CONCLUSIONS 



1 . Laboratory and diver tests have proved the feasibility of the 

 raagnesium/seawater reaction for producing heat. Up to 2 kW of power 

 have been produced continuously for 8-hour periods. 



2. A reliable, safe, compact heater can be built that will supply the 

 diver's needs in cold water. 



3. The specific power output in terms of volume and weight is competi- 

 tive with past developed and potential future heat sources. 



4. Based on the results of laboratory and diver experiments, a neutrally 

 buoyant, diver-carried, dual-plate heater can be expected to occupy a 

 volume of approximately 143 in.-VkW-hr (2,340 cm3/kW-hr). 



5. Since the requirements for heat will vary in accordance with other 

 factors, such as depth, water temperature, and diving systems, it is 

 expected that future heaters will be modular and will have variable 

 power output and endurance. 



6. In the case of the dual-plate heater cell it may be more practical to 

 use a submersible- or diving-bell-mounted heater and supply the diver 

 through a hot water umbilical; however, large heat losses in umbilical 

 hoses could require the heater to be several times the size of that 

 needed for actual diver use. 



7. It is practical to consider using the magnesium/seawater reaction as 

 an emergency heat source on submersibles or as a come-home heat source 

 for divers. The system would be activated by charging it with seawater 

 when heat is required. 



8. The final location and configuration of the diver-carried heater 

 will be determined by diver needs and breathing apparatus. For one. Navy 

 operation it was found that a chest unit mounted under breathing bags 

 was most practical in terms of diver comfort and swimability. This unit 

 could supply 2 kW-hr, would occupy a volume of 2 x 20 x 20 inches 



(5 x 15 x 15 cm), and would be neutrally buoyant. 



9. For SDV-type operations it would be practical to consider mounting 

 the heater in the SDV instead of on the diver. A smaller, shorter 

 duration heat storage or heat production pack could be carried by the 

 diver for out of SDV operations. 



Swimmer Delivery Vehicle, a wet submersible. 



17 



