Hello Gang:
I find much information on the Walther boat regarding its performance characteristics but not much technical detail. My understanding is that the turbine engine in this boat burned fuel oil and used Hydrogen Peroxide as the oxidizer, the two being mixed in the engine during the combustion cycle. How was the exhaust handled? If it was dumped overboard there would be a tremendous backpressure problem to deal with which would greatly reduce the turbine output power. Alternately, it is difficult to see how it could run closed-cycle considering the exhaust products being produced. Anyone know how it was done?

It was probably a lucky thing for the U-boat crews those submarines never went into service. Hydrogen Peroxide is a powerfull oxidizer and any leak which puts it in contact with oil, even an oily surface for example, is likely to cause a fierce fire or explosion. How would such boats stand up to a severe depth charging? I think the incidence of secondary underwater explosions in the boats would have been greatly increased.

I saw some US Navy reports back in the 50's which detailed the handling problems and serious accidents which had occurred while experimenting with the Hydrogen Peroxide engine. Both the American and British navies dropped this idea as totally impractical for a man carrying weapon system like a submarine. It is interesting that even the Germans have stayed away from that propulsion system in their new boats now going to sea. Any comments?

Don B