- The results show that Oxygen production could be achieved at 3.5 atm pressure, with a purity level of 93% – 96 %
- An encouraging innovation as nitrogen plants are present in a large number in various industrial units across the country
- Prof. Milind Atrey, Dean (R&D), IIT Bombay, who led the project, said the test has been done by fine-tuning the existing Nitrogen Plant setup and changing the molecular sieves from Carbon to Zeolite
In an effort to address the Oxygen shortage in the country, IIT Bombay has come out with a pathbreaking innovative solution to convert the Nitrogen Unit to PSA Oxygen Unit. The pilot project has been tested successfully and the results are equally promising, according to Bombay IIT. The results show that Oxygen production could be achieved at 3.5 atm pressure, with a purity level of 93% – 96 %. This gaseous oxygen can be utilized for medical needs across existing hospitals and upcoming COVID-19 specific facilities with a continuous supply.
IIT Bombay collaborated with two other companies – Tata Consulting Engineers and Spantech Engineers, Mumbai, who deal with PSA Nitrogen & Oxygen plant production – for this pilot project. A PSA Nitrogen plant in the Refrigeration and Cryogenics Laboratory of IIT was earmarked for this conversion project to validate the proof of concept.
IIT Bombay demonstrates conversion of Nitrogen generator to Oxygen generator: A simple and fast solution for the current oxygen crisis. We request various government authorities, NGOs, and private companies to contact Prof. Milind Atrey (dean.rnd@iitb.ac.in). pic.twitter.com/etSdJi6ZQi
— IIT Bombay (@iitbombay) April 29, 2021
Explaining the innovation, Prof. Milind Atrey, Dean (R&D), IIT Bombay, who led the project, said the test has been done by fine-tuning the existing Nitrogen Plant setup and changing the molecular sieves from Carbon to Zeolite. It is an encouraging innovation as nitrogen plants are present in a large number in various industrial units across the country, and so all these can be potentially converted into an oxygen manufacturing unit for the time being to mitigate the shortage of Oxygen. IIT Bombay is ready for pan-India adoption of the solution.
For more details write to Prof Milind Atrey at dean.rnd@iitb.ac.in