Patent EP-2628523-A1 (EP)
Inventor: MAAMAR KAIS
IPC: B01D53/053
Filed: 2012-02-14
Abstract: The on-site medical gas production plant (100) comprises a unit (50) to produce a purified gas from a less pure supply gas source, a first vessel for storing the purified gas, and a main gas line (10) fluidically connected to the gas purification unit to the first storage vessel so as to supply the first storage vessel with the purified gas. The main gas line comprises: a three-way solenoid valve arranged on the main gas line between the gas purification unit and the first storage vessel and furthermore connected to the atmosphere via a vent line (11); and an operating device. The on-site medical gas production plant (100) comprises a unit (50) to produce a purified gas from a less pure supply gas source, a first vessel for storing the purified gas, and a main gas line (10) fluidically connected to the gas purification unit to the first storage vessel so as to supply the first storage vessel with the purified gas. The main gas line comprises: a three-way solenoid valve arranged on the main gas line between the gas purification unit and the first storage vessel and furthermore connected to the atmosphere via a vent line (11); an operating device, which controls the valve; and a first gas analysis device of which a first measurement line is fluidically connected to the main line and upstream of the three-way solenoid valve. The first gas analysis device is electrically connected to the operating device. The operating device is designed and adapted to act on the three-way solenoid valve in response to a signal received from the gas analysis device so as to divert a gas present in the main pipe to pass to the vent line when the signal received from the gas analysis device corresponds to a contamination signal based on an analysis of the gas in the main pipe and simultaneously to prevent the gas present in the main pipe from being sent to the first storage vessel. A gas compression unit (31) is configured to supply the gas purification unit with a gas to be purified at a pressure of more than 1 bar. The gas compression unit comprises a screw, a piston, and a scroll or diaphragm compressor. The gas purification unit comprises adsorbers that contain bed adsorbent material and are configured to operate alternately. The operating device is designed and adapted to act on the gas purification unit and/or the gas compression unit so as to stop any production of gas by the adsorber, which is in operation at the time when the gas analysis device transmits the contamination signal to the operating device. The operating device is designed and adapted to act on the gas purification unit and/or the gas compression unit so as to start production of gas by the adsorber, which is not in operation at the time when the gas analysis device transmits the contamination signal to the operating device. The operating device is designed and adapted to act on the three-way solenoid valve in response to the signal received from the gas analysis device so as to stop the gas present in the main pipe from passing to the vent line when the signal received from the gas analysis device corresponds to a compliant gas signal and simultaneously to allow gas to be sent to the first storage vessel. An INDEPENDENT claim is included for a method for operating an on-site medical gas production plant.