Schematics
Advantages
- Simplicity
- Needs less components
- Can be operated manually
Video of latest prototype
Parameters and performance
- 290 g of Zeolite LiX in Reverse Osmosis Membrane housing
- Feed: 4.4 bar compressed dry air
- Production: 1.5 l/min with 90% oxygen
Additional information
This is work in progress. Please contribute in the comments. All valuable inputs will help us define the best solution.
Hello thank you for sharing this project…please share a better overview of setup so it can be duplicated, could not figure out where the second 3 way valve is here?? On the BOM it mentions 2x 3 way valve the link however is to a different part… please provide exact festo part number or link… only seem to be one 3 way valve here also how to connect the first 3 way valve is confusing with all the tubing and where is exhaust line ??
Hi Tropez!
Thanks for pointing that out, we actually used only one 3-way valve, so the total cost of our setup is even lower. The Festo Part number is VUVS-L20-M32C-AZD-G18-F7-1C1 (https://www.festo.com/cat/de-ch_ch/products_VUVS?CurrentIDCode1=VUVS-L20-M32C-AZD-G18-F7-1C1&CurrentPartNo=575271). The exhaust line is not visible in the video but we had to add a tube because it was very loud. You don’t need to add the tube though, the exhaust can be at the valve itself.
Estimados amigos excelente trabajo me gustaria saber si tienen un enlace para descargar la programación que hicieron con arduino y una lista de materiales si fueran tan amables ,les estaria muy agradecido
Estimado Ricardo, gracias por tu comentario. En la secion “Tutorial” (http://oxygenator.geprojects.tech/index.php/sample-page/setup/tutorial/) puedes encontrar las instruciones y incluido el code para programar arduino. La lista de materiales se encuentra debajo de cada prototipo, por ejemplo aqui: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Byizl1OCql6mSCB2BEMvd_itFDEOLyREg240kfv4HWI/edit#gid=1216356856
Si no tienes acceso a arduino, es possible de utilisar un interrumptor de tiempo, es lo que utilizamos ahora para hacer lo mas barato y mas facil de construir.
Saludos cordiales también intenté replicar su proyecto pero solo género hasta 30% porfavor, en la presión de entrada tengo 4.4 bar pero no aumenta saludos si hay una línea de comunicación directa mucho mejor saludos cordiales
Querido Juan,
He respondido a su correo electrónico, estoy esperando su respuesta.
I attempted to emulate your set-up, but was only able to acheive 30% output even at a lower flowrate. The differences were in the size and set-up of my Zeolite chamber, which was inside a soda bottle with the inlet tube being fed to the bottom. I also wasn’t able to pressurize/depressurize my container at the speed you did, I assume due to my different valve types.
Regarding the valves, do you have a no-return valve between the zeolite chamber and the storage tank? It seems you have a flow rate valve there?
Many thanks, Aaron
Hi Aaron,
thanks for sharing your experience. We have made a similar setup with the coke bottle, it’s a cool idea! What is your input pressure from the compressor?
We usually have a needle valve between the zeolite column and the storage tank to allow for proper pressurizing. Using one could help you with your problem of properly pressurizing. Let us know!
Have you tried a PVSA variant on either the single or double column versions?
I understood that the lithium exchanged 13X zeolites desorb better under vacuum.
Excellent initiative here. Too bad the circumstances around COVID seemed to be a driving force
Hi Neox,
we got LiX from Zeochem (https://www.zeochem.com/)
The temperature of the zeolite column is rising . Is it normal ?
Yes, we also observe a rise in temperature of the zeolite column, nothing unusual.
Hello! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I was wondering, how do you manage to get the nitrogen out of the zeolite bed in this set up? Are the zeolite saturated and then cleaned at each cycle?
Hope the question is clear! Thank you
Hi Clarisse
Exactly, each production cycle contains a “purge” step, where by depressurization of the zeolite chamber, the nitrogen sitting in the zeolite cavities is desorbed and released to the environment. I hope this helps.
Yes thank you! Do you use a special device to depressurize, like a pump or something? Or the zeolite chamber depressurizes by itself by opening a valve?
Thank you
No, opening a housing with 2-3 bars inside is enough to desorb the nitrogen, no special device needed
Do you getting the results immediately after starting the process?
It takes a couple of minutes to reach steady state, depending on how your setup is. It takes some time though to identify the optimal cycling parameters to reach high O2 concentrations
Hello,
I would assume that using greater amount of Zeolith 13X can compensate (my) lack of Zeolith LiX.. Am I correct ?
Thank You,
Jesse
Hi Jesse,
For the same pump performance, using more 13X won’t improve on O2 output. However if you can get a bigger pump, you could get more oxygen flow to compensate for the zeolite performance.
Best
Julian
Ok Thank You,
Jesse
Hello,
I would know the reference of pressure regulator that u using i can
Thank You,
If you mean the flowmeter, you can use any flowmeter regulator that works in the range of pressures you are working. I would not recommend to buy our flowmeter as it is expensive and not optimal for this application. If you are talking about the needle valves, any needle valves work really, as we are not working at high pressures.
Hello,
I would know the reference of pressure regulator that u using if u can please.
Thank You,