Oxygen Concentrators
Topics
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Principle of Operation
Diagrams
Applications
Safety
Operation
Preventive Maintenance
Common Failures/Troubleshooting
Principle of Operation
 Concentrates oxygen by pulling in air and
absorbing nitrogen
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Sieve beds are made of zeolite (aluminum silicate)
Zeolite has selective affinity for nitrogen at high pressures
Air is compressed and passed through sieve beds
Output is max 95.6% oxygen
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Principle of Operation
 Pneumatic Components
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Gross particle filter
Compressor inlet filter (0.1 um)
Compressor (20 PSI)
Heat exchanger
4-way solenoid-controlled valve
Sieve canisters with zeolite
Pressure equalization valve
Check valve
Pressure regulator
Product canister
Outlet filter (0.3 um)
Flow meter
Principle of Operation
 Electrical Components
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Power Cord
Circuit Breaker (spring-type, thermal, resettable)
Power Switch
Circuit Board
Cooling Fan
Compressor
Capacitor (stores power for alarm)
Transformer
Solenoid
Pressure Equalization Valve
Alarm
Principle of Operation
 Oxygen Sensor
 Monitors concentration of oxygen leaving
product canister
 Sounds alarm when concentration too low
 Pressure Sensor
 Monitors pressure in the canisters
 Sounds alarm when pressure is too high
or low
Diagrams
Pneumatic
Diagram
Compressor
Sieve
Bed
Sieve
Bed
Air Exhaust
Four-way Valve
Directs air from compressor into sieve beds
Directs exhaust nitrogen out of sieve beds
Diagrams
Diagrams
 Solenoid & Pressure Equalization Valve
 Coil and pin assembly
 800-1000 Ohms indicates
good coil
 24 V DC signal from
circuit board
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Applications
 Patients with diminished lung
function need extra oxygen
 Oxygen cylinders are not always
available or too expensive for
patients
Safety
 Near the concentrator DO NOT:
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SMOKE
CREATE A SPARK
IGNITE A FLAME
Oxygen is extremely flammable
Always use PPE
Before using, read the owner's manual
Check filters are clean
Do not come in contact with concentrator if wet
Unplug machine when working on it
Operation
 Place concentrator at least 3“ away from other items in room
 Avoid placing on deep pile carpets or near heaters, radiators or
hot air registers
 Plug concentrator into electrical outlet. Extension cords are
never to be used.
 Connect tubing
 Turn unit ON and set flow rate.
 Alarm will sound for ~5 seconds
 To set flow rate, put ball on top of the L/min line of the flow meter
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NOTE: Flow must be set after all delivery apparatuses have been
connected
 The concentrator may be used during initial warm up period
(approximately 30 min) while waiting for O2 purity to reach max
 Alarm will sound if:
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Concentrator is On and Unplugged
The oxygen concentration is below 85% for more than 15 minutes
Preventive Maintenance
 On Each Inspection: Record date of service. Record
hour meter reading. Clean cabinet filters. Check
prescribed L/min. flow rate.
 Every 180 Days (4380 Hrs): Check oxygen
concentration.
 Annually or During PM Schedule: Clean/ replace
cabinet filters. Check outlet filter. Check compressor
inlet filter. Check O2% and power loss alarm.
 As Required: Clean heat exchanger. Replace
exhaust muffler. Rebuild top end of compressor.
Common Failures/
Troubleshooting
 Low or No Oxygen Output
 Filters may be blocked & need replacement
 Check Gross Particle Filter
 Check Compressor Inlet Filter
 Sieve Canisters may need to be replaced
 Humidifier Bottle is not screwed on properly
 Compressor
 Leaks at fitting or tubing
 Work cup seals or gaskets
 Heat Exchanger tubing leak
Common Failures/
Troubleshooting
 Unit won’t turn on/power loss
 No power at outlet
 Power cord is frayed, broken or damaged
 Issue with on/off switch
 Faulty Switch
 Disconnected wires
 Tripped Circuit Breaker
 PC Board
 Damaged
 Loose Connector
Common Failures/
Troubleshooting
 Internal Power Loss
 Transformer Assembly
 Faulty
 Connector Loose or Disconnected
 Faulty wiring
 PC Board
 Faulty