Answer to Question #284806 in Thermal Power Engineering for Nicholas

Question

Find out about the wall construction (number and type of layers) of an atmospheric diving-suit (ADS), the heat transfer mode, the range of ambient conditions under which they operate, typical heat transfer coefficients on the inner and outer surfaces of the wall, and the heat generation rates inside. Determine the size and methodology of the cooling and/or heating system that is applied to maintain the diver body temperature from extreme low temperature conditions (say 3 °C) at depths reaching 600 m below sea level.

Answer 1

Atmospheric suit is a garment or device designed to protect a diver from the underwater environment.

The structure and mechanics of the suit must reliably withstand the external pressure without collapsing or deforming

Body loses heat by conduction, radiation, convention and also by respiration and evaporation.

For a diver immersed in a cooler medium, as blood flow near skin heat is lost by convection.

Heat energy is transferred across the skin and diving suit by conduction

At the outer surface, heat is lost to water by convention.

At low temperature, body radiation is very small compared to heat loss by convection.

Atmospheric diving suits has elaborate pressure joints to allow articulation while maintaining an internal pressure of atmosphere.

ADs protect the wearer from cold, maintaining body temperature at 37°C

Ambient pressure suits provide some defense from abrasive and sharp objects as well as some form of potentially harmful underwater lifes.