Oxygen Enrichment Device with Temperature-Controlled Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for oxygen-enriching breathing air, such as those used for filling diving gas cylinders, face challenges in efficiency and reliability due to fluctuating ambient conditions like temperature and humidity, and require complex and costly production methods involving pure oxygen or nitrogen.
Innovation Solution
A device with a compressor, refrigeration dryer, selective membrane, heating device, filter, and pre-cooling system that adjusts temperature and humidity levels to optimize the efficiency and reliability of oxygen enrichment, using a modular design to simplify installation and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pure oxygen or nitrogen of breathing gas quality is used for mixing, then oxygen-enriched breathing air can be produced, but the production becomes technically and economically complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of oxygen concentration by using a selective membrane that separates oxygen from nitrogen in ambient air. Instead of requiring pure oxygen or nitrogen gases, the system uses atmospheric air and selectively permeates oxygen through the membrane to achieve the desired oxygen enrichment (32-40% oxygen content), thereby simplifying the production method while maintaining quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts oxygen from ambient air using a selective membrane that allows oxygen to pass through while retaining nitrogen. This extraction process eliminates the need for complex pure gas supply systems, as oxygen is directly obtained from the air itself through the membrane separation process
2Device complexity
If the selective membrane operates without temperature control, then the device structure is simpler, but the efficiency of oxygen enrichment decreases due to fluctuating ambient conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies temperature control to optimize the operating parameters of the selective membrane. By heating the compressed air before it reaches the membrane (using heating device 14) and pre-cooling it earlier in the process (using pre-cooling device 1), the system maintains the membrane at optimal temperature for oxygen permeation, thereby maximizing enrichment efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses temperature sensors (18, 22) to monitor the temperature of compressed air at different stages and provides feedback to control the heating and pre-cooling devices. This feedback mechanism ensures the selective membrane operates within the optimal temperature range despite ambient condition fluctuations, maintaining high productivity
3Device complexity
If the refrigeration dryer operates without pre-cooling, then the device structure is simpler, but the reliability decreases when ambient temperature exceeds the dew point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pre-cooling (using pre-cooling device 1) before the compressed air enters the refrigeration dryer. This preliminary action reduces the temperature and dew point of the air beforehand, ensuring that the refrigeration dryer operates within its optimal range even when ambient temperatures are high, thereby preventing operational failures and enhancing reliability
4Use of energy by moving object
If compressed air is used directly without heating, then energy consumption is lower, but the efficiency of the selective membrane decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the energy efficiency by controlling the temperature parameter of compressed air before it reaches the selective membrane. The heating device (14) is controlled to heat the air only to the extent necessary for optimal membrane performance (monitored by sensor 18), avoiding excessive energy consumption while maintaining high oxygen enrichment efficiency
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 device significantly increases efficiency and reliability by maintaining optimal operating conditions for the selective membrane, reducing energy consumption, and extending the service life of components, while being adaptable to various environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a separator having an inlet for the compressed and dehumidified ambient air, a first outlet which is directly connected to the inlet, and a second outlet which is connected to the inlet via a selective membrane, the permeability of the selective membrane being determined Conditions for oxygen is higher than for nitrogen
Implementation Method 2
a heating device for heating the compressed and dehumidified ambient air is present in the flow path between the refrigeration dryer and the inlet of the separating device
Implementation Method 3
a pre-cooling device for cooling the compressed ambient air is provided in the course of the flow between the inlet for compressed ambient air and the refrigeration dryer
Implementation Method 4
a refrigeration dryer for dehumidification of the compressed ambient air
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for the oxygen-enrichment of respiratory air, which comprises an inlet (21) for compressed ambient air to which a compressor for providing compressed ambient air can be connected, a cooling dryer (4) for dehumidifying said compressed ambient air, and a separator device (20), said separator device (20) being provided with an inlet (13a) for the compressed and dehumidified ambient air, a first outlet (13b) that is directly connected to said inlet, and a second outlet (13c) that is connected to the inlet (13a) by means of a selective membrane (13). The permeability of the selective membrane (13) is, under predetermined conditions, higher for oxygen than it is for nitrogen. A heating device (11) for heating up the compressed and dehumidified ambient air is provided in the flow path between the cooling dryer (4) and the inlet (13a) of the separator device (20).