Quote:
Originally Posted by Catfish
As we heard recently, nuclear subs can be tracked by other submarines due to the traces they leave in the water like radioactive particles (don't quite understand that one, does the radiation ionize the seawater around the reactor compartment's hull? There is almost no insulation around the reactor, only forward and rear), but also other elements that betray it.
On the other hand a Diesel sub probably also leaves some traces, but have not heard yet about tracking those.
I would go with AIP subs, when it comes to countries with smaller navies, and budget.
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During the reaction process excess hydrogen is built up around the system and subsequently this is discharged into the ocean, this hydrogen will be radioactive at slightly above background limits (from my understanding)
In most reactors you get a build up of other elements if you look at the discharge from chernobyl you will find Caesium 137 iodine 131 strontium 90 Thorium 137 Bromide and other gasses such as Krypton and argon.
Conventional submarines will leave trace elements of oils and fuels just imagine the exhaust of a truck as it goes down the road pouring out smoke well the same happens in the submarine but when underwater i would assume that some of that left over particles will escape into the sea (this is just my theory)
And im not sure if they do need to build a construction dock i would assume that BAe systems Australia may port over systems from the UK if they do.