Chemical oxygen generator

An oxygen generator comprising:

• a closed canister having an outlet valve;
• an oxygen-generating candle installed in said canister for producing a breathable gas and including therein an amount of an oxygen source which upon ignition and decomposition thereof, will yield oxygen and residual chlorine, said candle comprising from about 0.5-15% by weight of a metal powder fuel, from about 20-99% by weight of an oxygen source selected from the group consisting of sodium chlorate, potassium chlorate, lithium chlorate, sodium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate and lithium perchlorate, and from about 0.05-10% by weight of a non-toxic additive incorporated into said candle for suppression of said residual chlorine and smoothing the decomposition of said candle, said additive being selected from the group consisting of:
• (1) the oxides, hydroxides and carbonates of calcium and the rare earth elements;
• (2) the hydroxides and carbonates of magnesium;
• and (3) mixtures of the foregoing, said additive being in intimate admixture with said fuel and oxygen source for suppressing the formation of free chlorine and smoothing the decomposition of said candle upon said ignition thereof, said candle being operable for producing said breathable gas over a period of several minutes;
• and
• means for igniting said candle.