How Do Nuclear Submarines Make Oxygen?- Smarter Every Day 251

Summary by Krater

An investigation into how nuclear submarines generate breathable oxygen and remove carbon dioxide while submerged under ice.

From the video

Answers: How do submarines make oxygen and scrub carbon dioxide underwater?

• submarine life support systems
• oxygen generation via electrolysis
• oxygen candles
• carbon dioxide scrubbing with MEA
• lithium hydroxide carbon dioxide scrubbers

What it concludes

• Direct electrolysis of saltwater liberates chlorine gas instead of oxygen and damages equipment, so water must be purified first.
• Potassium hydroxide acts as a catalyst in electrolysis to freely liberate oxygen and hydrogen from water.
• Oxygen candles use a mixture of iron and sodium chlorate to generate oxygen through a controlled chemical burning reaction without electricity.
• Monoethanolamine (MEA) liquid chemical scrubbing system continuously absorbs and strips carbon dioxide from the submarine air.
• Lithium hydroxide canisters chemically scrub carbon dioxide from the air as a reliable backup method when electrical power is unavailable.