Burning Nitrogen for Oxygen & Solid Waste Product

  • Thread starter electrogluon
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In summary, there is a substance called lithium perchlorate that can be burned in the air's natural nitrogen to release pure oxygen and a solid state waste product without any gaseous waste products. This process is used in emergency fire shelters and some aircraft as an alternative to oxygen tanks. It is also used in space stations as a backup oxygen supply. However, these oxygen generators are not readily available to the public and may have shipping restrictions and be expensive compared to traditional oxygen cylinders.
  • #1
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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  • #2
How would it burn in nitrogen when combustion requres oxygen.
 
  • #3
is it not possibly for a substand to react rapidly with nitrogen upon ignition considering that the substance contains the energy required
 
  • #4
no..
 
  • #5
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
 
  • #6
Ahhh that's cool, I wondered how they created oxygen on space stations. I like learning new things :D
 
  • #7
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.
 
  • #8
so are these oxygen generaters available to the public?
 
  • #9
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.
 

What is the process of burning nitrogen for oxygen and solid waste product?

The process of burning nitrogen for oxygen and solid waste product is known as pyrolysis. It involves heating the nitrogen-containing material at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen, causing it to break down and release oxygen and a solid waste product.

What materials can be used for burning nitrogen for oxygen and solid waste product?

Any material that contains nitrogen can be used for burning, such as organic waste, plastics, and rubber. However, the efficiency of the process may vary depending on the type and composition of the material.

What are the potential benefits of burning nitrogen for oxygen and solid waste product?

Burning nitrogen for oxygen and solid waste product can have several benefits. It can help reduce the volume of waste, produce usable by-products such as biochar, and generate energy in the form of heat or electricity. It also reduces the amount of harmful greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.

What are the potential drawbacks of burning nitrogen for oxygen and solid waste product?

One of the main drawbacks of this process is the release of air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. These pollutants can have negative impacts on human health and the environment if not properly controlled. Additionally, the process may require high energy inputs and can be expensive to implement.

Is burning nitrogen for oxygen and solid waste product a sustainable solution for waste management?

While burning nitrogen for oxygen and solid waste product can have benefits, it should not be seen as a standalone solution for waste management. It is a complementary method that can be used alongside other waste management strategies, such as recycling and composting. It is important to consider the environmental and health impacts, as well as the cost-effectiveness, before implementing this process on a larger scale.

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