(505d) Feasibility Study of Miniature Oxygen Concentrator Via Pressure Swing Adsorption

We present results of a novel miniature pressure swing

adsorption (PSA) system for the production of oxygen from

air. Our ultimate goals is to enable the design of a

hand-held oxygen concentrator using miniaturized PSA concepts. The major challenge in developing a micro-scale

PSA is in the downscaling of adsorbent volume while still

retaining its ability to provide high quality enriched

oxygen gas at required flow rate. Reduction of bed volume

and hence decreased adsorption capacity necessitates fast

switching between beds. Thus, adequate and fast control

logic is critical for the successful operation of the

micro-PSA.

The process cycle is tailored to minimize the step time

and enable appropriate instrumentation and fluidic

interconnections within current hardware constraints.

In addition to the feasibility study based on process

variables, physical design limitations are also discussed.

We describe the switching logic used in this miniaturized PSA prototype, throughput obtained and feasibility for scaling up to a feasible oxygen supply.

Based on the