AirSep AS-1000, Instruction Manual

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AirSep
®
Corporation 12/02
AS-20—1000 Instruction Manual 3-1
3.0 Plant Description
3.1 General
The AirSep Corporation PSA Oxygen Generator is a self-contained unit that utilizes
Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology to produce oxygen on site. The
oxygen generator uses compressed air as a feed gas to produce oxygen. The
compressed air flows through a filter assembly before the air enters the adsorber
vessels. A particulate filter removes condensed water, oil, dirt, scale, etc. from the
feed air, then in most models, a separate coalescing filter removes additional oil
and water vapor.
The oxygen generator uses in its adsorber vessels an inert ceramic material called
molecular sieve to separate compressed air into oxygen and other gases. The
unique properties of molecular sieve allow it to attract, or adsorb, nitrogen
physically from air under pressure. This allows oxygen to exit the adsorbers as a
product gas. The process valves on the oxygen generator then direct the oxygen to
the oxygen receiver for storage until needed by your application.
While one adsorber produces oxygen, the other depressurizes to exhaust the
waste gases it adsorbed (collected) during the oxygen production cycle. The entire
oxygen generating process is completely regenerative, which makes it both reliable
and virtually maintenance-free. The molecular sieve does not normally require
replacement when maintained and used according to this instruction manual.
Refer to the illustrations, located in Appendix A of this instruction manual, for a
detailed flow diagram, an electrical schematic, and general arrangement drawings
of all oxygen generator models referenced in this instruction manual as well as
typical cycle sequences and operating pressure levels.