Cryogenic oxygen storage for the S-80 submarine [ Return towards References ]

Cryogenic oxygen storage for the S-80 submarine from Navantia

Air Liquide has designed and manufactured the cryogenic oxygen storage unit for the air independent propulsion system on the S-80 submarine made by the shipbuilder Navantia, and conducted its qualification tests.

The S-80 program

Navantia is currently building 4 S-80 class submarines for the Spanish Navy, at its shipyards in Cartagena. Under the program these ships are scheduled for delivery between 2013 and 2015.
One of the special characteristics of the S-80 is that they will be equipped with an air independent propulsion (AIP) system, based on fuel cells that use hydrogen and oxygen.
Air Liquide DTA is one of the few French industrial concerns to be involved in the program.

Air Liquide expertise

Subsequent to the feasibility pilot studies carried out in 2004-2005, Air Liquide was selected to develop and supply the 4 cryogenic oxygen storage units intended to supply the AIP system with breathable air on the S-80. This is the biggest built-in self-contained component on-board the submarine and one of the largest ever on-board cryogenic tanks in the world.

Air Liquide has conducted an intensive set of qualification tests in a naval environment: a battery of tests (vibration, impact, platform movement, CEM, climatic ambience and salt spray) has been conducted on some twenty components.

At the request of the Spanish government, the tank manufacture has to be subcontracted to Spain. Air Liquide has thus been commissioned to find, select and qualify a boilermaker service provider in situ.

The first cryogenic storage system is scheduled to be delivered early in 2009.

Marine

Liquid oxygen storage

Oxygen / nitrogen production

References

Contacts

For further information, contact us:

Vincent Raffaele
Sales - Marine market
Tel: +33 (0)4 76 43 60 34

Nathalie Ray
Sales department
Tel: +33 (0) 4 76 43 62 11