A method and apparatus for removing water from compressed air is disclosed. The method includes the steps of passing a stream of compressed air through a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) dryer. The dryer includes at least one vessel containing a desiccant material bound into pieces, for example tubes, using a polymer binder. The PSA dryer also has a control system for controlling the flow of the compressed air and switching between drying and purging modes. In particular the vessel and desiccant material contained therein are sized to produce a dew point suppression of less than 50° C.

Entrained metal hydride particle are removed from a flow of hydrogen from a Mg-based hydride storage unit using not only a particle filter but improvements for reducing or eliminating drastic changes in flow. In addition to or alternative to removal of entrained metal hydride particles, methane produced by reaction of hydrogen with steel in a metal hydride system preferably operated above 350° C. is removed downstream of the Mg-based hydride storage unit using an adsorption cartridge, preferably containing activated carbon.

Entrained metal hydride particle are removed from a flow of hydrogen from a Mg-based hydride storage unit using not only a particle filter but improvements for reducing or eliminating drastic changes in flow. In addition to or alternative to removal of entrained metal hydride particles, methane produced by reaction of hydrogen with steel in a metal hydride system preferably operated above 350° C. is removed downstream of the Mg-based hydride storage unit using an adsorption cartridge, preferably containing activated carbon.

Embodiments of gas concentrating systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment, the system includes, for example, a plurality of modules connectable and disconnectable from each other to thereby adjust the (gas) capacity and modality of the connected system. In this manner, a user need not maintain one system for on the go (ambulatory) scenarios and a wholly second system for stationary (e.g., at home) scenarios. The systems and methods further provide the ability to gradually upgrade the system capacity consistent with the user's lifestyle and medical needs.

Embodiments of gas concentrating systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment, the system includes, for example, a plurality of modules connectable and disconnectable from each other to thereby adjust the (gas) capacity and modality of the connected system. In this manner, a user need not maintain one system for on the go (ambulatory) scenarios and a wholly second system for stationary (e.g., at home) scenarios. The systems and methods further provide the ability to gradually upgrade the system capacity consistent with the user's lifestyle and medical needs.

A device for producing purified oxygen, has a feed (1, 1′) of a mixture of oxygen and argon, and has at least one bed (2, 2A, 2B) of oxygen adsorption material, a purge (3, 3′) for discharging the separated argon and a circuit (4, 4′) for injecting a portion of the purified oxygen produced, into the feed (1, 1′). The device has a programmable logic controller (PLC) for treating the degree of purity and/or the production flow rate that can be set by the user and a control of said purge (3, 3′) as a function of the degree of purity of the purified oxygen and/or of the production flow rate which are desired by the user.

A method of providing a breath to a human patient. The patient has a patient connection connected, by a patient circuit, to a ventilator having a first ventilator connection and a different second ventilator connection. Each of the first and second ventilator connections are in fluid communication with the patient circuit. The method includes identifying, with the ventilator, initiation of an inspiratory phase of the breath, delivering a bolus of oxygen to the first ventilator connection before or during the inspiratory phase, and delivering breathing gases comprising air to the second ventilator connection during the inspiratory phase. The ventilator isolates the bolus of oxygen delivered to the first ventilator connection from the breathing gases delivered to the second ventilator connection.

A volatile liquid vapor recovery system is used to recover vapors produced in the loading of shipping vehicles with volatile liquid product from a storage tank. The recovery system uses a primary vessel with an adsorption bed for adsorbing the volatile liquid vapors and venting clean air including oxygen to the atmosphere. The recovery system regenerates the adsorption bed by recovering the volatile liquid vapors from the adsorption bed and directly delivering said vapors to the storage tank. The system may be adapted to remove oxygen from the primary vessel prior to regeneration, such as by purging and venting the primary vessel with a purge gas or by providing a secondary vessel to receive oxygen and vapors from the primary vessel prior to regeneration of the first adsorption bed. Adsorbed volatile liquid vapor from the secondary vessel can be recycled to the primary vessel for conservation.

A volatile liquid vapor recovery system is used to recover vapors produced in the loading of shipping vehicles with volatile liquid product from a storage tank. The recovery system uses a primary vessel with an adsorption bed for adsorbing the volatile liquid vapors and venting clean air including oxygen to the atmosphere. The recovery system regenerates the adsorption bed by recovering the volatile liquid vapors from the adsorption bed and directly delivering said vapors to the storage tank. The system may be adapted to remove oxygen from the primary vessel prior to regeneration, such as by purging and venting the primary vessel with a purge gas or by providing a secondary vessel to receive oxygen and vapors from the primary vessel prior to regeneration of the first adsorption bed. Adsorbed volatile liquid vapor from the secondary vessel can be recycled to the primary vessel for conservation.

A catalyst used for dehydrogenation of an organic hydrogen-storage material to generate hydrogen, a support for the catalyst, and a preparation process thereof are presented. A hydrogen-storage alloy and a preparation process thereof are also provided. A process for providing high-purity hydrogen, a high-efficiently distributed process for producing high-purity and high-pressure hydrogen, a system for providing high-purity and high-pressure hydrogen, a mobile hydrogen supply system, and a distributed hydrogen supply apparatus are also described.