A laboratory assessment of oxygen delivery from a portable chemical generator

A simple portable chemical oxygen generator was tested in the laboratory. The device is designed for use by the public as an oxygen supply until an emergency team arrives with appropriate oxygen cylinders. The generator was found to supply a mean (SD) flow of oxygen of 3.6 (0.01) l.min-1 for 12.5 (range 12.4-12.6)min. The mean (SD) total volume of oxygen produced was 47(0.17) l. The supplied oxygen mask was a variable performance type with the problems and limitations inherent in this design; an oxygen flow of 8 l.min-1 is required to provide 40% oxygen and most of the oxygen is wasted and not available to the patient. This poses a serious limitation to any device which has a limited capability (in flow and/or total volume) for producing oxygen.