PSA Oxygen Check Valve Orifice Layout for Sieve Bed Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current PSA systems for gas concentration, such as oxygen or nitrogen, are inefficient and costly due to the need for multiple electromechanical components and solenoids, which increases energy consumption and maintenance costs, especially during the regeneration process of saturated scrubbing media.
Innovation Solution
A header/housing system with two-axis orifice check valves under compressed spring tension, reducing the number of solenoids and electromechanical components, allowing for simultaneous oxygen concentration and nitrogen scrubbing while optimizing reverse flow oxygen for sieve bed regeneration, thus minimizing the need for additional piping and controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional PSA systems use multiple solenoids and electromechanical components for gas concentration, then the system can achieve oxygen concentration and nitrogen scrubbing, but the energy consumption increases and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes solenoids and electromechanical components from the PSA system, retaining only passive check valves and orifice holes. This extraction of active components eliminates their energy consumption while preserving the core gas concentration function through passive flow control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the natural pressure differential and flow characteristics of the gas streams to automatically control the check valves and regulate flow through orifice holes. The high-pressure oxygen stream automatically opens check valves during regeneration without external control, making the system self-regulating and energy-free.
2Productivity
If traditional PSA systems use multiple solenoids and electromechanical components, then the system can control gas flow, but the maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By removing solenoids and electromechanical components, the patent eliminates parts that require maintenance, calibration, and replacement. The remaining passive components (check valves, orifice holes) have no moving parts or electrical connections, dramatically reducing maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive passive components that can be easily replaced if needed. The check valves and orifice holes are basic mechanical elements with long service lives and minimal maintenance requirements compared to complex electromechanical systems.
3Productivity
If traditional PSA systems use multiple check valves and solenoids, then the system can control regeneration flow, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple flow control functions into passive check valves and orifice holes that operate simultaneously without separate control mechanisms. The check valves handle both forward flow during concentration and reverse flow during regeneration, merging multiple functions into single passive components.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valves serve multiple functions: controlling forward flow during oxygen concentration, directing reverse flow during regeneration, and regulating flow distribution through orifice holes. These passive components perform what would traditionally require multiple active control devices.
4Productivity
If traditional PSA systems use multiple solenoids and controls, then the system can manage the PSA process, but the lifecycle costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By eliminating solenoids and electronic controls, the patent removes components that contribute significantly to lifecycle costs through purchase price, installation complexity, energy consumption, and maintenance. The simplified system achieves the same PSA process function with passive, low-cost components.
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 design enhances the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the PSA process by reducing the number of components, lowering energy consumption, and extending the lifespan of scrubbing media, resulting in lower lifecycle costs and easier installation.
Implementation Method 1
at least a pair of check valve plungers with compression springs wherein the compression springs provide a predetermined pressure or calibrated force
Implementation Method 2
The orifice size used in this invention is sized depending on the sieve bed mass requiring regeneration, and the flow of oxygen required to aid in the removal of scrubbed nitrogen in the sieve
Implementation Method 3
Passing air through an absorbent scrubbing media such as zeolite is an efficient method of capturing and temporarily holding the nitrogen molecules from the air as it is passed through the sieve bed of media
Implementation Method 4
The regeneration process is accomplished on the media, in sieve bed #2 by rapidly dropping the pressure on sieve bed #2's media while immediately following passing a small quantity of concentrated oxygen in reverse flow through the media bed of #2
Data Source
AI summary
A gas check valve device having a header, at least one check valve plunger, at least one orifice that provides a first path for a small amount of gas to pass through the at least one check valve plunger when a respective compression spring presses the check valve plunger against a check valve seat to form an air tight seal, and a common gas passage connecting the check valve plunger with a common outlet. The gas check valve device provides a second path for a small amount of gas to pass through the orifice of the at least one check valve plunger in a reverse direction and a larger amount of the gas to pass between the at least one check valve plunger and the check valve seat when the gas pressure compresses the respective compression spring to separate the check valve plunger from the check valve seat.