A comparative assessment has been made of nuclear, fuel cell and thermal engine power sources to propel a 2000 to 3500 ton submarine for underice surveillance, repairing deep sea oil rigs and for mineral exploration. For missions greater than 1000 hours an intermediate enriched pressurized water reactor is identified as the most suitable power source but the potential user must assess total system costs, enriched fuel supply and the potential acceptability of a nuclear system. In many cases a nuclear system is not desired, then, with certain restrictions on vessel power and size, both Stirling engines and closed Brayton Cycle engines consuming diesel fuel and liquid oxygen are suitable. Furthermore, alkaline and solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells consuming liquid hydrogen and oxygen can also be used. In fact with development, they may prove to be superior to engines. The final choice of a power system will utlimately be governed by the user's requirements of power, submerged endurance and speed.
Comparative assessment of power sources for the propulsion of submarines
Vergleichende Bewertung von Energiequellen fuer den Antrieb von Unterseebooten
PROC. OF THE 13TH INTERSOC. ENERGY CONVERSION ENGNG. CONF. ; 2 , Aug ; 1215-1221
1978
7 Seiten, 1 Bild, 5 Tabellen, 7 Quellen
Conference paper
English
Fuel Cell Propulsion of Submarines
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