Half-packing sorb -- Possible, or deadly?

[stretchthepenn]

The recent thread about the Dive Talk GO got me thinking... One of that unit's features is a small scrubber. Its limited sorb capacity makes this particular rebreather only suitable for non-expedition-type dives, but for that particular use case, the small scrubber seems reasonable.

Let's assume, then, that a diver has a rebreather with a standard-capacity scrubber (say four or five hours' worth of sorb). This diver has a use case in which they'll be doing a 1.5-hour one-off dive, or maybe two relatively quick dives. The diver doesn't want to go OC, and storing the partially used sorb for later is either impossible or impractical.

Could this diver half-pack the scrubber in their full-size rebreather? And if so, would it necessarily be a bad idea?

NOTE: I'm not gonna do it; I'm just curious.

 

[lostsheep]

I believe dwell time in the sorb would be dangerously decreased.

 

[mr_v]

You can't partially pack a radial scrubber. You _could_ partially pack an axial scrubber, depending on the rebreather design. But why risk your life for $20?

 

[broncobowsher]

I believe there is a rebreather that had a "choose your scrubber" option. The can was the same, but a small change and there were 3 different sizes of sorb. One of those rebreathers from 10 years ago that nobody remembers. But it was designed for it.

 

[davehicks]

There is an upsized scrubber available for the Go CCR.

 

[Mobulai]

I believe there is a rebreather that had a "choose your scrubber" option. The can was the same, but a small change and there were 3 different sizes of sorb. One of those rebreathers from 10 years ago that nobody remembers. But it was designed for it.

Oh that’s a cool idea — in case someone remembers drop the details

Any memory of how it worked? An extra secreen/spring mechanism to reduce the scrubber depth kinda thing?

 

[broncobowsher]

Oh that’s a cool idea — in case someone remembers drop the details

Any memory of how it worked? An extra secreen/spring mechanism to reduce the scrubber depth kinda thing?

See if I can remember to look for it when I get home. I know what room it would be in, not sure where in the room it is.

 

[grantctobin]

Oh that’s a cool idea — in case someone remembers drop the details

Any memory of how it worked? An extra secreen/spring mechanism to reduce the scrubber depth kinda thing?

The Meg and the Fathom (and the SG and iirc the whole HH series) all support or supported different scrubber sizes in the same can with different spacers. Use the wrong spacer, you die. The end.

 

[Tracy]

My meg had various spacers for different scrubber volumes. I don't think that still exists as you could use the wrong spacer and leave an air gap that would bypass the scrubber entirely.
I believe the consensus was, while nice to have, not worth the risk to save $20.

 

[Whitrzac]

It's possible if it's designed correctly.