Oxygen Generation

Sodium Chlorate has an extremely high oxygen storage capacity (784 cu ft O₂/cu ft), in fact the theoretical volume/volume storage capacity is very similar to liquid O₂ (798 cu ft O₂/cu ft). In reality, when combined with the necessary components to form a useful product which will release oxygen at a controlled and consistent rate, this storage capacity drops to around 600 cu ft O₂/cu ft. Despite this, when compared with other methods of storing O₂ and taking into account ancillary equipment and maintenance requirements, Molecular Products' chlorate based oxygen generators provide a simple and safe method for rapid oxygen generation. Some of the advantages include:-

• A simple, safe, reliable and economical source of oxygen for both operational and emergency uses
• Available as self contained or unit mounted variants
• Minimum stowage space when compared with alternative oxygen sources
• Long shelf life
• No external power sources required

The simplest form of Oxygen Generator is the CAN 33 type, which is a solid block of sodium chlorate, formulated to produce 3300 litres of Oxygen over a period of 40 to 60 minutes. It is supplied individually in a canister for storage but is removed from the canister for use and requires a specific furnace for operation. A more user friendly and flexible variant is the SCOG (Self-Contained Oxygen Generator) type which is supplied in a thermally insulating canister with integral striker mechanism for use as is, without the requirement for a furnace. This allows the generator to be used almost anywhere, without the need for any ancillary equipment.

Further recent developments of this technology have led to the Portable Atmosphere Control Unit (PACU), which combines Oxygen Generation with Carbon Dioxide absorption (using Sofnolime) to maintain a breathable atmosphere in a confined space, and the EO₂ personal oxygen generator which supplies oxygen to USP standards in medical emergencies.

PACU

The PACU (Portable Atmosphere Control Unit) contains 4 small O₂ generators. The unit produces O₂ and absorbs CO₂ to maintain a breathable atmosphere in a confined space. The unit is completely automated - it monitors the O₂ and CO₂ levels within the room and starts 'fires' the generators as and when required. The CO₂ absorbers run continuously on battery power for 24 hours.

EO₂ - Personal Oxygen Generator

The EO₂ is a recent development, based on the same underlying technology as the CAN33 and SCOG type generators, however it is designed for personal use and therefore has more sophisticated thermal management. The unit is designed to deliver a constant 6 litre per minute flow of Oxygen over a period of 15 minutes. The Oxygen produced is of medical grade and meets United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards. The sophisticated thermal management technology within the EO₂ ensures that in use the unit never exceeds 50oC to the touch. The unit can be used to provide medical grade Oxygen in medical emergencies by first responders or even the general public. The starting mechanism for the EO₂ is a further innovative development which uses a simple cord-pull operation, compared with the percussion start on the SCOG which requires a blank cartridge for operation.