Oxygen Generators

Oxygen generators are used to provide a continuous supply of oxygen for various applications. Also know as chemical oxygen generators, or solid fuel oxygen generators, oxygen generators are used in multiple settings, including: airplanes, breathing apparatuses for firefighters and mine rescue crews, and submarines. Oxygen generator products include large industrial oxygen generator systems, scuba oxygen tanks and bottles, home oxygen generator equipment, hospital oxygen supply systems, aquaculture oxygen systems, ozone generators, emergency oxygen systems, and portable oxygen generator sets. Oxygen generators are used frequently in hospitals, fish farms (aquaculture), mining, water and waste treatment, and metal cutting. On the International Space Station, chemical oxygen canisters were available to produce enough oxygen for one crewmember for one day!

An oxygen generator is a device that releases oxygen created by a chemical reaction. The generators are usually ignited mechanically, by a firing pin. Air is applied to the generator at a pressure of 90 psi. Most oxygen generators use PSA, or Pressure Swing Adsorption technology, utilizing unique molecular sieves to separate air into its constituent parts of nitrogen, oxygen and trace gases. These sieves allow the smaller nitrogen molecules to pass through, while adsorbing the oxygen whose molecules are too large to pass through. When the sieve becomes saturated with oxygen molecules, they are dislodged by a sudden jump in pressure (hence the name of the process) and the process can start again. Systems usually use two or more beds to smooth out the gas production. This process is widely used for small commercial oxygen generation systems, while very large systems use a process called "cyrogenic fractionation". Purity of oxygen from oxygen generators varies between 75 and 95% according to manufacturer and operating level (typically the more oxygen a system produces, the lower the purity).

Oxygen generators are quite efficient in terms of cost of energy per kg of oxygen produced, but all generators also require a compressed air source (typically at between 60 and 100 psi). The cost of energy required to produce this compressed air can often be very high. The suitability of an oxygen generator to a site is dependant on the cost of electricity in the area, the cost of oxygen (if purchased in other forms) and also the cost of replacement of the filters. It should also be remembered when installing an oxygen generator that a back up supply needs to be in place in case of breakdown or failure of electrical supply. Oxygen generators, when fired, produce oxygen. The chemical reaction is usually also exothermic, meaning it produces heat, making the generator a potential fire hazard. In fact, accidental activation of improperly shipped expired oxygen generators caused the famous ValuJet Flight 592 crash. As a result, the Airline Passenger Safety Act of 1997 was introduced, stating that a chemical oxygen generator may not be transported as cargo on any aircraft carrying passengers or cargo in air commerce regardless of whether the generator has been discharged.

Portable oxygen generators, designed for people who breathe supplemental oxygen, are on the rise. Additional home and commercial applications of portable oxygen generators include: aquarium and agriculture use, food sterilization, medical ozonators for laboratory use, oxygen bars, oxygen therapy or ozone generators that use bottled oxygen for the feed gas. Portable oxygen generators may be used to raise the oxygen levels in the living or work environment.

A growing number of hospitals have ended their expensive reliance on liquid and compressed oxygen, and are now using cost-effective oxygen generators. All hospital oxygen systems come equipped with a continuous monitoring station. This device ensures that the oxygen's purity and concentration of CO and CO2 gas remain within acceptable limits. In the unlikely event the system deviates from its pre-set limits, it automatically switches to the secondary oxygen supply. The system's alarm calls attention to the problem so that corrective service can be performed.

Oxygen generator equipment provides for a convenient, cost effective means of producing oxygen on-site. Breath easy with an oxygen generator today!