What is an Oxygen Generator?
An oxygen generator, professionally referred to as an on-site oxygen generation plant, operates on the core principle of Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology. It directly separates oxygen from ambient air, providing a safe, economical, and highly efficient method of oxygen production.
The equipment contains a specialized molecular sieve with a high adsorption affinity for nitrogen in the air. When compressed air passes through the sieve under pressure, nitrogen is adsorbed, allowing oxygen (with a purity of 90%–95% or higher) to be separated and delivered as product gas. Through rapid pressure switching and regeneration cycles between dual towers, the system ensures continuous and stable oxygen production.
Wide-Ranging Applications of Oxygen Generators
On-site oxygen generation technology is progressively replacing traditional liquid oxygen and gas cylinders due to its cost and safety advantages, with extensive applications across:
Healthcare & Wellness
Provides centralized medical-grade oxygen supply for hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes, serving as a reliable source for ward and clinical use.
Aquaculture
Enhances dissolved oxygen levels to improve survival and growth rates of fish, shrimp, and other aquatic species, significantly increasing stocking density and operational profitability.
Industrial Metallurgy & Cutting
Supports metal welding, cutting, glass manufacturing, and oxygen-enriched combustion processes, effectively elevating flame temperature and processing efficiency.
Wastewater Treatment & Environmental Protection
Introduces oxygen into sewage treatment systems to strongly activate aerobic microorganisms, accelerating pollutant decomposition and improving treatment performance.
Chemical & Pulp Production
Serves as a feed gas for oxidation processes in chemical production, or utilized in pulp bleaching operations.
Core Advantages of Oxygen Generators
Significant Cost Reduction
Requires only electricity and air to continuously produce oxygen. Compared to frequent procurement of liquid oxygen or gas cylinders, it can reduce gas costs by up to 50%.
Safe, Convenient & On-Demand Production
Eliminates safety risks associated with liquid oxygen storage and high-pressure cylinder handling. Enables on-site oxygen generation with no storage needs – immediate production and use ensure a stable supply.
Intelligent Control & User-Friendly Operation
Fully automated operation with one-touch start/stop. Allows real-time monitoring and adjustment of oxygen purity, flow rate, and pressure, supporting unmanned operation.
Stable, Reliable & High-Purity Output
Utilizes high-quality molecular sieves and optimized control programs to consistently generate high-purity oxygen at 93% ± 3%, meeting the requirements of most applications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can the oxygen purity of an oxygen generator reach 100%?
A: No. Standard oxygen generators utilizing PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) technology typically achieve an economical and practical oxygen purity range of 90% to 95%. While higher purity levels (e.g., ~95% to 95%) are possible with more advanced systems like VPSA (Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption), attaining 99%+ purity often requires significantly more complex processes, which substantially increases costs. The provided purity range of 90%-95% is already sufficient for most medical, aquaculture, and industrial applications.
Q2: Does the molecular sieve need replacement? How often?
A: Yes, the molecular sieve is a core consumable component and requires periodic replacement. However, its service life is considerably long. Under normal operating conditions and with adequate protection (such as by high-efficiency pre-filters ensuring clean intake air), the lifespan of the molecular sieve can typically reach 5 to 8 years or even longer. The replacement interval can be influenced by factors such as inlet air quality and operating load.
Q3: What are the requirements for the compressed air fed into the oxygen generator?
A: Oxygen generators have high requirements for the intake compressed air. The air must be clean, dry, and oil-free. It is essential to equip refrigerated dryers (or adsorption dryers) and precision filters as pre-treatment equipment. Without these, moisture and oil vapors can quickly poison the molecular sieve, leading to a permanent loss of its adsorption capacity and ultimately system failure.
Q4: What is the return on investment (ROI) of an oxygen generator compared to liquid oxygen or gas cylinders?
A: While the initial equipment investment for an on-site oxygen generator is higher than simply purchasing gas cylinders, the long-term economic benefits are substantial. For scenarios with continuous or high-volume oxygen demand, the significant savings on gas costs often allow the equipment to pay for itself within a typical payback period of 1 to 3 years. Following this period, users benefit from ongoing cost reduction and enhanced operational efficiency. This makes on-site generation a cost-effective and reliable alternative to depending on external suppliers of liquid oxygen or gas cylinders.