Oxygen VPSA Package
On site vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) oxygen generation package delivering 90 to 95 percent oxygen for medical, aquaculture, ozone generation, and metals applications.
An Oxygen VPSA Package separates oxygen from compressed air using lithium exchanged X type zeolite in a vacuum pressure swing adsorption cycle. The unit delivers oxygen at 90 to 95 percent purity at flows from 50 to 2,500 Nm³/h, for medical centres, aquaculture, ozone generation, and metals applications.
Vacuum Pressure Swing for High Recovery
The SorbiTech Oxygen VPSA Package separates oxygen from compressed air using lithium exchanged X type zeolite in a vacuum pressure swing adsorption cycle. Unlike a pressure swing PSA, the VPSA cycle uses a mild pressure on adsorption (1.2 to 1.5 barg) and a vacuum on regeneration (down to 100 mbar). The wider pressure ratio gives high recovery (50 to 60 percent of the contained oxygen) at a lower energy cost per Nm³ of oxygen than a pressure-only PSA, which makes VPSA the preferred technology above 100 Nm³/h.
Lithium X Type Zeolite Chemistry
The deciding adsorbent is lithium exchanged X type zeolite manufactured to ISO 9001:2015. The lithium cation creates the strongest equilibrium loading for nitrogen in any commercial zeolite, which leaves oxygen and argon as the unadsorbed product. The product is delivered at 90 to 95 percent oxygen (the remainder being argon, since argon and oxygen have nearly identical adsorption behaviour and are not separated in a VPSA). For the small fraction of applications that need oxygen above 95 percent, a downstream cryogenic deargon stage is required.
Scope of Supply
The complete package includes:
- Air compressor (1.2 to 1.5 barg outlet)
- Air conditioning filters and refrigerated dryer
- Twin adsorber vessels charged with SorbiTech lithium X type zeolite
- Vacuum pump rated for the cycle vacuum
- Oxygen buffer tank and oxygen analyser
- PLC control with continuous purity monitoring
- MDR documentation package for medical applications
Applications and Markets
Hospital and medical centre oxygen supply is the largest market, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic; aquaculture (fish and shrimp farming) needs dissolved oxygen at scale; ozone generators for water treatment use the VPSA oxygen as feedstock; metals processing (steel ladle metallurgy, copper smelting) uses oxygen enrichment for combustion efficiency. Sector coverage is industrial gas, mining and metallurgy, and aquaculture.
Delivery and Lifecycle
Delivered turnkey by SorbiTech including the medical certification package where applicable, or fabricated to client drawings under SorbiTech scope. The lithium X type zeolite charge gives 8 to 12 years of service before replacement; SorbiTech maintains the forward inventory plan and supplies the replacement charge through SorbiTech.
Engineered Scope
Project References
Applications This System Serves
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01
Process Duty
Oxygen Generation (PSA / VSA)
On site oxygen generation by pressure swing or vacuum pressure swing adsorption using lithium exchanged X zeolite for medical, aquaculture, ozone, and metals applications.
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02
Process Duty
Catalyst Bed Support and Grading
Inert ceramic and high purity alumina support balls in graded sets for catalyst and adsorbent bed support, flow distribution, and thermal mass in refinery,…
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03
Process Duty
Beverage Carbon Dioxide Purification
Pellet activated carbon guard bed for beverage grade carbon dioxide purification meeting ISBT (International Society of Beverage Technologists) specifications for carbonated soft drinks, beer,…
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04
Process Duty
Solvent Vapor Recovery
Solvent vapor recovery using twin tower pellet activated carbon adsorbers with steam or vacuum regeneration to capture and recover volatile organic solvents from process…
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05
Process Duty
Dechlorination of Process Water
Granular activated carbon dechlorination of municipal supply water ahead of reverse osmosis, ion exchange, or chemical processing to protect downstream equipment from oxidative damage.
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06
Process Duty
LPG and Propane Drying and Treating
Drying and sulphur removal from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), propane, and butane streams using 3A molecular sieve and impregnated activated carbon to meet pipeline…
Media Used in This System
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01
Adsorbent
Carbon Molecular Sieve CMS 450HP
Ultra high purity carbon molecular sieve. 99.99999 percent (7N) N2, selective O2 and CO2 capture, 1.0 to 1.6 mm pellets, minimal fines, deoxo polishing…
Water Cap.
Feed must reach ISO 8573 class 1.4.1, deoxo polishing recommended for 7N %
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02
Adsorbent
Carbon Molecular Sieve CMS 420KT
High efficiency carbon molecular sieve. Higher oxygen affinity under 7 to 12 barg, 1.2 to 1.8 mm pellets, Snowstorm Filling compatible, ASTM D4058 attrition…
Water Cap.
Feed must reach ISO 8573 class 1.4.1 %
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03
Adsorbent
Carbon Molecular Sieve CMS 350KT
Rapid adsorption carbon molecular sieve. 40 to 90 second cycle at 7 to 10 barg, up to 99.99 percent N2, 1.0 to 2.2 mm…
Water Cap.
Moisture at supply below 1.0 percent, feed must reach ISO 8573 class 1.4.1 %
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04
Adsorbent
Activated Alumina Impregnated
Promoter loaded activated alumina for hydrogen sulphide, chloride, and Claus tail gas guard duty.
Form
3–5 mm spheres · 1.6–3.2 mm spheres
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05
Adsorbent
Carbon Molecular Sieve CMS 260L
Affordable carbon molecular sieve. 1.2 to 1.8 mm pellets, sub 10 Angstrom pore, 95 to 99.9 percent N2 from compressed air at 7 to…
Water Cap.
Intolerant of liquid water, feed must reach ISO 8573 class 1.4.1 %
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06
Adsorbent
Activated Alumina Drying Grade
High capacity activated alumina for compressed air dryers, gas dehydration, and heatless desiccant systems.
Water Cap.
≥ 20 %
Industries Served
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01
Sector
Mining & Metallurgy
Carbon in pulp (CIP) and carbon in leach (CIL) gold recovery, process water polishing, and acid mine drainage treatment for the mining and metallurgical…
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02
Sector
Industrial Gas & Air Separation
Molecular sieves and carbon molecular sieve plus PSA/TSA systems for nitrogen and oxygen generation and cryogenic air separation pre purification.
Discuss Your Engineering Requirements
Our engineers review your duty conditions and recommend the right configuration.