A Model of Dry Deck Shelter CO2 Levels
Abstract
To maintain a safe environment, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (CO2) in a closed space needs to be kept under control. In the dry deck shelter (DDS) the CO2 pressure is controlled primarily through the use of venting of each of the three modules. Air from the submarine air banks, which contain less than 1250 ppm CO2, is added to a compartment at the same time that an exhaust valve is open, allowing a constant pressure to be maintained in the compartment. This report will provide details of a model of the CO2 partial pressure in a DDS. The model assumes that the gas spaces are well mixed, containing a uniform concentration of CO2 within a given compartment. Each gas space has the following elements as parameters: the number of divers in the compartment, the average rate of CO2 production by each diver, the ambient pressure in the compartment, the effective gas space volume (accounting for the degree to which the compartment is flooded with water), the temperature of the compartment, the venting cycle time, the flow rate of the venting gas, and the concentration of CO2 in the supply (ventilation) gas. In addition to a detailed description of the model and its limitations, this report includes details on the application of the model to operational conditions and data for CO2 levels in a DDS, and the computer code used to make the comparison.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA447631
Entities
People
- J. F. Himm
Organizations
- Naval Medical Research Center