Has anyone made an O2 membrane

[Starnetman2001]

I have my own compresser but was thinking how great it would be to have a membrane but without the 3k bill that goes with it :)

Surely it can't be more difficult than making a canister that holds a membrane and allows O2 to pass through through membrane and Nitrogen to depart another way :confused:

Ideas anyone :eek:

[PeteM]

I have my own compresser but was thinking how great it would be to have a membrane but without the 3k bill that goes with it :)

Surely it can't be more difficult than making a canister that holds a membrane and allows O2 to pass through through membrane and Nitrogen to depart another way :confused:

Ideas anyone :eek:

Few thing you would have to consider.


It is the nitrogen that goes through the membrane not the oxygen
You need a (partial) pressure differential across the membrane otherwise the speed of migration will be equal in both directions.
If you want the process to happen at anything other than glacial speed that differential needs to be quiet high.
The membrane and chamber must be strong enough to cope with that differential

[Starnetman2001]

What I was really wondering is where I would get the material to make a membrane?

What is it made out of?

Will someone buy me one for my birthday?

[Nigel Hewitt]

What I was really wondering is where I would get the material to make a membrane?
What is it made out of?
Sorry that's the complicated bit.
The trick would probably be to buy a replacement membrane for an existing system as they need changing after N hours but you'll probably discover that that destroys the savings of DIYing the presure vessels.

Most of us who do blend-your-own-gas just buy in O2 by the J and mix that with air to make Nitrox. HP O2 isn't nice stuff but if you follow the rules it is safe. You'd have to get through a lot of O2 before you were near the cost of a membrane system.

[Adrian Kelland]

You could try a Nitrox Stick instead...

[Gordon]

...Nitrox Stick...

Do they grow on Nitrox Trees??

[Blu DL]

I think this isn't something to be homemade IMO -

Nitrogen has an atomic weight of 14, Oxygen is 16. Therefore the molecules of N2 are 28 and O2 are 32. The membrane presumeably has to stop the 02 passing through and allow the N2 to pass through - at a considerable rate. Thus the mmbrane has to be manufactured to exceptional tollerances and be very strong and inflexible.

I Don't think a collander welded to a bean can will do it :D but full marks for omptimism.

[Starnetman2001]

I think this isn't something to be homemade IMO -

Nitrogen has an atomic weight of 14, Oxygen is 16. Therefore the molecules of N2 are 28 and O2 are 32. The membrane presumeably has to stop the 02 passing through and allow the N2 to pass through - at a considerable rate. Thus the mmbrane has to be manufactured to exceptional tollerances and be very strong and inflexible.

I Don't think a collander welded to a bean can will do it :D but full marks for omptimism.

A collinder??? That would be silly. Was thinking of a cheese grater actually :D

With me being an individual rather then a club, the membrane would not need to be fast.



Has anyone any idea of what material is used?

[MikeTonge]

Has anyone any idea of what material is used?

I did a search for o2 membrane material on google and came up with the following research articles that might help:
http://edoc.mpg.de/411211
http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=16402554

Also found:
The Nuvair Nitrox System uses a semi permeable Permia membrane to produce O2 rich air (Nitrox). The Nitrox at up to 40% O2 mixture, can then be compressed with an oil lubricated high-pressure compressor into scuba bottles or storage cylinders for later use, or with a low-pressure compressor for immediate delivery to divers. A very simple procedure.

at http://www.prodivingservices.com.au/page.php?ID=68&fl=1

Hope this helps.

[mixedangased]

I did a search for o2 membrane material on google and came up with the following research articles that might help:
http://edoc.mpg.de/411211
http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=16402554

Also found:
The Nuvair Nitrox System uses a semi permeable Permia membrane to produce O2 rich air (Nitrox). The Nitrox at up to 40% O2 mixture, can then be compressed with an oil lubricated high-pressure compressor into scuba bottles or storage cylinders for later use, or with a low-pressure compressor for immediate delivery to divers. A very simple procedure.

at http://www.prodivingservices.com.au/page.php?ID=68&fl=1

Hope this helps.


if your only interested in up to 40% why dont you make your own nitrox stick and run that through a compressor?, you could knock one up in a couple of hours easy :D

[Gordon]

Have just googled Nitrox stick and am back on the ball...

[Adrian Kelland]

Have just googled Nitrox stick and am back on the ball...
Don't sound so hard do they?

My only concern ( I think) is the right compressor to pump the Nitrox.

[Starnetman2001]

Using a Nitrox Stick means I have to buy the O2. Call me cheap but was hoping a membrane would do that :o

Membrane still proving to be financially elusive though. :(

[ozone1]

Using a Nitrox Stick means I have to buy the O2. Call me cheap but was hoping a membrane would do that :o

Membrane still proving to be financially elusive though. :(

I can get hold of some 1/4 inch drills and a sheet of stainless if you want:D :D .

Cheers ozone

.

[MarkM]

Stripping air of nitrogen isn't your only problem, Argon is the next most prolific gas after N2 & O2.

I've looked at several options and ended up with a nitrox stick and 'J's of Oxygen.

[Starnetman2001]

Your giving away sheets of stainless?? Nice :D

Do you also know anything about PIC programming too?

Though many companies sell a membrane unit, I cannot find any that sell just the membrane material.

David.