Importance

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Abstract

A first compressor (10) supplies atmospheric air or other gaseous mixtures to a crossover valve (20) at a first relatively low pressure, e.g., 15-18 psi. The crossover valve alternately supplies the atmospheric air to a first molecular sieve bed (22) and a second molecular sieve bed (24) while simultaneously permitting the other molecular sieve bed to discharge adsorbed gaseous components of atmospheric air through a waste gas discharge port (26). A second compressor (40) draws the oxygen which passes through the molecular sieve beds without being adsorbed through a restrictor (60) and a needle valve (62). The restrictor and needle valve are selected and adjusted such that an oxygen pressure of about 2-6 psi is maintained upstream of at least the needle valve. The second compressor increases the pressure of the oxygen to at least 45 psi and pumps it into a storage tank (46) from which it may be supplied to welding or other industrial equipment.

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First Claim