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A review on chemical oxygen supply technology within confined spaces: Challenges, strategies, and opportunities toward chemical oxygen generators (COGs)

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Abstract

Chemical oxygen generators (COGs) have been used worldwide in confined spaces as an emergency oxygen supply technology, mainly because they are independent and have a long shelf life. However, a number of challenges related to COGs remain unsolved, and a literature review of the current state of the technology is needed. First, the present article summarizes the basic information and applications of COGs, including their oxygen production mechanism, components, forming technology, and ignition system. Four current challenges encountered in applying COGs are discussed, along with the strategies adopted thus far to solve these problems, as found in the published literature. The literature survey reveals that, although much effort has been devoted to controlling the oxygen production rate and the heat output of COGs, the mechanism of producing toxic gases remains unclear and a reliable and safe ignition system has not been fully developed. Finally, future opportunities in the development of COGs are briefly listed.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2017YFC0805204) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51504017 and 51874015).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil and Resource Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China

    Jian-guo Liu, Long-zhe Jin, Na Gao, Sheng-nan Ou, Shu Wang & Wei-xiang Wang

  2. Key Laboratory of High-Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mines of the Ministry of Education, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China

    Jian-guo Liu, Long-zhe Jin, Na Gao, Sheng-nan Ou, Shu Wang & Wei-xiang Wang

  3. Mine Emergency Technology Research Center, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China

    Jian-guo Liu, Long-zhe Jin, Na Gao, Sheng-nan Ou & Shu Wang

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  1. Jian-guo Liu
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Correspondence to Long-zhe Jin.

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Liu, Jg., Jin, Lz., Gao, N. et al. A review on chemical oxygen supply technology within confined spaces: Challenges, strategies, and opportunities toward chemical oxygen generators (COGs). Int J Miner Metall Mater 26, 925–937 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-019-1809-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-019-1809-6

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