A diver is planning to salvage a Spanish galleon located in 200 feet of water. H

Question

A diver is planning to salvage a Spanish galleon located in 200 feet of water. He plans to use a diving suit that will be supplied with air from a hose (assume this to be amply sized) connected to a compressor that he will locate in his boat on the surface. When he goes to the dive shop to purchase an appropriate compressor he finds that there are three compressors that will deliver the air he needs but they are rated for 75, 125, and 200 psig. The compressors with the higher pressure ratings have higher costs. Which compressor should he buy and why?

Explanation / Answer

Atmospheric pressure is 14.7 psi Each 32 feet of water adds one atm 200/32 = 6.25 atm He needs 91.875 psi. He should at least buy the 125 psi compressor. The 75 PSI compressor won't be able to get air down to him and it won't be at high enough pressure to breathe in. The 125 psi compressor seems like the right one, it has some margin over what he needs and it isn't as expensive as the 200 psi compressor.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.