Hardware and Procedures for Using the Diveair2 Monitor to Test Diving Air Quality in the Field

Abstract

With the help of the manufacturer (Geotechnical Instruments, Inc.; Leamington Spa, UK), the Navy Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU) previously developed the Anagas Diveair2 (model DV 2.0), an online air quality monitor, to ensure that compressors deliver safe diving air. The Diveair2 should allow reliable real-time screening of diving air--provided that any hardware and procedures adopted for field use are verified to produce acceptable results. The goal of this current work was to assist in the transition of the Diveair2 monitor to the Fleet. To ensure that the first production air monitors operate correctly, we tested in the laboratory some of those Diveair2 monitors that Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA 00C) purchased. We also used the monitor to evaluate the air screening reliability of the original NAVSEA 00C air sampling kit in the laboratory, and we revised the kit?s hardware and testing procedures as necessary. We then assisted in conducting a limited field test with the revised NEDU air sampling kit and monitor: the primary goals were to determine (1) the need for any additional changes in the kit or the procedures, and (2) the feasibility of relaxing the current NEDU recommendation that the air monitor be calibrated daily in the field. Lastly, since water analysis of diving air in the field may be required in the future, we identified and tested one candidate water analyzer in the laboratory and developed procedures for its field use. After required repairs were made to correct any apparent operating problems, limited laboratory testing of the first production Diveair2 monitors suggested that their performance was similar to that of the final prototype Diveair2 monitors previously reported.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2011
Accession Number
ADA561695

Entities

People

  • James M. Caldwell
  • Richard S. Lillo

Organizations

  • United States Navy Experimental Diving Unit

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Analyzers
  • Battery Chargers
  • Compressors
  • Containers
  • Detectors
  • Field Tests
  • Flow Rate
  • Gas Cylinders
  • Gas Flow
  • High Pressure
  • Measurement
  • Organic Compounds
  • Production
  • Reliability
  • Volatile Organic Compounds
  • Websites

Readers

  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Marine Mammal Biology