Abstract:
A method and apparatus are provided for generating Oxygen. Water-soluble chemicals are mixed in water, and the result is medically pure Oxygen. The water-soluble chemicals have long shelf-lives and are non-toxic, not an environmental hazard, not a fire hazard, and not an explosive hazard. Once the reaction is complete, the remaining waste solution can be disposed of in a conventional waste disposal system with no adverse affects. All of these attributes contribute to a safe, compact, and easily usable Oxygen generation system.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The invention relates generally to oxygen generation and, more particularly, to robust oxygen generation from a solid or liquid.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Highly pure oxygen gas is used within a variety of applications. More particularly, medical devices use highly pure oxygen for patient care. However, production or generation, transportation, delivering, usage and storage of oxygen can be both cumbersome and dangerous.  
         [0005]     Typical devices today utilize a variety of means to store and produce oxygen. Far and above, the most common apparatus is a compressed gas tank. The compressed gas tank, though, is heavy, requires a regulator, and can be quite dangerous. Oxygen is a very reactive element that can be explosive. Therefore, compressed tanks of pure Oxygen gas can pose a very realistic fire or explosive hazard.  
         [0006]     There are a variety of other Oxygen generation devices that utilize chemical reactions. For example, Oxygen generation canisters are used in passenger aircraft for supplying Oxygen to passengers if the aircraft depressurizes. These canisters, though, can be very unstable devices, especially once the canisters have been deemed to have outlived their respective shelf-lives. In addition, these canisters typically require a spark to initiate the chemical reaction.  
         [0007]     Moreover, with both compressed gas and chemical generators, each type typically requires metal containers and safety equipment. These metal containers are highly subjected to corrosion, which could render the container useless. These metal containers may also require ongoing maintenance, and have moving parts. Also, utilization of metal containers can be quite heavy. As a consequence, they can limit the range of applications for usage, or they may not be well-suited to a broad range of applications.  
         [0008]     Therefore, there is a need for a method and/or apparatus for generating Oxygen that is more robust and less hazardous and that addresses at least some of the problems associated with conventional methods and apparatuses for producing or generating, transporting, using, delivering or storing Oxygen.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention provides an apparatus for generating Oxygen. The apparatus comprises a vessel. Also, the apparatus comprises an aqueous, Oxygen producing solution contained in the vessel, wherein the resulting waste solution is at least configured to be non-toxic and wherein the resulting waste solution is at least configured to not be an environmental hazard. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram depicting an Oxygen generator;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart depicting a first method of producing Oxygen;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart depicting a second method of producing Oxygen; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart depicting a third method of producing Oxygen. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]     In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known elements have been illustrated in schematic or block diagram form in order not to obscure the present invention in unnecessary detail. Additionally, for the most part, details concerning mechanical connections, simple inorganic chemistry, and the like, have been omitted inasmuch as such details are not considered necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present invention, and are considered to be within the understanding of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.  
         [0016]     Referring to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, the reference numeral  100  generally designates an Oxygen generator. The Oxygen generator comprises a vessel  102 , a humidifier  104 , output line  106 , and a usage device  108 .  
         [0017]     The vessel  102  contains the compartment where a chemical reaction that produces the Oxygen takes place. The vessel  102  can be composed of a variety of materials. For example, the vessel can be composed of polypropylene. However, the Oxygen generator  100  only requires that the vessel  102  be composed of a material that can withstand, or which has a conductivity to withstand, the heat generated inside the vessel  102  during the chemical reaction. Typically, the walls of the vessel can vary in thickness. However, the Oxygen generator  100  only requires that the walls of the vessel  102  have a thickness that can withstand the internal pressures that result from aqueous solutions and gas pressure.  
         [0018]     The oxygen generated within the vessel  102  is a result of a chemical reaction. The chemical reaction takes place in an aqueous environment so, that upon complete depletion of a limiting reactant, the remaining waste solution can be discarded into conventional waste disposal systems. The waste solution is also not an environmental hazard as defined by generally accepted systems for measuring material properties, such as the Environmental Protection Agency&#39;s (EPA) Risk Screening Environmental Indicators Model. For example, the waste solution can be soda ash dissolved in water.  
         [0019]     In order to achieve the desired Oxygen generation and environmental acceptability, there are several chemicals that can be utilized. The limiting reactant should be a water-soluble powder or liquid that is non-toxic, not an environmental hazard, not an explosive, not a fire hazard, and have a long shelf-life. Non-toxic, not a fire hazard, and not an explosive can be defined as compounds that are not deemed to be, respectively, non-toxic, a fire hazard, or an explosive, by a generally accepted system for measuring material properties, such as the Hazardous Materials Information System (HMIS). Also, a long shelf-life can be defined as a material that can be stored for an indefinite period of time when stored below the standard temperature of 86° Fahrenheit (F.). For example, Sodium Percarbonate (2Na 2 CO 3 .3H 2 O 2 ) powder can be an acceptable material that can be dissolved in water. The resulting waste liquid from using Sodium Percarbonate (2Na 2 CO 3 .3H 2 O 2 ) in an Oxygen generation reaction is an aqueous solution of Soda Ash. There are also a variety of other chemicals that can be used as the limiting reactant, such as Sodium Perborate (NaBHO 3 ).  
         [0020]     These powders or liquids, though, can also require the use of a catalyst. The catalysts, too, should be water-soluble, non-toxic, not an environmental hazard, not an explosive, not a fire hazard, and have a long shelf-life. Typically, a metal-based catalyst can be used to initiate the chemical reaction, combined with a hydrated salt to absorb the heat generated during the reaction. For example, a combination of a Manganese compound and a Sodium-based compound or similar hydrated salt can be used. There are also a variety of catalysts that can be used, such as compounds containing Iron or Iron Oxides and Copper or Copper Oxides.  
         [0021]     Intuitively, the flow rate from the generators can be varied. Depending on the amount of the limiting reactant and the amount of the catalyst, the flow rate varies. Generation of Oxygen could occur continuously or for predetermined periods of time depending on the amount of the limiting reactant and the catalyst.  
         [0022]     Once a limiting reactant and, possibly, a catalyst have been added to water contained within the vessel  102 , then a humidifier  104  allows for the humidification and/or cooling of Oxygen generated within the vessel  102 . Typically, the humidifier  104  humidifies, or adds water vapor, to the volume of Oxygen gas being generated. The various configurations of the humidifier can also vary the amount of humidity that can be added to the flow of Oxygen. For example, the humidifier  104  can be configured for use by an individual where the relative humidity of the Oxygen gas is 65%. The humidifier can have a variety of configurations that can also vary the temperature of the Oxygen out of the vessel  102 .  
         [0023]     Attached to the humidifier  104  is a carrying tube  106 . The carrying tube carries to a usage device  108 . The tube may be a variety of configurations. For example, the carrying tube can be standard medical tubing. Also, the carrying tube can be omitted in order to provide Oxygen to a room or compartment. The usage device can also be a variety of configurations. For example, the usage device can be a standard medical breathing mask.  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIG. 2  of the drawings, the reference numeral  200  generally designates a flow chart depicting a first method of producing oxygen.  
         [0025]     Steps  202 ,  204 ,  206 , and  208  provide a first method for generating Oxygen that utilizes the Oxygen generator of  FIG. 1 . In step  202 , water is added to the vessel  102  of  FIG. 1 . In step  204 , the limiting reactant powder is added to the water and dissolved. In step  206 , the catalyst, if any, is added to the aqueous solution containing the limiting reactant. In step  208 , the vessel  102  of  FIG. 1  is sealed. The Oxygen generated from the Oxygen generator of  FIG. 1  can then be used for a variety of purposes.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 3  of the drawings, the reference numeral  300  generally designates a flow chart depicting a second method of producing oxygen.  
         [0027]     Steps  302 ,  304 , and  306  provide a second method for generating Oxygen that utilizes the Oxygen generator of  FIG. 1 . In step  302 , water is added to the vessel  102  of  FIG. 1 . In step  304 , the limiting reactant powder and the catalyst, if any, are simultaneously added to the water. In step  306 , the vessel  102  of  FIG. 1  is sealed. The Oxygen generated from the Oxygen generator of  FIG. 1  can then be used for a variety of purposes.  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 4  of the drawings, the reference numeral  400  generally designates a flow chart depicting a third method of producing oxygen.  
         [0029]     Steps  402 ,  404 , and  406  provide a third method for generating Oxygen that utilizes the Oxygen generator of  FIG. 1 . In step  402 , a liquid limiting reactant dissolved in water is added to the vessel  102  of  FIG. 1 . In step  404 , the catalyst, if any, is added to the liquid limiting reactant. In step  406 , the vessel  102  of  FIG. 1  is sealed. The Oxygen generated from the Oxygen generator of  FIG. 1  can then be used for a variety of purposes.  
         [0030]     It will further be understood from the foregoing description that various modifications and changes may be made in the preferred embodiment of the present invention without departing from its true spirit. This description is intended for purposes of illustration only and should not be construed in a limiting sense. The scope of this invention should be limited only by the language of the following claims.