DSME Delivers Key Technology for Air Independent Propulsion (AIP)

29 November 2021

Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) for submarines, based on the production of hydrogen by reforming methanol mixed with water (photo : maily-so)

DSME Develops Methanol Reforming Plant for Submarine Fuel Cells

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) has successfully developed a methanol steam reforming plant for submarine fuel cells and delivered it to the Agency for Defense Development.

The company held a delivery ceremony at its Siheung R&D Campus on Nov. 18.

The plant produces high purity hydrogen using methanol and water. It means DSME has secured a level of competitiveness as high as that of advanced countries in the field of fuel reforming and hydrogen refining technologies.

Fuel cells are highly efficient in power generation and generate no noise and vibration. They do not generate foreign substances other than water in generating electricity.

Submarine fuel reforming technology is a state-of-the-art technology that has been studied for more than 20 years in major advanced energy powers such as Germany, France, and Spain.

Currently, hydrogen is supplied to submarine fuel cells through metal hydrogen storage alloy cylinders. This method is low in storage efficiency per weight and requires space for equipment installation. Its weaknesses are that separate auxiliary facilities are required for hydrogen charging and charging time is long. By contrast, the fuel reforming method using methanol boasts high storage efficiency, which improves submarines’ operation capabilities.

The fuel reforming method requires a smaller space and facilitates fuel supply. It does not require separate facilities for recharging and has short charging time.

(Business Korea)