BAE Systems Submarine Solutions Dockside Test Organisation, based at Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria identified the requirement for a C02 Vaporiser Gas management system for use during the commissioning phase of the build for Astute Class Submarines.

The critical requirement of the process was to ensure only CO2 vapour is delivered to the submarine at temperature and pressure parameters which are very close to the state in which CO2 can exist in both the liquid and gas state.

Yarl Hydracentre engineers used their knowledge of fluid mechanics to clearly define these parameters for the range of test conditions expected to be experienced during the commissioning phase of the submarines. Having established the project scope the fluid and gas circuits could be designed, the control logic and parameters defined.

The design employed a number of pressure and temperature sensors to provide inputs to the control plc and in conjunction with a gas vaporiser output signals sent to control valves ensuring only CO2 gas is output from the plant.

The plant included a scavenge pump designed to extract gas from the liquid CO2 bottles when their internal pressure dropped below the required output pressure. The pump automatically maintains the required gas output pressure using proportional valve technology in conjunction with the system plc. The Co2 bottle pressures are monitored and when empty the system automatically changes the supply to a second bottle providing BAe Systems with the 4 hour continuous delivery of gas they required.

The complete system was assembled in a compact cabinet at Yarl Hydracentre's Barrow facility. Following Yarl Hydracentre's own commissioning and test programme BAe Systems Dockside Test Facility engineers witnessed a comprehensive test programme at the Yarl Barrow facility which concluded with a full simulation of BAe's gas generation process proving the full functionality of the plant.

For further information on Yarl Hydracentre's programmable logic control in conjunction with their hydraulic and gas system design and build capabilities contact:

 Barrow 01229 845 560

Workington 01900 734 730

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