DIY Oxygen Concentrator Generator with Leakage Detection

Introduction

In the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for oxygen concentrators has never been higher. Traditional oxygen concentrators can be costly and hard to find during times of emergency. However, there is an alternative: building a DIY oxygen generator. Not only can you make your oxygen concentrator at home, but you can also include innovative features such as leakage detection for added safety.

Understanding the Basics

Oxygen concentrators, also known as oxygen generators, have been utilized across a wide range of industries since their invention in the 1970s. These machines separate oxygen from atmospheric air, making it available for medical and other applications.

The Concept

Our DIY project focuses on creating an oxygen generator machine that uses Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology, with an emphasis on safety features like leakage detection. The machine employs a microcontroller-based system, pneumatic pressure, zeolite vessels, and a range of sensors to accomplish this.

Components Required

• Atmega 328p Microcontroller
• Oxygen Sensor
• Pressure Sensor
• Pneumatic Pipes
• Pneumatic Valves & Joints
• Zeolite Vessel
• Pressure Vessel
• Electrical components like resistors, capacitors, transistors, etc.

How It Works

• Atmospheric air is initially compressed using an external compressor.
• This compressed air is then passed through zeolite vessels, where nitrogen is separated from the oxygen.
• The oxygen-rich air is stored in a second pressure vessel.
• The system employs pressure and oxygen sensors to monitor the levels of oxygen generated.
• In case of a leakage, the system automatically shuts off and triggers an alert.

Safety Measures

Given that high oxygen levels can fuel combustion, our machine includes a leakage detection system. If a leak is detected, a buzzer will sound, and the system will automatically shut down.

Important Note

This DIY oxygen concentrator is intended for educational and experimental purposes only. It is not fit for medical use as it does not guarantee the required level of oxygen purity.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you can learn how to make an oxygen concentrator at home that not only assists in times of emergencies like the COVID pandemic but also incorporates essential safety features.

Sample Code

// Declare pins
const int oxygenSensorPin = A0;
const int pressureSensorPin = A1;
const int buzzerPin = 13;

// Declare variables
int oxygenLevel = 0;
int pressureLevel = 0;
int leakThreshold = 20;  // Threshold for leakage detection, adjust as needed

void setup() {
  // Initialize the serial port
  Serial.begin(9600);
  
  // Initialize pins
  pinMode(oxygenSensorPin, INPUT);
  pinMode(pressureSensorPin, INPUT);
  pinMode(buzzerPin, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  // Read sensor values
  oxygenLevel = analogRead(oxygenSensorPin);
  pressureLevel = analogRead(pressureSensorPin);

  // Print sensor values for debugging
  Serial.print("Oxygen Level: ");
  Serial.println(oxygenLevel);
  Serial.print("Pressure Level: ");
  Serial.println(pressureLevel);

  // Check for leakage by comparing sensor value to predefined threshold
  if (oxygenLevel > leakThreshold) {
    // Leakage detected, sound the buzzer and stop the system
    digitalWrite(buzzerPin, HIGH);
    while(1) {
      // System halted
    }
  } else {
    // No leakage, turn off the buzzer
    digitalWrite(buzzerPin, LOW);
  }

  // Add your code to control valves, compressors, etc.

  // Delay before next iteration
  delay(1000);
}

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