IPN turbines: A source of underwater power

The effect of hydrostatic pressure on the basic performance of a simple isopropyl nitrate (IPN) power turbine is discussed, with particular reference to the choice of suitable design parameters for systems operating at depths down to 3100 ft. It is shown that the decomposition heat energy available from a perfect turbine system decreaseswith increasing depth, from 19·9 kWh/ft³ at sea level to 2·34 kWh/ft³ for a critical pressure ratio design. Approximately two-thirds of this energy may be recoverable in a practical system as usable power on the sea bed.