Oxygen Concentrator Porn

[LBJ]

Thought I'd shared and show you all the O2 concentrator system in my studio.

This type of setup is a MAJOR investment and not for the weekend warrior.

10 HP Rotary Screw Air Compressor with Dryer Package (dehumidifier), 120 gallon tank, single phase, variable speed smart system with factory installed internal VFD for running on residential single phase power supply.
The total air compressor system feeds a AIRSEP AS-D oxygen generator which in turn feeds a 120 gallon reserve cylinder @ 75psi.
The generator has a variable setting for O2 output but for this particular model 70-75psi is ideal for maximum O2 concentration percentages.

Ventilation system is a 4' x 6' commercial hood with a 1100cfm exhaust fan setup.
I have a couple of partition panels which can be attached to the table and overhead vent hood setup which increases the volume extraction.

The work bench also has industrial locking casters for moving and positioning along with a built in back wall which has a few magnetic tool holder strips which holds a few of my hand tools and whatever else.

This system adequately supplies enough O2 to the following torches and burners.
3 National hand torches with various tips,
2 Little Smith torches,
1 Bethlehem Champion,
1 GTT Mirage. The Mirage is the O2 hog.

[kevingreenbmx]

That's quite the system... What was your major driving factor for going this route vs. the more typical repurposed Medical concentrators + oxygen compressor route? Cost, reliability, floor space?

[ESC]

Wowsers! Not really feasible for those who aren't making high demand/high volume pieces, but just wow!

[LBJ]

Thought you all would enjoy seeing and hearing about this setup.

To put it quite simply, KISS. lol.
Keep is simple stupid.

I say that but it took me around 6 weeks of research to figure it all out and get everything ordered for setup and installation.


I didn't want to be maintaining and dealing with a pieced together HVO system made from however many 10+ lpm concentrators and then have a purity issue pop up and have me standing there scratching my head while spending countless hr's running test and trying to figure out which concentrator is faulty or having issues.
As the old saying goes; Time is money.

Annual maintenance or every 500 hrs of load time, (not run time) it costs right around $500 for oil, filters and belts.

Airsep filters run around $300 and have to be changed every 8K hrs.

Chump change taking into consideration what this system does and provides.

As a precautionary measure I also added a set of high purifying paper and coalescent filters between the compressor and O2 generator to ensure the A5 sieve never sees any moisture or oil contamination even though the Eaton total air system supplies breathable plant air as is comes.
That's another $300 but a strong measure in reassurance that my unit won't get damaged due to contamination.
If memory serves me correctly it would cost around $1800 to have the sieve replaced in this unit.
Not something I exactly look forward to doing just because of an over sight within designing and planning the set up and installations.

Side note: To my knowledge all O2 concentrators and generators require A5 molecular
sieve to produce purified O2 around 95%.
Cost of a system of this size runs around $25K all said and done IF you are the one setting up and installing everything.

Then there's the issue of proper electrical set up and supply.
If contracted out and you live in the south east of the USA (price subjective to regional territory of establishment) it'll run about $2500-$3500 for all electrical work and permits.

All in all, it's worth every cent and then some.

[LBJ]

Here's another piece of lampworking equipment porn for your pleasure. lol

Litton U just back from the factory. It was actually about 2 months ago.
99.99% Totally remanufactured to new.
You only live once!

I know the pic shows alarming signs like a torch pointed towards a fuel line hang over the back.
Rest assured it hadn't been put into operation at that point in time.
I had just uncrated it and was strictly pondering and running through my mind different scenario setups for burner/torch rail slides and a drag bar for tooling and whatever else pops up as feasible usage.

[ESC]

Oh. My. Serious glass equipment lust going on here.

[rcktscientist]

As an engineer, it makes me very happy to see that you took this approach. Glassblowers tend to be wonderfully creative people but that seems to hit a wall with the technical stuff. Obviously, you got over that wall and kudos to you, sir!

Keep your notes and stuff organized. You never know...this could lead to another income stream for you...can you say oxygen generation consultation fees?

[LBJ]

Thanks fellas.

Another part of the equation which had serious weight in my decision to go this route is the simple fact that NJ Salem's Scientific Glassblowing course is 2 years and cost around $60K+ for tuition not to mention the cost of books, materials, living cost, food, etc.
Gets really really expensive real quick with no guarantees.

Disclaimer: I'm only half crazy. lol

So instead of running off to Salem why not use those same funds for building a full blown studio and classroom where I can discover the mysteries of boro and perfect any given process to fabricate whatever I or a customer wants.

Worse case scenario, It didn't work out and I got out of glassblowing.
Sell off all the equipment to recouple the investment and go another direction with minimal loss if any loss at all.
In reality, selling off the studio isn't an option at this point in time.
Have already went to deep into the worm hole. lol

It's an adventure every time I fire up the torch for sure.

Would be more than happy to help out whomever if anybody has a question or two about setting up a system like shown above.
If I have to spend any amount of serious time designing a total system for you then that's a whole different story.

[ESC]

I wish, but my 12x16 studio is already packed to the studs with no room to add any more equipment, period. But I can look and admire.

[queenofsheba52]

Hello Mr. President! (Says the old lady who remembers President Lyndon B. Johnson)

That is 1 beautiful oxy set up. I hope we'll see some of your work in the Gallery!

[LBJ]

I haven't been lampworking much this past year due to carpal tunnel surgery and a few other things that needed surgical correction like another round of carpal surgery on the other extremity this coming year and an upcoming eye surgery as well.
But yes, you all will more than likely see some of my work here and there.

Always looking for corrective criticism. lol