S-80 class
Encyclopedia
The S-80 Class is a series of submarine
s of advanced technology that is currently under construction for the Spanish Navy
. Initially there will be four units, with a future expansion to six, two of which are in production (as of 2011) by the Spanish company Navantia
at its factory in Cartagena. Their fundamental characteristic is a new propulsion system, designed for a high degree of autonomy under water. Its mission includes: projection of naval power on land, naval special warfare, surveillance, protection of naval forces and deterrence. The first will enter service in the Spanish Navy in 2013 and the second in 2014. The construction of the third in the series began in 2009. It is expected that construction on the fourth will begin soon, as well as the commissioning of two additional units.
(AIP) system will ensure their ability to remain long periods of time in an area without being detected and their ability to operate in possible conflict zones.
Their capabilities include:
) implemented on the S-80 is completely different from the French MESMA (Module Energie Sous-Marin Autonome) project.
The AIP system is based on a bioethanol-processor (provided by Hynergreen from Abengoa
)
consisting of a reaction chamber and several intermediate Coprox reactors, that will transform the BioEtOH in high purity hydrogen. The output feeds a series of fuel cell
s from UTC Power
company (which also supplied fuel cells for the Space Shuttle
).
The Reformator is fed with bioethanol as fuel, and oxygen
(stored as a liquid in a high pressure cryogenic tank), generating hydrogen and carbon dioxide as subproducts. The produced hydrogen and more oxygen
is fed to the fuel cell
s.
The bioethanol-processor also produces a stream of highly concentrated carbon dioxide and other trace gases that are not burned completely during combustion. This gas flow is mixed with sea water in one or more ejector venturi scrubber
and then through a new system called SECO2 (or CO2 Removal System), developed by Bionet, and whose purpose is to dissolve the "bubbles" of CO2 in water to undetectable levels.
The oxygen and fuel flow rates are directly determined by the demand for power. The AIP power in the S-80 submarine is at least kW.
s at high speed.
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
s of advanced technology that is currently under construction for the Spanish Navy
Spanish Navy
The Spanish Navy is the maritime branch of the Spanish Armed Forces, one of the oldest active naval forces in the world. The Armada is responsible for notable achievements in world history such as the discovery of Americas, the first world circumnavigation, and the discovery of a maritime path...
. Initially there will be four units, with a future expansion to six, two of which are in production (as of 2011) by the Spanish company Navantia
Navantia
Navantia, formerly Bazán or IZAR, is a Spanish shipbuilding firm, which offers its services to both military and civil sector. It is the fifth largest shipbuilder in Europe, and the ninth largest in the world with shipyards all over Spain....
at its factory in Cartagena. Their fundamental characteristic is a new propulsion system, designed for a high degree of autonomy under water. Its mission includes: projection of naval power on land, naval special warfare, surveillance, protection of naval forces and deterrence. The first will enter service in the Spanish Navy in 2013 and the second in 2014. The construction of the third in the series began in 2009. It is expected that construction on the fourth will begin soon, as well as the commissioning of two additional units.
Capabilities
The submarines of the S-80 class are designed to better complete their mission in threat scenarios. Their operational mobility will allow them to operate in remote areas, traveling discreetly at high speeds. Their air independent propulsionAir-independent propulsion
Air-independent propulsion is a term that encompasses technologies which allow a submarine to operate without the need to surface or use a snorkel to access atmospheric oxygen. The term usually excludes the use of nuclear power, and describes augmenting or replacing the diesel-electric propulsion...
(AIP) system will ensure their ability to remain long periods of time in an area without being detected and their ability to operate in possible conflict zones.
Their capabilities include:
- A combat system for multiple target acquisition in different scenarios
- The ability to transport personnel, including special operations forces
- Low noise and magnetic signatures in order to minimize detection
- Low radar and infrared signatures in order to minimize detection
Propulsion
The AIP (air independent propulsionAir-independent propulsion
Air-independent propulsion is a term that encompasses technologies which allow a submarine to operate without the need to surface or use a snorkel to access atmospheric oxygen. The term usually excludes the use of nuclear power, and describes augmenting or replacing the diesel-electric propulsion...
) implemented on the S-80 is completely different from the French MESMA (Module Energie Sous-Marin Autonome) project.
The AIP system is based on a bioethanol-processor (provided by Hynergreen from Abengoa
Abengoa
Abengoa is a Spanish multinational corporation, which includes companies in the domains of energy, telecommunications, transportation, and the environment...
)
consisting of a reaction chamber and several intermediate Coprox reactors, that will transform the BioEtOH in high purity hydrogen. The output feeds a series of fuel cell
Fuel cell
A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen or another oxidizing agent. Hydrogen is the most common fuel, but hydrocarbons such as natural gas and alcohols like methanol are sometimes used...
s from UTC Power
UTC Power
- About :UTC Power is a fuel cell company based in South Windsor, Connecticut. It is part of United Technologies Corporation and has been in business for over 50 years. The company has experience in all five major fuel cell technologies. The company specializes in fuel cells for buildings, buses ...
company (which also supplied fuel cells for the Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
).
The Reformator is fed with bioethanol as fuel, and oxygen
Oxygen
Oxygen is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O. Its name derives from the Greek roots ὀξύς and -γενής , because at the time of naming, it was mistakenly thought that all acids required oxygen in their composition...
(stored as a liquid in a high pressure cryogenic tank), generating hydrogen and carbon dioxide as subproducts. The produced hydrogen and more oxygen
Oxygen
Oxygen is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O. Its name derives from the Greek roots ὀξύς and -γενής , because at the time of naming, it was mistakenly thought that all acids required oxygen in their composition...
is fed to the fuel cell
Fuel cell
A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen or another oxidizing agent. Hydrogen is the most common fuel, but hydrocarbons such as natural gas and alcohols like methanol are sometimes used...
s.
The bioethanol-processor also produces a stream of highly concentrated carbon dioxide and other trace gases that are not burned completely during combustion. This gas flow is mixed with sea water in one or more ejector venturi scrubber
Ejector venturi scrubber
This type of technology is a part of the group of air pollution controls collectively referred to as wet scrubbers.An ejector or venturi scrubber is an industrial pollution control device, usually installed on the exhaust flue gas stacks of large furnaces, but may also be used on any number of...
and then through a new system called SECO2 (or CO2 Removal System), developed by Bionet, and whose purpose is to dissolve the "bubbles" of CO2 in water to undetectable levels.
The oxygen and fuel flow rates are directly determined by the demand for power. The AIP power in the S-80 submarine is at least kW.
Features
A permanent-magnet electric motor moves a fixed propeller of a special design, that doesn't create cavitationCavitation
Cavitation is the formation and then immediate implosion of cavities in a liquidi.e. small liquid-free zones that are the consequence of forces acting upon the liquid...
s at high speed.