A diver heating system, using hydrogen catalytic reactions, has been developed and patented for heating divers' suits and breathing gases as an alternative to current free-flooding hot water suits. A hydrogen catalytic heater consists of a canister filled with a palladium, or platinum-based catalyst located just upstream from the diver's helmet or gas supply mouth bit. Depth and breathing rates have an obvious impact on the required hydrogen percentages necessary to maintain thermal neutrality for the diver. Lessons learned from the various tests were integrated into the design and analysis of a catalytic heater for surface-supplied diving applications in the summer of 2005. The hydrogen's relative merits compared to conventional fuels must be evaluated, particularly in the area of safety, when considering it as a heating source. Recent analysis and testing have verified the feasibility of using hydrogen catalytic reactions as a combined whole-body heater and breath heater for surface-supplied divers.
Heating systems for divers using hydrogen catalytic reactions
Heizsysteme für Taucher unter Verwendung katalytischer Reaktionen von Wasserstoff
Sea Technology ; 46 , 11 ; 47-50
2005
4 Seiten, 5 Quellen
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Englisch
Taucheranzug , Tauchgerät , Atemgas , Beheizen , katalytische Reaktion , Wasserstoff , Katalysator , Palladium , Platin