What Is an Oxygen Generator?
An oxygen generator is a device that extracts high-purity oxygen gas from the air by separating nitrogen and other gases. These devices leverage adsorbents for gas separation, offering a cost-effective and scalable solution for oxygen supply without the need for high-pressure storage.
Usage of Oxygen Generators
Oxygen generators find applications across a broad spectrum of industries and healthcare settings, where high-purity oxygen is essential. Industrial applications include steelmaking, non-ferrous metal melting, glass manufacturing, paper production, wastewater treatment, and various oxidation processes in the chemical industry. In healthcare, oxygen generators support home oxygen therapy for patients with respiratory conditions and are also utilized in health promotion at gyms, clinics, and public facilities.
Principle of Oxygen Generators
The primary technology behind oxygen generators is the pressure swing adsorption (PSA) method, which uses adsorbents like synthetic zeolites to selectively absorb nitrogen from the air, enriching the oxygen concentration. Alternatives include the vacuum pressure swing adsorption (PVSA) method and the oxygen enrichment membrane method, each offering different efficiencies and suitability for specific applications.
Types of Oxygen Generators
Oxygen generators range from large industrial systems to compact tabletop units for laboratory use or small-scale production. In the medical field, both stationary and portable models are available for home oxygen therapy, tailored to meet varying needs for flow rate and oxygen concentration.