GFE Flashcards
Define Gas
A material whose boiling point is below room temperature at atmospheric pressure
Define Toxic Gas
A gas which is poisonous to the human body
Define Asphyxiant
As opposed to a toxic gas, an asphyxiant affects the absorption of oxygen by hemoglobin in the blood stream, thereby causing oxygen starvation
Define vapor
The gaseous phase of a substance which ordinarily exists as a solid or liquid at standard temperature and pressure
Define Dust
Solid particles (1 to 100 microns) formed as a result of disintegration of materials
Define Dalton’s Law
Each gas in a mixture of gases makes its own contribution to the total pressure of the mixture (Pt = pp1 + pp2 + ppn)
Conversion for volume % & ppm to partial pressure
Torr = Total pressure/100 x volume%
Purpose of atmosphere control system
maintain the air in the submerged submarine as close as practicable to the composition of clean air found in the earth’s atmospher
How do we achieve the purpose of atmosphere control system
- Proper atmosphere monitoring procedures
- Proper equipment operating procedures
- Control of materials introduced into the submarine
What are the Instrumental Methods of Analysis
- Infrared Spectrophotometry
- Mass Spectrometry
- Colorimetric Detection (Draeger Tubes)
- Photoionization
What is Infrared Spectrophotometry?
The identification of a gas by examining light absorption in the infrared region.
-The primary mean of quantifying carbon monoxide
What is mass spectrometry?
The identification of gaseous mixtures by separating ionized particles to their mass to charge ratio
What is colorimetric Detection?
Identification of a gas by a selected chemical reaction which produces a color change
What is Photoionization
Identification of gas by molecular ionization produced by absorption of ultraviolet light
List 4 atmosphere monitoring equipment
- CAMS (Central Atmosphere Monitoring System)
- Trace Gas Analyzer (TAG)
- Portable Oxygen Analyzer (PhD6)
- Colorimetric Detector Tubes (Draegers)
What characteristics differ submarine atmosphere from that in nature
- A greater variability in oxygen and carbon dioxide content
- The presence of a wide range of organic and inorganic contaminants including gases, vapors, and aerosols
- The potential problems associated with the inherent toxicity of certain substances
What is the composition of clean dry air?
- Nitrogen
- Oxygen
- Argon
- Carbon Dioxide
What is the primary atmosphere monitoring system
CAMS (Central Atmosphere Monitoring System)
How often is CAMS checked underway? in port?
Underway: hourly
Port: daily
How many spaces does CAMS check?
3 spaces (one must be the fan room)
Is the reactor room monitored routinely?
No
Effects of Oxygen depletion at 17% “D.C.”
6 Hour: Impaired night vision
Effects of Oxygen depletion at 15.3% “HooDLuM”
3 Days: Headache (rare), fatigue on exertion
Effects of Oxygen depletion at 13.2% “oTToMaN”
6 Hrs: above + difficulty with tasks requiring mental alertness, impaired judgement after several hours
3 Days: above+ irritability
Effects of Oxygen depletion at 11.8% “DeToxiFy”
6 Hrs: above + heavy breathing, dizziness euphoria
3 Days: above+ heavy breathing, dizziness, nausea/vomiting, insomnia, pulmonary edema, encephalopathy
Percentages of Low oxygen effects?
7 percentage Levels:
21% “Nadia”
17% “D.C”
15.3% “hooDLuM”
13.2% “oTToMaN”
11.8% “DeToxiFy”
9.6% Beach
8.8% ViVa
Effects of Oxygen depletion at 9.6% “BeaCH”
6 Hrs:
1. above+ useful consciousness is 15-20 min
2. Poor judgement
3. Slow Thinking
4. Muscular Incoordination
Effects of Oxygen depletion at 8.8% “ViVa”
6 Hrs:
1. above+ useful cosciousness < 5 min in active persons
2. Convulsions
3. Death
What factors affect the extent of tissue damage from toxic contaminants?
- Length of exposure
- Concentration
- Chemical considerations (e.g. solubility in body fluids and tissue proliferation)
- Type of gas or toxic medium
How are the ships atmospheres documented inport and underway?
Inport: on the Below Decks lego sheet. Reviewed by the Duty Officer
Underway: on the LAN Tech of the Watch (LTOW), formerly known as the Auxiliary Electrician Foreward (AEF)
-Reviewed by COOW, DOOW and OOD
-Out of Spec (OOS) items are immediately identified and addressed
