Brent,
There is an electronic component that you will find in use within portable camping coolers that when 12 volt dc voltage is applied can keep the area within this small cooler cold. It can also work to keep coffee hot as well.
It produces no hazardous gas and is reasonable on power consumption.
I am looking into these as a way to both heat and cool my subs interior. (I am still researching this as I do not know how large an area it can regulate and to exactly what extent.) I will need a way to exchange or do away with exess heat when cooling the interior air or the other way around. A heat exchanger such as is found within an air duct)
I should probably have waited to mention this as I do not even know what this jewel is called.
David Bartsch
From: brenthartwig@hotmail.com
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Sub Heater Options
Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 21:15:13 -0800
Brian,
Your correct that these units do produce CO, but in most cases they are very low concentrations. A good CO sensor would be good to have if your using this type of heater.
Perhaps a CO scrubber could be found to be practical.
Below I've added some highlights of the safety report sited in my first post.
"Catalytic heaters generate heat through a flameless catalytic reaction involving propane and oxygen. This is different from infrared radiant heaters, which generate a flame during the combustion process. The catalytic heater generates heat by bringing the propane and oxygen (air) into contact with a platinum catalyst. A chemical reaction then occurs in which the propane and oxygen are converted primarily into carbon dioxide and water vapor. During the chemical reaction, heat is also released. The chemical reaction occurs at a temperature well below the flame temperature of typical infrared radiant heaters. In order to start the reaction, the fuel and air mixture must be ignited by an external heat source, such as a spark or pilot light.
Combustion Gas Sampling System
Gas samples were continually withdrawn from the chamber through six equal length sample lines located within the chamber. The six sample lines were connected to a common manifold where the gas samples mixed. A pump conveyed the mixed gas sample to a series of gas analyzers. The gas sample was analyzed for CO, CO2, O2, and unburnt hydrocarbons measured as propane (C3H8). Table 1 provides a summary of the combustion gas analyzers. Water vapor formed during the combustion process was removed from from the gas sample prior to analysis using a chilled water heat exchange system.
CO Emissions
When the catalytic heater was operated at the test conditions specified the the standard for infrared radiant camp heaters ( ANZI Z21.63), the steady state CO concentration ranged from from 67 ppm to 109 ppm. Steady state was achieved in approximately 2 to 6 hours, depending on the air exchange rate. Since the CO concentration in the chamber exceeded 100 ppm during several of the test, the catalytic heater would not comply with the CO requirement ANSI Z21.63 (2000). Assuming a limited exposure time of up to 6.5 hours at these concentrations, the catalytic heater does not appear to pose a serious CO hazard to healthy adults when the CO concentrations is considered by itself. When the CO emissions from the catalytic camp heater are to those of a typical radiant camp heater, the catalytic heater generated much less CO ( Tucholshi, 2002).
Although the catalytic heater would meet the CO emissions requirement being proposed in the new standard for catalytic camp heaters, CPSC staff does not agree with allowing the CO concentration to reach 250 ppm in a closed room. Sustained exposure to a CO concentration of 250 ppm for 6 to 7 hours could pose a serious CO hazard to healthy adults. Depending on a exposed individual's activity level, this could result in carboxyhemoglobin levels ranging from 24 to 29 percent, where severe headache, nausea, vomiting and mental confusion could be expected. Instead CPSC staff recommend s that the CO concentration be limited to 100 ppm, the same limit as that specified in the standard for infrared radiant camp heaters. Camping heaters that meet the CO emissions requirement in ANSI Z21.63 (2000) should not pose a CO poisoning threat to healthy consumers when the heaters are brought into enclosed spaces.
Unlike infrared radiant heaters that generate a flame during the combustion process and require a certain oxygen concentration to sustain the flame, the catalytic heaters have no flame and can operate at reduced oxygen levels. The flame on a typical infrared radiant heater self-extinguishes when the O2 concentration is depleted below approximately 14 percent (Tucholski. 2002). Tests with the catalytic heater at low air exchange rates showed that the catalytic heater was capable of operating at much lower O2 concentrations. During the closed room test, the O2 concentration was depleted to 8.8 percent. The test was terminated early due to the build-up of hydrocarbons in the chamber. When the test was terminated, the oxygen concentration was still decreasing.
Hydrocarbon Emissions
As the O2 concentrations decrease in the chamber, the catalytic reaction became less effective allowing more of the propane to pass through the heater unreacted.
The heater's catalyst did not appear to degrade over time. This observation is based on operating two identical heaters on 100 disposable 1-pound bottles of propane (approximately 650 hours)."
Regards,
Brent Hartwig
From: ojaivalleybeefarm@dslextreme.com
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Sub Heater Options
Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:39:52 -0800
I'm pretty sure those heaters give off carbon monoxcide.
Brian
These heaters look good. My sister had a wall mounted catalytic heater in her RV and it worked well. These small ones look like a good option for heating a small sub. After break-in, my sister's didn't have any odor and on low setting, was fairly quiet.Thanks Brent.
Frank D.
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