EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR CLOSED SHELTERS

This report summarizes results of an experimental study of O supply and CO2 control systems suitable for use in closed shelters for protection against fallout and/or other weapons effects. The program objectives included: (1) determination of performance characteristics and design requirements for passive CO2 absorption techniques, (2) verification of the state-of-the-art design data for dynamic CO2 absorption systems, and (3) evaluation of O commercially available regulators to determine possible design changes to provide apparatus that is more suitable for use in closed shelters. Thirty-six simulated occupancy tests and one human occupancy test were conducted in order to evaluate passive CO2 absorption methods. Two canister tests were conducted to verify the design data for dynamic CO2 absorption methods. Fifteen regulator manufacturers were contracted in the field of survey effort. The program results (for a 24-hr. closure period) are as follows: (1) O supply can be provided at a cost of about $4.70 per person for smaller shelters (100-man) or about $4.15 per person in larger shelters (1000-man), and (2) CO2 concentration can be controlled satisfactorily by the use of Baralyme (or soda-lime at a slight loss in efficiency) in screened panels at a cost of about $4.50 per person.