High Efficiency, Compact, On-Board Oxygen Generator

Due to the limited availability of space onboard the AF jets, it is necessary to miniaturize all the components. Oxygen generation devices are very bulky. Especially, pressure-swing adsorption (PSA) units that yield relatively pure (90+%) oxygen, occupy large space, contain moving parts and are very inefficient. The development of lightweight, compact, energy-efficient, high-purity (99.9+%) on-board oxygen generator has been an elusive and difficult goal to attain. The use of ceramic membranes for oxygen generation/separation is an attractive solution to this problem. During the oxygen generation using ceramic membranes, oxygen ions are conducted across the membrane from ambient air-side to pure oxygen-side; this process occurs at high temperatures. As a result, there are several technical challenges which need practical solutions. These challenges insclude thermal expansion mismatch between various components, membrane seals, thermal management, module optimization, and others. LoTEC, Inc. has developed a unique design to address these challenges. Based on this design, LoTEC, in cooperation with its subcontractor, NexTech, proposes to develop an on-board oxygen generation system (OBOGS) which is compact, efficient, and free of several technical hurdles.