Can Bernoulli's Law Increase the Depth Range of Submarines?

In summary, the attachment shows a picture of a submarine with a jet engine-like thing on the front. This thing speeds up the water next to the submarine, decreasing the pressure. This could be useful for increasing the depth range of a submarine.
  • #1
Beeld
3
0
Hi people,

It may be a strange question, or impossible, but maybe you could help me out.

It's about submarines, high pressure and Bernoulli's law.

What if we build some kind of jet engine-like thing on the front of the submarine, not to 'pull' it forward, but to speed up the water direct next to the submarine. In this was, following Bernoulli's law, when the velocity of the water increases, the pressure must decrease?

Will the submarine implode later than a similar submarine without this stuff? If we assume that the water coming out of the engine covers the whole side.

More simplified: Can you use the decreasing pressure effect from Bernoulli's law to help increase the depth range of a submarine?

Just curious...

The attachment includes a simple picture to make the story more clear.
 

Attachments

  • bernoulli saving submarine.jpg
    bernoulli saving submarine.jpg
    16.8 KB · Views: 557
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  • #2
Speeding up the water doesn't decrease the pressure, depending on how the water's speed is increased. In the case of a turbine, the exhaust at the exit nozzle would have higher velocity and higher pressure, since the engine peforms work on the water.
 
  • #3
rcgldr said:
In the case of a turbine, the exhaust at the exit nozzle would have higher velocity and higher pressure, since the engine peforms work on the water.

How about a rocket engine to speed up the submarine? In case of torpedos it even enables super cavitation.
 
  • #4
DrStupid said:
How about a rocket engine to speed up the submarine? In case of torpedos it even enables super cavitation.
In general, moving through a fluid makes the otherwise uniform pressure distribution non-uniform. If the structure is optimized for this, it might survive at greater depths when moving than when static.
 
  • #5
Beeld said:
Hi people,

It may be a strange question, or impossible, but maybe you could help me out.

It's about submarines, high pressure and Bernoulli's law.

What if we build some kind of jet engine-like thing on the front of the submarine, not to 'pull' it forward, but to speed up the water direct next to the submarine. In this was, following Bernoulli's law, when the velocity of the water increases, the pressure must decrease?

Will the submarine implode later than a similar submarine without this stuff? If we assume that the water coming out of the engine covers the whole side.

More simplified: Can you use the decreasing pressure effect from Bernoulli's law to help increase the depth range of a submarine?

Just curious...

The attachment includes a simple picture to make the story more clear.
Yes, why not. Nice idea. (Water stream pump decreasing the pressure)

We could also spin the water around the submarine. (A centrifugal pump decreasing the pressure)
 
Last edited:
  • #6
Thank another question to make something clear. Please see the attachment picture. Is it true what I'm describing? The black thing is an jet engine-like thing which sucks the water in the front.
 

Attachments

  • pressure.png
    pressure.png
    3.4 KB · Views: 471
  • #7
No - the pump is adding energy to the stream, so the static pressure in the high velocity jet will be basically the same as in the surrounding water.
 
  • #8
Beeld said:
Thank another question to make something clear. Please see the attachment picture. Is it true what I'm describing? The black thing is an jet engine-like thing which sucks the water in the front.

I know others have said it, but I'll say it a slightly different way


The reason that the pressure is lower when velocity is higher is essentially because of conservation of energy (namely bernouilli's equation,) so an increase in kinetic energy comes from a decrease in pressure

But, like with any form of conservation of energy, it only applies when no energy is being added to the system.

In your situation, though, the engine is adding energy, so the water does indeed have more velocity, but that velocity comes from the energy of the engine, instead of the energy of the pressure. (So pressure is still the same.)
 
  • #9
The exit pressure from a turbine has to be higher than ambient, otherwise there would be no flow out of the turbine. Once past the exit nozzle, then no more work is done, Bernoulli applies, and the pressure decreases as the water continues to accelerate (until the pressure gradient becomes zero or negative and the pressure returns to ambient). There are complicating factors such as interaction with the surrounding flow and viscosity.
 
Last edited:
  • #10
Ah well, that makes sense. Bernoulli is actually just some application of the first law of thermodynamics. Thanks!
 

What is a Bernoulli saving submarine?

A Bernoulli saving submarine is a type of submarine that uses the principle of Bernoulli's equation to control its depth in water. This means that it can dive or rise without using any external propulsion systems.

How does a Bernoulli saving submarine work?

A Bernoulli saving submarine works by using a system of tanks and valves to control the amount of air and water inside the submarine. When air is pumped into the tanks, the submarine becomes less dense and rises to the surface. When water is let into the tanks, the submarine becomes more dense and sinks.

What are the advantages of a Bernoulli saving submarine?

One of the main advantages of a Bernoulli saving submarine is its ability to control its depth without the use of external propulsion systems. This makes it a more efficient and cost-effective option compared to traditional submarines. It also allows for quicker and smoother diving and surfacing.

What are the limitations of a Bernoulli saving submarine?

One limitation of a Bernoulli saving submarine is that it can only operate in shallow waters, as it relies on the surrounding water pressure to control its depth. It also requires precise control and monitoring of the air and water levels to ensure safe operation.

Are there any real-life examples of Bernoulli saving submarines?

Yes, there have been several prototypes and small-scale models of Bernoulli saving submarines developed and tested by researchers and engineers. However, it is not yet a widely used technology in the commercial or military submarine industry.

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