Reaction characteristics of oxygen generation from plate-like potassium superoxide within a confined space

Abstract

Abstract: Plate-like potassium superoxide (PLPS) can be used for atmosphere control and life support as chemical oxygen in coal mine refuge chambers. To simulate oxygen generation of single PLPS piece in a confined space, five groups of experimental studies under different temperatures and humidities were performed in a simulator. Under these experimental conditions, temperature and humidity were proportional to the increase rate of oxygen concentration and inversely proportional to the effective time of oxygen generation. A kinetic model of single potassium superoxide was established based on the experimental data and their description by reaction kinetics. The evolution of oxygen was divided into fast and slow reaction stages. The explanation of the behavior of the fast reaction stage is controlled by interfacial reaction and the slow reaction stage by internal diffusion. The suitable ranges of the kinetic model and three application parameters were determined from the oxygen concentration build-up using PLPS pieces.