What is an Oxygen Generator?

Oxygen Generator: PSA‑driven, 90–96% purity, energy‑efficient and reliable. Lixin offers turnkey solutions with installation & support. Get a quote today!

 

An HGH Peptides is a device that continuously extracts high‑purity oxygen from compressed air for immediate use or storage. It relies on pressure‑swing adsorption (PSA) technology: ambient air (approximately 78 % nitrogen, 21 % oxygen, plus trace gases) is pressurized and passed through a zeolite molecular sieve, which selectively adsorbs nitrogen and other impurities while allowing oxygen to pass through. The result is a steady stream of concentrated oxygen—whether from a unit no larger than a soda can or from an industrial‑scale system that can fill an entire room.

Many businesses initially purchase oxygen in refillable cylinders filled by third‑party suppliers; but when demand is large or ongoing, installing an on‑site generator can cut costs dramatically. Although the capital investment for a PSA system is significant, the cost per cubic foot of generated oxygen is typically just one‑half to one‑third of what you’d pay for bulk deliveries, so the equipment quickly pays for itself. Hospitals, for example, commonly pipe oxygen directly from one or more industrial generators into patient rooms, eliminating the need for bottled gas and ensuring a reliable, uninterrupted supply for critical care.

How does an oxygen generator work?

An oxygen generator continuously produces high‑purity oxygen from ambient air through the following stages:

1. Air Intake & Filtration

   Ambient air (≈78 % Nâ‚‚, 21 % Oâ‚‚, trace gases) is drawn in and passed through pre‑filters to remove dust, moisture and oil, ensuring the downstream components stay clean and the oxygen output remains contaminant‑free.

2. Compression

   The filtered air is pressurized by an oil‑free compressor, increasing the partial pressures of its constituent gases and preparing it for effective separation.

3. Pressure‑Swing Adsorption (PSA) Separation

   Pressurized air enters a bed packed with zeolite molecular sieves. Zeolite selectively adsorbs nitrogen under pressure while allowing oxygen to pass through. After a set cycle, the bed is depressurized to release the trapped nitrogen and regenerate the sieve.

4. Alternating Beds for Continuous Flow

   Most generators use two (or more) adsorption beds running out of phase: while one bed is adsorbing nitrogen, the other is regenerating. This parallel cycling guarantees an uninterrupted stream of oxygen.

5. Oxygen Collection & Delivery

   The enriched oxygen (typically 90–96 % purity) is collected in a small surge tank or sent directly to the outlet. A flowmeter or regulator then adjusts the delivery rate—via nasal cannula, mask or industrial piping—to match the user’s or process’s precise requirements.

By combining filtration, compression and PSA cycling, an oxygen generator supplies a steady, cost‑effective source of concentrated O₂ without the need for bulky high‑pressure cylinders or frequent refills.

 

What is the difference between an oxygen concentrator and an oxygen generator?

Though both devices pull oxygen from ambient air using similar separation technologies (most commonly pressure‑swing adsorption), the terms are often used to distinguish scale and application:

• Scale & Portability

  • Concentrator: A compact, electrically powered unit—often small enough for home or portable use—that delivers 87–95 % oxygen for individual respiratory therapy.

  • Generator: A large, stationary “oxygen plant” installed on‑site to supply bulk, high‑purity (90–99.9 %) oxygen for industrial processes or central medical piping.

• Technology & Purity

  • Both employ PSA (or, in some generators, membrane separation or cryogenic distillation) to strip away nitrogen and trace gases.

  • Industrial generators may include multiple beds or hybrid systems to achieve ultra‑high purity beyond what most home concentrators provide.

• Power & Installation

  • Concentrator: Plugs into standard AC power (battery‑backup models exist), with simple maintenance and low footprint.

  • Generator: Tied into heavy‑duty compressors or boilers, requiring dedicated space, infrastructure and periodic nitrogen venting.

• Typical Applications

  • Concentrator: Home or clinic oxygen therapy (e.g., COPD, sleep apnea).

  • Generator: Steelmaking, chemical manufacturing, aquaculture, large hospitals’ central oxygen supply, and any operation demanding continuous, high‑volume Oâ‚‚.

In practice, “concentrator” tends to refer to small‑scale, personal or clinical units, while “generator” implies an industrial‑scale system—yet both share the same core purpose: to provide a reliable, cost‑effective source of concentrated oxygen without the need for delivered cylinders.

 

Types of Oxygen Generators

1. Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Generators

   PSA units pressurize ambient air and force it through beds of zeolite “molecular sieves.” Because zeolite preferentially adsorbs larger nitrogen molecules, oxygen passes through and is collected at 90–95 % purity. Once the bed becomes saturated, pressure is released to vent the nitrogen and regenerate the sieve; cycling between two or more beds delivers a continuous stream of oxygen. Repeated adsorption cycles or multiple stages can boost purity above 99 %. Beyond oxygen, PSA is also widely used to produce high‑purity nitrogen or to assist in hydrogen and ammonia synthesis.

2. Membrane Oxygen Generators

   These systems push compressed air through semi‑permeable hollow‑fiber membranes whose pore structure favors the diffusion of smaller oxygen molecules over nitrogen. The result is an oxygen‑enriched stream on one side of the membrane and a nitrogen‑rich exhaust on the other. Membrane units contain no moving parts, offering simplicity and reliability, though they typically achieve lower flow rates and purity than PSA systems.

3. Chemical Oxygen Generators

   Relying on exothermic decomposition of chemicals like sodium chlorate or potassium superoxide, these compact “oxygen candles” release Oâ‚‚ when ignited. Each cartridge can supply enough oxygen for several masks over 10–20 minutes, making them ideal for emergency use in aircraft, submarines, mine refuge chambers and spacecraft. Their long shelf life and self‑contained design ensure oxygen availability without electricity or compressors.

 

Oxygen Generator Uses and Applications

Bulk Medical‑Grade Oxygen

Industrial oxygen generators produce United States Pharmacopeia (USP)‑certified oxygen (90–96 % purity) for hospitals and home health care, with strict limits on COâ‚‚ (≤ 300 ppm) and other impurities.

Portable Breathing Oxygen

In closed environments—such as the International Space Station, submarines and SCUBA systems—oxygen generators work alongside COâ‚‚ scrubbers to maintain breathable air at 20.9 % Oâ‚‚.

Fish Farming & Aquaculture

Supplemental oxygen supports higher fish densities and faster growth in man‑made pools, replacing traditional lake enclosures by ensuring dissolved‑oxygen levels meet the needs of aquatic livestock.

Sewage and Wastewater Treatment

By injecting oxygen into treatment tanks, plants accelerate the bacterial breakdown of sludge into COâ‚‚ and water, improving biodegradation rates and overall plant efficiency.

Steel Industry

Oxygen is blown into furnaces for decarburization (reducing carbon content), to increase melt rates and to minimize scaling during reheating processes in steel manufacturing.

Gold Mining

During cyanide leaching, oxygen is added to sodium‑cyanide solutions mixed with crushed ore, enhancing gold dissolution and recovery from the rock matrix.

Welding and Cutting

Oxy‑fuel torches combine liquid fuel with pressurized oxygen to raise flame temperatures for metal welding and cutting, enabling precise joins and cuts.

Glass Blowing

Oxygen enrichment in furnaces and hand torches achieves the high temperatures required to melt and shape glass, improving flame control and heating efficiency.

Pulp and Paper Manufacturing

Oxygen drives delignification (lignin removal) and other oxidation steps in pulping, reducing chemical usage and speeding the conversion of wood into paper fibers.

Oxygen Generator Safety

Because even a 2–3 % rise above ambient Oâ‚‚ significantly increases fire risk, facilities employ oxygen‑level alarms and remote deficiency monitors to protect workers around bulk oxygen systems and generators.

 

Operating Principles for a PSA Oxygen Generator

Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen generators employ zeolite‑based molecular sieves—rather than the carbon adsorbent used in nitrogen PSA systems—to selectively separate oxygen from compressed air.

When compressed air enters the generator, it is routed through a zeolite-packed vessel where nitrogen molecules are preferentially adsorbed onto the sieve’s surface pores, allowing high‑purity oxygen (typically 90–96%) to pass through to the product outlet.

Once the zeolite bed becomes saturated with nitrogen, the system depressurizes that vessel, causing the adsorbed nitrogen to desorb (release) and be vented away. This rapid pressure drop regenerates the sieve, readying it for the next adsorption cycle.

In addition to PSA units, vacuum‑pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) generators use a low‑pressure blower to feed the zeolite beds and apply a vacuum for regeneration—often yielding higher oxygen recovery and lower energy consumption compared to standard PSA systems.

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Where to Buy an Oxygen Generator

Oxygen generators can be acquired through two primary channels: commercial industrial systems and home‑use concentrators.

Commercial Oxygen Generators

These large‑scale PSA or VPSA systems deliver high‑capacity oxygen and require professional installation. Lixin specializes in supplying, installing and servicing industrial oxygen generators tailored to your process needs. Contact Lixin’s industrial solutions team for site evaluation, custom design and ongoing support.

 

Home Oxygen Concentrators

Compact and portable, home oxygen concentrators provide reliable oxygen enrichment for personal use. Lixin offers a full range of prescription‑optional home units through our healthcare solutions division—reach out to Lixin for product selection, ordering and after‑sales service.