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Ox01: Single Column

Schematics

Advantages

  • Simplicity
  • Needs less components
  • Can be operated manually

Video of latest prototype

Parameters and performance

  • 290 g of Zeolite LiX in Reverse Osmosis Membrane housing
  • Feed: 4.4 bar compressed dry air
  • Production: 1.5 l/min with 90% oxygen

Additional information

This is work in progress. Please contribute in the comments. All valuable inputs will help us define the best solution.

44 Comments

  1. Hello thank you for sharing this project…please share a better overview of setup so it can be duplicated, could not figure out where the second 3 way valve is here?? On the BOM it mentions 2x 3 way valve the link however is to a different part… please provide exact festo part number or link… only seem to be one 3 way valve here also how to connect the first 3 way valve is confusing with all the tubing and where is exhaust line ??

    Reply

  2. I attempted to emulate your set-up, but was only able to acheive 30% output even at a lower flowrate. The differences were in the size and set-up of my Zeolite chamber, which was inside a soda bottle with the inlet tube being fed to the bottom. I also wasn’t able to pressurize/depressurize my container at the speed you did, I assume due to my different valve types.

    Regarding the valves, do you have a no-return valve between the zeolite chamber and the storage tank? It seems you have a flow rate valve there?

    Many thanks, Aaron

    Reply

    • Hi Aaron,

      thanks for sharing your experience. We have made a similar setup with the coke bottle, it’s a cool idea! What is your input pressure from the compressor?

      We usually have a needle valve between the zeolite column and the storage tank to allow for proper pressurizing. Using one could help you with your problem of properly pressurizing. Let us know!

      Reply

      • Have you tried a PVSA variant on either the single or double column versions?
        I understood that the lithium exchanged 13X zeolites desorb better under vacuum.
        Excellent initiative here. Too bad the circumstances around COVID seemed to be a driving force

        Reply

  5. Hello! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
    I was wondering, how do you manage to get the nitrogen out of the zeolite bed in this set up? Are the zeolite saturated and then cleaned at each cycle?
    Hope the question is clear! Thank you

    Reply

    • Hi Clarisse
      Exactly, each production cycle contains a “purge” step, where by depressurization of the zeolite chamber, the nitrogen sitting in the zeolite cavities is desorbed and released to the environment. I hope this helps.

      Reply

      • Yes thank you! Do you use a special device to depressurize, like a pump or something? Or the zeolite chamber depressurizes by itself by opening a valve?
        Thank you

        Reply

    • It takes a couple of minutes to reach steady state, depending on how your setup is. It takes some time though to identify the optimal cycling parameters to reach high O2 concentrations

      Reply

    • Hi Jesse,

      For the same pump performance, using more 13X won’t improve on O2 output. However if you can get a bigger pump, you could get more oxygen flow to compensate for the zeolite performance.

      Best
      Julian

      Reply

    • If you mean the flowmeter, you can use any flowmeter regulator that works in the range of pressures you are working. I would not recommend to buy our flowmeter as it is expensive and not optimal for this application. If you are talking about the needle valves, any needle valves work really, as we are not working at high pressures.

      Reply

  11. Hello Julian,

    I am the director of Social Impact For All, a non-profit organization in the US. We are designing a new project with hospitals in Cameroon and want to make oxygen generators following your guidance. Would it be possible? Also, how can I buy the zeolite column (or oxygen column) you used in the video?

    Thank you so much for your help.

    Best regards,
    Zachery

    Reply

    • Hi Zachery,

      I got your email, thank you for your interest! At the moment we do not have a lot of manpower, this sounds like quite a large project! Our project is more focused on supply chain limitations and DIY than large scale hospital projects. The process of licensing and certifying our prototypes is long and costly, it depends on what your timeline and budget is. The zeolite LiX can be bought at Alibaba or Zeochem (should deliver in US)!

      Hope that helps a little bit
      Best
      Julian

      Reply

  12. Hello, greetings from Peru, thank you very much for the information published, I was finally able to install the complete system and I obtained a concentration of 93% at 1 L / min, I used 450 g of 13X HP zeolite. I work in a metrology laboratory and the system will help me to obtain different oxygen concentration values by varying the pressure, flow and nitrogen purge time, with the generated values I will seek to calibrate oxygen sensors of medical equipment.

    Reply

    • Hey Carlos,

      thank you for your feedback and valuable insights. Those are good numbers considering you are using 13X zeolite!

      Reply

  13. 3 way valve FESTO in the cost estimate sheet not marching on Amazon, It is “Baomain 4V210-08 Pneumatisches Magnetventil, 12 V, Einzelkopf, 2 Positionen, 5-Wege, mit Sockel” If I follow the link.

    Please send the correct link for 3 way valve.

    Reply

  14. Hello,
    It is an excellent idea and social cause you are doing. I wish to replicate the same.
    I need your help in understanding the valve connection, pressurisation, depressurisation cycles and their timings.
    if you can explain with timing diagram that would be of great help to understand. i am an electronic engineer, not having mechanical background. Now there is an urgent need for the portable machines to help people in India, who is worst hit at this time with lack of oxygen.
    If you have the flowchart / program listing of arduino, i can understand in better way.

    Kindly share what ever best possible to make me understand the exact cycles and timings.
    I remain grateful to you.
    with kind regards,
    Nabhiraj, Kolkata, India

    Reply

    • Dear Nabhiraj,

      please check out our tutorial and different prototypes we have characterized. It should help you with most questions you have.

      Best
      Julian

      Reply

  15. Hey, this is a really elegant solution.
    Is there a substitute for Zeolite LiX that can be used? How much would the concentration be with the substitute suggested?

    Thank you
    Rithwik

    Reply

    • 13X is easier to get and much cheeper. You loose approximately 15-25% performance compared to LiX

      Reply

  16. Hello Kochju,

    Thanks for your excellent. I am based in IIT Kanpur India and we are currently facing tough times. Therefore i am trying to make this oxygen concentrator. I have understood almost all the components and parts of the project except the 3 way valve. Can you suggest me for what purpose you are using 3 way valve and where are you using it? Also if you can send me a real image of the complete project in one go. It would be very helpful for me.

    Thanks,
    shivam

    Reply

    • Hi Shivam,

      Three way because we have

      1. Input of pressurized air
      2. Output to Zeolite column
      3. Output to purge

      We do not have pictures of the single column setups, sorry. I hope the sketch and the Youtube videos are enough.

      Best wishes&Stay safe
      Julian

      Reply

  17. Hello,
    I would know if the chamber shape is Infecting the production let’s say if I use the same amount of sieve on long with a small Diameter chamber
    Or I use a short With a large diameter chamber

    Reply

  18. Further asking about the 3 way valve can you tell me where are these 4 connections from the 3 way valve are going?
    As per my understanding 1 is for pressurized dry air supply input other is for output to the pressure meter and what about the other two?
    Can you explain the connections of 3 way valve?

    Thanks,
    shivam

    Reply

    • Hi Shivam,

      1. Input pressurized air
      2. Output to Zeolite column
      3. Output to purge

      the fourth connection you see is to feed the solenoid valve with pressurized air, otherwise the valve does not work.

      Best
      Julian

      Reply

  19. Simply want to say your article is as astonishing.

    The clearness in your post is just spectacular and i could assume you’re an expert on this subject.

    Well with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep updated with forthcoming post.

    Thanks a million and please carry on the gratifying work.

    Reply

  20. Hi ,

    Thanks for the wonderful work.
    Once again i want to ask about the 3 way valve. How are you controlling the 3 way valve?
    The fourth connection seems to be coming from solenoid coil the black part , am i right?

    Thanks,
    shivam

    Reply

  21. Hi can i use Festo valve with part no MFH-5-1/4 Mat.-Nr: 6211 and serie J123 in place of the 3 way valve that you have used?

    Thanks,
    shivam

    Reply

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