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How do the engines breathe in diesel submarines?
The batteries are of very high capacity. At first the diesel submarine cruises above at very lower depth from the surface of the water. At this point it uses the snorkel (a tube) to breathe in the air to run the engines. Also the exhaust is thrown above the surface of water.
How do submarines get air underwater?
Oxygen onboard a submarine is released either through compressed tanks, an oxygen generator, or by some form of an ‘oxygen canister’ that works by electrolysis. Oxygen is either periodically released throughout the day at specific time intervals or whenever the computerized system detects a reduction in oxygen levels.
Where do submarines get air to surface?
To get a submarine to surface, the main vents in the top of the tank are closed and high-pressure compressed air is blown into the ballast tanks, forcing the water out through the flood ports at the bottom of the tank.
Are submarines air conditioned?
Even though the entire submarine has air cooling facility, only two decks are air-conditioned. The temperature in the rest of the submarine is around 30-35 degrees and the crew works in sweltering heat. Though submariners are provided with berths or racks to sleep, many often sleep where they work.
How do diesel-electric submarines work?
Above: A Collins Class diesel electric submarine running on diesel engines, emitting an exhaust trail. In the past, diesel-electric submarines had to surface in order to run their diesel generators and recharge their batteries for underwater operation.
How do submarines work underwater?
They can also work in combination, one engine driving a propeller and the other driving a generator. The sub must surface (or cruise just below the surface using a snorkel) to run the diesel engines. Once the batteries are fully charged, the sub can head underwater. The batteries power electric motors that drive the propellers.
Do submarines have snorkels?
Most diesel submarines and modern nuclear submarines with auxiliary diesel engines use a snorkel to take in air for the engine and get rid of the diesel exhaust. Towards the end of WW2, the Kriegsmarine started retrofitting snorkels on their existing subs and added them to their newly designed Type XXI boat.
How does a diesel snorkel work?
The air entered from the top of the snorkel. The exhaust of the diesel was also routed to the snorkel through another tube, but at a point that was lower, and was under water. This kept it from entering the fresh air tube, but also let it out a a lower depth than where the boat was, so that the backpressure was lower.