What is an oxygen concentrator

31 Mar 2023

Oxygen concentrator, is a common medical device that separates and purifies oxygen from the air, producing a high concentration of oxygen to provide breathing assistance to those in need.

The principle of oxygen concentrator

The principle of the gas concentrator is based on the difference in the ratio of molecules in the air, and through the selective adsorption of molecular sieves, impurities such as nitrogen are separated out, resulting in a high concentration of oxygen.

The oxygen concentrator mainly consists of compressor, molecular sieve, oxygen storage tank and oxygen output interface, etc. The compressor is responsible for compressing the air to a certain level so that it can pass through the molecular sieve. Molecular sieve is the core component of oxygen concentrator, which separates out impurities such as nitrogen by its selective adsorption. The oxygen storage tank is used to store oxygen, and the oxygen output port is used to deliver oxygen to the user's breathing apparatus.

The way to produce oxygen

Oxygen concentrators can be divided into two types, pressure change adsorption method and pressure friction adsorption method, according to the way they generate oxygen.

Pressure change adsorption method in which air is compressed and impurities such as nitrogen are separated out by selective adsorption of molecular sieves to produce a high concentration of oxygen.

The pressure friction adsorption method, on the other hand, separates impurities such as nitrogen and produces high concentrations of oxygen by passing air through a molecular sieve and using the difference in friction created when molecules collide in the sieve.

Application of oxygen concentrator

Oxygen concentrators have a wide range of medical applications, mainly for the treatment of respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, bronchial asthma, etc.

Advantages of oxygen concentrator

The advantage of oxygen concentrators is that they enable a long, continuous and stable supply of highly concentrated oxygen and are easy to use, cost effective and efficient.

Oxygen generators are also more environmentally friendly than other sources of pure oxygen. The process of producing oxygen through an oxygen generator produces less waste and has a lower carbon footprint than the production and transportation of oxygen tanks.

In conclusion, oxygen generators are an essential tool in a variety of applications, including medical facilities, industrial settings, and personal use. The pressure swing adsorption process used in oxygen generators provides a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly source of pure oxygen. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see further developments in the field of oxygen generation, leading to even more efficient and effective oxygen generators in the future.

Keywords: oxygen concentrator

Originally published 31 Mar 2023, updated 31 Mar 2023.