Investigation of the Service Life of Activated Carbon Filters on board of Walrus Class Submarines
Abstract
The service life of active carbon filters on board of submarines of the Walrus class was investigated. Spent filtration material from the Hr. Ms. Walrus' and Hr. Ms. Bruinvis' was analysed. The adsorption capacity of the filters on board of both submarines was completely used at the moment the filtration material was replaced. The adsorbed phase mainly consists of n-alkanes in the range of C9-C17 and smaller amounts of branched alkanes and C2-C4 benzenes, based on analysis of the desorbed fraction. The currently used filtration material seems suitable for the removal of the type of contaminants present in the atmosphere of submarines of the Walrus class as its adsorption capacity is completely available for those molecules. The desorption of adsorbed components is a very slow process. Based on measurements on the concentration of contaminants and technical information of the Royal Netherlands Navy the service life of the active carbon filters has been calculated, which is in the range of 36 to 285 hours operation with closed air purification system. For an optimal air purification on board of submarines the filtration material will have to be replaced more frequently or a different filtration material has to be used with a higher adsorption capacity per unit volume.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA341469
Entities
People
- E. P. Mallens
Organizations
- Prins Maurits Laboratorium TNO