The implosion incident involving the Titan submersible and decompression accidents both stem from high pressure, yet they have contrasting developments and outcomes.
Recent news highlights the risks associated with deep-sea exploration, which can lead to tragedies like the Titan submersible accident that claimed the lives of five individuals. The Titan was destroyed due to the implosion phenomenon. But what exactly is this phenomenon, and how does it differ from decompression accidents?
The deeper the submersible descends, the greater the pressure it must withstand. (Image: NBC).
At great depths below the ocean’s surface, the weight of the water above creates pressure that affects the objects beneath. We all experience atmospheric pressure daily. Atmospheric pressure is the weight of the air pressing down on the human body. However, as we descend deeper into the ocean, the pressure increases to a point where the human body cannot withstand this weight, necessitating pressure-controlled submersibles for further exploration. To achieve this, the structure of the submersible must be exceptionally robust. The reinforced hull must withstand the pressure exerted on it from all sides.
Following the announcement of the five fatalities aboard the Titan submersible, authorities reported that they had recovered debris revealing that the vessel exploded due to an implosion phenomenon. At the depth of the Titanic wreck, the pressure is approximately 6,000 psi. The seawater pressure is over 400 times greater than atmospheric pressure. At this pressure, each square meter of the Titan’s hull endures a force of about 4,200 tons. Consequently, even the smallest crack could lead to disaster.
The implosion phenomenon occurs when the structure fails, causing the submersible to rapidly collapse inward. The event happens so swiftly that anyone inside may not even realize what is occurring. The entire vessel can explode in an instant. It is likely that there are no warnings beforehand, as even a minor flaw or weakening of the hull is enough to destroy the entire outer shell.
Decompression accidents also arise from similar causes but result in a distinctly different outcome. Inside a pressure-controlled submersible, there is a pressure differential with the exterior. Therefore, the vessel must remain sealed at all times to prevent the pressure from decreasing too quickly. Rapid or instantaneous decompression occurs when a breach in the structure causes the internal pressure of the submersible to drop almost immediately. Even a small breach can allow pressurized air to escape, balancing the pressure differential and pulling any objects inside outward. This phenomenon is almost the opposite of implosion. While implosion increases pressure, causing the submersible to be crushed inward, rapid decompression decreases the pressure inside the vessel, pushing objects inside outward.
The most famous example of a decompression accident is the Byford Dolphin disaster. Here, inadequate safety equipment led to rapid pressure loss in the chamber, resulting in the deaths of three divers, whose blood vaporized almost instantly. A fourth diver suffered even worse due to the pressure causing his body to explode. Air from the connecting chamber also propelled the submersible outward, colliding with two operators, resulting in one fatality and severe injuries to the other.
Both the Titan submersible tragedy and the Byford Dolphin incident serve as stark reminders of the dangers of high-pressure environments in the deep sea and the fragile safety margins. In light of these events, authorities need to revise safety regulations to prevent similar accidents in the future.
What happens when a submarine is crushed underwater? (Video: Fleet)
