Oxygen generators : what are they ?

Oxygen generators produce oxygen gas from compressed air and provide a cost-effective, reliable and safe alternative to conventional (cylinder or liquid) means for supplying oxygen gas. Oxygen generators are available in 20 standard models with a capacity of the order of 1.6 - 150 Nm3 / hour and with 90 to 95% purity. Oxywise's PSA generators are designed for 24/7 operations. Each generator is equipped with automatic shutdown, allowing the generator to shut down automatically when there is no gas consumption from the generator (the product line is stopped, no patient breathes oxygen from the generator line).

Technology

The oxygen generator consists of two columns with molecular sieves (zeolite). Pre-treated compressed air enters the active column and continues with the zeolite. Nitrogen and other gases are adsorbed as oxygen passes through. The active column is under pressure. When the pressure is released, the column becomes inactive and regenerates completely. To ensure continuous production the oxygen generator is built from two columns: one is active while the other is inactive. Their roles are reversed at the end of the cycle. Reminder of pharmacopoeial requirements for the supply of oxygen:

• nominal oxygen concentration 93% ± 3% V / V
• carbon monoxide concentration ≤ 5 ml / m3
• carbon dioxide concentration ≤ 300 ml / m3
• oil concentration ≤ 0.1 mg / m3
• concentration of water vapor ≤ 67 ml / m3
• nitrous gas concentration NO / NO2 ≤ 2 ml / m3
• SO2 sulfur dioxide concentration ≤ 1 ml / m3

Oxygen filling

Oxygen cylinders are filled using a high-pressure compressor; it is carried out on site to allow autonomy of the health facility. This process must be CE DM certified and must meet all safety standards.

HP oxygen filling station

The filling system is composed of one or more pneumatic compressors with dry pistons compressing in several stages. There is no oxygen pollution during compression. The operation of the system is managed by a PLC, the maximum pressure is 200 bar with a possible distribution on the oxygen network at 4 or 7 bars.