R/V Knorr Lab Features & Facilities

Laboratories and science spaces in general are configured to allow efficient installation of scientific equipment with a minimum of effort on the part of scientists and technicians. Benches, shelving, electrical power, water, communications, tie-down points and storage are provided. A general description of these items follows.

Electical Power

All power on the ship is generated as 600VAC which is required for the main propulsion motors. Power for the hotel load, which includes all deck and scientific equipment, is stepped down 600VAC to 480VAC.

Electrical power is distributed as:

480VAC, 60 cycle, 800 amp circuit (unregulated)
480VAC, 60 cycle, 50 amp circuits (unregulated)
120VAC, 60 cycle, 20 amp circuits (unregulated)
120VAC, 60 cycle, 15 amp circuits (regulated)
220VAC, 60 cycle, 3 phase, 45kva (unregulated)
220VAC, 60 cycle, 1 phase, 9kva (unregulated)

Groups requiring 220 or 208 volts must notify the Chief Engineer as to amperage, specific voltage, single or 3-phase and type of transformer connection (delta or wye).

Air Conditioning/Heating

All internal spaces on Knorr are temperature controlled by a centralized air conditioning and heating system

Fresh Water

All scientific laboratories (except the Lower Lab and Scientific Chart Room) and deck areas are provided with hot and cold fresh water outlets. Faucets are located at sinks in the lab spaces and the After Hanger. On deck, either faucets or standpipes are mounted on bulkheads or overheads in areas readily accessible to portable laboratory vans or work sites.

Salt Water

Sea water from the ship’s fire and sanitary system is available in the Main Lab, the Wet Lab, Hydro Lab, Upper Lab and both hangers. In the laboratories, the faucet is adjacent to sinks. Flow rate is 10 GPM.

Uncontaminated Sea Water

Available in the Analytical Lab, 01 Lab and multiple locations in the Main Lab. The intake is located in the bow as far forward and as deep as possible. The pump, its impeller and all piping are PVC; pump flow rate is 7 gallons per minute on the Main Deck with no back pressure. Dual filters to screen out debris and seaweed are located at the pump. High sea states and bubble entrapment at the bow can cause the discharge to become aerated; a debubbler is recommended for instruments sensitive to entrapped gases. To avoid back pressure at the pump the discharge has constant flow overboard. A garden hose fitting is provided for attachment of science equipment to tap the flow as needed. Scientists who want to use micron filters should keep the flow rate in mind.

Deionized Water

A Millipore Milli-Q+ distilled water deionizer unit is located in either the Analytical Laboratory or the aft end of the Main Laboratory. The water source for the deionizing filter unit is a 30-gallon stainless steel head tank located on the 01 Level. This tank is periodically filled with water obtained from the ship’s distillation plant.

Compressed Air

Available in all deck and laboratory spaces at nominal 90 psi.

Benches

Laboratory benches are provided in all laboratories. Most benches are a standard 8 feet long x 32 inches wide x 36 inches high. The tops are provided with lips and Unistrut channel for securing equipment. Most bench units are fitted with a full storage shelf below. All benches are portable, capable of being rearranged as needed to meet individual project space configurations. Book shelves are also provided in all lab spaces.

Tie-downs

All laboratory and deck spaces are provided with means for securing equipment at sea, known collectively as tie-downs. Laboratory decks are fitted with 3/8" bolt receptors locator on 2’ x 2’ centers. All overhead and bulkhead surfaces are equipped with "UniStrut" channels on 2’ centers. External deck surfaces are all fitted with recessed stainless steel bolt receptors on 1’ x 2’ centers.

Displays

Time, navigation, sea surface and meteorological underway data collected by the extensive science data handling system are displayed on monitors throughout the ship. Winch readout displays are located at winch control stations and winch parameters can be added to the underway data displays upon request.

Internal Communications

Intercoms (“squawk boxes”) connect all laboratory spaces, the bridge, deck work areas and winch control stations. Handheld UHF radios are available when needed.

Closed-Circuit Video System

The ship has a closed-circuit video system which allows monitors in the Main and 01 Laboratory spaces and on the bridge to display images obtained from starboard and aft external Main Deck cameras plus trawl winch monitoring cameras.