Advanced Life Support System for CO2, H2, CO, R134a and VOC Removal on Submarines

Air revitalization on submarines is quite traditional even today: nuclear submarines mainly apply liquid amine based or mole sieve systems for regenerative CO2 control whereas conventional submarines use soda lime or Lithiumhydroxide as non-regenerative absorbent. VOC removal is mainly done by activated charcoal and H2, CO elimination by catalysts. This paper provides three novel technologies in air revitalisation in the submarine domain, for both nuclear and conventional subs. A regenerative CO2 removal system, space derived from the Airbus Advanced Closed Loop system, ACLS, based on solid amine with steam desorption, a regenerative VOC and R134a removal system based on a steam desorbed adsorbent and H2 and CO elimination by low temperature catalyst. The design driver for the VOC removal system was R134a, as temperatures of 140°C should not be exceeded to stay well below any R134a decomposition risk. The paper presents the function and performance of such system.