Steve'sDigicams

Trojansoc · Jun 27, 2008, 10:29 AM

I've been too busy walking, climbing, running all over Oahu to find much electricity the last few days, but I did run into this rather interesting device. It's a very early device that uses very high voltage to separate salt from sea water. This particular one was introduced in 1944 and installed on the USS Bowfin. It allowed the sub to produce its own fresh water for washing and drinking, lengthening the amount of time it could remain at sea without reprovisioning.

Taken with a 28mm Sigma f1.7 on a Pentax K20D

Paul

smac · Jun 27, 2008, 11:39 AM

Paul,
That's a very cool picture. It brings back memories of my days on the USS Scamp SSN 588 a fast attack submarine of the late 60's and 70's. Your photo shows the early precursor to the 5,000 and 10,000 Gal/day fresh water stills we had to generate fresh water. Of course they used the hot uncontaminated reactor steam to distill our fresh water, not electricity. But, a very nice picture from the old war horse.

Steve

calr · Jun 28, 2008, 9:37 AM

I am not familiar with the process used by this device. I assume it is an electrolytic process of some kind. When I served on board the USS Long Beach CGN9, a nuclear powered cruiser, we used steam driven distilling plants to produce our potable water. If I recall correctly, the water from the still was cooled and then passed through a resin column to further purify it.

Very interesting photo.

Cal

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Jun 27, 2008, 10:29 AM	#1
Trojansoc Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hot Springs, AR Posts: 3,724	I've been too busy walking, climbing, running all over Oahu to find much electricity the last few days, but I did run into this rather interesting device. It's a very early device that uses very high voltage to separate salt from sea water. This particular one was introduced in 1944 and installed on the USS Bowfin. It allowed the sub to produce its own fresh water for washing and drinking, lengthening the amount of time it could remain at sea without reprovisioning. Taken with a 28mm Sigma f1.7 on a Pentax K20D Paul

Jun 27, 2008, 11:39 AM	#2
smac Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Northern California Posts: 6,103	Paul, That's a very cool picture. It brings back memories of my days on the USS Scamp SSN 588 a fast attack submarine of the late 60's and 70's. Your photo shows the early precursor to the 5,000 and 10,000 Gal/day fresh water stills we had to generate fresh water. Of course they used the hot uncontaminated reactor steam to distill our fresh water, not electricity. But, a very nice picture from the old war horse. Steve

Jun 28, 2008, 9:37 AM	#3
calr Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 8,466	I am not familiar with the process used by this device. I assume it is an electrolytic process of some kind. When I served on board the USS Long Beach CGN9, a nuclear powered cruiser, we used steam driven distilling plants to produce our potable water. If I recall correctly, the water from the still was cooled and then passed through a resin column to further purify it. Very interesting photo. Cal