US 5,474,595 A · Capacity control system for pressure swing adsorption apparatus and associated method

Abstract

A pressure swing adsorption apparatus including a compressor for pumping a flow of a gaseous mixture through an adsorption medium utilizes a capacity control system by which the operating capacity of the compressor can be preselected. The capacity control system is disposed upstream, i.e. on the suction side of, the compressor for limiting, when desired, the feed stream drawn into the compressor. A reduction in the operating capacity of the apparatus by way of the control system results in a corresponding reduction in the power consumption and noise levels of the compressor. The system is particularly advantageous when incorporated in an oxygen-generating unit intended for use by a patient requiring oxygen therapy in his home in that the capacity of a high capacity unit can be reduced, when appropriate, by a distributor or technician prior to use of the unit by the patient so that the patient receives the oxygen-rich product stream that he has been prescribed to receive and to reduce operating costs of the unit. The method of the invention includes the steps performed by the control system.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method for regulating the power consumption of a pressure swing adsorption apparatus including adsorption components adapted to fractionate at least one constituent from a gaseous mixture by pressure swing adsorption and including a compressor for pumping a feed stream of the gaseous mixture through the apparatus wherein the compressor includes a suction port through which the feed stream is drawn into the compressor and a discharge port through which the feed stream is pumped from the compressor and into the adsorption components of the apparatus and wherein a restriction in the amount of the feed stream permitted to be drawn into the compressor suction port effects a decrease in the power requirements of the compressor, the method comprising the steps of:

controlling the quantity of the feed stream drawn into the suction port of the compressor between one non-zero level at which the quantity of the feed stream drawn into the compressor suction port is substantially unrestricted and another non-zero level at which the quantity of the feed stream drawn into the compressor suction port is appreciably restricted to thereby control the compressor power consumption.

In an apparatus including adsorption components adapted to fractionate at least one constituent from a gaseous mixture by pressure swing adsorption and including a compressor for pumping a feed stream of the gaseous mixture through the apparatus wherein the compressor includes a suction port through which a feed stream of air is drawn into the compressor and a discharge port through which the feed stream drawn is pumped from the compressor and into the adsorption components of the apparatus, the improvement comprising:

means associated with the compressor suction port for controlling the quantity of the feed stream of air drawn into the compressor wherein the controlling means includes at least one passage through which the feed stream of air is moved as it is drawn toward the compressor suction port and means for restricting the one passage to threreby reduce the quantity of the feed stream of air drawn into the compressor suction port, the means for restricting includes moveable means associated with one passage for movement relative thereto between a first condition at which the quantity of the feed stream drawn through the one passage by the compressor is a first non-zero quantity of air and a second condition at which the quantity of the feed stream drawn through the one passage by the compressor is a second non-zero quantity of air to accomodate an adjustment of the quantity of the air feed stream drawn into the compressor suction port between two non-zero levels.

In a pressure swing adsorption apparatus including adsorption medium adapted to adsorb nitrogen from a feed stream of air by pressure swing adsorption so that an oxygen-rich product exits the apparatus in a gaseous stream and including a compressor for pumping the feed stream of air toward and through the adsorption medium wherein the compressor includes a suction port through which the feed stream is drawn into the compressor and a discharge port through which the feed stream drawn is pumped from compressor and through the adsorption medium and wherein a restriction in the amount of the feed stream permitted to be drawn into the compressor suction port effects a decrease in the power requirements of the compressor, the improvement comprising:

means associated with the compressor suction port for regulating the quantity of the feed stream permitted to be drawn into the compressor suction port between one non-zero level at which the quantity of the feed stream permitted to be drawn into the compressor suction port is substantially unrestricted and another non-zero level at which the quantity of the feed stream permitted to be drawn into the compressor suction port is appreciably restricted to thereby regulate the power consumption of the compressor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Capacity control system for pressure swing adsorption apparatus and associated method

Life of this patent

Capacity control system for pressure swing adsorption apparatus and associated method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18