Thermal Sorbent Sensor for Oxygen Purity Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oxygen concentrators face challenges in accurately measuring oxygen purity due to limitations in sensing technologies, which affect the efficiency and reliability of oxygen separation processes.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system utilizing a zeolite sorbent material that undergoes temperature changes when sorbing nitrogen, coupled with temperature sensors and a control unit, allows for precise detection of nitrogen concentration in oxygen mixtures, thereby enhancing oxygen purity control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional gas sensors are used to measure oxygen purity, then measurement capability is provided, but sensitivity and cost-effectiveness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electrical gas sensors with a thermal-based detection system. Temperature sensors measure the temperature change of sorbent material caused by exothermic adsorption of nitrogen, substituting electrical sensing mechanisms with thermal field-based measurement to achieve higher sensitivity and lower cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sorbent material as an intermediary between the gas mixture and the temperature sensor. The sorbent material absorbs nitrogen from the oxygen stream, converting the chemical composition information into a temperature change signal that can be easily measured, thereby enabling indirect but highly sensitive detection of oxygen purity.
2Measurement precision
If thermal type gas sensors are used to detect nitrogen through exothermic reaction, then sensitivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous sorbent material that provides large surface area for nitrogen adsorption. The porous structure enables efficient contact between the gas molecules and sorbent surface, enhancing the exothermic reaction effect and temperature change signal while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the temperature parameter change caused by the exothermic adsorption process. By measuring the temperature increase of the sorbent material rather than directly detecting nitrogen concentration, the system simplifies the sensing mechanism while maintaining high detection precision through thermal field measurement.
3Measurement precision
If sorbent material is used for nitrogen absorption, then nitrogen detection capability is enhanced, but the system requires additional components increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sorbent material directly with the temperature sensor by placing the sensor in thermal contact with the sorbent material. This integration allows the temperature sensor to directly measure the temperature change of the sorbent material during nitrogen adsorption, combining multiple functions into a compact assembly and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sorbent material serves dual purposes: it acts as both the selective nitrogen absorption medium and the measured object for temperature detection. The exothermic adsorption process itself generates the measurement signal, eliminating the need for separate heating elements or complex detection mechanisms, thereby simplifying the system.
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 sensor system provides high sensitivity and cost-effectiveness, enabling dynamic and accurate measurement of oxygen purity, improving the operational efficiency and reliability of oxygen concentrators.
Implementation Method 1
a sorbent material (102) being capable of sorbing the at least one compound to be detected, wherein the sorbent material (102) undergoes a temperature change when sorbing the at least one compound
Implementation Method 2
the sorbent material undergoes a temperature change when sorbing the at least one compound
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an a sensor system (100) for quantitatively detecting at least one compound in a fluid mixture, said fluid mixture comprising the compound to be detected, wherein the sensor system (100) comprises a sorbent material (102) being capable of sorbing the at least one compound to be detected, wherein the sorbent material (102) undergoes a temperature change when sorbing the at least one compound; at least a first temperature sensor (104) for measuring the temperature of the sorbent material (102); and a control unit (110) being adapted for quantitatively determining the at least one compound to be detected based on the temperature change of the sorbent material (102). Such a sensor system (100) provides an improved measurement especially in the field of oxygen concentrators. The invention further relates to an oxygen concentrator (10) for generating oxygen enriched gas as well as to a method of quantitatively detecting at least one compound in a fluid mixture.