NRL'S Central Atmosphere Monitor Program.
Abstract
To meet the operational requirement of having submarines remain submerged for periods up to 90 days, it is necessary to have a pure atmosphere for the survivability of the crew. This requires some method for analyzing the submarine atmosphere. The current system under development, CAMS-II, will use a computer-controlled scanning mass spectrometer. Therefore, any compound that is introduced into the submarine's atmosphere can, in principle, be monitored by only a program change in the computer. CAMS-II also uses an infrared detector to monitor CO. The CAMS-IIB, an integrated life support system, is the last stage of the CAMS program. If CAMS-II is as reliable as CAMS-I, the CAMS-II computer system will be expanded to control the entire life support system of the submarine. For example, in the CAMS-IIB system, when the oxygen concentration decreases the CAMS-IIB computer automatically increases the oxygen concentration of the submarine to the desired level by adjusting the oxygen generator output. Similarly the CAMS-IIB will control the CO2 scrubber, monitor the carbon bed status for contaminant breakthroughs, and adjust the temperature of the CO/H2 catalytic burner. Thus, with the CAMS-IIB system it will be possible to reduce the crew needed to support the submarine life support system and also to improve the quality of the atmosphere available on the submarine.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA035774
Entities
People
- F. E. Saalfeld
- J. R. Wyatt
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory