Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Re: AIP [air independant propulsion]

["Nero Wolfe" <wolfe19@megsinet.net>]

I thought thermite provided it's own oxygen from both the oxidized aluminum and the iorn oxide.  What I was really toying with was a crucable that was VERY VERY tall, as to prevent spillage. And then dropping pellets in as needed.  methinks it's time to build an engine like this...  I'm worried of the same thing.  I was also toying with the idea of having it outside the pressure hull ;-)


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On 10/24/2001 at 12:38 PM Eliezer Rodriguez wrote:

>Thermite could melt through an engine block like a knife through butter (
>I 
>have seen it!) . Imagine you are at 200 feet underwater and see your 
>thermite melting through your hull. It will be like a balloon pinch by a 
>needle. Puff! The only ecuation I can see is: thermite + submarine = debri 
>and water vapor.
>
>The idea of an energy source seems good but the reaction of thermite is an 
>uncontrollable one thus making it a very, very dangerous energy source.
>The 
>idea of the pellets is neat but be sure you test it well before trying 
>anything underwater. Also, thermite burns oxygen and underwater, this is a 
>resource not to be wasting off.
>
>Please don't think I'm harsh here. I also have some crazy ideas on my head 
>that don't go away. My wife says that this sub making idea is an obsession 
>and that she already have the cost estimates of having me on an asylum for 
>depressed submarine maniacs. Anyway, most inventions where discovered by
>the 
>same way; crazy idea + experiment / mishaps = inventions. Good luck with 
>your idea.