Sort of on-topic sub question

[Simonpro]

Is this thing: http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1256992,00.html that blew up on Tireless the same type
of device as exploded on Mir? I have very little knowledge about subs, so it'd be interesting to hear if any of you
know more about it...

[Urwumpe]

Possible - Soyuz, ISS and Mir both use oxygen torches, i just don't know for sure, if the Royal navy uses the same kind of
chemical reaction as the Russians.

[NukeET]

Having served on a US Navy nuclear sub, I can shed light on this matter:

Mir and Tireless both use what is also called an "oxygen candle."  It uses a mixture of potassium chlorate and sodium
chlorate.  An ignition source is needed to start this highly exothermic reaction, which also produces O2 and 2 salts,
KCl and NaCl.

US Navy subs use 3 methods to increase O2 while submerged.  Bleed off compressed O2 tanks, electrolysis of H2O,
and the "candle".

Wasn't sure what Tireless actually used until I checked this:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/03/22/nsub122.xml

Damn shame it killed 2 sailors - my condolences to their families.

[Urwumpe]

Russian spacecraft use a lithium perchlorate based oxygen candle, a different mixture, i think it has lower temperatures
inside as the potassium chlorate.