Oxygen generation?

[david h]

Dear all,

Just a technical question that has been on my mind for some time.I'm sure someone here can answer it.

Nuclear Subs have oxygen generators on board and C02 scrubbers. This means that they have an unlimited oxygen supply.

Why do Diesel -electric boats not have these? I realise that Batteries are a major drawback in terms of charging and you need to schnorkel to recharge. However what runs low first, breathable air or battery power, over a long period at creep speed?

Surely if the boat was sitting on the bottom and using no propulsive power then the batteries could be used for Oxygen generation.

My hunch is that Oxygen power requires tremendous electrical energy and it would drain the batteries dry ,quickly.

Am I right ,anyone?


dave H

[wingtip]

because the oxygen comes from

because the oxygen comes from the nuclear reactor..... diesel electrics are just that...not nuclear......


if i remember correctly

[JWLaRue]

Umm....oxygen does not come from

Umm....oxygen does not come from the nuclear reactor.....

The oxygen generators require electricity to run and both diesel and nuclear powered subs have electrical generators.

There just isn't enough power in the batteries to handle the ship's power requirements and add oxygen generators as well.

-Jeff

[wingtip]

ok, it doesnt come directly

ok, it doesnt come directly from the reactor, i shouldve been more clear. electrolysis uses electrical energy to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. The electrical energy can come from many electricity producing sources including a nuclear reactor.........

but i agree, it takes alot of electricity to do both power the ship and the o2 generators from a non reactor ship...

is this stuff cool or what

[david h]

I understand how the oxygen

I understand how the oxygen is generated and the first one on it coming from the reactor threw me. I just did'nt know what they were'nt in stalled on conventioanl subas and my hunch seems correct it's to do with power drain and limited batterie power.

thanks guys,

david H