Methods and apparatuses for gas separation by pressure swing adsorption with partial gas product feed to fuel cell power source
AssigneeQuestAir Technologies Inc.
InventorsDenis J. Connor, Bowie G. Keefer, Christopher R. McLean, Shanna D. Knights, Jean St-Pierre
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various systems, method and apparatuses are disclosed that include a pressure swing adsorption apparatus coupled to a fuel cell, wherein the fuel cell receives at least a portion of a product gas from the pressure swing adsorption and powers the pressure swing adsorption apparatus. Also disclosed is a portable gas separator that include a housing that houses a rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus.
Claims71
A system, comprising:
- a pressure swing adsorption apparatus that can produce a product gas and that defines a product gas outlet;
- and
- a fuel cell power source powering the pressure swing adsorption apparatus and defining a cathode feed inlet, the product gas outlet being fluidly coupled to the cathode feed inlet of the fuel cell power source to deliver at least a portion of the product gas to the fuel cell power source.
A system, comprising:
- a pressure swing adsorption apparatus that can produce a product gas;
- at least one motor coupled to the pressure swing adsorption apparatus;
- and
- a fuel cell that receives at least a portion of the product gas;
- and
- a power line coupled between the fuel cell and the motor.
A portable gas separator, comprising:
- a housing;
- a rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus housed by the housing that can produce a product gas;
- a motor coupled to the rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus;
- a fuel cell that receives at least a first portion of the product gas;
- and
- a power line coupled between the fuel cell and the motor.
A portable oxygen concentrator, comprising:
- a rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus that can produce an oxygen-enriched gas;
- a motor coupled to the rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus;
- a fuel cell that can provide an electrical current to the motor and that receives at least a first portion of the oxygen-enriched gas;
- and
- a first user supply line fluidly coupled to the rotary pressure swing apparatus that can supply at least a second portion of the oxygen-enriched gas to a human being.
A gas separation method, comprising:
- introducing a feed gas into a pressure swing adsorption apparatus to produce a product gas;
- introducing at least a portion of the product gas into a fuel cell;
- and
- generating an electrical current from the fuel cell to power the pressure swing adsorption apparatus.
A method for providing oxygen-enriched gas to a human being, comprising:
- introducing a feed gas into a pressure swing adsorption apparatus to produce a product gas that is enriched in oxygen relative to air;
- introducing at least a first portion of the product gas into a fuel cell;
- generating an electrical current from the fuel cell to power the pressure swing adsorption apparatus;
- and
- providing at least a second portion of the product gas to a human being.
A method for providing oxygen-enriched gas to a human being, comprising:
- introducing a feed gas into a pressure swing adsorption apparatus to produce a product gas that is enriched in oxygen relative to air;
- introducing at least a first portion of the product gas into a fuel cell to produce a cathode exhaust gas that is enriched in oxygen relative to air;
- generating an electrical current from the fuel cell to power the pressure swing adsorption apparatus;
- and
- introducing at least a portion of the cathode exhaust gas to a human being.
A system, comprising:
- a pressure swing adsorption apparatus that can produce a product gas that is enriched in oxygen relative to air;
- at least one motor coupled to the pressure swing adsorption apparatus;
- and
- a fuel cell that can provide an electrical current to the motor and that includes a cathode that receives at least a portion of the product gas.
A portable gas separator, comprising:
- a housing;
- a rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus housed by the housing that can produce a product gas, and that defines a product gas outlet for delivering the product gas;
- a motor coupled to the rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus;
- and
- a fuel cell that can provide an electrical current to the motor and that defines a cathode inlet that is fluidly coupled to the product gas outlet so that the fuel cell receives at least a portion of the product gas.
A portable gas separator, comprising:
- a housing;
- a rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus housed by the housing that can produce a product gas that is enriched in oxygen relative to air;
- a motor coupled to the rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus;
- and
- a fuel cell that can provide an electrical current to the motor and that receives at least a portion of the product gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.