JPH06218216A - Oxygen-enrished air generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the efficiency of the entire generator by driving the respec tive pistons in a cylinder by a stirling engine to atably supply oxygen-enriched air to the combustion device of the engine. CONSTITUTION:A stirling engine A2 is driven to operate a power converting mechanism 4, hence the pistons 2 and 3 are moved up and down, the air sucked into the cylinder 1 is enriched with oxygen by a nitrogen adsorptive member, and the adsorbed nitrogen is discharged. At this time, an oxygen-enriched air generator A is driven by the engine A2, and the pistons 2 and 3 in the cylinder 1 are continuously driven to continuously and stably supply oxygen-enriched air. Besides, since the oxygen-enriched air is supplied to the burner 9c of the engine A2, the engine A2 is more efficiently driven.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an oxygen-enriched air generator for removing nitrogen from air to generate a high concentration of oxygen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As this type of oxygen-enriched air generator,
The one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-59013 is known.

This oxygen-enriched air generator will be described with reference to FIG. This oxygen-enriched air generator has a compressor 40 that compresses air, and an auxiliary equipment 41 that purifies or decompresses the air discharged from the compressor 40. The air supply system is filled with zeolite. Filling cylinders 42a, 42
b and 42c are connected in parallel. Further, the supply and stop of air to the filling cylinders 42a to 42c are performed by the three-way valves 43a, 4 installed on the inlet side of the filling cylinders 42a to 42b.
3b, 43c and on-off valves 44a, 4 installed on the outlet side
4b and 44c. The filling cylinders 42a to 42
The air flowing out from c is fed to the burner 45.

The oxygen-enriched air generator thus constructed feeds compressed air to the filling cylinders 42a to 42c, and the nitrogen in the air is adsorbed by the zeolite in the filling cylinders 42a to 42c. . As a result, air having a high oxygen concentration is generated and fed to the burner 45. By continuing the generation of such oxygen-enriched air, each of the filling cylinders 42
Zeolites a to 42c are in a saturated adsorption state of nitrogen.
Therefore, when the nitrogen saturated adsorption state is reached, the three-way valve 43
The a to 43c are opened by the timers 46a, 46b and 46c for a predetermined time as shown by the one-dot chain line arrow, and the nitrogen adsorbed by the zeolite is released to the outside. As a result, the zeolite is regenerated and exhibits a nitrogen adsorption function.

Oxygen-enriched air is intermittently fed to the burner 45 by repeatedly operating such adsorption of nitrogen to zeolite and desorption of nitrogen from zeolite.

[0006]

As described above, in the conventional oxygen-enriched air generator, the oxygen-enriched air is fed into the burner 45 to improve the combustion efficiency of the burner 45. Since the supply of the oxygen-enriched air to the burner 45 once decreased or stopped in the desorption process of No. 1, the oxygen-enriched air could not be stably supplied to the burner 45.

The oxygen-enriched air generated by the oxygen-enriched air generator is supplied to a burner 45 such as a boiler. The purpose of using the oxygen-enriched air is the burner 4.
5 was used only as combustion air and was not used in the drive system of this oxygen-enriched air generator at all, and its use was limited.

In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, an object of the present invention is to drive each piston in a cylinder by a Stirling engine to stably supply oxygen-enriched air and supply it to the combustion equipment of the Stirling engine so that the entire apparatus can be operated. An object is to provide an oxygen-enriched air generator with improved efficiency.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 reciprocates a piston arranged in a cylinder by a crank mechanism connected to a drive source, and sucks air into the cylinder. In an oxygen-enriched air production apparatus having an oxygen-enriched air production step of producing oxygen-enriched air through a nitrogen adsorbent member, and a nitrogen exhaust step of exhausted nitrogen adsorbed on the nitrogen adsorbent member, The drive source is constituted by a Stirling engine, and a feeding means for feeding the oxygen-enriched air to a combustion device is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the oxygen-enriched air generator of the first aspect, the combustion equipment comprises an external combustion equipment such as a burner for a boiler and an engine burner for the Stirling engine. To do.

[0011]

According to the invention of claim 1, since the drive source for driving the piston is constituted by the Stirling engine, the oxygen-enriched air generating step and the nitrogen discharging step are continuously performed. Further, the oxygen-enriched air produced in the oxygen-enriched air producing process is fed to the combustion equipment to improve the combustion efficiency of the combustion equipment.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the oxygen-enriched air not only improves the combustion efficiency of the burner for the boiler and the like, but also improves the driving efficiency of the Stirling engine.

[0013]

1 and 3 to 10 show a first embodiment of an oxygen-enriched air generator according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure of this oxygen-enriched air generator. .

That is, the oxygen-enriched air producing apparatus A includes an apparatus body A1 for producing oxygen-enriched air and an apparatus body A1.
A Stirling engine A2 that drives the device, and a feeding means A3 that feeds the air generated by the device body A1 to the outside of the oxygen-enriched air generator A. The generator A continuously supplies the oxygen-enriched air. You can do it.

To explain the apparatus main body A1, in FIG. 1, 1 is a cylinder, 2 is a first piston, 3 is a second piston, 4 is a crank mechanism, and 5 is a processor.

The cylinder 1 is formed in a tubular shape having two stages at the top and has a crank chamber 1a at the bottom. A discharge chamber 1d having a discharge port 1c is defined above a through hole 1b formed on one side of the upper wall of the cylinder 1, and the discharge chamber 1d is urged downward by a coil spring 1e. A relief valve 1f is provided. An air passage 1g is formed between the other side of the upper wall of the cylinder 1 and the side wall of the lower side of the cylinder 1 so as to communicate the upper part of the cylinder 1. Furthermore, a scavenging port 1h is formed in the middle portion of the side wall of the cylinder 1.
Between the side wall portion facing this and the crank chamber 1a,
An air passage 1i communicating with the lower part of the cylinder 1 is formed. Furthermore, an intake port 1j facing the crank chamber 1a is formed in the lower part of the side wall of the cylinder 1, and a reed valve 1k that is normally closed is provided inside the intake port 1j.

The first piston 2 has a flat shape and is slidably mounted in a large diameter portion of the cylinder 1 in an airtight state via a seal ring 2a provided on the outer peripheral surface. On the lower surface of the first piston 2, there is formed a recess 2b conforming to the shape of the upper surface of the second piston 3, and an elevating shaft 2c is vertically provided at the center thereof.

The second piston 3 has a cylindrical shape which is longer than the first piston 2 and has a small diameter portion of the cylinder 1, that is, the above-mentioned first through the seal rings 3a provided above and below the outer peripheral surface.
It is slidably arranged at a lower position of the piston 2 in an airtight state. The air passage 1i is provided on the upper surface of the second piston 3.
A bulging portion 3b having an arcuate recess facing toward the side is formed,
In addition, a pair of brackets 3c are vertically provided inside thereof. Further, a through hole 3d with a built-in seal ring is formed in the center of the second piston 3, and the elevating shaft 2c is slidably inserted in the through hole 3d in an airtight state.

The crank mechanism 4, as shown in FIG.
Main shaft 4 connected to a Stirling engine A2 described later
a and a pair of first cranks 4b mounted on the main shaft 4a
And two pairs of second cranks 4c arranged with an angle difference of 90 ° on both sides of the first crank 4b, and the first crank 4
b, a first connecting rod 4d connected to the lower end of the lifting shaft 2c of the first piston 2, and a pair of second connecting rods connected to the front end of the second crank 4c and the lower end of the bracket 3c of the second piston 3, respectively. 4e. In the figure, θ is the crank angle at the lowest point of the second crank 4c.

In this crank mechanism 4, by rotating the main shaft 4a in a predetermined direction, the first and second pistons 2 and 3 can be moved up and down with a phase difference of 90 ° by the cranks 4b and 4c. The first piston 2 moves up and down with the large diameter portion of the cylinder 1 as the movable range, and the second piston 3 moves up and down with the small diameter portion of the cylinder 1 as the movable range.

The processing unit 5 has the structure shown in FIG. 5A or 5B, and is disposed in the middle of the upper air passage 1b. The processing device 5 of FIG. 5A has through holes 5 at the upper and lower ends.
a casing 5b having a, a plurality of stainless steel wire nets 5c arranged at a predetermined interval between through holes in the casing 5b, and a zeolite or the like filled in a small space defined by each wire net 5c. It is composed of an adsorbent 5d.
On the other hand, the processing device 5 of FIG. 5 (b) has a casing 5b having through holes 5a at the upper and lower ends, a stainless steel wire net 5c arranged at the end of the casing 5b, and a zeolite filled between the wire nets 5c. And the like, and stainless metal particles 5e dispersed and mixed in the adsorbent 5d. In both processing devices 5, the wire mesh 5 or the metal particles 5e can exert a heat storage effect.
The adsorbent 5d can also adsorb nitrogen in the circulating air. In the following description of the operation, the wire mesh 5 and the metal particles 5e are used as a heat storage material.

The apparatus main body A1 thus constructed is shown in FIG.
It is driven by the Stirling engine 6 shown in.

The Stirling engine A2 is a well-known drive engine disclosed by the applicant in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-204949. In FIG. 6, 6 is a cylinder, 7 is a displacer piston, 8 is a power piston, 9 is a heater, 1
Reference numeral 0 is a regenerator, 11 is a cooler, and 12 is a crank mechanism.

The cylinder 6 is provided with a displacer piston 7 in the upper part thereof and a power piston 8 in the lower part thereof to form an expansion space 6b between the displacer piston 7 and the cylinder head 6a. A compression space 6c is formed between the displacer piston 7 and the power piston 8. In addition, this expansion space 6
From b to the compression space 6c, the heater 9, the regenerator 10,
The coolers 11 are sequentially arranged.

The heater 9 is composed of a double tube, one end of the inner tube 9a of which is connected to the expansion space 6b, and the outer tube 9b.
Is connected to the regenerator 10 so that the expansion space 6
b and the regenerator 10 are in communication with each other, and working gas (inert gas containing helium or the like as a main component) in the expansion space 6b is allowed to flow through each other. Further, an engine burner 9c is arranged above the heater 9, and the working gas flowing into the heater 9 is heated by the engine burner 9c.

Further, the regenerator 10 is formed by laminating a large number of members excellent in heat exchange, for example, a metal net 10a made of stainless steel. The metal net 10a absorbs heat stored in the working gas to store heat, or The heat stored therein is transferred to the working gas to release the heat.

Further, the cooler 11 is also composed of a double pipe, and the cooling water 11c is circulated between the inner pipe 11a and the outer pipe 11b to circulate the inner pipe 11a and the outer pipe 11b.
Is designed to cool the working gas passing through the gap formed between. The upper part of this gap is the regenerator 10.
, While the lower part communicates with the compression space 6c,
This working gas is being cooled.

This expansion space 6b, heater 9, regenerator 1
0, the cooler 11 and the working gas enclosed in the compression space 6c heat the heater 9 by the engine burner 9c,
By cooling the cooler 11 with the cooling water 11c, it flows between the spaces 6b and 6c, and vertical thrusts are applied to the pistons 7 and 8 in the spaces 6b and 6c. And about 90 °
By driving each of the pistons 7 and 8 with the phase difference of, the crank mechanism 12 converts the propulsive force into a rotational force.
Here, the output shaft 12a of the crank mechanism 12 is directly connected to the main shaft 4a of the crank mechanism 4 of the apparatus body A1 described above, and the rotational force of the crank mechanism 12 drives the pistons 2 and 3 of the apparatus body A1. It has become.

The discharge port 1c of the apparatus main body A1 which operates by using the Stirling engine A2 as a drive source is connected to the feeding means A3. This feeding means A3 is shown in FIG.
The air supply pipe 13 shown in FIG. 2 is formed, and the air supply pipe 13 is branched into three directions from the middle. The branched first branch pipe 13a is a Stirling engine A2.
Communicating with the engine burner 9c of the second branch pipe 13
b communicates with the boiler burner 14a of the boiler 14,
The branch pipe 13c communicates with the room. Further, each of the branch pipes 13a to 13c is selectively controlled by electromagnetic valves 15a, 15b, 15c that open and close the flow of the air.

Next, the operation of the apparatus body A1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. In FIG. 7, the crank angle θ is 0.
The positions of the first and second pistons 2 and 3 and the air flow in the states of 90 °, 90 °, 180 °, 270 ° and 360 ° are shown, and FIG. 8 shows the movement of the first and second pistons 2 and 3. The locus and changes in the air pressure P1 and the crank chamber pressure P2 are shown.

When the second piston 3 rises from the bottom dead center and closes the scavenging port 1h, and the first piston 2 starts to descend after the top dead center and both pistons 2 and 3 gradually approach each other, each piston 2, The air between 3 is adiabatically compressed, and high temperature and high pressure air is sent to the processor 5 through the air passage 1g.
The heat of the high temperature and high pressure air sent to the processor 5 is deprived of its heat by the heat storage material, and while the nitrogen in the air is adsorbed by the adsorbent 5d, the high temperature and high pressure air passes through the low temperature portion in the high pressure state, and the low temperature and high pressure air Oxygen-enriched air is sent into the space above the first piston 2. The heat exchange in the processing device 5 is performed by the adsorbent 5d.
It is mainly performed on the heat storage material side having a larger total specific heat than that, and since the heat storage material can mitigate the effect of the heat generation effect that occurs on the adsorbent 5d during adsorption, it is possible to prevent the temperature rise of the adsorbent 5d during adsorption, High-temperature and high-pressure air can be passed through the low-temperature portion in a high-pressure state to efficiently adsorb nitrogen (oxygen-enriched air producing step).

When the air pressure P1 reaches the opening pressure of the relief valve 1f due to the approach of the two pistons 2 and 3, the relief valve 1f is opened and oxygen-enriched air is discharged from the discharge port 1c through the discharge chamber 1d. . This discharge is continued until the second piston 3 slightly descends from the top dead center and the pistons 2 and 3 come closest to each other. Further, in the rising process of the second piston 3, the inside of the crank chamber 1a is depressurized, whereby the reed valve 1k is opened and the outside air is sucked into the intake port 1j.
Is introduced into the crank chamber 1a. Then, both pistons 2 and 3 start to separate from the closest position, and the air pressure P
When 1 becomes lower than the opening pressure of the relief valve 1f, the relief valve 1f closes and the discharge ends.

During the process from the closest position of the first piston 2 to the bottom dead center, the residual air in the space above the first piston 2 is adiabatically expanded, the first piston 2 rises from the bottom dead center, and When the two pistons 3 descend and the pistons 2 and 3 gradually separate, this low-temperature low-pressure air is returned to the processor 5. The low-temperature low-pressure air returned to the processor 5 removes heat from the heat storage material and desorbs the nitrogen adsorbed by the adsorbent 5d while passing through the high temperature portion in a low pressure state to contain nitrogen. High-temperature and low-pressure air is sent into the space above the second piston 3. The heat exchange in the processor 5 is mainly performed on the heat storage material side having a larger total specific heat than the adsorbent 5d,
Moreover, since the heat storage material can mitigate the effect of the endothermic action that occurs in the adsorbent 5d during desorption, it is possible to prevent the temperature drop of the adsorbent 5d during desorption, and to return the low-temperature low-pressure return air to the high-temperature part in a low-pressure state Nitrogen can be efficiently desorbed by passing it as it is. The first piston 2 further rises, the second piston 3 further descends, and the scavenging port 1h opens,
Further, when the upper end of the lower air passage 1i is opened, the air in the crank chamber 1a, which has been pressurized in the descending stroke of the second piston 3, is sent into the space above the second piston 3 through the air passage 1i, and the above-mentioned return is performed. Air is diluted with the air and discharged from the scavenging port 1h, and the space above the second piston 3 is replaced with new air (nitrogen discharging step).

FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the volume (V) and the air pressure (P) of the upper space K1 of the first piston 2 and the upper space K2 of the second piston 3 in one cycle operation of the apparatus body A1. ing. As shown in the figure, the upper space K1 of the first piston 2 is in a low pressure state (scavenging pressure Pa).
Then, the pressure is increased by receiving compression, and the pressure is reduced while expanding in a high pressure state (opening pressure Pb of the relief valve 1f), and a clockwise PV line is drawn. On the other hand, as shown in the lower part of the figure, the upper space K2 of the second piston 3 is compressed from a low pressure state (suction / scavenging pressure Pa) to increase its pressure, and is expanded and reduced from a high pressure state (discharge pressure Pb). , Draw a left-hand PV line. That is, since the space K1 draws a right-handed PV line, the air in the same space works and is cooled, and the space K2 draws a left-handed PV line, and the air in the same space receives work and is heated.

FIG. 10 shows the relationship between the air temperature and the adsorbent temperature in one cycle operation of the apparatus body A1. As shown in the figure, since the adsorbent 5d has a band-shaped temperature fluctuation range, the high-temperature and high-pressure air sent into the processing device 5 passes through the low-temperature portion of the adsorbent 5d as described above.
Further, the low-temperature and low-pressure air returned into the processing unit 5 is the adsorbent 5d.
It is possible to pass through the high temperature part of the, so that the adsorption and desorption of nitrogen can be performed efficiently.

As described above, in the apparatus main body A1 of the first embodiment, one of the two pistons 2 and 3 that vertically move in different phases is used.
Since a series of strokes required for adsorption / desorption of nitrogen can be performed by the cycle operation, even if the vertical movement speed of both pistons 2 and 3 is increased, there is no malfunction as in the conventional one, and continuous operation is possible. In addition, it is possible to process a large amount of air at high speed and greatly improve its processing capacity.

The oxygen-enriched air discharged from the discharge port 1c is supplied to the air feed pipe 13 and each branch pipe 1.
3a to 13c, the engine burner 9c of the Stirling engine A2, the boiler burner 14a of the boiler 14
Alternatively, it is supplied indoors.

As described above, since the oxygen-enriched air is fed to the engine burner 9c, the Stirling engine A2
Is efficiently driven.

Furthermore, since heat exchange in the processor 5 is mainly performed on the heat storage material side, and the effects of the heat generation and the endothermic effect generated in the adsorbent 5d can be mitigated by the heat storage material, adsorption during adsorption and desorption The temperature change of the material 5d can be prevented, and the adsorption and desorption of nitrogen can be efficiently performed at an appropriate temperature.

Furthermore, the adsorbent 5d is used for adsorption and desorption.
The cooling / heating means for suppressing the reaction heat generated in step 1 is not required, which can contribute to downsizing of the apparatus.

FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus main body A1 ′ shown in the figure is for producing oxygen-enriched air by removing nitrogen from air, as in the first embodiment. In the figure, 21 is a cylinder and 22 is a first Piston, 23 is second piston, 24 is crank mechanism, 2
5 is a processor.

The cylinder 21 has an upper portion formed in a two-stage cylindrical shape, and has a crank chamber 21a in the lower portion. A discharge chamber 21d having a discharge port 21c is defined above a through hole 21b formed on one side of the upper wall of the cylinder 21, and the discharge chamber 21d is biased downward by a coil spring 21e. A relief valve 21f is provided. Further, a scavenging port 21g is formed at an intermediate portion of a side wall of the cylinder 21, and a side wall portion and a crank chamber 21a facing the scavenging port 21g are formed.
An air passage 21h that communicates the lower part of the cylinder 11 is formed between and. Further, an intake port 21i facing the crank chamber 21a is formed in the lower portion of the side wall of the cylinder 21, and a reed valve 21j that is normally closed is provided inside the intake port 21i.

The first piston 22 has a flat cylindrical shape, and is slidably arranged in a large diameter portion of the cylinder 21 in an airtight state via a seal ring 22a provided on the outer peripheral surface.
On the lower surface of the first piston 22, a concave portion 2b matching the outer diameter of the second piston 23 is formed, and on the upper surface thereof, a through hole 22c is formed. In addition, the first piston 22
A disc portion 22d is formed at the upper end of the recess 22b of the disc portion 22d.
An elevating shaft 22f having a through hole 22e is vertically provided in d.

The second piston 23 has a cylindrical shape which is longer than the first piston 22, and has a small diameter portion of the cylinder 21, that is, the lower portion of the first piston 22 via seal rings 23a provided above and below the outer peripheral surface. It is slidably arranged in a side position in an airtight state. On the upper surface of the second piston 23,
Bulging portion 2 having an arcuate depression facing the air passage 21h side
3b is formed, and a pair of brackets 2 are formed in the inside.
3c is provided vertically. Further, a through hole 23d having a built-in seal ring is formed in the center of the second piston 23, and the elevating shaft 22f is slidably inserted in the through hole 23d in an airtight state.

The crank mechanism 24 is similar to that of the first embodiment.
A main shaft 24a connected to the Stirling engine A2,
A pair of first cranks 24b interposed on the main shaft 24a,
The first crank 2 and the second pair of second cranks 24c, which are arranged on both sides of the first crank 24b with an angle difference of 90 °,
4b and the first connecting rod 24d connected to the lower end of the elevating shaft 22f of the first piston 22, the tip of the second crank 24c, and the bracket 23c of the second piston 23.
It is composed of a pair of second connecting rods 24e which are respectively connected to the lower ends of the. In the figure, θ is the second crank 24
It is the crank angle from the lowest point of c.

In this crank mechanism 24, by rotating the main shaft 24a in a predetermined direction, each crank 24b,
24c makes the first and second pistons 22 and 23 90 °
The first piston 22 moves up and down with the large diameter part of the cylinder 21 as the movable range, and the second piston 23 moves up and down with the small diameter part of the cylinder 21 as the movable range.

Similar to the first embodiment, the processor 25 has a structure in which a plurality of wire nets are arranged in a casing having through holes at the upper and lower ends and an adsorbent is filled between the wire nets, or the through holes are provided at the upper and lower ends. It has a structure in which a mixture of adsorbent and metal particles is filled in the casing, and is arranged in the recess 22 b of the first piston 22. In the following description of the operation, the above-mentioned wire mesh and metal particles are used as a heat storage material.

Next, referring to FIG. 12, the apparatus main body A1 '
The operation of will be described. In FIG. 12, the crank angle θ is 0 °, 9
The positions of the first and second pistons 22 and 23 and the air flow in the states of 0 °, 180 °, 270 °, and 360 ° are shown. The movement loci of the first and second pistons 22 and 23 and changes in the air pressure and the crank chamber pressure are the same as those shown in FIG.

When the second piston 23 ascends from the bottom dead center to close the scavenging port 21g, and the first piston 22 starts to descend after the top dead center so that the pistons 22 and 23 gradually approach each other, the first and the second The air between the two pistons 22 and 23 is adiabatically compressed, and high-temperature and high-pressure air is sent to the processor 25 in the first piston 22. The heat of the high-temperature and high-pressure air sent to the processor 25 is deprived of its heat by the heat storage material, and while the nitrogen in the air is adsorbed by the adsorbent, it passes through the low-temperature portion in the high-pressure state in a high-pressure state, and the low-temperature high-pressure oxygen The enriched air is sent into the space above the first piston 22. The heat exchange in the processor 25 is mainly performed on the heat storage material side having a larger total specific heat than that of the heat storage material, and the effect of the heat generation that occurs in the adsorbent during adsorption can be mitigated by the heat storage material. The temperature rise can be prevented, and high-temperature and high-pressure air can be passed through the low-temperature portion in a high-pressure state in a high-pressure state to efficiently adsorb nitrogen (oxygen-enriched air producing step).

When the air pressure reaches the opening pressure of the relief valve 21f due to the approach of the two pistons 22 and 23, the relief valve 21f opens and oxygen enriched air as product air is discharged from the discharge port 21c through the discharge chamber 21d. Is ejected. This discharge is continued until the second piston 23 slightly descends from the top dead center and both pistons 22 and 23 come closest to each other. Further, in the ascending stroke of the second piston 23, the inside of the crank chamber 21a is depressurized, which causes the reed valve 21j.
Is opened and external air is introduced into the crank chamber 21a from the intake port 21i. When the pistons 22 and 23 start to separate from the closest position, the above air pressure is released by the relief valve 21f.
When the pressure becomes lower than the open pressure, the relief valve 21f is closed and the discharge is completed.

In the process in which the first piston 22 reaches the bottom dead center from the closest position, the residual air in the space above the first piston 22 is adiabatically expanded, the first piston 22 rises from the bottom dead center, and 2 Piston 23 descends and both pistons 2
When 2 and 23 are gradually separated, the low temperature and low pressure air is returned to the processing device 25 in the first piston 22. Processor 25
The low-temperature, low-pressure air returned to the unit removes heat from the heat storage material, and desorbs the nitrogen adsorbed by the adsorbent, while passing through the high-temperature portion in a low-pressure state, and at high temperature and low-pressure air containing nitrogen. Are sent into the space above the second piston 23. The above heat exchange in the processor 25 is mainly performed on the heat storage material side having a larger total specific heat than the heat storage material, and moreover, the influence of the endothermic action generated in the adsorbent at the time of desorption can be mitigated by the heat storage material, so at the time of desorption It is possible to prevent the temperature of the adsorbent from dropping, and to return the low-temperature low-pressure return air to the high-temperature portion in a low-pressure state while efficiently desorbing nitrogen. The first piston 22 further rises, the second piston 23 further descends, the scavenging port 21g opens, and the lower air passage 21
When the upper end of h is opened, the air in the crank chamber 21a, which has been boosted in the descending stroke of the second piston 23, is released into the air passage 21h.
Is sent to the space above the second piston 23 through the above, the return air is diluted with the air and discharged from the scavenging port 21g, and the space above the second piston 23 is replaced with fresh air.

As described above, in the apparatus main body A1 'of the second embodiment, the structure is different from that of the first embodiment in that the processor 25 is arranged in the first piston 22, but the same action and effect are exhibited. Can be performed (nitrogen discharging step).

FIG. 13 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the first and second embodiments, the apparatus main body A1 ″ shown in the figure is for producing oxygen-enriched air by removing nitrogen from the air. In the figure, 31 is the first cylinder, 32
Is a second cylinder, 33 is a first piston, 34 is a second piston, 35 is a crank mechanism, 36 is a processor, and 37 is a blower.

The first cylinder 31 and the second cylinder 32 each have a cylindrical shape, and are rotated by 90 ° via a common crank chamber 31a.
Are arranged in a V shape with an angle difference of. A discharge chamber 31d having a discharge port 31c is defined above a through hole 31b formed on one side of the upper wall of the first cylinder 31, and the coil spring 31e biases the discharge chamber 31d downward in the discharge chamber 31d. A relief valve 31f is provided. An air passage 31g that connects the cylinders 31 and 32 is formed between the other side of the upper wall of the first cylinder 31 and the upper wall of the second cylinder 32. On the other hand, the second cylinder 32
A scavenging port 32a is formed in the middle portion of the side wall of the above, and an intake port 32b is formed in the side wall portion facing the scavenging port 32a. The discharge port of the blower 37 is connected to the intake port 32b. This blower 37 is a main shaft 35a described later.
It is connected to the belt.

The first piston 33 and the second piston 34 each have a cylindrical shape, and the first piston 33 and the second piston 34 are connected to each other via a seal ring (not shown).
The cylinder 31 and the second cylinder 32 are slidably arranged in an airtight state.

The crank mechanism 35 is a main shaft 35a connected to the Stirling engine A2 described in the first embodiment.
And a crank 35b attached to the main shaft 35a, the same portion of the crank 35b and the first and second pistons 33, 3
It is composed of first and second connecting rods 35c and 35d connecting the four. In this crank mechanism 35, the main shaft 3
By rotating 5a in a predetermined direction, the first and second
The pistons 33 and 34 can be moved up and down with a phase difference of 90 °.

As in the case of FIG. 3A, the processor 36 has a casing 36a having through holes at both ends, and a plurality of stainless steel wire nets 36b arranged at predetermined intervals between the through holes in the casing 36a. And an adsorbent 36c such as zeolite filled in a small space defined by the wire nets 36b. Of course, a structure similar to that shown in FIG. 3B using metal particles may be adopted in the processing device 36. In the following description of the operation, the above-mentioned wire mesh and metal particles are used as a heat storage material.

In the above-mentioned apparatus main body A1 ", when the second piston 34 rises from the bottom dead center and closes the scavenging port 32a, the air in the second cylinder 32 is adiabatically compressed, and high temperature and high pressure air is passed through the air passage 31g. The high-temperature and high-pressure air sent to the processor 36 is deprived of its heat by the heat storage material 36c, and nitrogen in the air is adsorbed by the adsorbent 36c, while the low-temperature part of the air is kept in a high-pressure state. As it is, the low temperature and high pressure oxygen-enriched air is transferred to the first cylinder 31.
Sent in. The heat exchange in the processing unit 36 is mainly performed on the heat storage material side having a larger total specific heat than the adsorbent 36c, and moreover, the influence of the heat generation effect generated in the adsorbent 36c at the time of adsorption can be mitigated by the heat storage material. Adsorbent 36
It is possible to prevent the temperature of c from rising, and to pass high-temperature, high-pressure air through the low-temperature portion in a high-pressure state in a high-pressure state to efficiently adsorb nitrogen (oxygen-enriched air producing step).

When the air pressure in the first cylinder 31 reaches the opening pressure of the relief valve 31f, the relief valve 31f is opened and oxygen-enriched air is discharged through the discharge chamber 31d to the discharge port 3a.
It is discharged from 1c. When the second piston 34 starts descending after the top dead center and the air pressure becomes lower than the opening pressure of the relief valve 31f, the relief valve 31f is closed and the discharge is completed.

In the process in which the first piston 33 starts to descend from the top dead center, the residual air in the first cylinder 31 is adiabatically expanded, and when the first piston 33 rises from the bottom dead center,
This low-temperature low-pressure air is returned to the processor 36. Processor 3
The low-temperature low-pressure air returned to 6 takes heat from the heat storage material,
Further, while desorbing the nitrogen adsorbed on the adsorbent 36c, the high-temperature portion of the adsorbent 36c passes through the high-temperature portion in a low-pressure state, and high-temperature and low-pressure air containing nitrogen is sent into the second cylinder 32. The above heat exchange in the processor 36 is mainly performed on the heat storage material side having a larger total specific heat than the adsorbent 36c, and further, the heat storage material can reduce the effect of the endothermic action that occurs on the adsorbent 36c during desorption. At the time of separation, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the adsorbent 36c from dropping, and it is possible to efficiently desorb nitrogen by allowing the low-temperature low-pressure return air to pass through the high-temperature portion in the low-pressure state. The second piston 34 descends and the scavenging port 32a
When the intake port 32b is opened, air is sent from the blower 37 to the second cylinder 32, the return air is diluted with the air and discharged from the scavenging port 32a, and the inside of the second cylinder 32 is replaced with new air. (Nitrogen discharging step).

As described above, the oxygen-enriched air generator of the third embodiment is different in structure from the first and second embodiments in that the cylinder is separated into a V shape, but the same operation and effect are obtained. Can be demonstrated.

In the first to third embodiments described above, the wire mesh or the metal particles are exemplified as the heat storage means in the processing unit. However, if the total specific heat is larger than that of the adsorbent and the air passage is not hindered, that is not the case. The material and shape can be changed in various ways.

[0063]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, since the Stirling engine is used as the drive source and each piston in the cylinder can be continuously driven, the oxygen-enriched air can be continuously and stably supplied. Can be supplied in a regular manner.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the oxygen-enriched air can be supplied to the combustion equipment of the Stirling engine, so that the driving efficiency of the Stirling engine can be improved and the efficiency of the entire apparatus can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an oxygen-enriched air generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a conventional oxygen-enriched air generator.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device body according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a piston and a crank mechanism.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a processing device.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a Stirling engine.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram of the apparatus main body.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a relationship between a piston locus and air pressure.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between cylinder internal volume and air pressure.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a relationship between air temperature and adsorbent temperature.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of an apparatus body according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory diagram of the apparatus main body.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of an apparatus main body according to a third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Cylinder, 1a ... Crank chamber, 1c ... Discharge port,
1f ... Relief valve, 1g ... Air passage, 1h ... Scavenging port, 1i ... Air passage, 1j ... Intake port, 1k ... Reed valve, 2 ... First piston, 3 ... Second piston, 4 ... Crank mechanism, 5 ... Treatment Container, 5c ... Wire mesh, 5d ... Adsorbent, 5e
… Metal particles, 21… Cylinder, 21a… Crank chamber, 21
c ... Discharge port, 21f ... Relief valve, 21g ... Scavenging port, 21h ... Air passage, 21i ... Intake port, 21j
... Reed valve, 22 ... First piston, 23 ... Second piston, 24 ... Crank mechanism, 25 ... Processor, 31 ... First cylinder, 31a ... Crank chamber, 31c ... Discharge port, 3
1f ... Relief valve, 31g ... Air passage, 32 ... Second cylinder, 32a ... Scavenging port, 32b ... Intake port, 33
... first piston, 34 ... second piston, 35 ... crank mechanism, 36 ... treatment device, 36b ... wire mesh, 36c ... adsorbent,
A1, A1 ', A1 "... Device body, A2 ... Stirling engine, A3 ... Feeding means.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An oxygen-enriched device in which a piston arranged in a cylinder is reciprocated by a crank mechanism connected to a drive source, and air sucked in the cylinder is passed through a nitrogen adsorbing member to generate oxygen-enriched air. In an oxygen-enriched air generator having a modified air generation step and a nitrogen discharge step of discharging nitrogen adsorbed by the nitrogen-adsorptive member, the drive source is a Stirling engine, and the oxygen-enriched air is used. An oxygen-enriched air generation device, characterized in that it is provided with a feeding means for feeding the air to the combustion equipment. 2. The oxygen-enriched air generator according to claim 1, wherein the combustion equipment comprises an external combustion equipment such as a boiler burner and an engine burner of the Stirling engine.