SBIR-STTR Award

This SBIR program will produce a portable oxygen concentrator that weighs less than seven pounds, consumes less than 100 watts, and delivers oxygen continuously at 4 liters per minute. Our approach combines an advanced gas compressor with SeQual's recent breakthroughs in Pressure-Swing Adsorption (PSA). In Phase I, we will test two candidate compressors: a spherical-piston design and linear piston design with an integrated motor. Other tasks will include (1) testing new simulation techniques to enable further improvements in the PSA cycle, (2) a design study and performance projections and (3) supporting form-fit-function analysis by Integrated Medical Systems (IMS) of an oxygen source for the LSTAT evacuation platform. In Phase II, we will demonstrate the new system, and provide a breadboard unit for inte-gration into LSTAT. Phase III product development will result in building units for the LSTAT oxygen source, a medic-portable unit and commercial systems for civilian trauma care and medical oxygen in the home. This program brings together (1) our unique PSA technology, (2) our record of success in commercializing PSA systems, (3) our ongoing collaboration with IMS, (4) advanced simulation software from the University of South Carolina and (5) innovative compressor designs from SynClast, Inc. and Aker Industries.

Keywords:
Oxygen Generator, Oxygen Concentrator, Portable Oxygen System, Compressor, Oxygen Generation, Pressure Swing Adsorption, Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorpt

SeQual Technologies has developed and is marketing advanced Pressure Swing Adsorption gas separation system for the generation of oxygen for commercial and military applications. This proprietary system incorporates a rapid vacuum-pressure-swing-adsorption process enabling SeQual to provide a PSA unit with both the highest recovery (the ratio of output oxygen molecules to input oxygen molecules) and the greatest productivity of any medical oxygen concentrator. The company’s proprietary PSA devices – in combination with state-of-the-art, high efficiency, light-weight motors and compressors – has enabled SeQual to produce a unique, portable, battery-operated oxygen system that produces 3 liters per minute (LPM) continuous flow of medical-grade oxygen. SeQual’s continued efforts remain in the improvement of the efficiency, productivity and recovery of oxygen molecules to effectively lead to a very small portable oxygen concentrator. The focus of this research is 1) continue to refine and improve the mathematical model of the oxygen separation module performance so that the design can be modified to improve recovery efficiency 2) to build an oxygen separation module to achieve 4 LPM system solution 3) modify current linear compressor design to produce a 4 LPM capable compressor 4) produce 4 LPM system breadboards and 5) prepare final SBIR Phase II report.

Keywords:
Pressure Swing Adsorption, Oxygen Generator, Portable Oxygen Concentrator, Battery Powered Oxygen Concentrator, High Efficiency Compressors, Medical G