PSA Oxygen Purification with Programmable Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oxygen production devices using the Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) process are inflexible and unable to adjust to varying user needs for oxygen purity and production rate, limiting their operational efficiency and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A device with a programmable controller that allows users to configure oxygen purity and production rate, featuring a circuit for injecting purified oxygen and a purge system that adjusts based on user input, utilizing a bed of oxygen adsorption material and including sensors for control, enabling interactive operation and automatic adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed parameters are defined at the design stage for oxygen purity and production rate, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the device cannot adapt to varying user needs for different purity levels and flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the PSA process by allowing real-time adjustment of operational parameters (purge flow rate, injection volume, cycle timing) through a programmable controller. This enables the system to adapt to varying user needs for oxygen purity and production rate without requiring physical reconfiguration, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (pressure, flow rates, timing sequences) dynamically during operation to meet different user requirements. By adjusting these parameters rather than the physical structure, the system achieves versatility while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
2Loss of energy
If the purge valve is operated in a staggered and alternating manner with fixed timing, then the device operation is simple, but the energy efficiency cannot be optimized for varying production requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the programmable controller monitors operational conditions and adjusts purge timing and injection volumes accordingly. This feedback control optimizes energy efficiency by matching purge operations to actual production requirements, while the automated control maintains ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic purge and injection operations with variable timing sequences controlled by the programmable automaton. By optimizing the periodicity and staggering of these actions, the system improves energy efficiency while the automated control system maintains operational simplicity.
3Manufacturing precision
If a second stage is added to obtain higher oxygen purity of up to 99.5%, then the oxygen purity is improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The second stage uses the same basic PSA components (molecular sieve beds, valves, controllers) as the first stage, making the system multi-functional. By reusing proven components for a different separation purpose (oxygen concentration rather than nitrogen removal), the system achieves high purity without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary approach by taking the oxygen-argon mixture from stage one and subjecting it to selective oxygen adsorption in stage two. This intermediary separation step efficiently achieves 99.5% purity by targeting only the oxygen component, rather than requiring complete redesign of the entire system.
4Productivity
If the purge volume and injection volume are increased to meet higher production flow rates, then the production rate is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts purge and injection volumes based on the desired production rate and purity level. Rather than operating at fixed high volumes, the programmable controller optimizes these parameters in real-time, improving productivity while minimizing energy consumption by matching volumes to actual needs.
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
Enables efficient production of purified oxygen with customizable purity and flow rate, improving energy efficiency and user interaction by automatically adjusting operation to meet specific requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a bed (2) of oxygen adsorption material... which has the property of adsorbing oxygen
Implementation Method 2
by the oxygen production process called 'PSA' (acronym for 'Pressure Swing Adsorption') which consists of separating the nitrogen molecules contained in the air by passing the air through a column or bed containing a molecular sieve... by varying the pressure in an adsorption/desorption cycle
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for producing purified oxygen, provided with a supply (1, 1') of a mixture of oxygen and argon, and comprising at least one bed (2, 2A, 2B) of oxygen adsorption material, a purge (3, 3') for removing the separated argon, and a circuit (4, 4') for injecting a portion of the purified oxygen produced into said supply (1, 1'). According to the invention, the device includes a programmable logic controller (PLC) for processing the purity level and/or production flow rate, which can be set by the user, and a control system for said purge (3, 3') based on the purity level of the purified oxygen and/or the production flow rate desired by the user.