Peroxide Oxygen Generator Tuner Compact for Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oxygen generators, such as chlorate candles and peroxide-based systems, face challenges including high temperature requirements, weight and size penalties, production of toxic side products, and inability to adjust oxygen flow rates or stop oxygen production when not needed, especially in varying temperature environments like subfreezing conditions.
Innovation Solution
An oxygen generator using a composition comprising a peroxide compound, a metal oxide or metal salt catalyst, and an ionic liquid, with a tuner compact having a core-shell structure that allows for adjusting oxygen production rates by liberating acidic or basic compounds to control the reaction, enabling modification of oxygen flow rates and stopping or restarting oxygen production as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If chlorate candles are used for oxygen generation, then oxygen can be produced, but high temperatures (350-700°C) are required which necessitates heavy heat insulation and increases weight and size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by using peroxide-based chemistry instead of chlorate candles, enabling oxygen generation at lower temperatures (below 100°C). This eliminates the need for heavy heat insulation while maintaining effective oxygen production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal decomposition mechanism of chlorate candles with a catalytic decomposition mechanism using peroxides and metal catalysts. This substitution allows oxygen generation without requiring high temperatures, thereby reducing the weight and size of the system.
2Power
If chlorate candles are used, then oxygen is produced, but toxic side products (chlorine) are generated which require additional filtration systems increasing size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of toxic side products into a benefit by using peroxide-based chemistry that produces only oxygen and water as decomposition products. This eliminates the need for filtration systems while maintaining clean oxygen production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a clean reaction environment using peroxide decomposition that does not generate toxic substances. The reaction proceeds in an inert manner producing only beneficial oxygen gas, eliminating the need for additional purification components.
3Power
If chlorate candles are used, then oxygen generation occurs, but the liquid reaction zone destabilizes the candle structure causing mechanical shocks or vibrations to interrupt heat transfer and discontinue oxygen production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the liquid-phase chlorate decomposition mechanism with a solid peroxide-based catalytic decomposition system. This eliminates the liquid zone that causes mechanical instability and allows the system to withstand vibrations and shocks while maintaining continuous oxygen production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter from liquid reaction zone to solid reactant decomposition, providing mechanical stability to the candle structure. The solid peroxide crystals decompose reliably without the destabilizing liquid zone, ensuring continuous operation under varying mechanical conditions.
4Power
If peroxide-based oxygen generators use water as the reaction medium, then peroxide decomposition occurs, but water freezes at 0°C preventing oxygen production below freezing temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reaction medium from water to an ionic liquid with a lower freezing point. This parameter change enables the system to operate below 0°C while maintaining liquid-phase catalysis for peroxide decomposition, thus extending the operational temperature range to subfreezing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an ionic liquid as an intermediary reaction medium that remains liquid at lower temperatures. This intermediary substance enables the catalytic decomposition to proceed below 0°C, overcoming the limitation imposed by water freezing.
5Power
If peroxide-based oxygen generators use water as the reaction medium, then peroxide decomposition occurs, but vehement effervescing of the reaction mixture requires complicated structural designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an ionic liquid as an intermediary reaction medium that provides controlled dissolution of peroxide and catalysis. This intermediary system prevents violent effervescing by enabling gradual, controlled oxygen release, thereby simplifying the device structure compared to water-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the reaction medium parameter from water to ionic liquid, which modifies the reaction kinetics to prevent vehement effervescing. The ionic liquid medium provides smoother, more controlled oxygen evolution, eliminating the need for complicated structural designs to manage foam and gas evolution.
6Power
If existing oxygen generators are used, then oxygen can be produced, but the oxygen flow rate cannot be adjusted or stopped when not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic control mechanism using a tunable compact with removable catalyst. This allows the oxygen production rate to be dynamically adjusted by adding or removing the catalyst, enabling the system to adapt to varying oxygen demands and stop production when not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the catalyst into a separate tunable compact that can be independently added or removed from the reaction system. This segmentation enables precise control over the oxygen production rate by controlling the amount of catalyst present, allowing the system to be stopped or restarted as required.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a reliable, continuous oxygen supply with a constant flow rate over an extended period, suitable for various applications, including subfreezing temperatures, without producing toxic byproducts, and allows for precise control of oxygen production to meet demand.
Implementation Method 1
a catalyst, an ionic liquid and, if the ionic liquid is acidic, a basic compound; the catalyst being a metal oxide compound and/or a metal salt
Implementation Method 2
Decomposition of the peroxides yields oxygen
Implementation Method 3
the ionic liquid being in the liquid state at least in a temperature range from −10° C. to +50° C.
Implementation Method 4
at least one tuner compact having a core shell structure including a core and one or more shell layers; wherein a first shell layer completely surrounds the core and each further shell layer completely surrounds a respectively underlying shell layer; at least one of the core and the one or more shell layers consisting of or comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of a catalyst, an acidic compound, and a basic compound
Data Source
AI summary
An oxygen generator includes a composition for generating oxygen and at least one tuner compact having a core shell structure and including a compound selected from a peroxide decomposition catalyst, an acidic compound or a basic compound. The composition for generating oxygen having an oxygen source, an ionic liquid, a peroxide decomposition catalyst and, if the ionic liquid is an acidic liquid, a basic compound. The oxygen source is a peroxide compound. The ionic liquid is in the liquid state at least in a temperature range from −10° C. to +50° C. The peroxide decomposition catalyst is a metal oxide compound and/or a metal salt. There is also described a method for tuning the oxygen production rate of a composition for generating oxygen, and a device for generating oxygen in a tuned manner.