Pressure swing adsorption gas separation method and apparatus

A method for separating oxygen from ambient air using an adsorbent bed having a feed end and a product end, the method comprising:

• compressing ambient air at a feed end of the adsorbent bed wherein a first pressure is created outside of the adsorbent bed;
• compressing oxygen into the adsorbent bed from the product end of the adsorbent bed wherein a second pressure is created within the adsorbent bed;
• equalizing the first pressure and the second pressure such that the ambient air moves from the feed end into the adsorbent bed;
• lowering the pressure within the adsorbent bed wherein the oxygen separates from the ambient air;
• compressing ambient air into the adsorbent bed from the feed end to push the oxygen from the adsorbent bed through the product end into a product chamber connected to the adsorbent bed at the product end;
• depressurizing the adsorbent bed;
• and
• withdrawing the oxygen from the product chamber.

An oxygen concentrator comprising:

• an adsorbent bed including a separation chamber with first and second ports and a molecular sieve material contained in the separation chamber;
• means for regulating the flow of ambient air with respect to the adsorbent bed;
• means for regulating the flow of oxygen with respect to the adsorbent bed;
• and
• means for cycling the oxygen concentrator through a pressure swing cycle such that oxygen is separated from ambient air within the adsorbent bed.

A portable oxygen concentrator for separating oxygen from ambient air, the oxygen concentrator comprising:

• an adsorbent bed including a separation chamber with feed end and a product end and a molecular sieve material contained in the separation chamber;
• a first pumping station connected to the feed end to regulate flow of ambient air with respect to the adsorbent bed;
• a second pumping station connected to the product end to regulate flow of oxygen with respect to the adsorbent bed;
• a drive system to coordinate operation of the first pumping station and the second pumping station in a pressure swing cycle;
• and
• a battery operated power source.