Submarines: amazing machines that travel under the water and keep going for a long time. But did you know that the air on a submarine can get stuffy? It occurs because when people breathe, they exhale a gas called carbon dioxide, or CO2 for short. Too much CO2 in the air is dangerous for the crew inside the submarine. This is where technology for removing CO₂ comes in handy!
Helpfully, CO2 removal technology is what keeps the air inside a submarine clean, and breathable for the crew. One way it operates is with a special machine called a onsite nitrogen generation. This machine scrubs the air from the submarine and removes the CO2. The scrubber then pumps the clean air back into the submarine for the crew to breathe. That helps keep the crew healthy and safe while they are below water.
Solutions and Innovations
Researchers and engineers are constantly trying to devise newer and better ways to get CO2 out of submarines. A neat solution is to absorb the CO2 using a substance called zeolite. Zeolite is a sponge of sorts that can soak up gases, including CO2. By fitting the scrubbers in submarines with zeolite, they can suck even more CO2 out of the air and make the air safer for their crews.
Another intelligent move in CO2 removal technology will be to produce scrubbers that consume less energy. These scrubbers require far less power to function, an extremely valuable attribute on a sub where power is in short supply. Energy-efficient scrubbers means a ship such as a submarine can ‘clean the air’ of CO2 but save energy to stay underwater for longer.
Seamless Removal of CO2 with No Analogs- REF1R34
Since submarines are used on longer missions, systems that are able to function effectively for long periods of time are essential. Sustainability refers to being able to keep a system going for a long time, without harming the things around it. One way to ensure that CO2 removal systems are sustainable is to use renewable power to fuel the scrubbers. For instance, solar power could be used to generate electricity for the scrubbers, and thus less need for energy that will have a limited duration.
Scientists are also seeking ways to recycle the CO2 that is removed from submarines. Instead of just allowing the CO2 to head back into the environment again, it can be trapped and tucked away or used for other purposes, such as fuel. Submarines would reduce their environmental impact and keep crew members safe by implementing a closed loop for plant nitrogen.
CO2 SCRUBBING TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT FOR SPACECRAFT LIFE SUPPORT
Like submarines, space stations also require CO2 removal equipment to clean the air that astronauts breathe as they live and work in space. There’s no fresh air to breath out in space, so good CO2 scrubbers are invaluable in the living area for keeping the air clean breathing. Innovations in CO2 scrubbing technology now extend the amount of time that astronauts can remain in space without running short of clean air.
A new idea for CO2 scrubbing technology is by using tiny materials called nanomaterials. The materials can capture CO2 molecules more effectively than existing scrubbers, which could lead to faster and more efficient removal of CO2 from the atmosphere. Space stations can ensure astronauts have a constant supply of clean air for their missions by using nanomaterials in gas generation equipment.
CO2 Scrubbing in Submarine and Space Settings
In summary, CO2 scrubbing technology is highly essential to ensure the safety and health of crew members in the submarines and astronauts in space stations. Using innovative approaches and renewable resources, we can actively scrub CO2 out of the atmosphere effectively and without harming the environment. And as we get better (and we are), we can go exploring underwater and in space with less worries about the logistics behind the whole CO2 scrubbing process. We can make a healthier future for all of us. Thanks for reading about submarine and space CO2 removal!
