Plasma Oxygen Separator With Rotatable Electrode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oxygen concentrators for therapeutic applications are costly, noisy, bulky, require frequent maintenance, and produce non-sterile oxygen, with high energy consumption and inefficiency due to the need for separate heating and pressurization units and adsorption issues with nitrogen.
Innovation Solution
A plasma-based oxygen separation system using a membrane unit with a porous substrate and a rotatable electrode unit that generates plasma to compress and heat the oxygen-containing gas, eliminating the need for separate heating and pressurization devices and reducing noise and size, while ensuring sterile oxygen production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a compressor is used to compress the oxygen containing gas, then the oxygen separation process can be performed, but the device becomes noisy and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the compression function and heating function into the plasma generation process itself. The plasma electrode unit simultaneously compresses and heats the oxygen-containing gas through plasma generation, eliminating the need for separate compressor and heater components, thereby reducing device weight and size while maintaining oxygen separation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical compression system (compressor) with a plasma-based compression mechanism. The plasma generation process creates high-temperature and high-pressure conditions without mechanical moving parts, significantly reducing noise and device complexity while achieving the required gas compression for membrane separation
2Productivity
If separate heating and pressurization devices are used, then the oxygen containing gas can be properly processed, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges heating, pressurization, and oxygen separation functions into a single integrated plasma-based system. The plasma electrode unit performs all three functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate heating devices and pressurization equipment, thereby reducing device complexity and operational costs
Solution Approach 2:
The plasma electrode unit is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously achieves gas compression, heating, and oxygen separation. This universal component replaces multiple specialized devices, simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing both capital and operational expenses
3Productivity
If adsorption membranes are used to separate oxygen, then oxygen can be concentrated, but nitrogen adsorption requires a swing process with two membranes increasing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using plasma-generated high temperature and high pressure conditions. These parameter changes enable the use of dense membranes that selectively permeate oxygen without requiring the swing process, as the plasma conditions directly drive oxygen separation through the membrane, eliminating the need for cyclic adsorption-desorption operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the nitrogen adsorption problem from the system by using plasma-based separation mechanisms that do not rely on nitrogen adsorption. The plasma process directly separates oxygen from the oxygen-containing gas through selective membrane permeation under plasma conditions, eliminating the need for swing processes and multiple membranes
4Ease of operation
If conventional oxygen concentrators are used, then oxygen therapy can be provided, but ongoing maintenance and servicing costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical compression and heating systems with plasma-based processes. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and tear associated with compressors and heaters, significantly reducing maintenance and servicing requirements while maintaining effective oxygen therapy delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The plasma-based system is designed to be more self-maintaining due to the absence of mechanical moving parts in the compression and heating functions. The plasma generation process does not require mechanical components that wear out, reducing the need for ongoing maintenance and servicing by patients and home care providers
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 achieves cost-effective, energy-efficient, and convenient oxygen separation with reduced noise and size, producing high-purity oxygen on demand without the need for additional disinfection steps, suitable for home care and portable applications.
Implementation Method 1
the electrode unit and the electrode are located for forming a plasma between the at least one rotatable electrode wing and the electrode
Implementation Method 2
a combination of heating and compressing an oxygen containing gas by use of a plasma
Implementation Method 3
a dense membrane like particularly an inorganic membrane leads to surprising and very beneficial synergistic effects
Implementation Method 4
the generated oxygen is non-sterile, because of which a further measure of disinfection is often desired or necessary
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an arrangement for separating oxygen from an oxygen containing gas. It comprises a membrane unit (12), and an electrode unit (24). The membrane unit (12) comprises a porous substrate (20), a dense membrane (14) and at least one electrode (18), wherein the porous substrate (20) is directed towards the electrode unit (24), and wherein the electrode unit (24) comprises at least one electrode comprising at least one rotatable electrode wing (26) being at least partially electrically conductive. An arrangement according to the invention allows to separate oxygen with improved efficiency and improved convenience with respect to maintenance and noise.