INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN SUBMARINES

摘要

The next generation of conventional submarines will be submerged for several weeks, creating a need for regenerative air purification methods and new air monitoring instruments. Submarine air is a complex mixture of compounds, where the most obvious contaminant is metabolically produced carbon dioxide. Normal eight-hour occupational exposure limits are not applicable on a submarine, instead special longtime exposure limits must be set. A number of air purification methods for submarines are either available or under development, e.g. cryogenic plants, biological plants and solid amine plants. For air monitoring compact GC/MS is an interesting option, already in use onboard nuclear submarines.