How do moon pools work

This will make it look like there is a swimming pool in the hull of the vessel. The sides of the moon pool are built up to a height that is well above sea level to prevent the ship from sinking.

Doors found near the hull will allow for the opening to be sealed shut while the ship is moving, or if it encounters stormy weather. The third type is the below the water level style where the opening, just as the name suggests, is found below the water level. The only way this style of pool can be built in order to prevent the ship from sinking is if the chamber which houses the moon pool is airtight. This means that the chamber will not be exposed to the air at all.

To gain access to this chamber the person entering will have to go through an airtight door. The final style is the underwater habitat; in which the entire pool is under the water in a uniquely designed underwater habitat, similar to the diving bell. This can provide divers and researches a dry underwater place to go. They will be able to work and rest without the need to climb their way to the surface of the water.

These habitats are connected to the bottom of the sea and the opening of the pool is the only entrance or exit into the chamber.

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In some submarines, divers can exit and enter through a moon pool, an opening in the bottom of the submarine. For the water to enter a cavity already filled with another fluid, it has to either displace or compress this fluid. The shape of the container prevents the air from escaping and the water can't rush in if the air inside is at the same pressure as the water outside, because then the net force on the interface is zero.

Air pressure is what holds back the water. If the air pressure is higher than the water pressure the water cannot enter. Typically it will just be a pressurized chamber - not the whole sub. As someone else has said, the air pressure is what prevents the water from entering the submarine.

But let's do some calculations. We will assume that the robustness of the hull is not a problem, i. The pressure outside water pressure can be computed from the hydrostatic equation :.

Therefore we obtain. You can see that very soon the room will be completely filled with water. In order to prevent this, it must be pressurized, and this requires the use of an airlock. But even like this, the pressure in the chamber cannot be increased too much, otherwise those who enter will risk oxygen intoxication.

A submarine with a hole in it will be filled in water well before the hull collapses see above discussion. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group. Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more.

What stops water from a moon pool from filling the inside of a submarine? Asked 4 years, 3 months ago. Active 4 years, 3 months ago.