In July 2022, a VPSA oxygen generation system was successfully commissioned in China, utilizing Xintao’s 5A Oxygen Molecular Sieve and activated alumina. The plant consists of two adsorption towers, each with an internal diameter of 2.68 m and a height of 6.5 m. A total of 14 tons of 5A molecular sieve was loaded—7 tons per tower—along with 2.5 tons of activated alumina as a protective adsorbent.
The customer’s key technical requirements included an oxygen flow rate of 350 Nm³/hr and oxygen concentration ≥93% (±2%). After the installation of Xintao’s 5A Oxygen Molecular Sieve, the system consistently delivered an oxygen flow between 340–380 Nm³/hr with a purity level of 95.6%, exceeding performance expectations.
Installation specifications included the use of 304 stainless steel wire mesh and non-woven fabric—four pieces of each material, sized to the tower diameter, for upper and bottom layers in both towers. Contingency measures were also prepared to ensure seamless setup and operation.
Technical Performance & Installation Specifications
The VPSA oxygen generation system is composed of a blower, vacuum pump, switching valves, adsorbers, and oxygen balance tank (including oxygen compressor and gas storage tank).
Process Flow:
- Air enters through filters and blowers into adsorption towers
- Lower tower section with activated alumina removes moisture, CO₂, and contaminants
- Upper tower section with 5A molecular sieve selectively adsorbs nitrogen molecules
- Oxygen passes through to buffer tanks for compression and storage
- Cyclical adsorption-vacuum desorption-pressure equalization ensures continuous operation
Once the molecular sieve becomes saturated with nitrogen, the system switches cycles: the adsorption tower is isolated, vacuum-desorbed, and purged with oxygen-enriched gas to regenerate the sieve. Each adsorber alternates between three stages:
- Adsorption
- Vacuum desorption
- Pressure equalization
The system’s exceptional performance demonstrates Xintao’s capability to deliver reliable molecular sieve solutions for industrial-scale oxygen generation applications, providing customers with efficient, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly gas separation alternatives.
VPSA vs. PSA: Efficiency and Cost-friendly Benefits
The VPSA (Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption) oxygen generation system comprises blowers, vacuum pumps, switching valves, adsorbers, and oxygen balance tanks. This technology operates at approximately 0.05MPA adsorption pressure – less than one-tenth of traditional PSA systems – resulting in significantly lower energy consumption and enhanced environmental benefits.
VPSA (Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption) operates at an adsorption pressure of approximately 0.05 MPa—less than one-tenth of the pressure used in traditional PSA systems, which typically run between 0.5–0.8 MPa.
This lower operating pressure makes VPSA technology significantly more energy-efficient, particularly in large-scale applications. It also supports greener, more sustainable oxygen production by reducing specific power consumption. The successful implementation of Xintao’s 5A molecular sieve in this VPSA plant highlights its suitability for high-efficiency, eco-friendly industrial gas applications.
