SINAVY PEM Fuel Cell

For submarines

Marine & Shipbuilding

Answers for industry.

 Introduction page 3

PEM Fuel Cell:

function and design page 6

PEM Fuel Cell:

modules and power plant page 8

Outlook page 11

2
Fuel cells enable the direct genera-
tion of electric power from hydro-
gen and oxygen with significantly
higher efficiency, with noiseless
operation and without pollutant
emissions compared with conven-
tional combustion engines.

3
 Application potential

Decentral power plants Freighter

Grid-independent Emergency power supply

operation (SOFC, PEM FC) (PEM FC)

Reformer gas/air

Submarine H2/O2 H2/air Bus

Air-independent Emission-free and

propulsion (PEM FC) noiseless operation (PEM FC)

Space shuttle Delivery trucks

Fuel Cell power plants

Present and future
applications

Air-independent Emission-free and

power supply (PEM FC) noiseless operation (PEM FC)

Storage system Passenger car

for regenerative energies

Siemens Electrolyzer Emission-free and energy-­

(PEM FC) efficient operation (PEM FC)

Reformer gas/air

Railroad Gas tanker

Electrical propulsion Electrical propulsion

(SOFC, PEM FC) (SOFC, PEM FC)

Fig. 1: Possible applications for fuel cell power plants

4
In addition to these basic advantages, the fuel cell with
a solid, ion-conducting, polymeric membrane (polymer
electrolyte membrane – PEM) has more positive
Energy
properties:
◾◾ Quick switch-on, switch-off behavior
◾◾ Low voltage degradation and long service life
◾◾ Favorable load and temperature-cycle behavior
◾◾ Capability of overload operation
◾◾ Low operating temperature (80° Celsius) Hydrogen Oxygen
◾◾ Absence of a liquid-corrosive electrolyte.

All of these characteristics make the SINAVY PEM

Fuel Cell an ideal power unit.
Aboard submarines they show their outstanding
­advantages over other AIP (air-independent propulsion) Water

systems for conventional submarines. Using oxygen and

hydrogen stored in liquid or gaseous form on board as
reactants, the only process result besides electricity and
small amounts of residual gases which are given into
the boats atmosphere is process water which could be
used for different purposes – such as weight balancing
to avoid process-related needs for trim adaptions of the
submarine.
Siemens has two types of SINAVY PEM Fuel Cell modules
for you to choose from. The FCM 34, with a rated power
of 34 kW, and the FCM 120, with a rated power of
120 kW.
Submarines of Class U 212 A (six in the German Navy
and four in the Italian Navy) are equipped with FCM 34
modules, which were developed from 1985 at the
request of the German Ministry of Defense. Submarines
of Class 214 and Class 209 PN – in the Hellenic Navy,
Republic of Korea Navy, Portuguese Navy, and Turkish
Navy – are equipped with FCM 120 modules, which were
Fig. 2
developed in a later phase. Development work on the
third-generation ­module (FCM NG) has recently started.
The rated power of FCM NG is flexible in the range
between 80 and 160 kW.
Operational submarines of Class 209 can be upgraded
with an additional fuel-cell power plant during refit, and
so acquire the benefits of air-independent propulsion
(AIP) at a much lower price than for acquiring a new
submarine.
The suitability of fuel-cell technology on board subma-
rines has been demonstrated by earlier tests and more
recently on submarines of classes U 212 A, 214, and
­Dolphin  AIP.

5
 PEM Fuel Cell:
function and design
A simplified representation of the SINAVY PEM Fuel Cells'
basic function and design is shown in (Fig. 3): the
­electrochemical element at which the chemical energy
is converted into electrical energy is the membrane
­electrode unit. It consists of the polymer electrolyte,
the gas diffusion electrodes with a platinum catalyst
and carbon sheets on each side.
After the abstraction of the electrons from hydrogen –
they flow from the anode via the electrical load to
the cathode – the resulting protons migrate from the
anode to the cathode where they combine with oxy-
gen (and the electrons) to form water.
The theoretical voltage of an H2/O2 fuel cell is 1.48 V
(referred to the upper heat value of hydrogen). At
­zero-load conditions, slightly more than one volt
per cell is available.
The cooling units or bipolar plates, in combination
with carbon diffusion layers, distribute the reactants
­uniformly across the area of the cell, conduct the
6
­ lectrons across the stack, remove the heat from the
e
electrodes, and separate the media from each other.
Figure 4 shows the two core components of a cell
with outside dimensions of 400 x 400 mm, as used
in FCM 34 modules.
Figure 5 compares the bipolar plate of the FCM 34 mod-
ules to the FCM 120 and the FCM NG. Two cells of the
FCM 120 produce about twice the power of one cell of
the FCM 34 type with nearly the same active area.
The theoretically high development potential in regard
to the membrane material is shown in Figure 6. With
improved materials, the power density can be nearly
doubled.
The voltage of a SINAVY PEM Fuel Cell with respect
to the operating time is stable, and degradation rates
are less than 2 µV/h per cell for FCM 34 module. Signifi-
cantly lower values were achieved during the operation
of a FCM 120. This module went through different oper-
ational conditions (Fig. 7).
 Electrical load
4e⁻
Hydrogen H2 Oxygen O2

H⁺

2H2 + 4e⁻ = 4H⁺ O2 + 4e⁻ = 20⁻
20⁻ + 4H⁺ = 2H2O
H⁺

Waste H⁺

Anode Cathode

Polymer electrolyte Product water

H 2O + O 2

Fig. 3: Functional principle

Cooling unit
Membrane
electrode unit
400 mm

Cooling unit

Fig. 4: Components of cell Fig. 5: Comparison of cells: FCM NG Type (back),

FCM 34 Type (center), FCM 120 Type (front)

1.1 1000 248

Cell Voltage [UC/V]

Cell Output PC/W

Module Voltage [V]

Start–Stop Operation / 

Naf 115
FAT's
Constant Load at 560 A / 70 °C

Start–Stop Operation / 70 °C

Load Profile / 70 °C

Start–Stop Operation / 75 °C

Load Profile / 75 °C

70 °C / 70 % VKW

Start–Stop Operation / 75 °C

244
1.0
800 240
Naf 117 236
0.9
600 232
0.8 228
Constant Load at
390  A / 70 °C

400 224
0.7
220
Naf 115 200 216
0.6
212
Naf 117
0.5 0 208
0 500 1000 1500 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500
Current I/A Operational Hours [h]

Fig. 6: Potential output increases by using various electrolytes Fig. 7: FCM 120 / Module Voltage at 560 A and 390 A

7
 PEM Fuel Cell:
modules and power plant
PEM Fuel Cell modules
Siemens has put every effort into integrating the PEM
Fuel Cell stack, valves, piping, and sensors as well as
the corresponding module electronics control and the
ancillaries into a single container making the best use
of the limited space on board. The ancillaries comprise
the equipment for supplying H2, O2, and N2 for reactant
humidification, for product water, and waste heat and
residual gas removal. The container is filled with N2 inert
gas at 3.0 bar abs. to prevent a release of H2 and/or O2
in case of leakages. Thus, the operator can use the
PEM Fuel Cell as a working black box without having
to care about the processes inside the container.
The PEM Fuel Cell module can be operated at various
static and dynamic load currents. Currents below 650 A
for FCM 34 modules or below 560 A for FCM 120 mod-
ules can be applied in continuous operation. The output
power/current characteristics for FCM 34 modules are
shown in Figure 8.
For currents above the rated current, the loading time is
limited due to insufficient heat removal at these values.
Even loads up to double the rated current can be applied
for a short time.
At the rated operating point, the overall efficiency is
approximately 59 percent with respect to the lower heat
value of H2 (LHV). It increases in the part-load range,
8
reaching a maximum of approximately 69 percent at
a load factor of some 20 percent of the rated current
(approximately 100 A) (Fig. 9).
The properties of the FCM 34 and FCM 120 modules
are listed in the table on page 10.
PEM Fuel Cell power plant
Appropriate operating conditions for fuel-cell modules
are provided for submarine applications by a fuel-cell
system in which fuel cell modules are connected
◾◾ to the hydrogen and oxygen supply
◾◾ to disposal units for functions like
– cooling
– residual gas
– reaction water
◾◾ to auxiliary systems for functions like
– inert gas drying
– degasing for cooling fluid
– nitrogen supply
– evacuation system
◾◾ to the propulsion/ship’s system as to supply it
with demanded electrical power
 180 80
Module output [kW]

Efficiency [%/h0]
160 70

140
60
120
50
100
40
80
30
60
FCM NG 160 kW
20
40 FCM NG 135 kW
FCM NG 80 kW FCM NG
20 FCM 34 10 FCM 34
FCM 120 FCM 120
0 0
0 350 700 1050 1400 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
Current [A] Current [A]

Fig. 8: Performance Data of FCMs – Fig. 9: Efficiency of FCM 34, 120, and NG
outlook on different CM NG configurations

Operator control and visualization of the fuel-cell system a

FCPP Switchboard 1 FCPP Switchboard 2
are facilitated by the integrated platform management
system or directly via the control panel of the fuel-cell boats
system. Figure 10 gives a simplified overview of the mains
(main
AIP system. FCPP peripheral
switch- ­devices:
The fuel-cell system in its entirety – the complete fuel- board) ◾◾ oxygen EMCS
cell power plant, especially the supply and disposal ◾◾ hydrogen
­systems described above for AIP operation, including FCM 34
◾◾ product water
◾◾ residual gases
spatial and functional integration on board – has been ◾◾ cooling system
or FCM NG
developed by HDW (Howaldtswerke Deutsche Werft AG). ◾◾ evacuation
The submarine classes U 212 A, 214, and Dolphin are b Converter FCM 120 ◾◾ ...

equipped with the new fuel-cell power plant by HDW EMCS

based on SINAVY PEM Fuel Cell modules by Siemens. boats
mains
An AIP system with SINAVY PEM Fuel Cell modules can (main
be added to existing submarines. switch-
board)

FCPP Switchboard

c Converter FCM NG
FCPP peripheral
­devices:
◾◾ oxygen
◾◾ hydrogen
◾◾ product water
boats ◾◾ residual gases
mains ◾◾ cooling system EMCS
(main ◾◾ evacuation
Fig. 10: Two types of fuel-cell power plants (FCPP) switch- ◾◾ ...
a: f uel-cell battery with FCM 34; direct coupling of ­ board)
FC voltage to boats mains at class U 212 A submarine
b: f uel-cell battery with FCM 120; coupling via converter at
class U 214 submarine
c: f uel-cell battery with n FCM NG, eg. n x 80 kW allows FCPP Switchboard
higher system availability

9
 35
Number of Submarines

30

25

20

15

10

0
Siemens FCM Stirling Mesma other FCM

Type of AIP System

Fig. 11: Comparison of installed/contracted AIP Systems Fig. 12: PEM Fuel Cell modules assembled in a test rack

Technical data FCM 34 FCM 120 FCM NG 80 FCM NG 135

Rated power 34 kW 120 kW 80 kW 135 kW*

Voltage range 50–55 V 208–243 V 65–80 V 110–130 V
Efficiency at rated load, approx. 59 % 54 % 54 % 54 %
Efficiency at 20 % load, approx. 69 % 68 % 68 % 68 %
Operating temperature 75 °C 75 °C 75 °C 75 °C
H2 pressure 2.3 bar abs. 2.3 bar abs. 2.3 bar abs. 2.3 bar abs.
O2 pressure 2.6 bar abs. 2.6 bar abs. 2.6 bar abs. 2.6 bar abs.
H = 48 cm H = 50 cm Similar to FCM 120
Dimensions W = 48 cm W = 53 cm
L = 145 cm L = 176 cm
Weight (without module electronics) 650 kg 900 kg Similar to FCM 120

* The nominal load will be defined at the end of the

development in range of 130–140 kW

10
Summary and Outlook
SINAVY PEM Fuel Cell modules BZM 34 and BZM 120 are
well-established in the market. They have proven their
­performance and reliability in extensive tests, including
long-term tests on board of the Federal German Navy’s
­submarines, and have formed an integral part of an
FC-based AIP systems for modern submarines like those of
class U 212 A, 214, and Dolphin AIP for more than a decade.

There is also the possibility to repower and refit operational

submarines with an AIP system with SINAVY PEM Fuel Cell
modules. The SINAVY PEM Fuel Cell technology’s field of
application will be extended, when suitable reformers
are available to produce hydrogen from liquid fuels, for
example, methanol and diesel. Then, fuel cells may become
the sole power source for the submarines of the future.

With the ongoing R&D work on the 3rd generation

(or BZM NG) fuel cells, an improved and more flexible
­module design will be prepared to fulfill future
customer's expectations.

11
More information:
www.siemens.com/marine
Photo source: HDW, Blohm & Voss

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