Plasma-Driven Oxygen Separation via Dense Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oxygen concentrators for therapeutic applications are costly, inconvenient due to noise, require complex servicing, and may release undesired compounds into the oxygen stream, necessitating additional purification steps and increased maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A method using a dense, voltage-drivable membrane with a plasma-generated conductive element at the secondary side to separate oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas, eliminating the need for electrodes and reducing servicing work, while generating pure oxygen without toxic impurities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electrodes are used on the membrane surface to generate oxygen flux, then oxygen generation is achieved, but undesired compounds are released from electrodes into the oxygen stream
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the electrodes from the system entirely. Instead of using electrodes on the membrane surface, the patent employs a plasma field to generate the necessary electrical conductivity and drive oxygen flux through the membrane, thereby eliminating the source of undesired compound release while maintaining oxygen generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/electrical system of electrodes with a plasma-based system. The plasma field provides the necessary electrical conductivity and energy to drive oxygen flux through the membrane without requiring physical electrode contact, thus avoiding contamination from electrode materials
2Productivity
If compressors are used to compress oxygen-containing gas, then oxygen separation is enabled, but noise increases reducing convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical compressor system with a plasma-based field system. The plasma field directly drives oxygen flux through the membrane without requiring mechanical compression, thereby eliminating the noise associated with compressors while maintaining effective oxygen separation
3Productivity
If two membranes are used for swing process, then nitrogen desorption is achieved, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the swing process requirement entirely. By using a plasma field to continuously drive oxygen flux through a single membrane, the system eliminates the need for the complex two-membrane swing process, achieving nitrogen separation without requiring membrane desorption cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables continuous oxygen flux through the membrane driven by the plasma field, eliminating the intermittent operation required by the swing process. This continuous action achieves nitrogen separation and oxygen generation without the complexity of switching between two membranes
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 servicing costs, minimizes the presence of undesired compounds in the oxygen stream, and allows for precise control of oxygen flux and purity, making it suitable for therapeutic applications with reduced noise and increased convenience.
Implementation Method 1
at least one conductive element is formed by a plasma which is generated at at least one of the primary side and the secondary side of the membrane
Implementation Method 2
a dense voltage drivable membrane... in order to generate an oxygen flux through the membrane
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of generating oxygen. The method addresses the objects of reducing the servicing work and improving the purity of the generated oxygen. According to the invention, the method comprises the steps of: providing an oxygen comprising gas at a primary side of a dense voltage drivable membrane (12); applying a voltage between a conductive element at the primary side of the membrane (12) and a conductive element at a secondary side of the membrane (12), the conductive elements being electrically connected to the membrane (12), wherein a plasma (18, 20) is generated at at least one of the primary side and the secondary side of the membrane (12), the plasma (18, 20) being used as conductive element.