DOE Patents title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Hybrid membrane--PSA system for separating oxygen from air

Abstract

A portable, non-cryogenic, oxygen generation system capable of delivering oxygen gas at purities greater than 98% and flow rates of 15 L/min or more is described. The system consists of two major components. The first component is a high efficiency membrane capable of separating argon and a portion of the nitrogen content from air, yielding an oxygen-enriched permeate flow. This is then fed to the second component, a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit utilizing a commercially available, but specifically formulated zeolite compound to remove the remainder of the nitrogen from the flow. The system is a unique gas separation system that can operate at ambient temperatures, for producing high purity oxygen for various applications (medical, refining, chemical production, enhanced combustion, fuel cells, etc . . . ) and represents a significant advance compared to current technologies.

Inventors:
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [2]
  1. Albuquerque, NM
  2. Blackburg, VA
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1013025
Patent Number(s):
7875101
Application Number:
12/269,540
Assignee:
Sandia Corporation (Albuquerque, NM)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B01 - PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL B01D - SEPARATION
C - CHEMISTRY C01 - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY C01B - NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION

Citation Formats

Staiger, Chad L, Vaughn, Mark R, Miller, A Keith, and Cornelius, Christopher J. Hybrid membrane--PSA system for separating oxygen from air. United States: N. p., 2011. Web.
Staiger, Chad L, Vaughn, Mark R, Miller, A Keith, & Cornelius, Christopher J. Hybrid membrane--PSA system for separating oxygen from air. United States.
Staiger, Chad L, Vaughn, Mark R, Miller, A Keith, and Cornelius, Christopher J. Tue . "Hybrid membrane--PSA system for separating oxygen from air". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1013025.
@article{osti_1013025,
title = {Hybrid membrane--PSA system for separating oxygen from air},
author = {Staiger, Chad L and Vaughn, Mark R and Miller, A Keith and Cornelius, Christopher J},
abstractNote = {A portable, non-cryogenic, oxygen generation system capable of delivering oxygen gas at purities greater than 98% and flow rates of 15 L/min or more is described. The system consists of two major components. The first component is a high efficiency membrane capable of separating argon and a portion of the nitrogen content from air, yielding an oxygen-enriched permeate flow. This is then fed to the second component, a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit utilizing a commercially available, but specifically formulated zeolite compound to remove the remainder of the nitrogen from the flow. The system is a unique gas separation system that can operate at ambient temperatures, for producing high purity oxygen for various applications (medical, refining, chemical production, enhanced combustion, fuel cells, etc . . . ) and represents a significant advance compared to current technologies.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2011},
month = {1}
}

Works referenced in this record:

Oxygen separation from air by a combined pressure swing adsorption and continuous membrane column process
journal, March 1994