An apparatus and method generate oxygen gas from sodium percarbonate and water including seawater. The apparatus includes a chamber, a valve system, and an output port. The valve system controls combining a quantity of the sodium percarbonate, a quantity of the water, a quantity of potassium iodide, and optionally a quantity of sodium sulfate decahydrate. A chemical reaction between the sodium percarbonate and the water in the chamber generates oxygen gas, which is output at an output port from the chamber. The potassium iodide is a catalyst for the chemical reaction and optionally the sodium sulfate decahydrate is a temperature moderator for the chemical reaction. A ratio between the water and the sodium percarbonate is in a range of 2.5 to 8 by weight. A ratio of the potassium iodide per liter of the water yields a molarity in a range of 0.25 to 1.25.

Provided herein is a hybrid system for generating oxygen on-board an aircraft for passengers and/or flight crew to breath. The system includes a first chemical oxygen generator component configured to promptly supply oxygen suitable for breathing upon an emergency situation arising and during an initial descent mode. Heat produced from the exothermic decomposition reactions inherent in several types of chemical oxygen generators can be harvested and feed to a second oxygen generator. The second oxygen generator is a solid electrolyte oxygen separation system that catalytically separates oxygen from air inside specialized ceramic materials at high temperatures, about 650 C. to 750 C., using electrical voltage. The ability to feed heat from the first oxygen generator to the second oxygen generator substantially reduces the lag time until the second ceramic oxygen generator is available to take over as the oxygen supply.

An oxygen generator for use in a passenger aircraft comprises an oxygen generating substance for generating oxygen gas after being activated; an activating substance for activating the oxygen generating substance; a pyroelectric igniter for igniting the activating substance upon receiving an electric trigger input; a housing defining a gas-tight chamber, accommodating the oxygen generating substance, the activating substance and the pyroelectric igniter; at least two electric conductors, coupled to the pyroelectric igniter and extending through a passage in the housing between an interior of the gas-tight chamber and an exterior of the gas-tight chamber; and at least one of a gas-tight glass-to-metal sealing and a gas-tight ceramic-to-metal sealing, sealing the at least two electric conductors with respect to the housing at the passage.

An oxygen generator for use in a passenger aircraft comprises an oxygen generating substance for generating oxygen gas after being activated; an activating substance for activating the oxygen generating substance; a pyroelectric igniter for igniting the activating substance upon receiving an electric trigger input; a housing defining a gas-tight chamber, accommodating the oxygen generating substance, the activating substance and the pyroelectric igniter; at least two electric conductors, coupled to the pyroelectric igniter and extending through a passage in the housing between an interior of the gas-tight chamber and an exterior of the gas-tight chamber; and at least one of a gas-tight glass-to-metal sealing and a gas-tight ceramic-to-metal sealing, sealing the at least two electric conductors with respect to the housing at the passage.

Various systems and devices for generating nitric oxide are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the device includes a body having an inlet, an outlet, and a porous solid matrix positioned with the body. The porous solid matrix is coated with an aqueous solution of an antioxidant, wherein the inlet is configured to receive a gas flow and fluidly communicate the gas flow to the outlet through the solid matrix to convert nitrogen dioxide in the gas flow into nitric oxide. The porous solid matrix allows the device to be used in any orientation. Additionally, the porous solid matrix provides a rigid structure suitable to withstand vibrations and abuse without compromising device functionality.

Various systems and devices for generating nitric oxide are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the device includes a body having an inlet, an outlet, and a porous solid matrix positioned with the body. The porous solid matrix is coated with an aqueous solution of an antioxidant, wherein the inlet is configured to receive a gas flow and fluidly communicate the gas flow to the outlet through the solid matrix to convert nitrogen dioxide in the gas flow into nitric oxide. The porous solid matrix allows the device to be used in any orientation. Additionally, the porous solid matrix provides a rigid structure suitable to withstand vibrations and abuse without compromising device functionality.