Temperature swing adsorption device for oxygen-enriched air

In connection with a project aimed at producing oxygen-enriched air from ambient air using temperature differences in the so-called temperature swing adsorption (TSA), a device was designed and constructed that took into consideration most of the conceivable parameters governing such a process. While designing the device, care was taken so that it was adaptable to different operating modes, fulfilling high versatility and extending to more processes than producing oxygen-enriched air. The device was small-scale, mounted on a movable table. It was equipped with a total of 54 individually controllable on/off valves. The valves could be controlled at a resolution of 1 s using a programmable logic controller, controlled by a personal computer, so the time program for the valves could be easily exchanged for a readymade program. The device had six cylinders, with removable lids filled with zeolite and easily maintained plastic tubing, which could therefore be changed or replaced without much difficulty. The results show that 15 L of oxygen could be produced at a concentration of 30% in the oxygen-enriched air per kg zeolite and hour. Equipping the device in the future with valves that close and open securely in both directions would vastly extend the possibility of using this technology to other applications, in addition to this method of TSA process for air separation.