| PSA Oxygen Gas Generator |  |
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| Process | Technical Specifications | Application | Key Advantages | Installation Tips |
The air we breathe in generally contains 21% of Oxygen, 78% of Nitrogen, and other trace gases. Oxygen generation systems primarily separate this oxygen from compressed Air through a very unique process called Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA).
The Pressure Swing Adsorption process that is utilized for generation of enriched oxygen gas from ambient air, uses the ability of adsorbents (synthetic Zeolitic Molecular Sieve) to absorb primarily nitrogen. While nitrogen gets concentrated in the pore system of the Zeolitic Molecular Sieve, Oxygen is enriched as a product.
A PSA Oxygen generator works like this, two vessels are filled with Zeolitic Molecular sieve as the adsorbers. Compressed Air is allowed to pass through the first adsorber. The molecular sieve is able to selectively adsorb Nitrogen. Which allows the remaining Oxygen to pass on through the next adsorber and make its exit as a product gas.
As the adsorber is fully saturated with Nitrogen, the inlet airflow is subsequently switched to the second adsorber. The first adsorber is again regenerated by desorbing the nitrogen by depressurisation and then purging it with the product oxygen. The cycle goes on and the pressure continually swings in between a higher level-adsorption (Production), and in the lower level - desorption (Regeneration). This can be well understood from the diagram which shows the working of the PSA process of oxygen generation.
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| Diagram highlighting the layout of a typical PSA Oxygen Generator. |
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Technical specifications of PSA Oxygen Generator:
Though technicalities of PSA Generators change with models shape and sizes the following table tries to give a very general information on the PSA Oxygen Plants.
| Capacity: | From 2 Nm3/hr to 500 Nm3/hr |
| Purity: | Upto 95% |
| Pressure in PSIG: | 20 - 100 |
| Moisture content (Dew-Point): | Minus 50 Deg. C Normal |
| Gas analysis Systems | On-line oxygen analyser |
| Capacity: | From 2 Nm3/hr to 500 Nm3/hr |
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On-line dew-point analyzer Glass tube Rotameter |
| Dimensions: | According to customer's specifications |
Application of PSA Oxygen Generator:
- Petrochemical Industry
- Autoclaves
- Gold Leaching
- Mineral leaching
- Aquaculture-Ozone manufacturing
- Brazing Applications
- Rough Cutting
- Water Treatment Plants
- Metallurgical Industry- Furnace Enrichment
- Ceramic Industry- Glass blowing
- Biotechnology
- Oxygen Concentrators
- Oxygen Bar
- Low Production Cost
- Simplified Process
- Less Equipment
- High Automation
- Operating Convenience
- Quick Starting and Stopping process
- Low working pressure
- Totally safe
- Excellent flexibility as the purity and output of the product gas are easily adjusted
- Switch-over valves that provides reliability along with minimal maintenance
- Sophisticated Microprocessor-control system allows unmanned operation and maintains efficiency
The following points must be kept in mind while taking care of the installation aspect of the PSA oxygen generators:
- The unit should be connected to a grounded power source that is rated for power and voltage considerations.
- Ensuring a free flow of cooling air around the Generator unit.
- Ensuring sufficient approach space around the Generator for performing normal operations.
- Items should not be laid on the cover. Generators are not designed to carry heavy loads.
- Location where the Oxygen Generator is to be placed must be well ventilated. This prevents the gathering of low oxygen concentration waste gas in the space.
- It must be ensured that at the installation site, there is no chance of rain or condensation to contact the unit.