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Album: German Submarines
Image: 243 / 473
Date: 2010-04-15 15:48:09
Tags: Bremerhaven, Germany, Submarines, Type XXI, U 2540

Oxygen generating plant

The oxygen generating plant was installed for additional oxygen supply during submerged operations. Through an oxygen regulating valve, situated above the diesel engine room and to whcih all oxygen bottles are connected, the required amount of oxygen is fed either directly into the room or into the recirculating blower's discharge line and the hull supply blower's suction pipe respectively. The O2 content may drop from 21 % to 17 %. Bottles can be used down to 10 bar. O2 requirement per person and hour = 22 liters (average for entire crew). Oxygen requirement for a crew of 60 = 22 liters / minute.

Available air volume

4%, i.e. 36 m³, of the O2 content inside the sub can be used. These 36 m³ are sufficient for a crew of 60 for 27 hours. The available air volume adds to the bottle stores.

Bottle stores

23 bottles of 50 liters each = 1150 liters bottle volumn are available

Bottle pressure 120 bar

Of 120 bar, 110 bar can be used, for 23 bottles a total of 126.4 m³. The stores are sufficient for a crew of 60 for 96 hours.

Bottle pressure 150 bar

Of 150 bar, 140 bar can be used, for 23 bottles a total of 161 m³. The stores are sufficient for a crew of 60 for 122 hours.