Integrated hydrogen fuel cell power system as an alternative to diesel-electric power system for conventional submarines

Abstract

A hydrogen fuel cell based hybrid energy system is designed and analyzed to be used in conventional submarines for propulsion and power management. This system is proposed as an alternative to the diesel-electric system. This system eliminates the need for the submarine to surface and hence can continuously operate while submerged underwater. This hybrid system produces electricity, heat, and purified water. Onboard storage carries hydrogen and oxygen that feeds directly to a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Analyses are performed to determine if the PEMFC based power system can successfully replace the conventional diesel-electric power system for a medium size (displacement of 3000-ton) diesel-electric submarine. The use of PEMFCs onboard the submarine reduces 261,000 kg mass, and frees-up 148 m3 space compared to the diesel-electric system. More importantly, the submarine can operate submerged for the entire duration of its mission with the PEMFC based power system.