Analysis of the applicability of adsorption oxygen generators in the field of industry and power engineering

Adsorption air separation technologies can be used to generate several hundred tons of oxygen per day. The basis of adsorption technology is the variable absorptive capacity of the adsorbent, which depends on temperature and pressure. The driving force is given by the difference between the actual and the equilibrium concentration of the substance adsorbed on the surface of the adsorbent. There are two main technologies: Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) and Temperature Swing Adsorption (TSA). PSA methods require electricity to be supplied to the compressor or vacuum pump while the TSA method involves heating the adsorption bed during the regeneration stage. There are also combinations of these processes. In the case of mixed methods, the adsorption process takes place under elevated pressure, whereas regeneration takes place under vacuum or at elevated temperature. The article presents an economic analysis of oxygen production from air by pressure and temperature adsorption methods. We analyzed the possibility of using waste and cogenerated heat from a power station. We specified the effect of the adsorption technology on purity and pressure of the generated oxygen. We analyzed the possibility of using adsorption air separation methods in various fields of industry and energy sector.

---

Tytuł numeru spec. "Polish Energy Mix 2014"