CN108525465B - Gas concentration device - Google Patents

Gas concentration device Download PDF

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Publication number
CN108525465B
CN108525465B CN201710117654.6A CN201710117654A CN108525465B CN 108525465 B CN108525465 B CN 108525465B CN 201710117654 A CN201710117654 A CN 201710117654A CN 108525465 B CN108525465 B CN 108525465B
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gas
product gas
release
piston
chamber
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CN201710117654.6A
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CN108525465A (en
Inventor
李太秀
金炫成
韩信奎
吴承权
洛伦·米切尔·汤普森
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South Korea Aoke Co ltd
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South Korea Aoke Co ltd
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/02—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography
    • B01D53/04—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography with stationary adsorbents
    • B01D53/047—Pressure swing adsorption
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B13/00—Oxygen; Ozone; Oxides or hydroxides in general
    • C01B13/02—Preparation of oxygen
    • C01B13/0229—Purification or separation processes
    • C01B13/0248—Physical processing only
    • C01B13/0259—Physical processing only by adsorption on solids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2259/00—Type of treatment
    • B01D2259/40—Further details for adsorption processes and devices
    • B01D2259/40011—Methods relating to the process cycle in pressure or temperature swing adsorption
    • B01D2259/40013—Pressurization
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2259/00—Type of treatment
    • B01D2259/40—Further details for adsorption processes and devices
    • B01D2259/402—Further details for adsorption processes and devices using two beds
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B2210/00—Purification or separation of specific gases
    • C01B2210/0043—Impurity removed
    • C01B2210/0046—Nitrogen

Abstract

A gas concentration apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an air supplier supplying pressurized air; a plurality of adsorption beds which divide the pressurized air supplied from the air supplier into a product gas and a release gas by a pressure swing adsorption method and discharge the divided product gas and release gas; a flow channel adjusting valve unit that adjusts a flow channel so as to allow pressurized air to be supplied from an air supplier to the adsorption bed and so as to reduce the pressure of the adsorption bed such that the nitrogen adsorption process and the nitrogen desorption process are alternately performed; and a pressurizing unit configured to be supplied with the release gas and the product gas discharged from the adsorption beds, and configured to sequentially pressurize the product gas in multiple stages using the release gas and the product gas.

Description

Gas concentration device
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a pressure swing adsorption type gas concentration device.
Background
A gas concentration apparatus is an apparatus for separating and concentrating oxygen and nitrogen from air, and it is widely used for household use, industrial use, medical use, and the like.
Various types of gas concentration devices are used, and among them, a Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) type gas concentration device increases the oxygen concentration by adsorbing nitrogen in air by an adsorbent based on the principle of separating and concentrating oxygen from compressed air using the adsorbent. Since the PSA method uses only compressed air and an adsorbent, it does not discharge pollutants and can be easily used.
It is beneficial to reduce the pressure of the compressed air supplied in the pressure swing adsorption process in terms of energy consumption, noise, size of the apparatus, durability, and the like. Meanwhile, on the other hand, if the pressure of the compressed air becomes lower, there is a drawback that the pressure of the product gas (e.g., oxygen) also becomes lower. Since gases for medical or industrial purposes are generally required to have the necessary pressure level, if the pressure of the compressed air is low, the pressure of the product gas also becomes low. Therefore, a method of increasing the pressure of the product gas without increasing the pressure of the compressed air is needed.
Disclosure of Invention
Technical problem
The present invention has been made in an effort to provide a gas concentration apparatus capable of increasing the pressure of a product gas without increasing the pressure of compressed air.
Technical solution
A gas concentration apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an air supplier supplying compressed air; a plurality of adsorption beds which divide the pressurized air supplied from the air supplier into a product gas and a release gas by a pressure swing adsorption method and discharge the divided product gas and release gas; a flow channel adjusting valve unit that adjusts a flow channel so as to allow pressurized air to be supplied from an air supplier to the adsorption bed and so as to reduce the pressure of the adsorption bed such that the nitrogen adsorption process and the nitrogen desorption process are alternately performed; and a pressurizing unit configured to be supplied with the release gas and the product gas discharged from the adsorption beds, and configured to sequentially pressurize the product gas in multiple stages using the release gas and the product gas.
The pressurizing unit may include: a first cylinder, a second cylinder, and a third cylinder each defining a first cylinder bore, a second cylinder bore, and a third cylinder bore arranged in sequence; a first piston, a second piston, and a third piston, each movably disposed in the first cylinder bore, the second cylinder bore, and the third cylinder bore and connected to each other so as to move together; a released gas discharge passage for discharging the released gas; an open/close valve for selectively allowing discharge of the release gas according to an open/close state thereof; and a product gas discharge passage for discharging the product gas. The first cylinder bore may be configured to be supplied with a product gas and a release gas, respectively, in two spaces disposed on both sides of the first piston. The second cylinder bore may be configured to be supplied with release gas in one of two spaces disposed on both sides of the second piston. The third cylinder bore may be configured to be supplied with the product gas supplied from the first cylinder bore and to discharge the supplied product gas.
The first piston may be configured to divide the first cylinder bore to form a first product gas chamber into which product gas is fed and a first release gas chamber into which release gas is fed. The second piston may be configured to partition the second cylinder bore to form a second relief air chamber into which relief air is supplied. The third piston may be configured to divide the third cylinder bore to form a second product gas chamber into which product gas is fed from the first product gas chamber.
The plurality of adsorbent beds may include a first adsorbent bed and a second adsorbent bed. The pressurizing unit is operable to repeatedly perform a multi-stage pressurizing process, which includes: a step of pressurizing the product gas in the first product gas chamber to move to the second product gas chamber by a force acting on the first piston and the second piston by the product gas discharged from the second adsorption bed and the release gas in a state where the open/close valve is closed; a process of discharging a part of the release gas by a pressure of the product gas in the first product gas chamber supplied from the second adsorption bed in a state where the open/close valve is opened, and pressurizing the product gas in the second product gas chamber to be partially discharged; a process of pressurizing the product gas in the second product gas chamber to be discharged by a force of the product gas discharged from the first adsorption bed acting on the first piston in a state where the open/close valve is opened, and simultaneously discharging the release gas in the first release gas chamber and the second release gas chamber; a step of pressurizing the product gas in the first product gas chamber by a force acting on the first piston and the second piston by the release gas discharged from the first adsorption bed in a state where the open/close valve is closed, thereby moving to the second product gas chamber; a process of discharging a part of the release gas by the pressure of the product gas in the first product gas chamber supplied from the first adsorption bed in a state where the open/close valve is opened, and pressurizing the product gas in the second product gas chamber to be partially discharged; and a process in which the product gas in the second product gas chamber is pressurized to be discharged by a force of the product gas discharged from the second adsorption bed acting on the first piston in a state in which the open/close valve is opened, and simultaneously the release gases in the first release gas chamber and the second release gas chamber are discharged.
The first through third pistons may be connected to one another by a piston rod, and wherein the piston rod defines a product gas movement passage through which product gas moves from the first product gas chamber to the second product gas chamber.
The pressurization unit may further include: an outer cylinder surrounding the third cylinder to form a third relief air chamber surrounding the third cylinder; a first release gas moving passage connected to the first release gas chamber; and a second release gas moving passage connected to the second release gas chamber. The discharge air passage may be connected to the third discharge air chamber.
The first and second release air moving passages may be combined to form a third release air moving passage, and an opening/closing valve may be installed in the third release air moving passage.
The pressurizing unit may further include a check valve installed in the product gas moving passage to allow the product gas to move from the first product gas chamber to the second product gas chamber while preventing the product gas from flowing in the reverse direction.
The diameter of the third cylinder may be smaller than the diameter of the first cylinder.
The first and second pistons may be configured such that a force acting on the first and second pistons by the pressure of the release gas is greater than a force acting on the first piston by the pressure of the product gas.
A gas concentration apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a supply machine for supplying pressurized air; a plurality of adsorption beds which divide the pressurized air supplied from the air supplier into a product gas and a release gas by a pressure swing adsorption method and discharge the divided product gas and release gas; a flow channel adjusting valve unit that adjusts a flow channel so as to allow pressurized air to be supplied from an air supplier to the adsorption bed and so as to reduce the pressure of the adsorption bed such that the nitrogen adsorption process and the nitrogen desorption process are alternately performed; and a pressurizing unit configured to be supplied with the release gas and the product gas discharged from the adsorption beds, and configured to sequentially pressurize the product gas in multiple stages using the release gas and the product gas. The pressure boost unit includes: a first cylinder, a second cylinder, and a third cylinder each defining a first cylinder bore, a second cylinder bore, and a third cylinder bore arranged in sequence; and a first piston, a second piston, and a third piston, each movably disposed in the first cylinder bore, the second cylinder bore, and the third cylinder bore and connected to each other so as to move together. The first cylinder bore is configured to be supplied with a product gas and a release gas in two spaces disposed on both sides of the first piston, respectively, wherein the second cylinder bore is configured to be supplied with the release gas in one of the two spaces disposed on both sides of the second piston, and wherein the third cylinder bore is configured to be supplied with a pressurized product gas supplied from the first cylinder bore and to discharge the supplied product gas. The first piston is configured to partition the first cylinder bore to form a first product gas chamber into which product gas is fed and a first release gas chamber into which release gas is fed, wherein the second piston is configured to partition the second cylinder bore to form a second release gas chamber into which release gas is fed, and wherein the third piston is configured to partition the third cylinder bore to form a second product gas chamber into which product gas is fed from the first product gas chamber. The pressure increasing unit further includes: an outer cylinder surrounding the third cylinder to form a third relief air chamber surrounding the third cylinder; a first release gas moving passage connected to the first release gas chamber; a second release gas moving passage connected to the second release gas chamber; an on/off valve selectively allowing the release gas to flow out of the first and second release gas moving passages; a third release gas moving passage connecting the open/close valve and the third release gas chamber; and a release gas discharge passage through which the release gas discharged from the third release gas chamber flows. The plurality of adsorbent beds includes a first adsorbent bed and a second adsorbent bed. The pressurizing unit is operated to repeatedly perform a multi-stage pressurizing process including: a step of pressurizing the product gas in the first product gas chamber by a force of the release gas discharged from the second adsorption bed acting on the first piston and the second piston in a state where the open/close valve is closed, thereby moving to the second product gas chamber; a process of discharging a part of the release gas by a pressure of the product gas in the first product gas chamber supplied from the second adsorption bed in a state where the open/close valve is opened, and pressurizing the product gas in the second product gas chamber to be partially discharged; a process of pressurizing the product gas in the second product gas chamber to be discharged by a force of the product gas discharged from the first adsorption bed acting on the first piston in a state where the open/close valve is opened, and simultaneously discharging the release gas in the first release gas chamber and the second release gas chamber; a step of pressurizing the product gas in the first product gas chamber by a force acting on the first piston and the second piston by the release gas discharged from the first adsorption bed in a state where the open/close valve is closed, thereby moving to the second product gas chamber; a process of discharging a part of the release gas by the pressure of the product gas in the first product gas chamber supplied from the first adsorption bed in a state where the open/close valve is opened, and pressurizing the product gas in the second product gas chamber to be partially discharged; and a process in which the product gas in the second product gas chamber is pressurized to be discharged by a force of the product gas discharged from the second adsorption bed acting on the first piston in a state in which the open/close valve is opened, and simultaneously the release gases in the first release gas chamber and the second release gas chamber are discharged.
Advantageous effects
According to the present invention, the product gas is additionally pressurized by the pressure of the release gas, and therefore the pressure of the product gas can be increased without increasing the pressure of the pressurized gas.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a gas concentration device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a view showing a state in which the product gas of the first product gas chamber is pressurized by the purge gas discharged from the second adsorption bed to move to the second product gas chamber in a state in which the on/off valve in the pressurizing unit of the gas concentration apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is closed.
Fig. 3 is a view showing a state in which the relief gas is partially discharged by the pressure of the product gas of the first product gas chamber in a state in which the open/close valve in the pressurizing unit of the gas concentration apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened.
Fig. 4 is a view showing a state in which the release gas and the product gas of the second product gas chamber are pressurized by the product gas discharged from the first adsorption bed to be discharged in a state in which the open/close valve in the pressurization unit of the gas concentration apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened.
Fig. 5 is a view showing a state in which the product gas of the first product gas chamber is pressurized by the release gas discharged from the first adsorption bed to move to the second product gas chamber in a state in which the on/off valve in the pressurizing unit of the gas concentration apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is closed.
Fig. 6 is a view showing a state in which the relief gas is partially discharged by the pressure of the product gas of the first product gas chamber in a state in which the open/close valve in the pressurizing unit of the gas concentration apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened.
Fig. 7 is a view showing a state in which the release gas and the product gas of the second product gas chamber are pressurized by the product gas discharged from the second adsorption bed to be discharged in a state in which the open/close valve in the pressurization unit of the gas concentration apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened.
Detailed Description
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The gas concentration device according to the embodiment of the present invention may be configured to separate and store a product gas, for example, oxygen, from air, and to discharge a remaining gas, for example, nitrogen-concentrated gas, as a release gas. Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the product gas is an oxygen-concentrated gas (hereinafter simply referred to as oxygen gas) and the off gas is a nitrogen-concentrated gas, and the product gas and the off gas respectively refer to oxygen gas and nitrogen gas.
Referring to fig. 1, a plurality of adsorption beds 11 and 13, each of which is filled with an adsorbent selectively adsorbing nitrogen with respect to oxygen in a pressure swing adsorption process, are provided. Although two adsorption beds, that is, the first adsorption bed 11 and the second adsorption bed 13, are shown as an example, the amount of adsorption is not limited thereto.
The adsorption beds 11 and 13 may be formed in a tower shape and may have openings at the top and bottom through which gas flows in and out, and for example, gas flows in through a lower opening and passes through the adsorbent to move upward and then flows out through an upper opening. The adsorbents disposed in the adsorption beds 11 and 13 may be made of a material having a characteristic of adsorbing nitrogen more than oxygen between nitrogen and oxygen contained in the air, and may be made of, for example, synthetic zeolite.
The air supplier 20 supplies pressurized air to the adsorption beds 11 and 13. The air supplier 20 may be a compressor capable of pressurizing air and supplying the pressurized air. Meanwhile, the air filter 21 and the muffler 22 may be disposed upstream of the air supplier 20.
The flow channel adjustment valve unit 30 is interposed between the air supplier 20 and the adsorption beds 11 and 13, and functions to adjust the flow channel for alternately performing the nitrogen adsorption process and the nitrogen desorption. For example, the flow channel adjustment valve unit 30 may form a flow channel through which pressurized air is supplied from the air supplier 20 to one of the adsorption beds 11 and 13, thereby allowing a nitrogen adsorption process to be performed in the corresponding adsorption bed, and may form a flow channel through which nitrogen (purge gas) is discharged from one of the adsorption beds 11 and 13, thereby allowing a nitrogen desorption process to be performed in the corresponding adsorption bed. Also, the flow channel adjustment valve unit 30 may form a flow channel communicating the lower portions of the adsorption beds 11 and 13, thereby allowing pressure equalization between the lower portions of the two adsorption beds 11 and 13. The structure and function of the flow passage regulating valve unit 30 are identical to those of the related art, and thus further detailed description thereof will be omitted.
As shown in fig. 1, pressurized air discharged from the air supplier 20 is supplied to the adsorption beds 11 and 13 through the flow path adjustment valve unit 30.
Also, as shown in fig. 1, discharge passages for discharging product gas (i.e., oxygen) from the adsorption beds 11 and 13 are respectively connected to upper openings of the adsorption beds 11 and 13, and check valves 51 and 52 for allowing unidirectional flow of oxygen are respectively installed at the discharge passages. Further, the open/close valve 60 may be installed in a passage connecting two discharge passages, and the orifice 62 may be installed in a passage connecting two discharge passages. The pressure equalization between the two upper portions of the two adsorption beds 11 and 13 may be performed through the open/close valve 60 and the orifice 62 during the nitrogen adsorption process and the nitrogen desorption process.
A pressurizing unit 70 is provided, which alternately pressurizes oxygen (i.e., product gas) and nitrogen (i.e., release gas) using the nitrogen and oxygen discharged from the adsorption beds 11 and 13.
The pressurizing unit 70 is formed to be supplied with and discharge the nitrogen and oxygen discharged from the adsorption beds 11 and 13. As shown in fig. 1, the pressurizing unit 70 may be implemented as a type of a cylinder-piston configuration, and configured to be supplied with nitrogen gas through the flow passage regulating valve unit 30 disposed upstream of the adsorption beds 11 and 13, and to be supplied with oxygen gas discharged from the downstream ends of the adsorption beds 11 and 13. For example, the pressurizing unit 70 is configured to be supplied with nitrogen through nitrogen supply passages 81 and 82 connected to the flow path regulating valve unit 70, and to be supplied with oxygen through an oxygen supply passage 83 connected to check valves 51 and 52 installed in the discharge passages of the adsorption beds 11 and 13.
The supercharging unit 70 includes a first cylinder 710, a second cylinder 720 and a third cylinder 730, each defining a first cylinder bore 71, a second cylinder bore 72 and a third cylinder bore 73, which are arranged in series. As shown in fig. 1, the first to third cylinder bores 71, 72, and 73 may be ordered in a downward direction, and may be separated from adjacent cylinder bores by partition walls 74 and 75, respectively.
A first piston 171, a second piston 172, and a third piston 173 are reciprocally movably disposed in the first cylinder bore 71, the second cylinder bore 72, and the third cylinder bore 73, respectively. The first cylinder bore 71 is variably partitioned by the first piston 171 into two spaces 71a and 71b that are vertically arranged. Similarly, the second cylinder bore 72 is variably partitioned into two spaces 72a and 72b by the second piston 172, and the third cylinder bore 73 is variably partitioned into two spaces 73a and 73b by the third piston 173.
At this time, the first to third pistons 171, 172 and 173 are connected to each other by the piston rod 175 to move together as one body. Through holes 74a and 75a are formed in the partition walls 74 and 75, respectively, and a piston rod 175 is inserted into the through holes 74a and 75a so as to be movable in the vertical direction. At this time, the outer circumferential surface of the piston rod 175 is in sealing contact with the surfaces defining the through holes 74a and 75a, so that a seal is formed between the cylinder bores.
Meanwhile, referring to fig. 1, the first cylinder bore 71 is configured such that the product gas and the release gas are respectively supplied into the spaces 71a and 71b and discharged from the spaces 71a and 71 b. Hereinafter, the space denoted by reference numeral 71a is referred to as a first product gas chamber, and the space denoted by reference numeral 71b is referred to as a first discharge gas chamber. The first product gas chamber 71a is connected to the oxygen supply passage 83 to be supplied with oxygen, and the first discharge gas chamber 71b is connected to the nitrogen gas supply passage 81 to be supplied with nitrogen. Thus, the first piston 171 is forced to move downward by the pressure of the oxygen gas fed into the first product gas chamber 71a, and is forced to move upward by the pressure of the nitrogen gas fed into the first relief gas chamber 71 b.
In the case where the second piston 172 is forcibly moved in the direction in which the product gas of the first cylinder 71 is pressurized by the nitrogen gas supplied thereto (upward direction in fig. 1), the second cylinder bore 72 is configured such that the nitrogen gas is supplied thereto and discharged therefrom. Referring to fig. 1, the second cylinder bore 72 is configured such that a space 72b below the second piston 172 is connected to the nitrogen gas supply passage 82, thereby being supplied with nitrogen gas. Hereinafter, the space denoted by reference numeral 72b is referred to as a second discharge air chamber. Thus, the second piston 172 is forced to move upward by the pressure supplied into the second relief air chamber 72 b. If nitrogen gas is supplied into the first and second relief gas chambers 71b and 72b through the nitrogen gas supply passages 81 and 82 by the operation of the flow path adjustment valve unit 30, two forces, each acting on the first and second pistons 171 and 172 by the pressure of the supplied nitrogen gas, have the same direction as each other, and the resultant force of the two forces acts on the first and second pistons 171 and 172 connected to each other by the piston rod 175. Meanwhile, the space 72a above the second piston 172 may communicate with the external space, so that the air can freely move in both directions.
It is configured that oxygen discharged from the first product gas chamber 71a is supplied to the space 73b, and among the two spaces 73a and 73b of the third cylinder bore 73 divided by the third piston 173, the volume of the space 73b becomes smaller due to the movement of the piston rod 175 by the oxygen supplied into the first product gas chamber 71 a. Hereinafter, the space designated by reference numeral 73b is referred to as a second product gas chamber. For example, as schematically shown in FIG. 1, first and second product gas chambers 71a and 73b communicate with each other through a product gas moving passage 86 formed in a piston rod 175. Meanwhile, the space 73a above the third piston 173 may communicate with the external space, so that the air can freely move in both directions.
As shown in fig. 1, the outer cylinder 731 surrounds the third cylinder 730 to form a third relief plenum 732 surrounding the third cylinder 730. That is, the third relief air chamber 732 is formed between the third cylinder 730 and the outer cylinder 731. The third discharge plenum 732 is connected to the first and second discharge plenums 71b and 72b to be supplied with nitrogen gas discharged from the first and second discharge plenums 71b and 72 b. Therefore, since the third discharge plenum 732 filled with nitrogen gas surrounds the second product plenum 73b, noise can be reduced and a cooling effect can be obtained.
As shown in fig. 1, the first and second release air chambers 71b and 72b are connected to the first and second release air moving passages 84a and 84b, respectively, and the first and second release air moving passages 84a and 84b are merged with each other and then connected to the on/off valve 91. The open/close valve 91 is connected to the third release gas chamber 732 through the third release gas moving passage 84 c. Accordingly, in the case where the opening/closing valve 91 is opened, the release air of the first and second release air chambers 71b and 72b can be moved to the third release air chamber 732 through the opening/closing valve 91.
The third relief air chamber 732 is connected to the relief air discharge passage 85. The release gas of the third release gas chamber 732 can be discharged to the outside through the release gas discharge passage 85. At this time, the muffler 92 may be installed in the discharge gas passage 85.
Meanwhile, the second product gas chamber 73b is connected to a product gas discharge passage 87 for discharging the product gas.
A check valve 93 may be installed in the product gas movement passage 86, and the check valve 93 allows the oxygen gas discharged from the first product gas chamber 71a to flow into the second product gas chamber 73b through the product gas movement passage 86 while prohibiting the product gas from flowing in the reverse direction.
Meanwhile, the product gas discharge passage 87 connected to the second product gas chamber 73b may be connected to the oxygen tank 95, and the check valve 94 may be installed in the product gas discharge passage 87. The check valve 94 allows the oxygen discharged from the third cylinder bore 73 to flow into the oxygen tank 95 through the product gas discharge passage 87 while prohibiting the product gas from flowing in the reverse direction.
Meanwhile, not shown in the drawings, a control unit for controlling the flow path regulating valve unit 30, the on/off valves 60 and 91, and the like is provided, and the control unit is operable to execute control logic for the oxygen concentration process. For example, the control unit may include a microprocessor, memory, and associated hardware and software. Hereinafter, the operation of the gas concentration apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 2 to 7. The pressurization of the oxygen gas (i.e., the product gas) using the nitrogen gas (i.e., the release gas) is performed by repeatedly performing the processes of fig. 2 to 7. According to the present invention, the flow channel adjustment valve unit 30 is configured to be supplied with the purge gas and the product gas discharged from the adsorption beds 11 and 13 and to discharge the supplied gas, and is configured to pressurize the product gas in multiple stages using the supplied purge gas and the supplied product gas.
Fig. 2 is a view showing a state in which the product gas of the first product gas chamber is pressurized by the purge gas discharged from the second adsorption bed to move to the second product gas chamber in a state in which the on/off valve in the pressurizing unit of the gas concentration apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is closed. The process of fig. 2 is performed after the process of fig. 7.
In detail, fig. 2 shows a state in which the nitrogen gas discharged from the second adsorption bed 13 has been supplied into the first and second release gas chambers 71b and 72b, and the first to third pistons 171, 172 and 173 are located at the top dead center. That is, after the process of fig. 7, nitrogen gas is supplied to the first and second release gas chambers 71b and 72b through the release gas supply passages 81 and 82, and thus the first to third pistons 171, 172 and 173 are moved upward by the pressure of the nitrogen gas to reach the points shown in fig. 2. During this process, the open/close valve 91 is controlled to be closed. At this time, the nitrogen adsorption process is performed in the first adsorption bed 11, and the nitrogen desorption process is performed in the second adsorption bed 13.
At this time, the first and second pistons 171 and 172 may be formed such that the sum of the forces acting on the first and second pistons 171 and 172 by the pressure of nitrogen is greater than the force acting on the first piston 171 by the pressure of oxygen. Accordingly, the force generated by the pressure of the nitrogen gas is greater than the force generated by the pressure of the oxygen gas, so that the first to third pistons 171, 172 and 173 move upward together. For example, the first and second pistons 171 and 172 may have the same sectional size, and in the state of fig. 1, the pressure of nitrogen may be about 2.5 bar, and the pressure of oxygen may be about 1.5 bar.
Therefore, when the first to third pistons 171, 172 and 173 move upward during the transition from the state of fig. 7 to the state of fig. 2, the oxygen gas in the first product gas chamber 71a is pressurized, and the pressurized oxygen gas is pushed to move to the second product gas chamber 73 b.
Fig. 3 is a view showing a state in which the relief gas is partially discharged by the pressure of the product gas of the first product gas chamber in a state in which the open/close valve in the pressurizing unit of the gas concentration apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened. The state of fig. 3 is performed after the state of fig. 2, and during the transition from the state of fig. 2 to the state of fig. 3, a part of the release gas in the first and second release gas chambers 71b and 72b moves to the third release gas chamber 732, and a part of the release gas may be discharged to the outside through the release gas discharge passage 85.
If the opening/closing valve 91 becomes open in the state of fig. 2, the balance of forces acting on the pistons 171, 172, and 173 by the product gas and the relief gas collapses, so the pistons 171, 172, and 173 move downward by the pressure of the product gas, and thus a portion of the relief gas is discharged to the outside. At this time, the product gas in the second product gas chamber 73b is also pressurized by the movement of the pistons 171, 172 and 173, and thus a portion of the product gas may be discharged to the outside through the product gas discharge passage 87. During the transition from the state of fig. 2 to the state of fig. 3, a nitrogen adsorption process may be performed in the first adsorption bed 11, and a portion of nitrogen remaining in the second adsorption bed 13 may move to the first and second release chambers 71b and 72b due to the pressure change.
Fig. 4 is a view showing a state in which the release gas and the product gas of the second product gas chamber are pressurized by the product gas discharged from the first adsorption bed to be discharged in a state in which the open/close valve in the pressurization unit of the gas concentration apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened. The state of fig. 4 is performed after the state of fig. 3, and during the transition from the state of fig. 3 to the state of fig. 4, the nitrogen gas of the pressurizing unit 70 is discharged and the pressurized oxygen gas moves to the oxygen tank 95. During this process, the open/close valve 91 is controlled to be open.
In detail, fig. 4 shows a state in which oxygen gas discharged from the first adsorption bed 11 has been supplied to the first product gas chamber 71a, and the first to third pistons 171, 172 and 173 are located at the bottom dead center. If oxygen is discharged from the first adsorption bed 11 in the state of fig. 3, the oxygen pressure of the first product gas chamber 71a increases, and thus the force generated by the oxygen pressure becomes greater than the force generated by the nitrogen pressure, so that the first to third pistons 171, 172 and 173 move downward to reach the state of fig. 4. During this process, the on/off valve 91 is kept open, so that nitrogen gas is discharged through the discharge gas discharge passage 85, and oxygen gas in the second product gas chamber 73b is pressurized, so as to be discharged to the oxygen tank 95 through the product gas discharge passage 87.
Fig. 5 is a view showing a state in which the product gas of the first product gas chamber is pressurized by the release gas discharged from the first adsorption bed to move to the second product gas chamber in a state in which the on/off valve in the pressurizing unit of the gas concentration apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is closed. The process of fig. 5 is performed after the process of fig. 4, and during the transition from the state of fig. 4 to the state of fig. 5, the oxygen gas in the pressurizing unit 70 is pressurized again. During this process, the open/close valve 91 is controlled to be closed.
In detail, fig. 5 shows a state in which the nitrogen gas discharged from the first adsorption bed 11 has been supplied into the first and second release gas chambers 71b and 72b, and the first to third pistons 171, 172 and 173 are located at the top dead center. That is, after the process of fig. 4, nitrogen gas is supplied to the first and second release gas chambers 71b and 72b through the release gas supply passages 81 and 82, and thus the first to third pistons 171, 172 and 173 are moved upward by the pressure of the nitrogen gas to reach the point shown in fig. 5. During this process, the open/close valve 91 is controlled to be closed. At this time, the nitrogen desorption process is performed in the first adsorption bed 11, and the nitrogen adsorption process is performed in the second adsorption bed 13.
Therefore, when the first to third pistons 171, 172 and 173 move upward during the transition from the state of fig. 4 to the state of fig. 5, the oxygen gas in the first product gas chamber 71a is pressurized, and the pressurized oxygen gas is pushed to move to the second product gas chamber 73 b.
Fig. 6 is a view showing a state in which the relief gas is partially discharged by the pressure of the product gas of the first product gas chamber in a state in which the open/close valve in the pressurizing unit of the gas concentration apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened. The state of fig. 6 is performed after the state of fig. 5, and during the transition from the state of fig. 5 to the state of fig. 6, a part of the release gas in the first and second release gas chambers 71b and 72b moves to the third release gas chamber 732, and a part of the release gas may be discharged to the outside through the release gas discharge passage 85.
If the opening/closing valve 91 becomes open in the state of fig. 5, the balance of forces acting on the pistons 171, 172, and 173 by the product gas and the relief gas collapses, so the pistons 171, 172, and 173 move downward by the pressure of the product gas, and thus a portion of the relief gas is discharged to the outside. At this time, the product gas in the second product gas chamber 73b is also pressurized by the movement of the pistons 171, 172 and 173, and thus a portion of the product gas may be discharged to the outside through the product gas discharge passage 87. During the transition from the state of fig. 5 to the state of fig. 6, a nitrogen desorption process may be performed in the first adsorption bed 11, and a portion of nitrogen remaining in the first adsorption bed 11 may move to the first and second release chambers 71b and 72b due to the pressure change.
Fig. 7 is a view showing a state in which the release gas and the product gas of the second product gas chamber are pressurized by the product gas discharged from the second adsorption bed to be discharged in a state in which the open/close valve in the pressurization unit of the gas concentration apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened. The state of fig. 7 is performed after the state of fig. 6, and during the transition from the state of fig. 6 to the state of fig. 7, the nitrogen gas of the pressurizing unit 70 is discharged, and the pressurized oxygen gas moves to the oxygen tank 95. During this process, the open/close valve 91 is controlled to be open.
In detail, fig. 7 shows a state in which the oxygen gas discharged from the first adsorption bed 11 has been supplied to the first product gas chamber 71a, and the first to third pistons 171, 172 and 173 are located at the bottom dead center. If oxygen is discharged from the second adsorption bed 13 in the state of fig. 6, the oxygen pressure of the first product gas chamber 71a increases, and thus the force generated by the oxygen pressure becomes greater than the force generated by the nitrogen pressure, so that the first to third pistons 171, 172 and 173 move downward to reach the state of fig. 7. During this process, the open/close valve 91 is kept open, so that nitrogen gas is discharged through the discharge gas discharge passage 85, and oxygen gas in the second product gas chamber 73b is pressurized, so as to be discharged to the oxygen tank 95 through the product gas discharge passage 87.
At this time, as shown in fig. 1, the diameter of the third cylinder bore 73 may be smaller than that of the first cylinder bore 71, and thus oxygen can be further pressurized by the third piston 173.
By repeatedly performing the above-described processes, the pressure of the product gas (oxygen) can be increased by the pressure of the release gas (nitrogen).
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. A gas concentration device, comprising:
an air supplier supplying pressurized air;
a plurality of adsorption beds which divide the pressurized air supplied from the air supplier into a product gas and a release gas by a pressure swing adsorption method and discharge the divided product gas and release gas;
a flow channel adjusting valve unit that adjusts a flow channel so as to allow pressurized air to be supplied from an air supplier to the adsorption bed and so as to reduce the pressure of the adsorption bed such that the nitrogen adsorption process and the nitrogen desorption process are alternately performed; and
a pressurizing unit configured to be supplied with the release gas and the product gas discharged from the adsorption beds, and configured to sequentially pressurize the product gas in multiple stages using the release gas and the product gas,
the pressure boost unit includes:
a first cylinder, a second cylinder, and a third cylinder each defining a first cylinder bore, a second cylinder bore, and a third cylinder bore arranged in sequence;
a first piston, a second piston, and a third piston, each movably disposed in the first cylinder bore, the second cylinder bore, and the third cylinder bore, and connected to each other so as to move together;
a released gas discharge passage for discharging the released gas;
an open/close valve for selectively allowing discharge of the release gas according to an open/close state thereof; and
a product gas discharge passage for discharging the product gas,
wherein the first cylinder bore is configured to be supplied with a product gas and a release gas, respectively, in two spaces arranged on both sides of the first piston,
wherein the second cylinder bore is configured to be supplied with relief gas in one of two spaces arranged on both sides of the second piston, and,
wherein the third cylinder bore is configured to be supplied with the product gas supplied from the first cylinder bore, and to discharge the supplied product gas.
2. The gas concentrator of claim 1, wherein the first piston is configured to partition the first cylinder bore to form a first product gas chamber into which product gas is fed and a first release gas chamber into which release gas is fed,
wherein the second piston is configured to partition the second cylinder bore to form a second release air chamber into which release air is supplied, and
wherein the third piston is configured to partition the third cylinder bore to form a second product gas chamber into which product gas is fed from the first product gas chamber.
3. The gas concentration apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of adsorption beds includes a first adsorption bed and a second adsorption bed,
wherein the pressurizing unit is operated to repeatedly perform a multi-stage pressurizing process including:
a step of pressurizing the product gas in the first product gas chamber by a force of the release gas discharged from the second adsorption bed acting on the first piston and the second piston in a state where the open/close valve is closed, thereby moving to the second product gas chamber;
a process of discharging a part of the release gas by a pressure of the product gas in the first product gas chamber supplied from the second adsorption bed in a state where the open/close valve is opened, and pressurizing the product gas in the second product gas chamber to be partially discharged;
a process of pressurizing the product gas in the second product gas chamber to be discharged by a force of the product gas discharged from the first adsorption bed acting on the first piston in a state where the open/close valve is opened, and simultaneously discharging the release gas in the first release gas chamber and the second release gas chamber;
a step of pressurizing the product gas in the first product gas chamber by a force acting on the first piston and the second piston by the release gas discharged from the first adsorption bed in a state where the open/close valve is closed, thereby moving to the second product gas chamber;
a process of discharging a part of the release gas by the pressure of the product gas in the first product gas chamber supplied from the first adsorption bed in a state where the open/close valve is opened, and pressurizing the product gas in the second product gas chamber to be partially discharged; and
a process in which the product gas in the second product gas chamber is pressurized to be discharged by a force of the product gas discharged from the second adsorption bed acting on the first piston in a state in which the open/close valve is opened, and simultaneously the release gases in the first release gas chamber and the second release gas chamber are discharged.
4. The gas concentrator of claim 2, wherein the first through third pistons are connected to each other by a piston rod, and wherein the piston rod defines a product gas movement passage through which product gas moves from the first product gas chamber to the second product gas chamber.
5. The gas concentration apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pressurizing unit further comprises:
an outer cylinder surrounding the third cylinder to form a third relief air chamber surrounding the third cylinder;
a first release gas moving passage connected to the first release gas chamber; and
a second release gas moving passage connected to the second release gas chamber,
wherein the release gas discharge passage is connected to the third release gas chamber.
6. The gas concentration apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first purge gas moving passage and the second purge gas moving passage are merged to form a third purge gas moving passage, and wherein an open/close valve is installed in the third purge gas moving passage.
7. The gas concentrator of claim 4, wherein the pressurization unit further comprises a check valve installed in the product gas movement passage to allow the product gas to flow from the first product gas chamber to the second product gas chamber while preventing the product gas from flowing in the reverse direction.
8. The gas concentrator of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the third cylinder is smaller than the diameter of the first cylinder.
9. The gas concentrator of claim 1, wherein the first and second pistons are configured such that a force acting on the first and second pistons through the pressure of the release gas is greater than a force acting on the first piston through the pressure of the product gas.
10. A gas concentration device, comprising:
an air supplier supplying pressurized air;
a plurality of adsorption beds which divide the pressurized air supplied from the air supplier into a product gas and a release gas by a pressure swing adsorption method and discharge the divided product gas and release gas;
a flow channel adjusting valve unit that adjusts a flow channel so as to allow pressurized air to be supplied from an air supplier to the adsorption bed and so as to reduce the pressure of the adsorption bed such that the nitrogen adsorption process and the nitrogen desorption process are alternately performed; and
a pressurizing unit configured to be supplied with the release gas and the product gas discharged from the adsorption beds, and configured to sequentially pressurize the product gas in multiple stages using the release gas and the product gas,
wherein, the pressure boost unit includes: a first cylinder, a second cylinder, and a third cylinder each defining a first cylinder bore, a second cylinder bore, and a third cylinder bore arranged in sequence; and a first piston, a second piston, and a third piston each movably disposed in the first cylinder bore, the second cylinder bore, and the third cylinder bore and connected to each other so as to move together,
wherein the first cylinder bore is configured to be supplied with a product gas and a release gas in two spaces disposed on both sides of the first piston, respectively, wherein the second cylinder bore is configured to be supplied with a release gas in one of the two spaces disposed on both sides of the second piston, and wherein the third cylinder bore is configured to be supplied with a pressurized product gas supplied from the first cylinder bore and to discharge the supplied product gas,
wherein the first piston is configured to partition the first cylinder bore to form a first product gas chamber into which product gas is fed and a first release gas chamber into which release gas is fed, wherein the second piston is configured to partition the second cylinder bore to form a second release gas chamber into which release gas is fed, and wherein the third piston is configured to partition the third cylinder bore to form a second product gas chamber into which product gas is fed from the first product gas chamber,
wherein the pressurizing unit further comprises: an outer cylinder surrounding the third cylinder to form a third relief air chamber surrounding the third cylinder; a first release gas moving passage connected to the first release gas chamber; a second release gas moving passage connected to the second release gas chamber; an on/off valve selectively allowing the release gas to flow out of the first and second release gas moving passages; a third release gas moving passage connecting the open/close valve and the third release gas chamber; and a release gas discharge passage through which the release gas discharged from the third release gas chamber flows,
wherein the plurality of adsorption beds include a first adsorption bed and a second adsorption bed, and
wherein the pressurizing unit is operated to repeatedly perform a multi-stage pressurizing process including:
a step of pressurizing the product gas in the first product gas chamber by a force of the release gas discharged from the second adsorption bed acting on the first piston and the second piston in a state where the open/close valve is closed, thereby moving to the second product gas chamber;
a process of discharging a part of the release gas by a pressure of the product gas in the first product gas chamber supplied from the second adsorption bed in a state where the open/close valve is opened, and pressurizing the product gas in the second product gas chamber to be partially discharged;
a process of pressurizing the product gas in the second product gas chamber to be discharged by a force of the product gas discharged from the first adsorption bed acting on the first piston in a state where the open/close valve is opened, and simultaneously discharging the release gas in the first release gas chamber and the second release gas chamber;
a step of pressurizing the product gas in the first product gas chamber by a force acting on the first piston and the second piston by the release gas discharged from the first adsorption bed in a state where the open/close valve is closed, thereby moving to the second product gas chamber;
a process of discharging a part of the release gas by the pressure of the product gas in the first product gas chamber supplied from the first adsorption bed in a state where the open/close valve is opened, and pressurizing the product gas in the second product gas chamber to be partially discharged; and
a process in which the product gas in the second product gas chamber is pressurized to be discharged by a force of the product gas discharged from the second adsorption bed acting on the first piston in a state in which the open/close valve is opened, and simultaneously the release gases in the first release gas chamber and the second release gas chamber are discharged.
CN201710117654.6A 2017-03-01 2017-03-01 Gas concentration device Active CN108525465B (en)

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN2897749Y (en) * 2006-04-30 2007-05-09 金增品 Nitrogen filler of tyre
WO2007130377A2 (en) * 2006-05-05 2007-11-15 Separation Design Group, Llc Sorption method, device, and system
CN102099579A (en) * 2008-07-14 2011-06-15 泰尔茂株式会社 Compressor and oxygen concentrator using the same
CN103814214A (en) * 2011-09-21 2014-05-21 大金工业株式会社 Reciprocating pump and oxygen concentrating device
CN104261352A (en) * 2014-10-12 2015-01-07 吉林市卓欣康泰医疗科技有限公司 Air cylinder type molecular sieve compression system for medical main oxygen generator and application method of compression system
CN105152136A (en) * 2015-08-10 2015-12-16 湖南泰瑞医疗科技有限公司 Novel PSA (pressure swing adsorption) oxygen generator
CN106379863A (en) * 2016-11-17 2017-02-08 中国人民解放军军事医学科学院卫生装备研究所 Direct oxygen supply all-in-one machine for medical first-aid equipment and direct oxygen supply method of medical first-aid equipment

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN2897749Y (en) * 2006-04-30 2007-05-09 金增品 Nitrogen filler of tyre
WO2007130377A2 (en) * 2006-05-05 2007-11-15 Separation Design Group, Llc Sorption method, device, and system
CN102099579A (en) * 2008-07-14 2011-06-15 泰尔茂株式会社 Compressor and oxygen concentrator using the same
CN103814214A (en) * 2011-09-21 2014-05-21 大金工业株式会社 Reciprocating pump and oxygen concentrating device
CN104261352A (en) * 2014-10-12 2015-01-07 吉林市卓欣康泰医疗科技有限公司 Air cylinder type molecular sieve compression system for medical main oxygen generator and application method of compression system
CN105152136A (en) * 2015-08-10 2015-12-16 湖南泰瑞医疗科技有限公司 Novel PSA (pressure swing adsorption) oxygen generator
CN106379863A (en) * 2016-11-17 2017-02-08 中国人民解放军军事医学科学院卫生装备研究所 Direct oxygen supply all-in-one machine for medical first-aid equipment and direct oxygen supply method of medical first-aid equipment

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