MovieChat Forums > K-19: The Widowmaker (2002) Discussion > Torpedo fuel?

Torpedo fuel?

posted 11 years ago by TerraFirma69
3 replies | jump to latest

I assumed the torpedoes would be electrically driven. Can anyone tell me what the spilled fuel was and how the torpedoes would have been powered?

[–] dln1700 10 years ago

It was most likely the Russian equivelant of Otto fuel.

As for what powers the torpedo it really depends on the torpedo itself. The US Navy's Mk37 had an electrical propulsion system and was in service from 1956 until superceded by the Mk 48 in 1972 which uses Otto fuel. A check on Wikipedia about the Mk48 torpedo states when ignited the fuel turns to gas which inturn powers the drives the motor.

It's been many years since but I remember that you didn't want to be near Otto fuel if it did spill.

[–] Runnonn 9 years ago

From what I have read about Russian torpedos is that they used a form of hydrogen peroxide in a highly concentrated form, and if that were the case it is very volatile and would explode on contact with metal. I may be wrong but that was one of the thoughts on what caused the sinking of the Kursk.

[–] TerraFirma69 9 years ago

You're right, I've looked it up since then. They can be either electric or powered by hydrogen peroxide (which although being dangerous, negates the need for a separate supply of oxygen in the torpedo engine). I've heard of some earlier ones using compressed air to drive a piston engine too.

Lots of good info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torpedo#Energy_sources

...then whoa, differences...