How do submarine crews breathe in the depths of the ocean, surrounded by water on all sides?
Some might assume they rely solely on stored air, but the reality is far more astonishing. A modern submarine is essentially a small, submerged city, equipped with a comprehensive system for continuously producing and purifying air.
Inside the submarine, oxygen is produced from water through electrolysis, separating it into hydrogen and oxygen. The oxygen is then pumped into the compartments for the crew to breathe.
As for the carbon dioxide exhaled by the crew, special devices absorb and purify the air, preventing it from becoming a deadly hazard.
There are also systems to control humidity, odors, and temperature, ensuring the air remains suitable despite living in the dark depths and under immense pressure.
This is why some submarines can remain submerged for months at a time, with the real challenges sometimes being food and psychological well-being, rather than air.
Additional information: Some nuclear submarines can produce their own electricity, water, and air, making them seem like self-contained, silent universes operating beneath the sea.