Vehicles- Mostly Steampunk- some others

[barnest2]

It could easily have one, it has a bit of left over space. But why would we want to switch from the fission powered steam engine... :shock: oh... oh yeah

 

[DFW]

Probably what will limit it will be crew air supply. Mind you a "snorkel" (such as many historical subs used) would solve that and also allow the use of other power plants.

Besides, compressed air cylinders have been used in diving since at least
1825.

Also, O2 was being separated from H2O in the in the 19th century using electricity. KOH was also available to absorb CO2... Stay under for a LONG time.

 

[Lord High Munchkin]

A "snorkel" uses less space than tanks and machinery for O2 creation.

The best thing to do is think about "what the vehicle is to be used for?" and how can this be achieved with the simplest tech, and least fuss (possibly cheapest too)?

The sub has a very limited supply of torpedoes, slightly better stores of canon munitions, and most importantly no need to hide from radar. So loitering around on the surface with only quick dives to hide at the last moment (when the enemy gets too close) are all that are required. After all, the enemies' smoke-stacks can be seen a way off.

All that can be done most simply with a simple set of breathing/exhaust tubes and a float (which can be either pulled in, or detached, if necessary).

 

[rust]

While I agree that a snorkel is most useful, it also has its problems, for
example when the sea gets rough: The submarine either has to stay clo-
se to the surface to use the snorkel, and suffers most of the effects of a
storm, or it uses a long snorkel and risks that the waves destroy it. The
ability to stay below the danger zone during stormy weather has advan-
tages, and therefore compressed makes a good backup for a snorkel.

 

[atpollard]

An atomic pile? At early TL4? I'm pretty sure we're talking pre-WW2, are we not?

Yep. U-235 was available before WW2. VERY easy to make using TL 4 tools.

I thought that enriching Uranium requires a gas centrifuge to enrich the fuel. How early (year/decade) did they first appear?

This is one of those alternative tech areas that I always wondered about (but people get nervious when you start researching uranium enrichment).

 

[rust]

I thought that enriching Uranium requires a gas centrifuge to enrich the fuel. How early (year/decade) did they first appear?

The original method used in the 1940s was gaseous diffusion, the use of
a centrifuge is a later technology.

 

[DFW]

I thought that enriching Uranium requires a gas centrifuge to enrich the fuel. How early (year/decade) did they first appear?

This is one of those alternative tech areas that I always wondered about (but people get nervious when you start researching uranium enrichment).

Chemical separation was research in the 19th century. Not sure if this is what Germany used prior to the 40's.

 

[atpollard]

I thought that enriching Uranium requires a gas centrifuge to enrich the fuel. How early (year/decade) did they first appear?

This is one of those alternative tech areas that I always wondered about (but people get nervious when you start researching uranium enrichment).

Chemical separation was research in the 19th century. Not sure if this is what Germany used prior to the 40's.

You can chemically separate U-235 from U-238 isotopes?
I thought that the electron shells would be identical and cause them to chemically react exactly the same.

 

[DFW]

You can chemically separate U-235 from U-238 isotopes?
I thought that the electron shells would be identical and cause them to chemically react exactly the same.

Uranium ore is refined to raise the ratio of 235U. This is accomplished through gaseous diffusion. Uranium ore is combined with fluorine to uranium hexafluoride. Hex is heated and vaporizes. The gas is pushed through filters. Because some of the hex contains 238U and some contains 235U, there is a difference in the weights of the molecules. The molecules of hex containing 235U are slightly lighter and thus pass more easily through the filters. This creates an amount of hex with a higher proportion of 235U. This is collected, the uranium is stripped from it, and the result is an enriched supply of fuel.

Remember, we aren't going for a fast reaction but a slow reaction...

 

[barnest2]

Two things:
One: a new rule for steam engines
Land vehicles, and some water vehicles, which are driven by steam count as having a single shot smoke launcher built into them, meant to represent them letting of a large amount of steam. Using this reduces fuel by 1 hour, and can only be used once per hour due to the time it takes to build up steam again.

Air vehicles cannot use this of course. Moving ones just leave a white trail, and still ones are quite obviously not a cloud, and usually attract more fire.

Two: At some point I will be designing three versions of the
DOOM S.P.I.D.A.H, each at a separate tech level. One will be TL 4, driven by steam. One will be TL8, and driven either by an internal combustion engine or a turbine. One will be TL 12, and driven either by fusion or a turbine. It will be 100 metres cubed in size, will be well armed, and carry some troops, as well as being opulently designed.
Oh, and by the way. Spidah stands for:
Superior
Perambulator for the
Interception and
Domination of
Annoying
Heroes