A small starter charge heats the core to about 600°C (1112°F) to trigger the decomposition of sodium chlorate. The sodium chlorate breaks down into sodium chloride (table salt) and a steady stream of pure oxygen gas, while the iron powder burns to supply the ongoing heat needed to sustain the reaction.
A single compact unit can yield hundreds to thousands of liters of oxygen over a span of 20 to 90 minutes depending on its size. Employed as reliable emergency backups in confined or sealed environments like commercial airplanes (powering the drop-down passenger masks), submarines, and space stations.
Because they operate at extremely high temperatures and release pure oxygen, improper handling or accidental activation poses a severe fire hazard in enclosed spaces.
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NOt on Amazon, dang. I think since oxygen is necessary for life it should be available without a doctors approval.
ReplyDeleteWell it is as descibed, for emergency use to make oxygen ,never had to use one on my sub but had similar setup for the oba for firefighting.
ReplyDeleteThe Navy used to have a thing called an OBA that used an oxygen candle in a cannister. Safer than fire-fighter's air tanks and with unlimited endurance, just change the cannister out when the first is depleted.
ReplyDeleteI worked for a couple of Aviation companies that made these chemical based oxygen generators. The reaction temperature is actually only about 450°F on the outside surface of the canister. A unit the size of a soda can makes oxygen for about 12 minutes. We had larger units that went to 22 minutes and could supply 4 people. There are commercial products available such as escape hoods for hotel fires, mines, and cargo ships.
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