Introduction to the U.S. Navy Arctic Laboratory

• Main Author: Wales, C. A.
• Other Authors: NAVAL COMMAND CONTROL AND OCEAN SURVEILLANCE CENTER RDT AND E DIV SAN DIEGO CA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1992
• Subjects: Snow; Ice and Permafrost; Test Facilities; Equipment and Methods; *TEST FACILITIES; *SEA ICE; *UNDERWATER EQUIPMENT; TEST AND EVALUATION; REPRINTS; TEMPERATURE; THICKNESS; MODELS; ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE; SURFACES; FRESH WATER; ICE; MODEL TESTS; PRESSURE; PRESSURE VESSELS; LABORATORIES; RINGS; PACIFIC OCEAN; SALINITY; MASTS; MODEL BASINS; SNORKELS; TOWING; ARCTIC REGIONS; SPRAYS; SUBMARINES; Arctic; Breaker; Pacific; Arctic Submarine Laboratory; Ice; permafrost; Sea ice
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA265103; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA265103

Distinctive research and test facilities exist at the US. Navy's Arctic Submarine Laboratory, San Diego, CA. These facilities include the unique Arctic Experimental Pool, sea ice model basin, large entry cold chamber, dry cold laboratories, various pressure chambers, and seawater pond along with supporting facilities. The unique Arctic Experimental Pool holds approximately 950 cum of seawater (pumped from the Pacific Ocean). The air temperature can be held as low as -60 deg C and sea ice up to a thickness pf 5 feet can be grown while controlling the salinity and air content of the water. The sea ice model basin can be sustained at -20 deg C and filled with fresh water, seawater, or 'doped' water. The sea ice model basin has a towing carriage above the surface and a towing aled on the bottom of the pool. The special features of the unique facilities are discussed as well as the complete details of all of the facilities. These facilities were built following the end of World War II to study the many problems associated with with working or operating in sea ice and/or low-air temperatures. The first major results of tests in the facilities include development of the snorkel spray ring for the induction masts of submarines and initial ice-breaker model tests that contributed to the design of the US. Polar class. The facilities have been refurbished recently and are available for conducting research experiments and engineering testing.