OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR AND METHOD

摘要

An oxygen concentrator is for generating a flow of oxygen by electrolysis of atmospheric humidity. It comprises a cathode (24) and an anode (26) contacting opposite sides of a proton-conducting membrane (12). A catalytic apparatus (14) comprises a diffusion layer (28) which spaces a catalyst (30) from the cathode. The cathode and the catalytic apparatus are contained within a cathode chamber which comprises a ventilation means (44) for allowing a controlled flow of air to the catalyst. In operation water is electrolysed at the anode and hydrogen generated at the cathode flows through the diffusion layer to the catalyst, where it reacts with atmospheric oxygen to form water which flows back to the proton-conducting membrane for further electrolysis.