Oxygen‐Generation Systems

Abstract

Oxygen generation from oxygen‐containing compounds is used for systems for respiratory support wherever sufficient oxygen from air is unavailable. Use is made in submarines and spacecraft as well as in breathing apparatus. Additionally these systems provide emergency oxygen supplies for aircraft in the case of decompression and for bomb shelters. Materials composition and reactions, system design, and oxygen gas purity are presented. Discussed herein are systems based on chlorates, perchlorates, peroxides, and superoxides. Whereas alkali metal salts of these anions all produce oxygen, the peroxides and superoxides also provide a mechanism for carbon dioxide absorption. Most commercial production centers around large chlorate candles for use in submarines and use of potassium superoxide in portable breathing apparatus and emergency aircraft oxygen supply.

Revitalization of air using a potassium superoxide plate in hypoxic space: Performance and kinetic model under natural convection conditions

“…Typically, methods employed for supplying oxygen are divided into two categories: (1) physical methods, which utilize compressed oxygen or clean air from storage cylinders for supplying oxygen 3 and (2) chemical techniques, which utilize oxygen-containing compounds, such as alkali metal chlorates or perchlorates and alkali metal peroxides or superoxides to produce oxygen via oxygen generation reactions. 4 Between these two types of methods, chemical techniques, which have a high oxygen yield and are convenient to use, have demonstrated tremendous potential for application in emergency mine rescue. 5 Moreover, various chemical oxygen generators have been developed for different applications with different merits and demerits depending on the different chemical reaction mechanisms.…”

Nanocomposite and mechanically alloyed reactive materials as energetic additives in chemical oxygen generators

“…Chemical oxygen generators, also called self-contained oxygen generators (SCOG) and oxygen candles, are widely used for military and civilian applications, including aircraft, spacecraft, submarines, and mine rescue [1]. Commercial airplanes, for example, use chemical oxygen generators to provide oxygen to the passengers in case of depressurization of the cabin.…”