Working principle of household PSA oxygen generator

Oxygen generators can be broadly classified into electronic oxygen generators, chemical oxygen generators, and oxygen-enriched membrane oxygen generators.PSAOxygen GeneratorThe first three types of oxygen generators are either complex in their processes or have been largely abandoned due to the low concentration of oxygen they produce. Currently, the most promising type on the market isPSAoxygen generator, so we will focus onPSAthe principle of the oxygen generator.

20Century60An American company discovered a cubic aluminosilicate compound with a uniform microporous structure. These micropores have uniform diameters, capable of adsorbing molecules smaller than their diameter into cavities, exhibiting preferential adsorption of polar and saturated molecules, thereby separating molecules with different polarities, saturation levels, sizes, and boiling points. Simply put, it's like a sieve separating soybeans from soil, but with air replacing soybeans. Therefore, this compound is called a molecular sieve in industrial applications. This process of separating air components through adsorption is called pressure swing adsorption, which is thePSAprocess touted by many manufacturers.20Century70This technology was first used in industry during the

1985year, an American company developed a smallPSAOxygen Generatormarking thePSAtechnology's miniaturization. It was around this time that pioneers in the medical device industry discovered this device. One can imagine the elation of those who first discovered this smallPSAoxygen generator—a true treasure! Previously, medical oxygen could only be obtained through cryogenic distillation, a time-consuming and laborious process requiring large equipment. The purity limitations also resulted in high Price.20Century90In the earlyPSAsmall medical1993year, the American Materials Testing Institute released the standard specifications for small medicalPSAoxygen generators, and the International Organization for Standardization released the safety standards for1996year, the American Materials Testing Institute released the standard specifications for small medicalPSAoxygen generators.

Before the advent ofPSAoxygen generators, medical oxygen was primarily obtained through cryogenic distillation. This oxygen contained water, carbon dioxide, gaseous acids and bases, ozone, and hydrocarbons, all harmful to the human body, and were difficult to fractionate. If the oxygen content is below99.5%the content of these harmful components increases. Therefore, world medical oxygen standards and the Chinese Pharmacopoeia stipulate that the medical oxygen content should not be less than99.5%。PSAoxygen generators preferentially adsorb these impurities, so their oxygen concentration cannot reach99.5%but they can be used medically. Hospitals also use oxygen mixed with a certain proportion of air because pure oxygen is harmful to the human body.20Century90In the90%However, domestic medical oxygen standards still adhere to the standards of the previous distillation separation method, which is a major reason for the limited application of medicalPSAoxygen generators in China. There are many types of molecular sieve materials, such as zeolite molecular sieves and carbon molecular sieves.

PSAOxygen Generatorhas the characteristic of increasing nitrogen adsorption under pressure and decreasing adsorption under reduced pressure. Therefore, zeolite molecular sieves are a commonly used method. It adsorbs nitrogen under pressure and desorbs nitrogen from the molecular sieve under reduced pressure, achieving oxygen generation through pressure swing adsorption.