Burning Nitrogen for Oxygen & Solid Waste Product

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of burning a substance in nitrogen to release pure oxygen and produce a solid waste product without generating any gaseous waste. Participants explore various aspects of combustion, oxygen generation, and chemical reactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the feasibility of burning a substance in nitrogen, noting that combustion typically requires oxygen.
  • Another participant speculates that a substance could react rapidly with nitrogen upon ignition if it contains sufficient energy.
  • A participant introduces the concept of "oxygen generators," which produce oxygen through chemical reactions without relying on atmospheric oxygen.
  • There is mention of "oxygen candles" used in emergency situations, which generate oxygen from chemical reactions.
  • Participants discuss the use of oxygen generators in space stations, highlighting that the primary oxygen supply comes from recycled water using solar power.
  • Questions arise regarding the availability of oxygen generators to the public, with suggestions that they can be sourced from mining or aviation safety equipment companies.
  • A specific chemical, lithium perchlorate, is mentioned, possibly in relation to its use in oxygen generation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the initial question of burning a substance in nitrogen, with some skepticism about the feasibility of such a process. The discussion includes multiple competing ideas about oxygen generation methods, indicating that no consensus exists.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on specific definitions of combustion and chemical reactions, and there are unresolved questions about the practicality and efficiency of the proposed methods for oxygen generation.

electrogluon
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i was wondering if there was a substance that could be burned in the airs natural nitrogen (72%) that would release pure oxygen and a solid state waste product but no gaseous waste products

any speculations?
 
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How would it burn in nitrogen when combustion requres oxygen.
 
is it not possibly for a substand to react rapidly with nitrogen upon ignition considering that the substance contains the energy required
 
no..
 
Do you mean an Oxygen generator?
There are chemical reactions which release oxygen (from oxygen containing compounds) they don't use anything from the atmosphere so it doesn't matter what that is.
They are called "oxygen candles" in industry and are used in emergency fire shelters in mining etc and some aircraft as an alternative to oxygen tanks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_oxygen_generator
 
Ahhh that's cool, I wondered how they created oxygen on space stations. I like learning new things :D
 
xxChrisxx said:
I wondered how they created oxygen on space stations.
It's only as an emergency backup - the main oxygen supply is generated from recycled water using electrical power from the solar panels.

Chemical oxygen generates obviously give you less ovygen than pure compressed oxygen but you don't have the weight of the pressureised tanks. The big advantage is that they are mainatenance free and safe (mostly) - they just sit there for years until you need them.
 
so are these oxygen generaters available to the public?
 
electrogluon said:
so are these oxygen generaters available to the public?
You can probably buy them from mining / aviation safety equipement companies.
There are probably shipping restrictions and I don't imagine they are cheap compared to just buying an oxygen cylinder from your local welding supply shop.
 
  • #10
lithium perchlorate.
 

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