Oxygen generator and method for starting or accelerating the oxygen production of an oxygen generating composition

Abstract

An oxygen generator has a composition for generating oxygen and a basic compound. The composition for generating oxygen includes an oxygen source, an ionic liquid, a metal salt, and an optional 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 metal salt has one single metal or two or more different metals, and an organic and/or an inorganic anion. There is also described a method for starting or accelerating the oxygen production of an oxygen generating composition, and a device for generating oxygen in a controlled manner.

1 . An oxygen generator, comprising:
 a composition for generating oxygen including an oxygen source, an ionic liquid, and a metal salt, and   a basic compound for starting or accelerating oxygen production;   said oxygen source comprising a peroxide compound;   said ionic liquid being in the liquid state at least in a temperature range from −10° C. to +50° C.; and   said metal salt having one single metal or two or more different metals, and an organic and/or an inorganic anion.   
     
     
         2 . The oxygen generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said oxygen source is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal percarbonates, alkali metal perborates, urea hydrogen peroxide, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The oxygen generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said ionic liquid is at least one salt having a cation and an anion, the cation is selected from the group consisting of imidazolium, pyrrolidinium, ammonium, pyridinium, pyrazolium, piperidinium, phosphonium, and sulfonium cations, and/or the anion is selected from the group consisting of dimethylphosphate, methylsulfate, ethylsulfate, trifluoromethylsulfonate, bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, chloride, bromide, iodide, tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate, acetate, and but-3-enoate. 
     
     
         4 . The oxygen generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said metal salt comprises at least one cation selected from the group consisting of vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, ruthenium, iridium, and lead. 
     
     
         5 . The oxygen generator according to  claim 1 , further comprising an acidic compound for decelerating or stopping oxygen production. 
     
     
         6 . The oxygen generator according to  claim 5 , wherein said acidic compound is selected from the group consisting of inorganic acids, organic acids, acidic salts and ionic liquids having acidic functionality. 
     
     
         7 . The oxygen generator according to  claim 6 , wherein said acidic compound is selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, sodium hydrogen sulfate, monopotassium phosphate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate, trimethylammonium propane-sulfonic acid hydrogen sulfate, 1-(4-sulfobutyl)-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate, and diethylmethylammonium methanesulfonate. 
     
     
         8 . The oxygen generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said basic compound is selected from the group consisting of hydroxides, basic oxides, basic salts and ionic liquids having basic properties. 
     
     
         9 . The oxygen generator according to  claim 1 , wherein said basic compound is selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, potassium phosphate, sodium acetate, sodium percarbonate, potassium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, calcium oxide, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, tetrabutylammonium arginine, and tetraethylammonium but-3-enoate. 
     
     
         10 . The oxygen generator according to  claim 1 , wherein a pK b -value of said basic compound is below 10, and/or wherein the oxygen generator further comprises an amount of said basic compound sufficient for allowing complete oxidation of said metal ion of said metal salt by at least one oxidation state. 
     
     
         11 . The oxygen generator according to  claim 10 , wherein the pK b -value of said basic compound is below 9.5 and said basic compound is present in an amount sufficient for allowing the complete oxidation of said metal ion by two oxidation states. 
     
     
         12 . The oxygen generator according to  claim 5 , wherein said acidic compound is provided in solid form or in a solution or dispersion or as a pure liquid substance, and/or wherein said basic compound is provided in solid form or in a solution or dispersion or as a pure liquid substance. 
     
     
         13 . The oxygen generator according to  claim 12 , wherein said acidic compound is a tuner compact. 
     
     
         14 . A composition for generating oxygen, comprising:
 an oxygen source, an ionic liquid, a metal salt, and a basic compound; or   if the ionic liquid is a basic ionic liquid or the oxygen source is basic, an oxygen source, an ionic liquid and a metal salt;   wherein:   the oxygen source comprises a peroxide compound;   the ionic liquid is in a liquid state in a temperature range from −10° C. to +50° C.; and   the metal salt comprises one single metal or two or more different metals, and an organic and/or an inorganic anion.   
     
     
         15 . A method of starting or accelerating an oxygen production of an oxygen generating composition, the method comprising:
 providing an oxygen source comprising a peroxide compound;   providing an ionic liquid, which in a liquid state in a temperature range from −10° C. to +50° C.;   providing a metal salt, the metal salt having one single metal or two or more different metals, and an organic and/or an inorganic anion;   contacting the oxygen source, the ionic liquid and the metal salt; and   starting or accelerating the oxygen production by adding a basic compound to the oxygen source, the ionic liquid, and/or the metal salt.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , which comprises decelerating or stopping the oxygen production after a desired time interval by adding an acidic compound, once or multiple times. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein a pK b -value of the basic compound and/or a further basic compound is below 10. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , which comprises setting an amount of the basic compound to be sufficient for allowing complete oxidation of the metal ion of the metal salt by at least one oxidation state. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein a pK b -value of the basic compound and/or a further basic compound is below 9.5 and an amount of the basic compound is sufficient to completely oxidize the metal ion of the metal salt by at least two oxidation states. 
     
     
         20 . A device for generating oxygen in a controlled manner, the device comprising:
 a reaction chamber for housing a composition for generating oxygen, the composition being a combination of constituents including of an oxygen source, an ionic liquid, and a metal salt;   at least one dosing device housing a basic compound and being configured for introducing the basic compound into said reaction chamber, and,   optionally, at least one dosing device housing an acidic compound and being configured for introducing the acidic compound into said reaction chamber;   a separator device for maintaining at least one of the oxygen source, the ionic liquid, and the metal salt physically separated from remaining constituents of the composition for generating oxygen;   a device for establishing physical contact between the oxygen source, the ionic liquid, and the metal salt; and   a device for allowing oxygen to exit the reaction chamber;   or   a reaction chamber housing a composition for generating oxygen, the composition comprising a combination of constituents including of an oxygen source, an ionic liquid, and a metal salt;   a device for allowing oxygen to exit the reaction chamber;   at least one dosing device housing a basic compound and being configured for introducing the basic compound into said reaction chamber, and, optionally, at least one dosing device housing an acidic compound and being configured for introducing the acidic compound into said reaction chamber;   wherein:   the metal salt comprises a single metal or two or more different metals, and an organic and/or an inorganic anion;   the oxygen source comprises a peroxide compound, the ionic liquid is in the liquid state at least in the temperature range from −10° C. to +50° C.; and   a control device for controlling an oxygen production rate by selectively adding the basic compound or, optionally, the acidic compound to the composition for generating oxygen.