Portable Oxygen Generator

A portable oxygen generator is used to produce a continuous flow of oxygen gas in LPM (litres per minute). It is a small, compact device that uses ‘demand flow’ to deliver oxygen when a patient is in need of supplemental oxygen at medical centres and homes. Working on the principle of Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA), the device takes in ambient air, compresses and separate most of the nitrogen molecule from the gaseous mixture, leaving only oxygen-rich gas. 

The main components are small air compressor, reservoir, a cylinder filled with zeolite minerals (adsorbents), and valves and tubes. The inlet of the device sucks the atmosphere air in, the compressor compresses the air and passes it to the cylinder where zeolite attracts and adsorbs a large quantity of nitrogen molecule. This process produces oxygen-rich gas that flows to the pressure-equalizing reservoir that is connected to the patient’s oxygen mask (nasal cannula or face mask) through a connecting hose. 

The latest model of portable oxygen generator is highly reliable as it can produce one to six LPM of oxygen gas depending on the breathing rate of the patient. Different types of devices may weigh between 1.3 kg to 9.0 kg. They can produce around 5 to 5,000 Nm3/h of 88% to 93% pure oxygen.