Experimental study of a rotary valve multi-bed rapid cycle pressure swing adsorption process based medical oxygen concentrator

Abstract

Rapid cycle pressure swing adsorption (RCPSA) characterized by short cycle time permits adsorbents to be used more frequently and increases process productivity. A rotary valve multi-bed RCPSA process is proposed to improve the performance of miniature oxygen concentrator. The RCPSA air separation system is highly integrated by four adsorbent beds and a rotary valve. The effects of process parameters on the performance of the RCPSA system were conducted by experiments. Results showed that the system could produce 1 L min−1 of ~ 92% O2 with ~ 30% of oxygen recovery and ~ 78 kg·TPD−1 of bed size factor (BSF) from compressed air at low adsorption and desorption pressure ratio (~ 250:101 kPa). The minimum BSF with ~ 5 s optimal cycle time is a sharp decline with increasing of pressure ratio. However, a reversed trend between BSF and unit power at different pressure ratios is prominently emerged.