How Does an Oxygen Concentrator Work?

Over 1.5 million people currently utilize oxygen concentrators as part of their supplemental oxygen therapy. An oxygen concentrator takes in ambient air, filters out nitrogen molecules and concentrates it into pure oxygen for their users to breathe in.

These devices can be rented or bought, although it would be wise to get your doctor's approval and prescription first if you plan to purchase one.

Compressor

A compressor is a mechanical device used to take in atmospheric air, compress it, and then expel it through an outlet valve. It operates through the spinning action of its internal rotor. Vanes mounted on its outer perimeter divide its surface into several cavities where self-adjusting arms move in and out as the rotor turns. As the rotor turns, self-adjusting arms move in and out, compressing air further by drawing in more atmospheric air. As the volume is increased by pulling on more arm movements, the air is pulled in for compression, resulting in higher pressure than before.

Compressed air is then stored in a surge tank, which allows for quick filling of oxygen delivery systems such as masks or nasal cannulae and also keeps oxygen flowing should there be a power failure. With some concentrators, a pressure sensor monitors the air pressure in the surge tank; once this threshold has been met, an activation control system kicks in automatically to activate the generator.

As soon as the oxygen supply is switched on, a switch valve opens to channel compressed air from one sieve bed to the second sieve bed, and as its saturation occurs, a different switch valve opens to release Nitrogen into ambient air - this cycle repeats continuously.

An oxygen concentrator reduces anxiety for users, who can go shopping, visit friends or family, and even travel without fear of running out of oxygen. This can greatly enhance the quality of life by alleviating psychological ailments caused by chronic low oxygen levels, such as COPD-related fatigue, depression, and anxiety, and help them sleep better as it decreases the drop-off of oxygen during sleeping - potentially helping alleviate COPD fatigue-related depression and anxiety as well as exacerbations of respiratory conditions such as pulmonary hypertension secondary polycythemia by stabilizing pulmonary blood pressure.

Surge Tank

A surge tank is an oxygen-enriched air reservoir designed to store the extra oxygen needed to ensure patients can continue receiving supplemental oxygen therapy. Similar to an air pressure container, surge tanks allow oxygen concentrators to deliver high levels of oxygen (over 3 LPM) for a long duration.

At its core, this device works by drawing room air in and forcing it through a compressor, pressurizing it, and sending it through filters designed to separate oxygen and Nitrogen - using molecular sieve material or semi-permeable membranes in filters to trap Nitrogen while letting oxygen pass through; when activated again by flipping a switch on the machine, these same sieve beds act on the reverse to remove Nitrogen from oxygen supply, keeping concentration high while protecting users against becoming numb or dizzy due to insufficient levels of supplemented oxygen supply.

Oxygen Concentrators offer an easy, portable alternative to refilling oxygen cylinders or liquid oxygen bottles with oxygen on demand; their portability makes them invaluable assets for people needing oxygen on the go.

If you are contemplating purchasing and using an oxygen concentrator, first get approval from your physician and use it regularly and correctly according to their prescription. Furthermore, having an emergency oxygen supply such as a portable cylinder or pulse oximeter on hand in case the concentrator experiences issues is also helpful; should anything arise, such as non-turn-on or low oxygen levels, then contact your physician immediately as this could indicate problems with it and need immediate intervention from them.

Molecular Sieve Beds

Oxygen concentrators take room air and use molecular sieve beds made out of zeolite to filter out Nitrogen for up to 95% pure medical-grade oxygen production. This allows users to receive oxygen at their fingertips that meets industry standards of purity.

Molecular sieves (zeolites) are natural or synthetic crystalline aluminosilicates with excellent absorption capacity and selectivity, featuring three-dimensional honeycomb structures comprised of SiO4 and AlO4 tetrahedra with single negative charges compensated by cations; these honeycomb structures allow multiple cavities and channels of defined dimensions for selective absorption.

Adsorption processes on carbon molecular sieve membranes depend on surface interactions between guest molecules and pores in the sieve, so optimizing carbonization conditions, temperature, and pore size distribution is crucial to achieving the desired adsorption behavior. Controlled oxidation increases permeances and diffusion characteristics, further optimizing efficiency during this step of adsorption.

An oxygen concentrator uses compressed air that flows through a first molecular sieve bed, where nitrogen-containing molecules are removed. The air is then sent onward to be enhanced with additional oxygen and finally delivered directly to patients via nasal cannulas.

Molecular sieves can increase their water-adsorption capacity by reducing their temperature of operation, which is why oxygen concentrators typically contain multiple adsorption columns subject to pressurized adsorption/desorption cycles alternatingly to maintain good selectivity while continuously expanding molecular sieving capacity and selectivity. Some major applications of molecular sieving include biofuel production using ethanol-water separation, fresh fruit and vegetable preservation through ethylene gas removal, as well as water and impurity removal for refrigerant lines/ refrigeration systems.

Switch Valve

Oxygen concentrators offer patients an efficient alternative to traditional oxygen tanks and cylinders, enabling them to live more active lives. But they still require maintenance and care. The first step should be a weekly filter cleaning—to do this, take out your filter, dip it in water with mild dish soap, and scrub with a washcloth until any dirt or dust has been removed before drying on a clean towel.

After several hours, the filter can be installed back in. At that point, the machine begins working its magic: first, it draws air in and pressurizes it for three seconds (pressurization rate: atmospheric to 2.36 atmospherics absolute). This forces zeolite pellets to absorb Nitrogen while leaving oxygen behind.

Oxygen is then drawn from a collection tank and distributed directly to a patient's mask or nasal cannula depending on its setting; oxygen delivery may either be continuous or pulsed depending on individual preference; continuous flow provides steady, constant oxygen delivery while pulsed delivery delivers oxygen only during inspiration.

Pulsed oxygen extends a cylinder's lifespan by decreasing the amount wasted during expiration. It also cuts down on deliveries to homes, providing cost-effective care options to many patients.

Flow Meter

The flow meter is an integral component of an oxygen concentrator as it ensures you receive an appropriate amount of oxygen. It does this by measuring pressure differences between two parts of the machine; when these rise, more oxygen flows freely, while low pressure indicates reduced efficiency of machine operations.

This data is then utilized by a flow meter to calculate how much oxygen is being consumed and inform the concentrator when refills are necessary. Once attached to a sieve bed filter, a new hose can then be attached. Regular sieve bed cleaning helps ensure optimal efficiency and avoid any potential blockages that could interfere with oxygen delivery.

Studies have demonstrated the benefits of long-term supplemented oxygen to enhance and prolong a patient's life. Oxygen concentrators are:

• An ideal means of providing this additional oxygen source.
• Being lighter and smaller than compressed gas cylinders.
• Allowing patients to live more active lives.

To reap the maximum benefits from an oxygen concentrator, be sure to follow all instructions given by your physician and set your rate exactly at what has been recommended (liters per minute). Furthermore, clean your unit regularly by submerging its filter in water with mild dish soap for 10-15 minutes in a bucket before using a washcloth and rinser to scrub off debris before rinsing thoroughly with clean water before placing it back in its original unit. Lastly, don't block any vents on your device, as doing so could cause it overheating which could prove harmful for those sensitive to heat conditions.