Q155 Service Manual
- 3-1 -
3.
Operation
3.1.
Description of Operation
Figure 3-1 shows the normal airflow route of Merits Oxygen Concentrator. First, air
is drawn into the cabinet through the intake filter and muffler, which helps quiet the
compressor's intake sound. Then Air enters compressor and is pressurized in the
compressor. Pressurized air then passes through a heat exchanger, which reduces
the temperature of the compressed air. Next the solenoid valve developed by Merits
direct compressed air into Unit Block (solenoid valve + sieve bed
×
2 + oxygen tank
+ air pipe) that contain molecular sieve. The property of molecular sieve material is
that it is able to adsorb nitrogen and allow oxygen pass when air passes through this
material, thus producing high purity oxygen.
There are two sieve beds in Unit Block. While one allows high purity oxygen to
pass, the other is purged of the nitrogen it adsorbed while it made oxygen. Each
sieve bed delivers its oxygen to the oxygen tank of Unit Block. Oxygen exits this
product tank through a pressure-controlling regulator, flow meter, and final bacteria
filter. The Pioneer unit delivers up to 93
±
3% pure oxygen at flow rates from 1-5
LPM.
MUFFLER
ELECTRONICAL
CONTROL
CIRCUIT (NEW)
VALVE
SOLENOID
BLOCK
UNIT
ALL IN ONE
F
M/L
M
INTAKE FILTER
INTAKE MUFFLER
AIR-COMPRESSOR
HEAT EXCHANGER
AIR IN
SIEVE BED x2
OXYGEN TANK
F
FLOW METER
BACTERIA FILTER
OXYGEN OUT
R
REGULATOR
Figure 3-1 Process Schematic