used for oxygen separation, then oxygen generation is achieved, but nitrogen adsorption requires additional swing process and increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous ceramic membrane with specific pore size and structure that allows oxygen to pass through via solution-diffusion mechanism while blocking nitrogen, eliminating the need for swing processes required by organic membranes and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite membrane structures combining different materials to achieve both high oxygen permeability and nitrogen rejection, optimizing separation performance without requiring complex process controls
3Productivity
If heat is applied to heat the nitrous oxide comprising gas separately, then nitric oxide generation is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating function into the existing oxygen separation process by using the same heat source that heats the membrane for oxygen permeation to also heat the nitrous oxide gas, thereby generating nitric oxide without additional energy input and eliminating separate heating equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system serves dual purposes: heating the membrane to enable oxygen separation and heating the nitrous oxide to generate nitric oxide, making the system more efficient by eliminating redundant heating equipment
4Productivity
If additional heating devices and catalysts are used for nitric oxide production, then nitric oxide generation is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the nitric oxide generation function with the oxygen separation system by using the same heated environment and membrane structure, eliminating the need for separate heating devices and catalysts while maintaining effective nitric oxide production
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
This approach reduces costs, noise, and maintenance, while providing high-purity oxygen and controlled nitric oxide concentrations, ensuring safety and flexibility for therapeutic applications, with the added benefit of generating sterile oxygen without additional disinfection steps.
Implementation Method 1
heating the membrane to a temperature at which it is permeable for oxygen
Implementation Method 2
heating the membrane to a temperature at which it is permeable for oxygen
Implementation Method 3
heating the nitrous oxide comprising gas to a temperature at which nitric oxide is generated
Implementation Method 4
using heat generated in the process of operating the membrane
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a Method of generating oxygen and nitric oxide. The method comprises the steps of: guiding an oxygen comprising gas to a primary side of a dense membrane (42), heating the membrane (42) to a temperature at which it is permeable for oxygen, creating a pressure difference between the primary side of the membrane (42) and a secondary side of the membrane (42), wherein a stream of oxygen is generated at the secondary side of the membrane (42) and a stream of oxygen depleted gas is generated at the primary side of the membrane (42). The method according to the invention further comprises the steps of: providing a flow of nitrous oxide comprising gas and heating the nitrous oxide comprising gas to a temperature at which nitric oxide is generated. Thereby, according to the invention, heat generated in the process of operating the membrane is used. According to the invention it is possible to generate both oxygen and nitric oxide in one device making use of several synergistic effects, thus being energy saving.