DIY Oxygen Concentrator

[hydrovac]

Hello,
I’m no expert at this... Just 48 hours ago when my medical friends suggested we pivot to open source OCs I had no idea how they worked. Turns out the theory is actually quite simple.
We are working on a project to build a high-purity oxygen concentrator system, a small-scale two-bed (PSA) process using zeolite 13X molecular sieve type to have a small layout for the plant.
To build a molecular sieve system and attain these levels, we need 13X sodium zeolite 0.5mm Pellet size

I would appreciate any assistance or information, anyone is able to provide regarding where to procure this crystalline mineral.

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[captrajesh]

A life saver in the present times. All the best for the project. Any updates?

 

[hydrovac]

Thanks capt,

Could locate sources for all other parts, but still stuck at Zeolite.
There are couple of vendors on Trade India... not sure about the authenticity of the product though.

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[quad]

These are typically used by pharma industry, or water softening. Some companies I found - may
be worth to reach out in case they can supply -

https://ionresins.com/products.html

Mr Muthu - Phone 8048849710
Siva Industries No. 67, Moore Street, Sithakathi Nagar, Chennai-600001

 

[hydrovac]

Finally sourced all the input parts required for the build... Solenoid valves, fittings, pneumatic tubing, compressor, Zeolite, Arduino Uno and relay board.

Build log:

First canister:


Springs arrangement to keep the Zeolite compressed: (these are from a scrapped treadmill)





Second sieve, control valves and some fittings:





Trying frame layout:


Simple steel frame with left over pine wood from my HT baffle wall:








Fitted 2 pole mains MCB and 12VDC for controller/relay board, made a cooling coil with 3/8 inch copper tube:





Compressor and Zeolite arrived:





Will mount the compressor and fittings today and update:

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[quad]

Great effort - another great open source contribution from Hyd, after the Open source ventilator

Airway assistance

India is ramping up production of ventilators

www.theweek.in

Hyderabadi in global open source ventilator project

The idea is to create a bare-bones ventilator that could serve in the event of a ventilator shortage anywhere in the world during the Covid-19 pandemic.

telanganatoday.com

 

[hydrovac]

Mounted the compressor and Arduino controller:






Wired the controller and powered it up... all the relays were switching in sequence as per the code:


Next task is to connect the tubing and solenoid valves:

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[arj]

@hydrovac , this is so impressive ..am beyond speechless at your initiative and passion !

 

[captrajesh]

Now, FMs of Hyderabad know where to look if they need Oxygen concentrator

 

[flat_listener]

Great initiative! @hydrovac and beautiful build... you seem to have varied interests. This level if diy is beyond my comprehension.
The title doesn't seems to be generating a lot of interest among FM... may be if you change it to 'DIY Oxygen Concentrator', it might evoke some attention... just my thought.

Please keep us posted on the progress.
Thanks

 

[Dr.Lakshay]

Nice work.. So how pure and how much quantity of oxygen will this be able to produce? Any idea?

 

[hydrovac]

@hydrovac , this is so impressive ..am beyond speechless at your initiative and passion !

Thanks @arj, this is purely a situation driven initiative.

Great initiative! @hydrovac and beautiful build... you seem to have varied interests. This level if diy is beyond my comprehension.
The title doesn't seems to be generating a lot of interest among FM... may be if you change it to 'DIY Oxygen Concentrator', it might evoke some attention... just my thought.

Please keep us posted on the progress.
Thanks

Thanks for the suggestion @flat_listener... request the mods @arj, @captrajesh to change the thread title, if this is possible.

Nice work.. So how pure and how much quantity of oxygen will this be able to produce? Any idea?

Thanks @Dr.Lakshay,
This machine is designed to produce an incredible 15 LPM at 95% concentrated oxygen continuously.

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[Dr.Lakshay]

Thanks @arj, this is purely a situation driven initiative.


Thanks for the suggestion @flat_listener... request the mods @arj, @captrajesh to change the thread title, if this is possible.



Thanks @Dr.Lakshay,
This machine is designed to produce an incredible 15 LPM at 95% concentrated oxygen continuously.

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That's good. So it can be used for only a single low risk patient or even two. What is the approximate cost of the build if you don't mind sharing?

 

[hydrovac]

According to a doctor friend, in the context of the COVID-HOT algorithm, they recommend the use of oxygen concentrators at flow rates of 5 L/min or less for low risk patients. The actual value depends on the patient’s inspiratory peak flow... anyways, you know better Doc.

Finished all the interconnects with solenoid valves... will do a dry run tomorrow, check for any leaks and adjust the pressure settings... yet to calculate the costing.










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[flat_listener]

Great! @hydrovac,
You have succeeded in getting the thread title changed... can't wait to see what you output.

 

[MaSh]

Looks very impressive.

MaSh

 

[Dr.Lakshay]

According to a doctor friend, in the context of the COVID-HOT algorithm, they recommend the use of oxygen concentrators at flow rates of 5 L/min or less for low risk patients. The actual value depends on the patient’s inspiratory peak flow... anyways, you know better Doc.

Finished all the interconnects with solenoid valves... will do a dry run tomorrow, check for any leaks and adjust the pressure settings... yet to calculate the costing.

View attachment 50177

View attachment 50176

View attachment 50178

View attachment 50179


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Practical reality is actually not the same. Working in covid wards, I have seen that people who have to be put on oxygen therapy usually require more than 5L/m. I did make a mistake earlier by saying low risk. I meant for moderate risk. Low risk patients rarely require oxygen therapy.
I'm not that technically sound to say if this will work with bipap or ventilator. We need a pressure of around 3-4 bar in our central supply for bipap and ventilator. So if it has adequate storage and can meet pressure requirements then this is a very very nice product. Would love to see it in action.

 

[hydrovac]

Did a dry trial run of the machine...
video with compressor on, relays, solenoid valves and fans running... all the conditions appear normal without any leaks.
Next task is to prepare sieve beds and check for oxygen concentration and flow output.

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[flat_listener]

Beautiful design and execution... waiting for final results.

 

[Mayank Shah]

Amazing. The sound reminds me of a combination of Terminator and Darth Vader
I am in total admiration of your passion. Build looks very far from DIY, very pro.