The United States of America has arguably the world’s most powerful and most advanced submarine fleet, which is also the only one in the world that is fully nuclear-powered. Life at, or under, the sea comes with its own set of challenges, especially for submarines, which are designed to run fully submerged for months on end if operationally necessary. This means special waste handling procedures are required to deal with the inevitable waste generation caused by over 100 crew members living and working in close quarters for upwards of a year at a time!
Unlike surface vessels, which often store their gray and black water in tanks and dump them into city sewage systems upon docking, submarines are very much at the mercy of their storage capacity. When loading on provisions, parts, and other essentials onto a sub, every piece of packaging that isn’t absolutely essential has to be removed dockside. This also means there’s very limited space to store gray, black, and bilgewater that builds up during submarine running. Incinerating the waste isn’t an option because this could generate a heat signature that can be detected by hostile forces. So, what’s the solution?
Unfortunately, if you guessed, “Dump it in the ocean,” you guessed correctly.
All submarines have trash disposal tubes separated from open water by a ball valve for removing food, packaging, and human waste from the vessel. These tubes utilize special weighted containers that must be assembled by crew members and loaded with trash and waste. When the sub’s skipper deems it safe, the containers are jettisoned. Trash day is a big (and dangerous) deal aboard a submarine because the telltale sounds of a sub “flushing” can lead hostiles straight to it, and the sub is generally a sitting duck during disposal operations, making the vessel an easy target.
The Navy is exploring and experimenting with alternative methods of human waste disposal, including ultrafiltration, biotreatment, and catalysis. But for now, subs at sea have to deal with the human waste they generate in a way that hasn’t changed much in six thousand years!
While the United States may have the most powerful and advanced submarine fleet, it is important to consider the potential risks and challenges associated with nuclear-powered submarines. One unique solution to address these concerns could be the development and implementation of alternative power sources for submarines.
One potential alternative power source could be hydrogen fuel cells. Hydrogen fuel cells have the advantage of being clean and efficient, producing only water as a byproduct. By utilizing hydrogen fuel cells, submarines could reduce their dependence on nuclear power and minimize the environmental impact associated with nuclear waste.
Additionally, integrating renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power could also be explored. While these sources may not provide enough energy to power the entire submarine, they could supplement the existing power systems, reducing the reliance on nuclear power.
By diversifying the power sources of submarines, the United States could not only address the potential risks and challenges associated with nuclear power but also contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to submarine operations. This could set an example for other nations and encourage the development of alternative power sources for submarines worldwide.