Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Unconventional UW Propulsion

[TeslaTony@aol.com]

In a message dated 8/8/00 11:36:01 AM Pacific Daylight Time, SJSVOB@aol.com 
writes:

> Ok so how about using underwater jet engine propulsion.  Water is sucked in 
> the front via a compressor/thruster, fed into a chamber wherein it is mixed 
> with a stream of sodium, and hydrogen peroxide, then fed through a 
> turbocharger (which is coupled to the compressor/thruster) and out the 
stern.
>  
>  H2O + NA = NAO2 + H2
>  H2 + H2O2 = 2H2O
>  H2O + NA + H2O2 = NAO2 + 2H2O
>  
>  Has this been tried in a torpedo? Or anything like it?
>  
>  Steve
>  
The main problem would be the volatility of what you're using. You can easily 
go back and check the mailing list archives for the entire discussion on 
Hydrogen Peroxide we had and how nasty it is to handle and store, and check a 
science textbook (highschool or college) to see how dangerous Sodium is. In 
short, mixing those two chemicals together could make for some very 
spectacular fireworks.

Now a possible alternative would be to blow Aluminum powder (the finer the 
better) into the water stream, with the water acting as an oxidizer.
 Unfortunately I don't know too much about this system, but I think it might 
be used in certain US Navy torpedoes and other experimental underwater craft.

Anthony

P.s.: I'm not trying to discourage you from using mega-volatile chemicals, 
just as long as you send a video of the sub going up in an enormous fireball 
to me.