JP2011212677A - Gas separator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas separator which can take an effect of energy saving.SOLUTION: A control circuit 100 controls opening and closing of valves V1-V8, and alternately repeats an adsorption taking-out step and a pressure equalizing step for adsorption tank 1, 2. Then, a temperature detector 31 for detecting surrounding temperature is connected to the control circuit 100 with. An adsorption taking-out step control circuit 103 of the control circuit 100 reduces time τ0 of the adsorption taking-out step, when a detection temperature T by the temperature detector 31 is in a higher temperature range than a base temperature range.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas separation device, and more particularly to a PSA type (Pressure Swing Absorption) gas separation device, for example, a gas separation device suitable for use as a nitrogen generator or an oxygen generator.

  In general, a PSA type gas separation device is one that separates air into nitrogen gas and oxygen gas using an adsorbent made of, for example, molecular sieve carbon, zeolite, etc., and takes out one of them as product gas (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

  Such a conventional gas separation apparatus includes a pair of adsorption tanks filled with an adsorbent. Here, for example, when generating nitrogen gas as product gas, (1) Adsorption process: Introducing compressed air compressed by a compressor into an adsorption tank filled with an adsorbent and remaining in the product tank Nitrogen gas is refluxed to the adsorption tank, the pressure inside the adsorption tank is increased and oxygen molecules are adsorbed to the adsorbent using pressure. (2) Extraction process: Continued from the adsorption process, compressed air from the compressor to the adsorption tank A process of continuously removing the nitrogen gas separated and produced by the adsorbent from the adsorption tank; (3) pressure equalization process: the residual gas having a high nitrogen concentration remaining in the adsorption tank after the completion of the extraction process; A process for supplying pressure to the other adsorption tanks to equalize the pressure between the adsorption tanks, increasing the adsorption efficiency of the next adsorption process, and generating higher purity nitrogen gas, (4) Regeneration process : After the pressure equalization process, the inside of the adsorption tank is released to the atmosphere Others step of regenerating the adsorbent by desorbing the oxygen molecules adsorbed on the adsorbent under reduced pressure with a vacuum pump, but are sequentially performed. The gas separation device repeats these steps (1) to (4) for each adsorption tank to separate and generate nitrogen gas, and the nitrogen gas discharged from each adsorption tank is stored in the storage tank. It was a configuration to let you.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the amount of compressed air supplied is increased by increasing the speed of a motor that drives the compressor during the adsorption process. As a result, the time of the adsorption process can be shortened compared with the case where the motor is operated at a constant speed for all the processes, and thus the time of one cycle consisting of the steps (1) to (4) is shortened. Thus, the generation efficiency of nitrogen gas was improved.

JP-A-6-31129

  By the way, in the gas separation device of the above-mentioned prior art, although it is set as the structure which changes the rotation speed of a motor according to each process (1)-(4), the energy consumption of a compressor is reduced and energy saving of an apparatus is carried out. The point of view was not considered at all.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gas separation device that can achieve an energy saving effect.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a compressor that compresses air, and a compressed gas discharged from the compressor that is filled with an adsorbent inside and separates one gas into a product. An adsorption tank that is generated as a gas, a storage tank that stores the product gas generated by the adsorption tank, the operation of the compressor is controlled according to the pressure of the storage tank, and compressed air is supplied to the adsorption tank Thus, the present invention is applied to a gas separation device including a control unit that repeats an adsorption and extraction step of adsorbing one gas and extracting another gas as a product gas from the adsorption tank.

  The feature of the configuration adopted by the invention of claim 1 includes ambient temperature detection means for detecting ambient temperature, and the control means has a high temperature reference temperature at which the detected temperature detected by the ambient temperature detection means is predetermined. When the temperature is higher than that, the time for the adsorption extraction step is shortened as compared with the case where the temperature is lower than the high temperature reference temperature.

  In the invention of claim 2, when the detected temperature detected by the ambient temperature detecting means is lower than a predetermined low temperature reference temperature lower than the predetermined high temperature reference temperature, the high temperature reference temperature and the low temperature reference temperature are determined. Compared to the time between, the time of the adsorption extraction process is extended.

  The feature of the configuration adopted by the invention of claim 3 is provided with a usage amount detecting means for detecting the usage amount of the product gas supplied from the storage tank to the outside, and the control means is detected by the usage amount detecting means. When the usage amount is smaller than the predetermined first reference usage amount, the time for the adsorption extraction process is extended as compared with the case where the usage amount is larger than the first reference usage amount.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the detected usage amount detected by the usage amount detecting means is greater than a predetermined second reference usage amount, the control means is less than the second reference usage amount. Compared to the above, the time for the adsorption extraction process is shortened.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, usage amount detection means for detecting the usage amount of product gas supplied from the storage tank to the outside is provided, and the control means has a detection usage amount detected by the usage amount detection means determined in advance. When the amount is smaller than the first reference usage amount, the first determination means for extending the time of the adsorption removal process, and the detected temperature detected by the ambient temperature detection means is lower than the low temperature reference temperature lower than the high temperature reference temperature. When the time is low, the second determination means for extending the time of the adsorption removal process and the determination means for determining the time of the adsorption removal process by adding the time values of the first and second determination means. It is in the configuration.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the storage tank pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure of the storage tank is provided, and the usage amount detecting means is configured to detect the product gas according to a time change of the detected pressure value detected by the storage tank pressure detecting means. It is in the structure which detects the usage-amount of.

  According to the present invention, when the pressure in the adsorption tank rises quickly and the concentration tends to be high, at low temperatures or when the flow rate used is small, the adsorption extraction process time is extended, so the energy consumption of the compressor is reduced, Energy saving of the device can be achieved.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a nitrogen generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows each process of the 1st, 2nd adsorption tank of a PSA type nitrogen generator. It is a characteristic diagram which shows the time change of the pressure of an air tank, a 1st, 2nd adsorption tank, and a nitrogen tank. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a suction extraction process control circuit. It is a flowchart which shows the setting process of the adsorption | suction process extraction process time in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the motor drive process in FIG. It is a characteristic diagram which shows the relationship between ambient temperature and the density | concentration of nitrogen gas. It is a characteristic diagram which shows the relationship between the pressure of an adsorption tank, and the adsorption amount of oxygen. It is a characteristic diagram which shows the relationship between adsorption extraction process time and the adsorption amount of oxygen and nitrogen. It is a whole block diagram which shows the nitrogen generator by 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the setting process of the adsorption | suction process extraction process time by 2nd Embodiment. It is a characteristic diagram which shows the relationship between the generation amount of nitrogen gas, and the density | concentration of nitrogen gas. It is a whole block diagram which shows the nitrogen generator by 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the setting process of the adsorption | suction process extraction process time by 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart following FIG. It is a whole block diagram which shows the nitrogen generator by a modification.

  Hereinafter, a case where the gas separation device according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a PSA type nitrogen generator will be described as an example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 9 has shown 1st Embodiment. In the figure, reference numerals 1 and 2 denote first and second adsorption tanks, and the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 are filled with adsorbents 1A and 2A such as molecular sieve carbon, respectively. At this time, the adsorbents 1A and 2A have a large number of voids, and the hole diameter of these voids is set to a value approximately equal to the molecular diameter of oxygen molecules. At this time, since the molecular diameter of the nitrogen molecule is larger than the molecular diameter of the oxygen molecule, the adsorbents 1A and 2A can adsorb only oxygen molecules.

  Reference numeral 3 denotes a compressor serving as a compressed air supply source. The compressor 3 is connected to, for example, an electric motor 4 as driving means. At this time, the compressor 3 is driven by the electric motor 4 and compresses the air sucked from the suction port to generate compressed air. And the compressor 3 discharges the compressed air of the discharge amount according to the rotation speed of the electric motor 4. FIG. An air tank 5 as an air tank is connected to the discharge port of the compressor 3.

  The electric motor 4 is connected to the inverter circuit 4A. At this time, the inverter circuit 4A includes a converter that converts a sine wave alternating current into a direct current, and a plurality of transistors (all not shown) that reversely convert the direct current into a variable frequency alternating current. The inverter circuit 4A is controlled by a control circuit 100, which will be described later, to turn on and off the transistor, and can arbitrarily change the rated frequency of the electric motor 4. Therefore, the output shaft of the electric motor 4 is rotationally driven at a rotational speed corresponding to the AC variable frequency output from the inverter circuit 4A.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes an air tank (air tank) for storing compressed air. The air tank 5 is connected to the compressor 3 on the upstream side and connected to the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 via the refrigeration dryer 6 on the downstream side. . Here, the refrigeration dryer 6 is provided with a drain discharge valve 6 </ b> A for discharging the water accumulated inside. The discharge side of the refrigeration dryer 6 is connected to the pipes 8 and 9 via the air filter 7 and is connected to the adsorption layers 1 and 2 via the pipes 8 and 9. The refrigeration dryer 6 removes moisture from the compressed air generated by the compressor 3 and supplies the dried compressed air to the adsorption tanks 1 and 2.

  Further, first and second supply valves V1 and V2 are provided in the middle of the pipes 8 and 9, respectively. At this time, each of the supply valves V1 and V2 is constituted by, for example, an electromagnetic valve, and its opening and closing are controlled by a control circuit 100 described later. The supply valves V1 and V2 are alternately opened and closed to supply the compressed air in the air tank 5 to the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 alternately.

  Reference numerals 10 and 11 denote pipes for discharging gas (gas) from the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 when oxygen molecules are desorbed from the adsorbents 1A and 2A, and are connected to a silencer 12 for reducing exhaust noise. In the middle of the pipes 10 and 11, there are first and second solenoid valves each of which discharges the desorbed exhaust gas in the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 every half cycle (one adsorption tank is from the adsorption process to the pressure equalization process). Second exhaust valves V3 and V4 are provided.

  Reference numerals 13 and 14 denote extraction pipes for extracting nitrogen gas as product gas from the adsorption tanks 1 and 2, respectively. The extraction pipes 13 and 14 are connected to another extraction pipe 15. Further, the extraction pipe 15 is connected to a nitrogen tank 16 described later. Thereby, the extraction pipes 13 to 15 connect the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 and the nitrogen tank 16 and supply the nitrogen gas in the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 into the nitrogen tank 16.

  Further, first and second extraction valves V5 and V6 are provided in the middle of the extraction pipes 13 and 14, respectively. At this time, each extraction valve V5, V6 is constituted by, for example, an electromagnetic valve, and its opening and closing are controlled by a control circuit 100 described later. The take-off valves V5 and V6 are alternately opened only during a half cycle to supply the nitrogen gas in the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 to the nitrogen tank 16 and the nitrogen gas in the nitrogen tank 16 to the adsorption tank 1 To reflux.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a nitrogen tank as a storage tank (buffer tank) connected to the extraction pipe 15. The nitrogen tank 16 stores nitrogen gas as a product gas generated by the adsorption tanks 1 and 2, and will be described later. Nitrogen gas is supplied to an external supply target device (not shown) through the extraction pipe 20.

  Reference numerals 17 and 18 denote pipes communicating between the adsorption tanks 1 and 2, and are arranged on both ends of the upstream and downstream sides of the adsorption tanks 1 and 2, respectively. The pipe 17 connects the pipes 8 and 9 and a lower pressure equalizing valve V7 made of an electromagnetic valve is provided in the middle. On the other hand, the pipe 18 connects the take-out pipes 13 and 14, and an upper pressure equalizing valve V8 made of an electromagnetic valve is provided in the middle. These pressure equalizing valves V7 and V8 are opened for a predetermined number of seconds just before the end of the half cycle by the adsorption tanks 1 and 2, and the pressure between the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 is equalized (pressure equalization step). A throttle 19 is connected to the pipe 18 in parallel.

  20 is a product gas extraction pipe connected to the nitrogen tank 16, and the product gas extraction pipe 20 is provided with a filter regulator 21 and a product gas extraction valve V10, which will be described later. (Not shown).

  Reference numeral 22 denotes a concentration sensor for detecting the concentration of nitrogen gas in the nitrogen tank 16, and the concentration sensor 22 is constituted by, for example, an oxygen sensor and is connected to a branch pipe 23 branched from the product gas extraction pipe 20. In the middle of the branch pipe 23, a concentration detection valve V9 comprising a solenoid valve and a flow rate adjusting valve 24 are provided. Here, the concentration detection valve V9 is always open during operation of the apparatus so that the gas in the nitrogen tank 16 can be supplied to the concentration sensor 22. The concentration sensor 22 outputs an oxygen gas concentration measurement signal corresponding to the oxygen concentration in the nitrogen tank 16.

  Further, a product gas extraction valve V10 including an electromagnetic valve is provided in the middle of the product gas extraction pipe 20 and is located downstream of the branch pipe 23. At this time, the product gas extraction valve V10 is connected to an external device to be supplied (not shown) via the flow rate adjustment valve 25. The product gas extraction valve V10 is controlled to open and close using a control circuit 100 described later, and the value (nitrogen gas concentration) detected by the concentration sensor 22 or the like has a set value of about 99.9%, for example. When it exceeds, the valve is opened and the nitrogen gas in the nitrogen tank 16 can be taken out to the outside. When the set value is not exceeded, the valve is closed.

  Reference numeral 26 denotes an exhaust pipe branched from the product gas extraction pipe 20. In the middle of the exhaust pipe 26, there are provided a discharge valve V 11 made of an electromagnetic valve and a variable flow rate adjusting valve 27 that keeps the discharge amount of nitrogen gas constant. At the same time, a silencer 28 is connected to the tip. The discharge valve V11 is controlled to open and close using a control circuit 100 described later, and the value (nitrogen gas concentration) detected by the concentration sensor 22 does not exceed a set value of about 99.99%, for example. The valve is opened to discharge the nitrogen gas in the nitrogen tank 16 to the outside. When the set value is exceeded, the valve is closed.

  Reference numeral 29 denotes a first pressure detector as an air tank pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure in the air tank 5, and the pressure detector 29 is attached to the air tank 5, for example, and its output side is connected to the control circuit 100. Has been. The pressure detector 29 outputs a first pressure detection signal corresponding to the pressure (detected pressure Pa) in the air tank 5 toward the control circuit 100.

  Reference numeral 30 denotes a second pressure detector as a storage tank pressure detection means for detecting the pressure in the nitrogen tank 16. The pressure detector 30 is attached to the nitrogen tank 16, for example, and its output side is connected to the control circuit 100. Has been. The pressure detector 30 outputs a second pressure detection signal corresponding to the pressure (detected pressure Pn) in the nitrogen tank 16 toward the control circuit 100.

  Reference numeral 31 denotes a temperature detector as ambient temperature detecting means for detecting the ambient temperature of the nitrogen generator. The temperature detector 31 is attached, for example, around the adsorption tanks 1 and 2, and its output side is connected to the control circuit 100. Has been. The temperature detector 31 outputs a temperature detection signal corresponding to the ambient temperature (detection temperature T) of the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 toward the control circuit 100.

  Reference numeral 32 denotes a rotational speed detector as rotational speed detection means for detecting the rotational speed of the electric motor 4. The rotational speed detector 32 is attached, for example, around the output shaft of the electric motor 4, and its output side is a control circuit. 100. The rotational speed detector 32 outputs a rotational speed detection signal corresponding to the rotational speed (detected rotational speed N) of the electric motor 4 toward the control circuit 100.

  Next, the control circuit 100 (control means) will be described. The control circuit 100 includes a valve control circuit 101 for generating nitrogen gas by opening and closing supply valves V1, V2, exhaust valves V3, V4, take-off valves V5, V6, pressure equalizing valves V7, V8, and a concentration sensor 22. The nitrogen gas concentration in the nitrogen tank 16 is detected using the output oxygen gas concentration measurement signal, and the product gas take-off valve V10 and the discharge valve V11 are controlled to open and close based on the detected value of the nitrogen gas concentration, thereby discharging the nitrogen gas. And a suction removal process control circuit 103 for setting the number of rotations of the electric motor 4 in the suction removal process and the time of the suction removal process.

  Here, the operation of the valve control circuit 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. The valve control circuit 101 controls the opening and closing of each electromagnetic valve by activating the nitrogen generator, and nitrogen gas (product gas) ) Occurs.

  Here, for example, in the first adsorption tank 1, the adsorption removal process (process (a), (b)) and the pressure equalization process (process (c)) are executed, while the second adsorption is performed. In the tank 2, a regeneration process is performed while the first adsorption tank 1 is performing the adsorption extraction process, and a pressure equalization process with the first adsorption tank 1 is performed after the regeneration process is completed.

  Specifically, in step (a) in FIG. 2, an adsorption step or the like is performed on the first adsorption tank 1, and the supply valve V1 and the extraction valve V5 on the first adsorption tank 1 side are opened. . Thereby, compressed air as a raw material gas is supplied to the first adsorption tank 1 from the compressor 3, and the nitrogen gas in the nitrogen tank 16 flows back through the extraction pipes 13 and 15 and is adsorbed from the upper part (downstream side). Reflux into tank 1. As a result, the first adsorption tank 1 is in a pressurized state by the gas flowing in from above and below the compressed air from the compressor 3 and the nitrogen gas in the nitrogen tank 16, and oxygen is adsorbed by the adsorbent 1A. . The reflux of nitrogen gas is performed in order to increase the adsorption efficiency of the adsorbent 1A by increasing the pressure in the adsorption tank 1 with nitrogen gas that is difficult to adsorb.

  On the other hand, the regeneration process is performed on the second adsorption tank 2, and the exhaust valve V4 is in a depressurized state, and the adsorbed oxygen is desorbed and discharged.

  As a result, in step (a), as shown in FIG. 3, the pressure in the first adsorption tank 1 increases and the pressure in the nitrogen tank 16 decreases, and the pressure and nitrogen in the first adsorption tank 1 decrease. The pressure in the tank 16 becomes almost the same value. On the other hand, the pressure in the 2nd adsorption tank 2 falls to about atmospheric pressure.

  Next, in the step (b) in FIG. 2, an adsorption step and an extraction step are performed on the first adsorption tank 1, and the supply valve V1 and the extraction valve V5 on the first adsorption tank 1 side are set to the process (a ), The pressure in the first adsorption tank 1 becomes higher than the pressure in the nitrogen tank 16, so that the compressed air is continuously supplied to the first adsorption tank 1. The inside nitrogen gas is taken out. At this time, the second adsorption tank 2 remains in the decompression state regeneration process in which the exhaust valve V4 is opened.

  For this reason, in the step (b), as shown in FIG. 3, the pressure in the first adsorption tank 1 and the pressure in the nitrogen tank 16 are gradually increased by the compressed air. On the other hand, the pressure in the second adsorption tank 2 is maintained at about atmospheric pressure.

  Next, in step (c) in FIG. 2, a pressure equalizing step is performed on the first and second adsorption tanks 1 and 2, and the pressure equalizing valves V7 and V8 are opened and the supply valve V1 and the take-off valve are opened. V5 and exhaust valve V4 are closed. Accordingly, the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 and the compressor 3 are blocked, the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 and the nitrogen tank 16 are blocked, and the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 communicate with each other. As a result, the nitrogen gas remaining in the first adsorption tank 1 is recovered in the second adsorption tank 2, and the pressure in each of the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 is equalized as shown in FIG.

  Thus, the first half of one cycle is completed, and the supply valve V2, the take-off valve V6, and the exhaust valve V3 are opened to switch to the latter half of the cycle. Steps (d) to (f) substantially the same as () to (c) are performed. In this second half cycle, the second adsorption tank 2 performs the adsorption extraction process (processes (d) and (e)) and the pressure equalization process (process (f)), whereas the first adsorption tank 1 Then, the regeneration process is performed while the second adsorption tank 2 is performing the adsorption extraction process, and the pressure equalization process with the second adsorption tank 2 is performed after the regeneration process is completed.

  As described above, the valve control circuit 101 repeats the above cycle to separate the raw material gas supplied from the compressor 3 into nitrogen gas and other gas (oxygen gas) in the adsorption tanks 1 and 2, The nitrogen gas separated in the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 is stored in the nitrogen tank 16.

  The time τ0 and the supply amount of compressed air in the adsorption extraction process (process (a), (b), (process (d), (e)) are controlled by an adsorption extraction process control circuit 103 described later, It varies depending on the ambient temperature and the amount of nitrogen gas (product gas) used.

  Next, the exhaust control circuit 102 will be described. The exhaust control circuit 102 does not output a valve opening signal to the product gas extraction valve V10 when the nitrogen generator is activated, and closes the product gas extraction valve V10. A valve opening signal is output to the discharge valve V11. At this time, the discharge control circuit 102 measures the nitrogen concentration of the product gas in the nitrogen tank 16 using the oxygen gas concentration measurement signal from the concentration sensor 22. The discharge control circuit 102 opens the discharge valve V11 until the nitrogen concentration in the nitrogen tank 16 exceeds a predetermined set value (for example, 99.9%) determined in advance. The nitrogen gas having a low nitrogen concentration is discharged into the atmosphere through the exhaust pipe 26. Then, after a while from the start of the nitrogen generator, the nitrogen concentration in the nitrogen tank 16 gradually increases. Therefore, when the nitrogen concentration in the nitrogen tank 16 exceeds a predetermined set value, the discharge control circuit 102 V11 is closed and the product gas take-off valve V10 is opened. As a result, high-concentration nitrogen gas is supplied to an external supply target device (not shown) connected to the product gas extraction pipe 20.

  Next, the suction extraction process control circuit 103 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4, the suction extraction process control circuit 103 performs a setting process for the suction extraction process time described later in step 1, and sets the rotational speed when the electric motor 4 is rotationally driven in the suction extraction process. (Rotation speed set value N0) and adsorption removal process time τ0 are set.

  Next, in step 2, in order to perform adsorption / extraction process valve control processing and execute the adsorption / extraction process for one of the first and second adsorption tanks 1 and 2, the valves V1 to V8 are opened. Control valve and valve closing. For example, when the adsorption extraction step (steps (a) and (b) in FIG. 2) is performed on the first adsorption tank 1, the supply valve on the first adsorption tank 1 side is used by using the valve control circuit 101. V1 and the extraction valve V5 are opened, the exhaust valve V4 on the second adsorption tank 2 side is opened, and the other valves V2, V3, V6, V7, and V8 are closed. On the other hand, when the adsorption extraction step (steps (d) and (e) in FIG. 2) is performed on the second adsorption tank 2, the supply on the second adsorption tank 2 side is performed using the valve control circuit 101. The valve V2 and the extraction valve V6 are opened, the exhaust valve V3 on the first adsorption tank 1 side is opened, and the other valves V1, V4, V5, V7, V8 are closed. In addition, the adsorption | suction extraction process with respect to the 1st, 2nd adsorption tanks 1 and 2 is performed alternately on both sides of a pressure equalization process.

  Next, in step 3, the motor drive process described later is performed, the electric motor 4 is rotationally driven in a state where the upper limit rotational speed is set to the rotational speed setting value N0, and the first and second adsorption tanks 1, 1 are driven from the compressor 3. Compressed air is supplied toward one of the two.

  Next, in step 4, it is determined whether or not the suction extraction process has been completed. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the suction extraction process time τ0 set in step 1 has elapsed since the start of the suction extraction process. And when it determines with "YES" at step 4, since time (tau) 0 passed after starting the adsorption | suction extraction process, it transfers to step 5 mentioned later in order to perform a pressure equalization process. On the other hand, when it is determined as “NO” in Step 4, since the time τ 0 has not elapsed since the start of the suction extraction process, the process proceeds to Step 3 and the motor driving process is continued.

  In step 5, a pressure equalization process valve control process is performed, and a pressure equalization process (process (c), (f) in FIG. 2) is performed with respect to the 1st, 2nd adsorption tanks 1 and 2. FIG. Specifically, using the valve control circuit 101, the pressure equalizing valves V7 and V8 are opened, and the supply valves V1 and V2, the extraction valves V5 and V6, and the exhaust valves V3 and V4 are closed.

  Next, in step 6, it is determined whether or not the pressure equalization process is ended, for example, using an elapsed time since the pressure equalization process is started. And when it determines with "YES" at step 6, since the pressure equalization process is complete | finished, in order to perform an adsorption | suction removal process again, the process after step 1 is repeated. On the other hand, when “NO” is determined in Step 6, it is in the middle of the pressure equalizing process, so that it stands by as it is.

  Next, the adsorption process time setting process in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step 11, the ambient temperature of the nitrogen generator detected by the temperature detector 31 is read as the detected temperature T. Next, in step 12, in order to determine whether or not the detected temperature T is in a low temperature range lower than the reference temperature range, it is determined whether or not the detected temperature T is lower than the low temperature reference temperature Ta between them ( (See FIG. 7). At this time, the reference temperature range is about the normal atmospheric temperature (for example, 20 ° C. ± 10 ° C.) as the temperature at which the hole diameter of the air gap provided in the adsorbents 1A and 2A becomes approximately the same as the molecular diameter of oxygen. Is set.

  When it is determined as “YES” in step 12, since the detected temperature T is lower than the low temperature reference temperature Ta, the process proceeds to step 13, and the adsorption removal process time τ0 is extended as compared with the reference temperature range. . At this time, as the detected temperature T decreases, the extension amount of the time τ0 may be increased, or a constant extension amount may be used.

  On the other hand, when “NO” is determined in Step 12, the process proceeds to Step 14 to determine whether or not the detected temperature T is in a high temperature range higher than the reference temperature range. Also, it is determined whether or not the detected temperature T is high (see FIG. 7).

  When it is determined as “YES” in step 14, the detected temperature T is higher than the high temperature reference temperature Tb. Therefore, the process proceeds to step 15, and the adsorption removal process time τ 0 is shortened compared to that in the reference temperature range. . At this time, the amount of shortening of time τ0 may be increased as the detected temperature T increases, or a certain amount of shortening may be used.

  On the other hand, when “NO” is determined in step 14, the detected temperature T is included in the reference temperature range, not the low temperature range or the high temperature range. For this reason, it transfers to step 16 and maintains adsorption | suction extraction process time (tau) 0 at the same value as the time of a reference | standard temperature range.

  Finally, when Steps 13, 15, and 16 are completed, the process proceeds to Step 17 and returns.

  Next, the motor driving process in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step 21, the pressure of the air tank 5 detected by the pressure detector 29 is read as the detected pressure Pa. In step 22, the rotation speed of the electric motor 4 is set to the upper limit rotation speed N1.

  Next, in step 23, it is determined whether or not the detected pressure Pa is lower than a pressure set value P0 as a preset pressure upper limit value. When it is determined as “YES” in step 23, the detected pressure Pa has not reached the pressure set value P0, and the pressure in the air tank 5 is in the middle of pressure increase, which is lower than the pressure set value P0. For this reason, the routine proceeds to step 24, where the rotational speed of the motor 4 is maintained at the upper limit rotational speed N1.

  If “NO” is determined in the step 23, the detected pressure Pa is equal to or higher than the pressure set value P0. Therefore, the process proceeds to a step 25 to determine whether the detected pressure Pa is higher than the pressure set value P0. . And when it determines with "YES" at step 25, the pressure of the air tank 5 exceeds the pressure setting value P0, and is high pressure. For this reason, in order to reduce the pressure in the air tank 5, the routine proceeds to step 26, where the number of revolutions of the electric motor 4 is reduced using the inverter circuit 4A, and the routine returns at step 28.

  On the other hand, when “NO” is determined in the step 25, the detected pressure Pa is substantially equal to the pressure set value P0. For this reason, in order to maintain the pressure of the air tank 5 at the pressure set value P0, the routine proceeds to step 27, the number of revolutions of the electric motor 4 is maintained at the current value using the inverter circuit 4A, and the routine returns at step 28. .

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the control circuit 100 controls the number of revolutions of the compressor 3 (electric motor 4) according to the detected pressure Pa of the air tank 5, so that when the detected temperature T is high, for example, the adsorption tank 1, Since the pressure in 2 is difficult to increase, the time during which the rotational speed of the electric motor 4 is the upper limit rotational speed N1 is extended, and when the detected temperature T is low, the pressure in the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 is likely to increase. The rotational speed of the electric motor 4 is decelerated at an early stage, and the pressure in the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 can be reduced.

  Here, in the prior art, the electric motor 4 is driven regardless of the ambient temperature. For this reason, as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 7, when the ambient temperature is in a high temperature range, the concentration of nitrogen gas tends to decrease, which may be lower than a desired concentration lower limit value. On the other hand, when the ambient temperature is in the low temperature range, the concentration tends to greatly exceed the lower limit of concentration.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, the control circuit 100 is electrically driven because the pressure in the air tank 5 is difficult to increase when the detected temperature T detected by the temperature detector 31 is in a high temperature range higher than the reference temperature range. The time during which the rotation speed of the motor 4 maintains the upper limit rotation speed N1 is extended. For this reason, even if it is a case where ambient temperature is higher than a reference temperature range, the pressure in the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 can be raised. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the amount of oxygen adsorbed increases as the pressure in the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 increases. As a result, even when the nitrogen adsorption amount increases and the nitrogen gas concentration decreases due to the increase in the ambient temperature, as shown by the solid line in FIG. A decrease in concentration can be suppressed.

  Further, when the detected temperature T is in a low temperature range lower than the reference temperature range, the control circuit 100 shortens the time during which the electric motor 4 maintains the upper limit rotation speed N1. For this reason, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 7, the concentration of nitrogen gas does not become excessively high, and the power consumption (energy consumption) of the electric motor 4 can be reduced.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the optimum value of the adsorption removal process time τ0 changes according to the ambient temperature. Specifically, when the ambient temperature is in a high temperature range higher than the high temperature reference temperature Tb, the pore diameter of the adsorbents 1A and 2A tends to expand and become larger than the molecular diameter of oxygen. The amount of adsorption tends to increase. Here, when the ambient temperature is in the high temperature range, the ratio of the amount of nitrogen adsorbed to the amount of oxygen adsorbed tends to increase, so the concentration of nitrogen gas tends to be lower than that at room temperature (see FIG. 7). . For this reason, in order to ensure the concentration of nitrogen gas at the same level as when the ambient temperature is in the reference temperature range, it is necessary to suppress the amount of nitrogen adsorbed while ensuring the amount of oxygen adsorbed. Therefore, the optimum value of the adsorption removal process time τ0 is shorter than when the ambient temperature is in the reference temperature range.

  Further, when the temperature is high, the molecular weight of both oxygen molecules and nitrogen molecules contained in the air decreases due to the expansion of air when compared with the same volume. Therefore, the pressure in the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 is difficult to increase, and the concentration is not easily improved accordingly. For this reason, the time during which the electric motor 4 maintains the upper limit rotational speed N1 is lengthened, the pressure in the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 is increased, and the deterioration of the concentration is prevented.

  On the other hand, when the ambient temperature is in a low temperature range lower than the low temperature reference temperature Ta, the pore diameters of the adsorbents 1A and 2A tend to be reduced and become smaller than the molecular diameter of oxygen, and the adsorption amounts of oxygen and nitrogen are small. Both tend to decrease. Here, when the ambient temperature is in the low temperature range, the ratio of the amount of nitrogen adsorbed to the amount of oxygen adsorbed tends to decrease, so the concentration of nitrogen gas tends to be higher than that at room temperature (see FIG. 7). . For this reason, in order to secure the concentration of nitrogen gas at the same level as when the ambient temperature is in the reference temperature range, it is necessary to increase the oxygen adsorption amount within a range in which the nitrogen adsorption amount does not increase excessively. Therefore, the optimum value of the adsorption removal process time τ0 is longer than when the ambient temperature is in the reference temperature range.

  In addition, since the expansion of air is low when the temperature is low, the molecular weight of both oxygen molecules and nitrogen molecules contained in the air increases when compared with the same volume. Therefore, the pressure in the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 tends to increase, and the concentration tends to improve accordingly. For this reason, the time during which the electric motor 4 maintains the upper limit rotational speed N1 is shortened, the increase in the pressure in the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 is suppressed, and the concentration is prevented from becoming excessively good.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the detected temperature T is in a high temperature range higher than the high temperature reference temperature Tb, the control circuit 100 shortens the adsorption removal process time τ0 compared to when the detected temperature T is lower than the high temperature reference temperature Tb. The adsorption removal process time τ0 can be set to an optimum value. Thereby, even when the ambient temperature is in the high temperature range and the amount of adsorption of nitrogen tends to increase, the adsorbents 1A and 2A do not adsorb nitrogen more than necessary during the adsorption extraction process. For this reason, since only oxygen can be separated by the adsorption tanks 1A and 2A and nitrogen can be reliably taken out, a decrease in the concentration of nitrogen gas can be prevented compared to when the ambient temperature is in the reference temperature range. .

  Further, the control circuit 100 determines that when the detected temperature T is in the low temperature range lower than the low temperature reference temperature Ta, the adsorption removal process time τ0 compared to when it is between the low temperature reference temperature Ta and the high temperature reference temperature Tb (reference temperature range). Therefore, the adsorption removal process time τ0 can be set to an optimum value. For this reason, even when the ambient temperature is in the low temperature range and the concentration of nitrogen gas tends to be higher than necessary, by extending the adsorption extraction process time τ0, compared to when the ambient temperature falls within the reference temperature range. The concentration of nitrogen gas can be made comparable. At this time, with the extension of the adsorption removal process time τ 0, the time during which the pressure of the air tank 5 is maintained near the pressure set value P 0 becomes longer. As a result, the compressor 3 (electric motor 4) is driven at a value lower than the upper limit rotational speed N1, and the power consumption (energy consumption) of the electric motor 4 can be reduced.

  Next, FIG. 10 to FIG. 12 show a second embodiment according to the present invention. The feature of this embodiment is that the control circuit changes the time of the adsorption extraction process according to the detected amount of product gas used. It is to have done. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Reference numeral 41 denotes a flow rate detector as usage amount detecting means for detecting the usage amount of nitrogen gas (product gas) supplied to the outside from the nitrogen tank 16, and the flow rate detector 41 is located, for example, downstream of the flow rate adjustment valve 25. In the middle of the product gas extraction pipe 20. The flow rate detector 41 has an output side connected to the control circuit 111 and outputs a flow rate detection signal corresponding to the flow rate of nitrogen gas (detected flow rate Qn) to the control circuit 111.

  Reference numeral 111 denotes a control circuit according to the present embodiment, and the control circuit 111 includes a valve control circuit 101, a discharge control circuit 102, and an adsorption / removal process control circuit 112 in substantially the same manner as the control circuit 100 according to the first embodiment. Has been. However, unlike the first embodiment, a temperature detector is not connected to the control circuit 111.

  Further, the adsorption / removal process control circuit 112 performs the control process of the adsorption / removal process and the pressure equalization process shown in FIG. 4 in the same manner as the adsorption / removal process control circuit 103 according to the first embodiment, and also shown in FIG. Perform motor drive processing. However, unlike the first embodiment, the adsorption process time setting process in FIG. 4 is performed as shown in FIG. 11 as described later.

  Next, an adsorption process time setting process using the adsorption removal process control circuit 112 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step 31, the amount of nitrogen gas detected by the flow rate detector 41 is read as the detected flow rate Qn. Next, in step 32, it is determined whether or not the detected flow rate Qn is in a small amount range smaller than the first reference usage amount Qa (see FIG. 12). At this time, the standard usage amount range is set to the range of the nitrogen gas supply amount that the nitrogen generator can steadily generate when the ambient temperature is the reference temperature range and the adsorption extraction process time τ0 is set to an optimal value. Has been. Therefore, the first reference usage amount Qa (small amount reference usage amount) is set to the minimum usage amount in the reference usage amount range. Further, the second reference usage amount Qb (large amount reference usage amount) is set to the maximum usage amount in the reference usage amount range.

  If it is determined as “YES” in step 32, the detected flow rate Qn is smaller than the first reference usage amount Qa, so that the process proceeds to step 33 to extend the adsorption removal process time τ0. In the motor driving process, when the usage amount is small, the pressure in the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 tends to be high and the concentration tends to improve. Slow 4

  On the other hand, when “NO” is determined in step 33, the detected flow rate Qn is equal to or greater than the first reference usage amount Qa. Therefore, the process proceeds to step 34, where the detected flow rate Qn is greater than the second reference usage amount Qb. It is judged whether it is a large amount range with many. And when it determines with "YES" at step 34, it transfers to step 35 and shortens adsorption | suction extraction process time (tau) 0. At this time, since the pressures in the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 and the air tank 5 tend to decrease, in the motor driving process, the time for driving the electric motor 4 at the upper limit rotational speed N1 is extended.

  On the other hand, when it is determined as “NO” in Step 34, the process proceeds to Step 36 and the adsorption removal process time τ 0 is maintained.

  Finally, when Steps 33, 35, and 36 are finished, the routine goes to Step 37 and returns.

  Thus, in the present embodiment configured as described above, it is possible to obtain substantially the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment. That is, in the present embodiment, the control circuit 111 is configured to extend the adsorption removal process time τ0 when the detected flow rate Qn of nitrogen gas is smaller than the first reference usage amount Qa. Here, when the rotational speed of the electric motor 4 is decelerated, the pressure in the adsorption tanks 1 and 2 decreases and the amount of oxygen adsorbed decreases, so that the concentration of nitrogen gas tends to decrease.

  At this time, since the detected flow rate Qn is smaller than the first reference usage amount Qa, the concentration of nitrogen gas tends to be higher than the normal time when the detected flow rate Qn is within the reference usage amount range. That is, when the adsorption removal process time τ0 is set to the same value as usual, as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 12, when the detected flow rate Qn is included in a small range, the concentration of nitrogen gas is smaller than usual. Tend to be higher.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when the detected flow rate Qn is smaller than the first reference usage amount Qa, the adsorption removal process time τ0 is extended. For this reason, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 12, the concentration of nitrogen gas can be ensured to the same level as usual. Further, since the time for decelerating the rotation speed is extended by the motor driving process, the energy consumption of the electric motor 4 can be reduced.

  Next, FIG. 13 to FIG. 15 show a third embodiment according to the present invention, and the feature of this embodiment is that the control circuit has a suction extraction step when the detected flow rate is smaller than the first reference usage amount. The time for the adsorption extraction process is extended when the detected temperature is lower than the low temperature reference temperature. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Reference numeral 51 denotes a flow rate detector as usage amount detection means for detecting the usage amount of nitrogen gas (product gas) supplied to the outside from the nitrogen tank 16, and the flow rate detector 51 is located, for example, downstream of the flow rate adjustment valve 25. In the middle of the product gas extraction pipe 20. The flow rate detector 51 is connected to the control circuit 121 at the output side, and outputs a flow rate detection signal corresponding to the flow rate of nitrogen gas (detected flow rate Qn) to the control circuit 121.

  Reference numeral 121 denotes a control circuit according to the present embodiment. The control circuit 121 includes a valve control circuit 101, a discharge control circuit 102, and an adsorption / removal process control circuit 122 in substantially the same manner as the control circuit 100 according to the first embodiment. Has been.

  Further, the adsorption / removal process control circuit 122 performs control processing of the adsorption / removal process and the pressure equalization process shown in FIG. 4 in substantially the same manner as the adsorption / removal process control circuit 103 according to the first embodiment, and also shown in FIG. Perform motor drive processing. However, unlike the first embodiment, the adsorption process time setting process in FIG. 4 is performed as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 as described later.

  An adsorption process time setting process using the adsorption removal process control circuit 122 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, in step 41, the ambient temperature of the nitrogen generator detected by the temperature detector 31 is read as a detected temperature T, and in step 42, the amount of nitrogen gas detected by the flow rate detector 51 is read as a detected flow rate Qn.

  Next, in step 43, it is determined whether or not the detected flow rate Qn is in a small amount range smaller than the first reference usage amount Qa. When it is determined “YES” in step 43, the detected flow rate Qn is smaller than the first reference usage amount Qa. Therefore, the process proceeds to step 44, and the first suction extraction process time τ1 is set to the reference usage amount range. (First determination means).

  On the other hand, when “NO” is determined in step 43, the detected flow rate Qn is equal to or greater than the first reference usage amount Qa. Therefore, the process proceeds to step 45, where the detected flow rate Qn is greater than the second reference usage amount Qb. It is judged whether it is a large amount range with many.

  When it is determined “YES” in step 45, the detected flow rate Qn is larger than the second reference usage amount Qb. Therefore, the process proceeds to step 46, and the first adsorption removal process time τ1 is set to the reference usage amount range. Compared to the time of

  On the other hand, when it is determined “NO” in step 45, the detected flow rate Qn is included in the reference usage amount range, not in the small amount range or the large amount range. For this reason, it transfers to step 47 and maintains 1st adsorption | suction extraction process time (tau) 1 at the same value as the time of the reference | standard usage-amount range.

  When Steps 44, 46, and 47 are completed, the routine proceeds to Step 48, where it is determined whether or not the detected temperature T is in a low temperature range lower than the low temperature reference temperature Ta. When the determination at step 48 is “YES”, the detected temperature T is lower than the low temperature reference temperature Ta, so the routine proceeds to step 49 where the second adsorption removal process time τ 2 is compared with that in the reference temperature range. (Second determination means).

  If “NO” is determined in the step 48, the process proceeds to a step 50 to determine whether or not the detected temperature T is in a high temperature range higher than the high temperature reference temperature Tb.

  When it is determined as “YES” in step 50, the detected temperature T is higher than the high temperature reference temperature Tb. Therefore, the process proceeds to step 51, and the second adsorption removal process time τ2 is compared with that in the reference temperature range. Shorten.

  On the other hand, when “NO” is determined in step 50, the detected temperature T is included in the reference temperature range, not in the low temperature range or the high temperature range. For this reason, it transfers to step 52 and maintains 2nd adsorption extraction process time (tau) 2 at the same value as the time of a reference | standard temperature range.

  When Steps 49, 51 and 52 are completed, the process proceeds to Step 53, where the first and second adsorption removal process times τ1 and τ2 are added to calculate the final adsorption removal process time τ0. As a result, the suction removal process control circuit 122 performs the control process of the suction removal process and the pressure equalization process and the motor drive process using the suction removal process time τ0 calculated in step 53. Finally, when step 53 is completed, the process proceeds to step 54 and returns. Since the motor driving process is the same as that in the first and second embodiments, description thereof is omitted.

  Thus, in the present embodiment configured as described above, it is possible to obtain substantially the same operational effects as those of the first and second embodiments. In particular, in the present embodiment, the control circuit 121 extends the time of the adsorption removal process when the detected flow rate is smaller than the first reference usage amount, and adsorbs when the detected temperature is lower than the low temperature reference temperature. The time for the extraction process is extended. Thereby, the control circuit 121 adds the first and second suction extraction process times τ1, τ2 by the first and second determination means to determine the suction extraction process time τ0 by the determination means (step 53). be able to. Thereby, the adsorption extraction process time τ0 can be determined in consideration of both the usage amount of the product gas (detected flow rate Qn) and the ambient temperature.

  In the second and third embodiments, the flow rate detectors 41 and 51 that directly measure the usage amount of nitrogen gas are used as the usage amount detecting means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which the amount of nitrogen gas used is indirectly measured using a pressure detector 30 that detects the pressure of the nitrogen tank 16, for example, as in a modification shown in FIG. 16. Good.

  In this case, the control circuit 111 ′ includes a flow rate detection circuit 61 as a usage amount detection means in addition to the valve control circuit 101, the discharge control circuit 102, and the adsorption removal process control circuit 112 ′. Further, in the flow rate detection circuit 61, during the pressure increase operation in which the pressure in the nitrogen tank 16 increases in the adsorption extraction process, the detection pressure Pn detected by the pressure detector 30 changes per unit time of, for example, several seconds to several minutes. The time change ΔPn is calculated, and the amount of nitrogen gas supplied from the nitrogen tank 16 is calculated using the time change ΔPn and the capacity of the nitrogen tank 16.

  Further, the flow rate detection circuit 61 has a pressure fluctuation during the constant pressure operation in which the pressure in the nitrogen tank 16 reaches the pressure set value P0 and becomes constant in the vicinity of the pressure set value P0 in the adsorption extraction process. Therefore, the amount of nitrogen gas used is calculated using the rotational speed of the electric motor 4 (compressor 3) at this time. Further, the flow rate detection circuit 61 substitutes the flow rate immediately before entering the pressure equalization step because the pressure fluctuation is large during the pressure equalization step and it is difficult to calculate the actual flow rate. In addition, since the pressure equalization process is very short, there is no particular problem even if the previous flow rate is substituted.

  The adsorption / removal process control circuit 112 ′ performs control processing of the adsorption / removal process and the pressure equalization process using the calculated value of the amount of nitrogen gas used by the flow rate detection circuit 61 as the detected flow rate Qn. Thereby, since the flow rate detector can be omitted, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although demonstrated using the PSA type nitrogen generator which has a pair of adsorption tanks 1 and 2, this invention is not restricted to this, A single and two or more adsorption tanks are included. You may have.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the nitrogen generator that generates nitrogen gas is described as an example of the gas separation device. However, the present invention may be applied to, for example, an oxygen generator that generates oxygen gas.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although the pressure of the air tank 5 was detected, in the apparatus which has the nitrogen tank 16, the pressure of the nitrogen tank 16 may be detected and it may be used in the case of a motor drive process. In that case, the air tank 5 may not be provided.

1, 2 Adsorption tank 3 Compressor 4 Electric motor (drive means)
5 Air tank (Air tank)
16 Nitrogen tank (storage tank)
29 1st pressure detector (air tank pressure detection means)
30 Second pressure detector (storage tank pressure detecting means)
31 Temperature detector (Ambient temperature detection means)
32 Rotational speed detector (Rotational speed detection means)
41, 51 Flow rate detector (usage detection means)
61 Flow rate detection circuit (usage detection means)
100, 111, 121, 111 'control circuit (control means)
103, 112, 122, 112 'Adsorption removal process control circuit

Claims (6)

A compressor that compresses air, an adsorption tank that is filled with an adsorbent and that separates one gas from the compressed air discharged from the compressor and generates another gas as a product gas, and the adsorption tank A storage tank for storing the produced product gas, and controlling the operation of the compressor according to the pressure of the storage tank, and supplying compressed air to the adsorption tank to adsorb one gas from the adsorption tank In a gas separation device comprising a control means for repeating an adsorption extraction process for extracting other gas as product gas,
Ambient temperature detection means for detecting the ambient temperature is provided,
When the detected temperature detected by the ambient temperature detecting means is higher than a predetermined high temperature reference temperature, the control means is configured to shorten the time of the adsorption taking process compared to when the temperature is lower than the high temperature reference temperature. A gas separator characterized by that.   When the detected temperature detected by the ambient temperature detecting means is lower than a predetermined low temperature reference temperature lower than the predetermined high temperature reference temperature, the control means is compared with the time between the high temperature reference temperature and the low temperature reference temperature. The gas separation device according to claim 1, wherein the gas separation device is configured to extend a time of the adsorption extraction step. A compressor that compresses air, an adsorption tank that is filled with an adsorbent and that separates one gas from the compressed air discharged from the compressor and generates another gas as a product gas, and the adsorption tank A storage tank for storing the produced product gas, and controlling the operation of the compressor according to the pressure of the storage tank, and supplying compressed air to the adsorption tank to adsorb one gas from the adsorption tank In a gas separation device comprising a control means for repeating an adsorption extraction process for extracting other gas as product gas,
Use amount detection means for detecting the use amount of product gas supplied to the outside from the storage tank,
When the detected usage amount detected by the usage amount detecting means is smaller than a predetermined first reference usage amount, the control means is more preferable than the first reference usage amount than when the adsorption usage is detected. A gas separator characterized by extending the time of the gas.   When the detected usage amount detected by the usage amount detecting means is greater than a predetermined second reference usage amount, the control means performs the suction extraction step compared to when the usage amount is smaller than the second reference usage amount. The gas separation device according to claim 3, wherein the time is shortened. Use amount detection means for detecting the use amount of product gas supplied to the outside from the storage tank,
The control means, when the detected usage amount detected by the usage amount detection means is less than a predetermined first reference usage amount, a first determination means for extending the time of the adsorption removal step;
Second detection means for extending the time of the adsorption removal step when the detected temperature detected by the ambient temperature detection means is lower than a low temperature reference temperature lower than the high temperature reference temperature;
2. The gas separation device according to claim 1, further comprising: a determination unit that determines a time of the adsorption extraction process by adding time values of the first and second determination units. A storage tank pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure of the storage tank;
The gas separation device according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the usage amount detection unit is configured to detect the usage amount of the product gas based on a time change of a detected pressure value detected by the storage tank pressure detection unit.

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