PSA Oxygen Generator for Metallurgy

A PSA oxygen generator separates oxygen from compressed air on site using zeolite molecular sieve (ZMS) in a twin-tower pressure swing adsorption system, delivering oxygen at 90–95% purity with the towers alternating for a continuous supply.

In metallurgy and metal processing the oxygen is applied to combustion enhancement, to cutting and welding support, and to the enrichment duty that metallurgical processes require.

The published output range is 1–500 Nm³/h at 0.1–0.4 MPa outlet pressure, with energy use of 0.3 to 0.5 kWh per Nm³ and start-up to rated purity within 30 minutes.

Generating oxygen at the works removes the need for delivered gas and lets the supply be matched to the furnace, burner or cutting duty that needs it.

The PSA oxygen range is published as a purity and capacity configuration rather than a numbered model table: fix the required oxygen flow first, then confirm purity, outlet pressure and energy use for the duty.

• Adsorption towers: two adsorber vessels alternate between adsorption and regeneration, so the oxygen supply is continuous.
• Molecular sieve: zeolite molecular sieve (ZMS) selectively adsorbs nitrogen from the compressed air so oxygen passes through as product gas at 90–95% purity.
• Air dryer: the package includes an air dryer that brings the compressed-air moisture load down so the feed-air dew point requirement is met before the air reaches the sieve bed.
• Filtration: filtration stages remove oil aerosol and dust carried over from the compressor and receiver, protecting the sieve bed.
• Air receiver: a buffer tank (air receiver) between the compressor and the PSA towers steadies the feed-air supply.
• Control cabinet: PLC automatic control with an optional HMI touch screen; the control cabinet manages the valve cycle and the operating parameters.
• Purity monitoring: an oxygen analyser monitors the purity of the product oxygen, and its calibration is checked on schedule.
• Feed air: compressed air at 0.6–0.8 MPa with a dew point of -40°C or lower, oil-free.

• Combustion enhancement: raises the oxygen content of combustion air to improve combustion in furnaces and kilns.
• Cutting and welding support: supplies oxygen for metal cutting and welding support duties.
• Metallurgy enrichment: provides oxygen enrichment for metallurgical processing.
• Furnace and kiln duty: feeds oxygen-enriched combustion air to furnaces and kilns.
• On-site supply: generates oxygen at the plant instead of relying on delivered cylinders or liquid gas.
• Foundry and heat-treatment support: supports metal processing duties that need a controlled oxygen supply.

• Confirm the required purity and flow, since these set the ZMS charge and the system size.
• Check the outlet pressure against the 0.1 to 0.4 MPa range.
• Note the energy use of 0.3 to 0.5 kWh per Nm³ when sizing the power supply and operating cost.
• Confirm the feed air is oil-free with a dew point of -40°C or lower, conditioned by an air dryer and filtration stages.
• State whether the supply feeds a single burner or several points, so the flow figure covers the total demand.
• Confirm the process and operating schedule so the generator is sized to average demand rather than peak.