Frequenty Asked Questions : Last Update - 18 May 2021
Query What is the approximate cost of the plant, including materials and components?
Response The approximate cost is about Rs. 12 to 17 lakhs (with Mild Steel Pressure vessels), depending on the cost of bought out items. The product has about 65 to 70 % bought out items and about 30 to 35 % is the fabrication and assembly.
Query Can design be provided for a smaller unit or larger unit?
Response In principle the process is scalable. However, under open source licensing only the design for 3 NM3/h is released.
Query Can contacts of any fabricators for the vessel, be shared?
Response Any pressure vessel manufacturer in your region can do.
Query What is the licensing procedure for manufacturing S3?
Response Please write to IISc at scube@iisc.ac.in with background about your company, ongoing business and intended business potential for oxygen generator in the next 2 and 5 years. Based on internal review, IISc will revert back to you.
Query In order to calculate fitting requirements and dimensions please provide the CAD files that were used for the construction of the lab prototype.
Response We believe that the drawings and details provided should be good for an engineering group to build the entire system. Any how we will update some additional drawings, soon.
Query Would it be possible to share bare-bones program in whichever micro-controller or platform that you use?
Response The logic sequence provided should be good enough to setup a PLC for the operations.
Query Can contacts of vendors for materials be shared?
Response All the details of the subcomponents, including vendors for the same have been shared in the document.
Query What is the procedure to undertake MoU with you for the use of Open Source License?
Response For open source license acknowledgement to use of IISc design would be important. We expect no MoU for this form of relationship.
Query How can the design be adapted for Sodium / Calcium X Zeolites (Li-X is in short supply)?
Response The design provided is for LiLSX type synthetic zeolite (manufactured by Arkema, France) and for other Zeolite necessary modifications should be carried out and not documented in the open source document.
Query What is the time-frame for replicating the design to create a prototype?
Response It depends on the sourcing of all the materials and fabrication capabilities.
Query From bill of material we come to know that there are around 40 components are required. How much time is required to procure all materials/ components/ equipments?
Response It depends upon the capability of the manufacturer to procure all these items.
Query After procuring all components/ equipments/ materials, how much time is required to erect and develop oxygen generation system?
Response Depends upon the infrastructure. With all the components, it should take less than one week for starting the system.
Query What is the weight of the oxygen generation system?
Response About 1.2 to 1.5 tons for 3 Nm3/h-O2. However, it depends upon the kind of vessels and other equipments used.
Query After developing the system in what way to carry out its testing?
Response The important criteria is to generate the oxygen of specific purity and flow rate. In addition, you may require to optimize the timing of various steps specifically purging and pressure equalization step, one the system is erect. Moreover, as per the current understanding, an NABL accredited lab must clear the entire unit for medical use as well.
Query Is use of stainless-steel mandatory, or can we live with cheaper carbon steel pressure vessels and piping?
Response The choice of material should fulfil the medical grade product. The choice of SS in the prototype was based on some information which was available with us, but the tenders in the recent times does not specify the use of SS.
Query What formulas and assumptions have gone into designing the three pressure vessels? Specifically, what has a superficial velocity been assumed and diameter calculated, or have you followed a different approach?
Response The standard design procedure for high pressure vessel is used in accordance with ASME Section VIII, Div. 1. These skills are generally available in a typical engineering company, which depends on the material of construction.
Query How have you arrived at the pipe sizes? From pressure drop consideration, or have there been other considerations in arriving at the pipe size?
Response Typically, about 8 to 10 m/s is the velocity is used and then standard dimension of the commercial pipe around the arrived diameter is selected.
Query Can you share the specification of the alternate zeolite i.e. - Calcium Based Molecular sieve? Are there any design changes corresponding to the above changes and inform us?
Response The design provided is for LiLSX type synthetic zeolite (manufactured by Arkema, France) and for other Zeolites (NaX, CaX) necessary modifications should be carried out and not documented in the open source document.
Query Table 4. bill of material part details in serial no. 17,18 and 19 are missing, please can you specify the same.
Response There was an error in the serial number. The same has been noted and updated in the revised document.
Query Please provide the detailed component drawing for the hybrid bed also.
Response The basic CAD drawing of the hybrid bed is made available in the document. However, for more clarity, this drawing has been updated in the revised document.
Query Molecular sieve used: ARKEMA AIRSIEV OX19 with N2 adsorption capacity of 18 – 20 ml/gm – quantity 60 kg per adsorber vessel (as mentioned in your report). Considering the oxygen generation capacity of 3 Nm3/hr, the specified quantity of 60 kg ZMS per adsorber appears very much on the higher side for Lithium based ZMS. Preliminary calculations indicate that this quantity (of 60 kg) would be appropriate for Sodium based ZMS which has a much lower (around 8 ml/gm) nitrogen adsorption capacity compared to Lithium based ZMS. Request you to review your report / calculations and confirm whether the specified quantity of 60 kg per adsorber is for LI-ZMS or Na-ZMS. Request you to share the technical data for Airsieve OX19 if it is available with you.
Response These are typical numbers used in the prototype. Besides, the numbers are based on our experiments at the prototype scale and there is definitely scope for improvements.
Query What about the procurement of cylinders? Who will bear the cost of the cylinder
Response The details provided in the Open Source Document will not fill cylinder. This has to be sourced separately and may require some clearances.
Query Whether you supervise the entire project from erection and operation process from scratch?
Response We cannot do it from IISc side but IISc licensees can take up the process.
Query What is the electrical unit consumption per month for 1 and 3 phase both?
Response Electrical unit consumption is typically 1.5 kWh per m3 of oxygen generated.
Query What are the safety norms?
Response Use of pressure vessels, need appropriate code for manufacturer and an NABL accredited lab has to test this.
Query Will IISC supply the plant on TURNKEY Basis or only provide Technology? If only Technology is provided, will IISC will assist sourcing of plant and equipment, technical assistance for erection and commissioning, with charges if any?
Response IISc will not pursue as supplier on turnkey, but can provide you link with licensed manufacturer.
Query Any royalty is payable to IISC during the course of operation?
Response As a part of Open Source Design, no royalties are sought.
Query Warranty period/ life span of the plant?
Response Depends on choice of material, should be around 10 years.
Query What is the requirement of land in Sq. Mtr.?
Response Please refer to the design document.
Query Will the plant be erected in open space (OTS) or any covered shed / building is required?
Response A closed-shed is preferred and recommended.
Query Any water requirement?
Response No
Query Man power requirement for 8 hrs operation (Skilled and semi- Skilled).
Response S3 is designed with necessary automation to have minimum manual intervention.
Query What is the time frame from time of signing Agreement to erection and commissioning, assuming no financial tie-up is envisaged.
Response It depends on the manufacturer and same should be discussed with them.
Query Is there any cheaper and easily available alternative to the adsorbent?
Response Other options are being explored.
Query What are the open Source Licensing terms?
Response Please refer to the design document.
Query What % of components are available off the self and what % the components needs to be fabricated?
Response About 65 to 70 % is bought out items and balance is fabricated.
Query What would be the import components if any?
Response In general except for the zeolite, all the other components are available in Indian market.