Pressure Swing Adsorption Oxygen Control via Flow Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure swing adsorption (PSA) installations struggle to maintain sufficient oxygen concentration and production rate when faced with high oxygen flow demands, often triggering alarms or stopping production due to exceeding the capacity of adsorbers.
Innovation Solution
A cyclic process for pressure swing adsorption that includes measuring and controlling the oxygen flow rate from each adsorber using pressure sensors or flowmeters, connecting the extraction outlets to manage flow and prevent exceeding adsorber capacities, ensuring consistent oxygen concentration and production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the flow rate demanded by the oxygen distribution network increases, then the oxygen production quantity increases, but the oxygen concentration drops below the required minimum
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system using oxygen concentration sensors that continuously monitor the oxygen concentration in the distribution network. When the concentration drops below the minimum threshold (e.g., 90%), the system automatically adjusts the operation of adsorbers or triggers alarms to maintain compliance with ISO 10083 standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control of the PSA process by adjusting operational parameters (such as cycle timing, valve switching, or adsorber activation) based on real-time flow rate demands and oxygen concentration measurements, allowing the system to adapt to varying network requirements while maintaining concentration standards.
2Productivity
If the adsorber capacity is exceeded to meet high flow demands, then the oxygen production quantity increases, but the oxygen concentration becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the oxygen production system into multiple adsorbers operating in parallel or sequence. By segmenting the total flow demand across multiple units, each adsorber operates within its optimal capacity range, ensuring that oxygen concentration requirements are met while collectively satisfying high flow rate demands from the distribution network.
3Productivity
If the adsorber operates beyond its capacity to meet high oxygen flow demands, then the production rate increases, but the system triggers alarms or stops production
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts operational parameters based on real-time monitoring of flow rate demands and adsorber performance. When high flow demands are detected, the system activates additional adsorbers or modifies cycle timing to meet demand without overloading individual units, thereby preventing alarm conditions and ensuring continuous stable operation.
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 ensures a stable oxygen concentration of at least 90% and prevents overloading of adsorbers, allowing continuous operation even at high oxygen flow rates, adhering to ISO standards and optimizing production capacity.
Implementation Method 1
the adsorbent bed makes it possible to trap the nitrogen in order to increase the oxygen concentration
Implementation Method 2
the adsorbent bed is a molecular sieve consisting of zeolite beads
Implementation Method 3
the pressure in the second adsorber 1b conventionally drops from approximately 2.5 bars to 0 bar in a fraction of a second, which makes it possible to desorb the nitrogen trapped in the adsorbent bed
Data Source
AI summary
The method involves supplying fluid to an adsorber (1a), and stopping supply of the fluid to the adsorber. An evacuation conduit is supplied with oxygen produced by the adsorber from the fluid. An extracted flow rate of the oxygen of the adsorber is measured by a parameter i.e. pressure. Extraction of the oxygen from the adsorber is stopped when the extracted flow rate exceeds a preset value, and the remaining fluid in the adsorber is drained. Supplying, measuring and extraction of the oxygen, and draining of the remaining fluid are carried out again by using another adsorber (1b). An independent claim is also included for an installation for treating fluid by pressure swing adsorption.