MOLECULAR SIEVES, PRESSURE SWING ADSORPTION, AND OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS IN AIRCRAFT

The development of onboard oxygen generation systems has undergone several transformations, but at the present time, has centered on pressure swing adsorption (PSA) using molecular sieves. While other oxygen generation techniques have been flight tested, the only OBOGS technology based on molecular sieves and PSA. This is due to MSOGS simplicity, lower energy costs, and long life, when compared to other OBOG systems .Use of MSOG technology in the logistics tail associated with liquid oxygen, improves safety, reduces aircraft turnaround time, extends mission duration (which can be limited by oxygen storage capacity), and significantly This paper reviews the chemical and physical basis for molecular sieve separation of air using adsorption, and describes the important factors in the design of molecular sieve oxygen concentrators.