| PSA in Aviation Industry |  |
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Gas separation technology like Onboard Inert Gas Generation System (OBIGGS) is now increasingly getting popular with the Aviation Industry. The basic purpose of this highly efficient system is to remove the fumes from fuel tanks. As the fuel tanks are highly susceptible to explosion due to electrical discharge. For prevention of this hazard Pressure Swing Adsorption technology comes to the rescue. This technology helps to remove the gases prone to explosion with inert (non-combustible) gases.
A diagram showing PSA technology operated OBIGGS/OBOGGS for use in Aircraft:
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In the Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) air is directed through a column. This column is packed with bed of pellets or powder having a large surface area with respect to weight. As air passes over this bed, air molecules will get adsorbed (stick to the surface) to the pellets. By employing suitable pellets, oxygen from the air stream is effectively removed leaving nitrogen and some traces of argon only. Also, the different pellets can be used for removing all the nitrogen from the air stream, leaving predominantly oxygen.
As different technologies are used for gas separation, here are the determining factors to identify the suitable technology. They are the following:
- Nitrogen Purity
- Product Flow
- Inlet Flow
- Weight factor
- Total Power
Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) is the unique technology that has been able to achieve the immensely successfull application of providing breathing oxygen to crew members of airplane. PSA has another feather to its cap as it is perhaps the single in-use supply system of oxygen that uses on-site air separation process.
OBOGS installed in the aircraft has removed the requirement for liquid oxygen (LOX). Instead it uses the bleed air available from the aircraft’s engine. The process works like this, first the bleed air gets separated into its elements. This is effectively done through PSA technology. This result in an unlimited supply of oxygen. Oxygen got this way is then monitored for purity and the flow regulated. Finally it is delivered.
Advantages of On Board Oxygen Generating System(OBOGS):
- Reduced dependence from Oxygen bottles - OBOGS has been able to reduce the dependence on much heavier oxygen bottles that came with the disadvantage of stress and weight for the aircraft.
- Elimination of the potental danger of LOX - OBOGS has eliminated the risks that comes with the usager and handling of LOX.
- Economically viable - Operational costs of OBOGS are considerably lower than the Liquid oxygen (LOX) systems, this results in significant savings, when it comes to operation and maintenance expenditures.