technical-documents

Guidelines for the conception and construction of diving systems other than those from IMO

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This technical manual contains operation and maintenance information and procedures for the US Navy Lightweight Dive System (LWDS) MK 3 Mod 0 and for components of the LWDS MK 3 Mod 1 that are common to both systems. Note that Lightweight Dive Systems US Navy are scuba replacements. Reference USN: SS500-HK-MMO-010 Date: 07 may 2003

The standard US Navy double-Lock recompression chamber system is a transportable chamber designed to provide a means of recompression for diving operations, including surface decompression of divers. Reference USN: SS500-B1-MMO-010 Date: 22 March 2004

The solutions indicated in these guidelines are still those in use in the diving industry. Reference USN: SS521-AH-PRO-010 Date: 24 February 2005

This document provides guidance, rules, and approaches for designing a diving system according to the US Navy requirements. Reference USN: NAVSEATS500-AU-SPN-010 Date: 23 August 2006

This report updates and expands the original work published in part in 1998 under the title, "The Evolution of Safety and Design Standards for Underwater Breathing Apparatus". Proceedings of the 14th Meeting of the United States-Japan Cooperative Program in Natural Resources (UJNR), Panel on Diving Physiology, Panama City, FL, 1997, U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, National Undersea Research Program, Washington D.C. Reference USN: 1945 TO 2015 Date: February 2915

The Naval Medical Research conducted hyperbaric research in a Man-Rated Chamber Complex (MRCC) originally installed in 1977 Significant engineering alterations to the MRCC and rusting of some of its interior sections necessitated repainting, which was completed in 1988. Great care was taken in selecting an appropriate paint (polyamide epoxy) and in ensuring correct application and curing procedures. Only very low levels of hydrocarbons were found in the MRCC atmosphere before initial pressurization after painting and curing. After pressurization. however, significant chemical contamination was found...

Authors: F. F. Leva, G. S. Goehring US Navy recommendations for diving in contaminated water included wearing a vulcanized rubber dry suit mated to a MK 21 diving helmet to isolate the diver from the contaminated environment. However, even in situations (e.g., visible oil spills, noxious fumes, and sewer outflows) where the need for protective gear is unequivocal, thermal stress from working in a warm environment often precludes the use of such gear. The purpose of this study was to identify and evaluate a commercially available diver cooling system through field trials for overall effectiveness, comfort, durability, and ease of use in and of incorporation into Navy diving practices.

Authors: M. J. Swiergosz & R. J. Steckel Resistive efforts, inhalation gas temperatures, and carbon dioxide (CO2) canister and bottle durations were measured from two Secondary Life Support (SLS) system MK IV backpacks attached to the SLS helmet (Divex, LTD) in simulated conditions. The resistive effort at 0 feet of seawater (fsw) was assessed at three different backpack orientations (00, 450, 900), and all of the dependent measures were assessed at depth (1000 fsw) at the 450 orientation. A breathing simulator maintained a respiratory minute volume (RMV) of 62.5 liters per minute (L/min) throughout testing.

These Rules in association with the latest edition of the ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels (Steel Vessel Rules), present the requirements for the classification of underwater vehicles, systems and hyperbaric facilities intended for use in manned underwater operations

The present Note provides technical requirements for the design, construction, testing and in-service surveys of manned diving systems for which the class notations defined in are granted.

DNV GL rules for classification contain procedural and technical requirements related to obtaining and retaining a class certificate. The rules represent all requirements adopted by the Society as basis for classification.

This document supersedes the June 2013 edition of DNV- STC-2.7-1. The purpose of the revision of this service document is to comply with the new DNV GL document reference code system and profile requirements following the merger between DNV and GL in 2013. Changes mainly consist of updated company name and references to other documents within the DNV GL portfolio.

This Guide has been developed to provide requirements for the certification of offshore containers with a gross mass not exceeding 25,000 kg (55,116 lb), intended for repeated use to, from and between fixed or floating installations and ships.

This document provides technical requirements for the design, construction, testing and in-service surveys of submersibles & diving systems.

The January 2020 edition of the Rules for Building and Classing Underwater Vehicles, Systems, and Hyperbaric facilities incorporate all Rule Changes and Corrigenda items since 2018. Requirements for underwater habitats and complexes have been added.

2 - Oxygen compatibility of polymers including TFE-Teflon, KeI-F 81, Vespel SP-21, Viton A, Viton A-500, Fluorel, Neoprene, EPDM, Buna-N, and Nylon 6,6

Authors: Ting C. Chou, Anthony Fiedorowicz. Ten polymeric materials including EPDM, Nylon 6,6, Buna-N, and other materials marketed as TFE-Teflon | (PTFE), Kel-F 81 (PCTFE), Vespel | Spo21, Viton | A, Viton | A-500, Fluorel | and Neoprene | were systematically evaluated for their oxygen compatibility property. The specific properties examined included: Autoignition temperature (AIT), the heat of combustion, and liquid oxygen (LOX) mechanical impact sensitivity.

This guide applies to metallic materials under consideration for oxygen or oxygen-enriched fluid service. It is concerned primarily with the properties of a metallic material associated with its relative susceptibility to ignition and propagation of combustion. It does not involve mechanical properties, potential toxicity, outgassing, reactions between various materials in the system, functional reliability, or performance characteristics such as aging, shredding, or sloughing of particles, except when these might contribute to an ignition.

This guide applies to the design of systems for oxygen or oxygen-enriched service but is not a comprehensive document. Specifically, this guide addresses system factors that affect the avoidance of ignition and fire. It does not thoroughly address the selection of construction materials for which Guides G63 and G94 are available, nor does it cover mechanical, economic, or other design considerations for which well-known practices are available. This guide also does not address issues concerning the toxicity of nonmetals in breathing gas or medical gas systems.

This guide applies to nonmetallic materials (hereinafter called materials) under consideration for oxygen or oxygen-enriched fluid service, direct or indirect, as defined below. It is intended for use in selecting materials for applications in connection with the production, storage, transportation, distribution, or use of oxygen. It is concerned primarily with the properties of a material associated with its relative susceptibility to ignition and propagation of combustion; it does not involve mechanical properties, potential toxicity, outgassing, reactions between various materials in the system, functional reliability, or performance characteristics such as aging, shredding, or sloughing of particles, except when these might contribute to an ignition.

This guide covers an overview of the work of ASTM Committee G-4 on Compatibility and Sensitivity of Materials in Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres. It is a starting point for those asking the question: “Are there any problems associated with my use of oxygen?”

The oxygen compatibility of six polymers used in oxygen service was evaluated after 48 hr exposures at 121 degrees C (250 degrees F) to oxygen pressures of 620 and 6200 kPa (90 and 900 psi). Three elastomers were tested: Choroprene rubber (C873-70), fluorocarbon rubber (Viton), and silicone rubber (MVQ type); and three thermoplastics were tested: polyhexamethylene adipamide (Zytel), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE Teflon), and polychlorotrifluoroethylene (Neoflon). Post-aged changes in mass, dimensions, tensile strength, elongation at break, durometer hardness, and thermomechanical properties were evaluated.

Authors: Mircea Horia Tierean, Liana sanda Baltes. This paper presents the critical points in designing valves used in reciprocating compressors. The design focuses on valve type, dimensioning of the main elements, and materials choice. The results obtained using Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the method for computing the centreline diameter of the rings and seats to compensate for the thermal expansion during operation are also explained.

The US Navy Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU) is the United States Navy facility for testing and evaluating underwater breathing apparatus (UBAs). Each military or commercial UBA that the US Navy considers for use is sent to NEDU to assess its performance, material suitability, human factors, and systemic reliability.

This US NAVSEA document provides courses and reminders on electricity, electronics, Nuclear reactor work principles, mechanic, chemistry, metals, and various calculations. These courses are accessible to all levels. Thus, it is appropriate for technicians and divers to keep it in their data bank.

Authors: Sean Bishop, Keith Duncan, Helena Hagelin- Weaver, Luke Neal, Jose Sanchez, Heather L. Paul, and Eric Wachsman. The partial electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) using ceramic oxygen generators (COGs) is well known and widely studied. However, complete reduction of metabolically produced CO2 (into carbon and oxygen) has the potential of reducing oxygen storage weight for life support if the oxygen can be recovered. The University of Florida developed novel ceramic oxygen generators employing a bilayer electrolyte of gadolinia- doped ceria and erbiastabilized bismuth oxide (ESB) for NASA’s future exploration of Mars. The results showed that oxygen could be reliably produced from CO2 at temperatures as low as 400 degrees C.

Authors: Kevin R Ward, Gary S Huvard, Mark McHugh, Rajender R Mallepally, and Richard Imbruce. This paper provides a brief overview of the previous and current attempts to utilize chemical oxygen production strategies to enhance systemic oxygenation. While promising, the routine use of chemically produced oxygen continues to pose significant engineering and physiologic challenges.

Authors: Hanna Kierzkwska-Pawlak, Andrzej Chacuk. The mass transfer rates during CO2 absorption and desorption from DMEPEG* solutions were measured at a temperature ranging from 293.15 to 323.15 K in a baffled agitated reactor with a flat gas-liquid interface operating in a batch-wise manner. The desorption rate was determined and compared with the absorption rate at the same driving force based on the measured values of pressure changes. *DMEPEG is a prominent solvent for absorbing both H2S and CO2.

This NAVSEA approved procedure provides the minimum US Navy requirements for paint removal, surface preparation, repainting and air sampling of the interior of Navy Steel & Stainless Steel Portable or Afloat Recompression Chamber Systems using Formula 150 Primer and 152 Topcoat White in accordance with MIL-DTL-24441D.

Authors: Asterios Kosmaras, Dimitrios Tzetzis, Panagiotis Kyratsis. This paper discusses the design of an oxygen regulator for medical use. Its conceptual design procedure starts with research on the main elements, the pressure regulator's operating principles, and the existing technologies. The sizing guidelines and the essential calculations to be made are also discussed. The features discussed in this document should be considered for the conception and implementation of oxygen diving regulators.

Authors: Micheal Wolf, & Petr Eret. This master thesis regarding the conception of reciprocating compressor valves explains that these parts are essential as their failure leads to shutdown and costly downtimes. For this reason and because they are highly solicited, the author explains that designers have to bear in mind that these parts must be reliable and be able to operate efficiently in adverse conditions, such as when liquids and debris are in the gas stream.

Authors: Lei Shao, Guoliang Xie, Cheng Zhang, Xiao Liu, Wanran Lu, Guangyu He, and Jinfeng Huang. Metal combustion is one of the main issues threatening service safety in oxygen-enriched atmospheres. This paper reviews the recent development of metal combustion in oxygen-enriched atmospheres. Test methods under three standard conditions and combustion behaviors of three typical metals are mainly discussed. The future development trend of metal combustion in oxygen- enriched atmospheres is also forecasted.

48 - Simulation of gas-dynamic, pressure surges and adiabatic compression phenomena in geometrically complex respirator oxygen valves.

Authors: Anas Obeidat, Thomas Andreas, Stephane P.A. Bordas, & Andreas Zilian. Gas-dynamic pressure surges and adiabatic compression phenomena are generally hard to predict numerically. In this contribution, the authors studied the effect of the pressure reserve capacity on the compressible gas- dynamics pressure surge and adiabatic compression in a fitted respirator oxygen valve geometry.

The Executive Board of the “Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society Associates” authorized the organization of a committee to develop a set of facility design recommendations for clinical hyperbaric facilities. This document is the work published by this committee.

Authors: Thomas L. Reynolds, Thor I. Eklund, and Gregory A. Haack This document analyses oxygen systems from either compressed oxygen gas cylinders or solid chemical oxygen generators designed for use on commercial transport aircraft. It allows a better comprehension of the advantages and inconveniences of both systems that can be considered for selecting means of oxygen delivery during an emergency.

Author: Timothy L. Ward This project addresses the need for reliable fabrication methods of dense ceramic membranes for oxygen separation. Some ceramic materials that possess mixed conductivity (electronic and ionic) at high temperatures have the potential to permeate oxygen with perfect selectivity, making them very attractive for oxygen separation and membrane reactor applications. To maximize permeation rates at the lowest possible temperatures, it is desirable to minimize diffusional limitations within the ceramic by reducing the thickness of the ceramic membrane, preferably to thicknesses of 10 µm or thinner.

Authors: Justin Brady, Travis Spain, Brent Shambaugh This project is intended to produce a device that can deliver therapeutic oxygen supplement to persons suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) and other ailments of the pulmonary tract. The device is to be portable with the capacity to deliver a stream of nearly pure oxygen at a rate of 5 L/min.

Authors: Jiang Dongsheng, Bu Xueqin, Sun Bing, Lin Guiping, Zhao Hongtao, Cai Yan, Fang Ling The present paper studies the ceramic membrane technology for onboard oxygen generation. Comparisons are made to know the effects of two ceramic membrane separation technologies on oxygen generation: electricity- driven ceramic membrane separation oxygen generation technology and pressure-driven ceramic membrane separation oxygen generation technology.

Authors: Thomas C. Blakeman; Dario Rodriquez Jr.; TSgt Tyler J. Britton; Col Jay A. Johannigman; Lt Col Michael C. Petro; Richard D. Branson. Oxygen cylinders are heavy and present several hazards, and liquid oxygen is too heavy to be used in far forward environments. Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) and chemical oxygen generators (COGs) have been proposed as solutions. The authors evaluated three commercially available Portable oxygen concentrators and three chemical oxygen generators in a laboratory. Altitude testing was done at sea level and 8,000, 16,000, and 22,000 ft. Temperature extreme testing was performed after storing devices at 60°C and − 35°C for 24 hours.

Author: John Graf As submarines were required to accomplish longer and longer submerged periods of operation, the need to manage normal and emergency life support supplies became a priority. Sodium chlorate candles are a very efficient means of storing oxygen with a mass of oxygen per unit of volume greater than compressed oxygen. The volume efficiency of candles is almost equal to that of liquid oxygen without the dangers and equipment issues of cryogenic storage. These devices are known by several names: Oxygen Candles, Chlorate Candles, SCOG (either Solid Chemical Oxygen Generator or Self-Contained Oxygen Generator) and SFOG (pronounced "S-FOG," Solid Fuel Oxygen Generator).

IMO has issued MSC/Circ.860 Guidelines for the approval of offshore containers handled in open seas. This circular is intended to assist the competent authorities in developing the requirements for approving the offshore containers. IMO requires that all intermodal containers conform to the requirements of the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC). The requirements of the CSC convention may not be applicable to offshore containers primarily due to non-standard designs, exposure to the marine environment for extended periods as well as the lifting of offshore containers by padeyes. EN 12079 has been published based on the MSC/Circ.860 and is currently used as an International industry standard to approve offshore containers

Authors: Francesca Drago, Paolo Fedeli, Angelo Cavaliere, Andrea Cammi, Stefano Passoni, Riccardo Mereu, Stefano De La Pierre, Federico Smeacetto, and Monica Ferraris. The integration of oxygen transport membranes in industrial processes can lead to energy and economic advantages, but proof of concept membrane modules are highly necessary to demonstrate the feasibility of this technology. In this work, the authors describe the development of a lab-scale module through a comprehensive study that takes into consideration all the relevant technological aspects to achieve a prototype ready to be operated in industrial environment.

Author: Valerie Flook “Unimed Scientific Limited” was contracted to lead the development of a suitable monitoring device that would alert the divers of the presence of volatile hydrocarbons from condensate accidentally brought back to the bell. The project was funded by a consortium of companies and organizations concerned with the offshore oil industry. This document is to be taken as the reference regarding the comprehension of the ANALOX Hyper-Gas Diving Bell Monitor.

Authors: Martin DJ Sayer, Elaine Azzopardi and Arne Sieber Single examples of 43 models of dive computer were compressed to five simulated depths between 15 and 50 metres sea water (msw) and maintained at those depths until they had registered over 30 minutes of decompression. At each depth, and for each model, downloaded data were used to collate the times at which the unit was still registering “no decompression” and the times at which various levels of decompression were indicated or exceeded. Each depth profile was replicated three times for most models

Authors: Salih Murat Egi, Pierre-Yves Cousteau, Massimo Pieri, Carlo Cerrano, Tamer Özyigit, and Alessandro Marroni Dive computers have an important potential for citizen science projects where recreational SCUBA divers can upload the depth temperature profile and the geolocation of the dive to a central database which may provide useful information about the subsurface temperature of the oceans. However, their accuracy may not be adequate and needs to be evaluated. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy and precision of dive computers and provide guidelines in order to enable their contribution to citizen science projects.

Authors: Miraç Memisoglu, amer Özyigit, Seçil Satir, Salih Murat Egi Diving computers on the market are based on embedded systems where the user cannot reprogram the units except entering limited number of dive parameters such as the content of cylinders and the conservatism of the computation. An innovative system is designed and patented by the authors for implementing a diver carried computer using a mobile phone inside a pressure and waterproof housing in combination with an external microcontroller based electronic module.

Author: Y Yasemin Hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic gas and must be removed from where it is found or formed. A promising technique to achieve this is chosen. The aim of this study was to develop a membrane that holds the gas in processes and places where H2S can occur and in order to prevent possible threats. The membrane was prepared by loading copper sulfate into a polymeric resin with mechanical mixing.

Author: Stephen Butler High-pressure gas cylinders (also called tubes) are certified for continued use once they pass their periodic inspection and test. The previously accepted practice for testing the cylinders was the hydrostatic proof test, known as ‘hydro test’, where water is introduced before it is pressurized to the cylinder’s test pressure, commonly one and a half times the operating pressure. The problems caused by the hydro testing of high- pressure gas cylinders in offshore vessels include concerns over safety, the long time required to complete the tests, and the expense. On the opposite, acoustic emission (AE) testing is claimed to be faster, cheaper, and safer.

Author: Karl E. Huggins Dive computers are standard pieces of equipment in recreational, scientific, and military diving. However, many commercial diving regulations state that they cannot be used to determine decompression status. The dive computer’s ability to continually update decompression status results in more efficient use of dive time. Because few human subject studies have been performed to validate dive computer decompression algorithms, there needs to be a method to evaluate the associated decompression risk for commercial diving use. This evaluation protocol would approve, or reject, specific decompression algorithms.

Authors: David B. Kynor, William E. Audette The goal of this project was development of a Diver Health Monitoring System (DHMS). The DHMS will provide a powerful capability for real-time monitoring of the electrocardiogram and other key physiological parameters during diving. The system evolves the concept of the current dive computer into a physiological monitor capable of measuring the diver's critical "vital signs" and ultimately predict impending problems (e.g.. hypothermia and excessive fatigue).

Authors: Andreas Schuster, Olivier Castagna, Bruno Schmid, Tobias Cibis, and Arne Sieber A new device was developed and tested in a series of diving experiments investigating the physiological effects of immersion on military divers for long periods (8 h to 12 h). During these experiments, the body temperature (core and skin) and electrocardiogram (ECG) of the divers were recorded and monitored in real time.

Authors: Nicusor Chiripici, Amil Avram, Laurentiu Mocanu The risks of radioactive water contamination are high today and divers can make a decisive contribution to removing these risks. The equipment used and the diving procedures are specific. The specialists of the Research Laboratory, in collaboration with those of the Hyperbaric Laboratory of the Diving Center from Constanta, have contributed to the development of this equipment and the diving procedures in the radioactive contaminated environment.