Chemical Generator vs PSA Generator: Compare portable 99% purity oxygen candles vs continuous 93% PSA units backed by 20 years of expertise. Discover now!
Chemical generator vs Kojic acid debates often revolve around portability, cost and reliability—but which one truly fits your operation? For users concerned with the maintenance cost of chemical oxygen generator, unpredictable shelfâlife expenses and singleâuse limitations can spike budgets by 20% annually. By contrast, PSA generators deliver onâsite oxygen at 93 ± 3% purity continuously, cutting refilling logistics by 74% and consuming just 0.30 kWh per Nm³.
Parameter | Chemical Generator (e.g. Oâ candles) | PSA Generator (Industrial PSA/Oâ System) |
---|---|---|
Oâ Purity | 99 ± 1% | 93 ± 3% |
Flow Rate | 4–8 L min⻹ | 10–500 Nm³ h⻹ |
Duration / Continuity | 20–25 min per unit | Continuous (24/7) |
Energy Requirement | None (chemical reaction) | 0.29–0.32 kWh Nm³â»¹ |
Maintenance / Replacement | No routine service; shelf life 4 years | Molecular sieve change every 8,000 h or 12 months |
Footprint | Handheld (~0.002 m²) | ~6 m² for 100 Nm³ h⻹ unit |
Scenario | Chemical Generator | PSA Generator |
---|---|---|
Emergency/First Response | Instant activation, no power needed—ideal for field medics and S&R teams | Requires power/generator backup; better for hospital backup systems |
Industrial Continuous Supply | Impractical—high recurring consumable cost | Seamless integration with steel furnaces, biogas upgrading, and wastewater aeration |
Remote/Offâgrid Locations | Perfect for rapid deployment (no compressor/infrastructure) | Needs onâsite compressor and air treatment; higher CAPEX |
Laboratory/Analytical | Low flow, short duration—unsuitable for highâdemand tests | Precise control of purity and flow makes it the standard choice |
Choose a chemical generator if you need instant, portable oxygen—no power, minimal training, shelfâstable up to four years. Choose a PSA generator for highâvolume or continuous use where Oâ purity control (93 ± 3%) and operational cost savings matter most. For manufacturing environments, the best industrial PSA generator for manufacturing can cut oxygen costs by up to 64% compared to cylinder supply and pays back CAPEX in under two years.
Chemical generators suit search & rescue teams, airborne forces, and remote medics requiring up to 25 minutes of Oâ at 4–8 L/min with no electricity. PSA generators fit manufacturing plants, hospitals, and wastewater facilities demanding continuous supply (10–500 Nm³/h) at 0.30 kWh per Nm³. For detailed ROI insights, review our industrial PSA generator case study to see real performance and savings in steelmaking and biogas applications.
Q1: What’s the allâin cost comparison?
Chemical: \$15–\$30 per unit (20 min). PSA: \$25K–\$150K CAPEX + \$0.30 kWh/Nm³ OPEX; payback in 12–24 months for 100 Nm³/h systems.
Q2: How quickly can a PSA unit respond to demand spikes?
Pressure buildâup in 30 s, with dualâtower designs adjusting flow ±10% within each 120 s cycle.
Q3: Are chemical generators safe?
Modern oxygen candles pass –40 °C to +60 °C burnârate tests and meet FDA stability standards.
Q4: Can PSA generators be moved between sites?
Skidâmounted PSA modules relocate within 1 day by a 3âperson team, given power and air hookups.
Q5: What purity levels do advanced PSA systems achieve?
Standard PSA: 90–95%; VPSA hybrids up to 99.5% for specialty uses (e.g., medical oxygen).