Lithium-ion Battery Matters on Type 212 Submarine Variants

Anonymous has provided further details on Lithium-ion Batteries (LIBs) matters on TKMS future Type 212 variants following the November 13, 2019 article.

Based on the structure of existing Type 212A and battery by FAAB (aka FAAM – see below) total battery energy of Type 212NFS (Near Future Submarine) was estimated to 4-6MWh [1-3] considerably larger than current Type 214A (2-3MWh) with Lead-acid Batteries (LABs) [1a].

As K. R. Energy (parent company of FAAM (aka FAAB)) thinks LIBs for 212NFS are triggers for defense use of LIBs, FAAB presumably show discount price [4].

The amount of LIBs for AIP submarine such as South Korea and Germany is small, while non-AIP Japanese submarine equips with large amount of LIBs.

Both Type 212NFS and future Type 212CD  (Common Design) have non-magnetic hulls and LIBS. Type 212NFS is different from Type 212CD (which Norway selected presumably to avoid electromagnetic submarine detection by Russia) [5]. Is capacity of 70MWh (70MW is wrong expression?) for Type 212NFS mistake of 7MW [6]?

Notes

[1] https://www.udt-global.com/__media/libraries/sensors-and-processing/116---Vincenzo-Pennino-Slides.pdf

Page 17/32

[1a] ibid, page16/32

Capacity and volume of module consisted of 120 cells are 25.2kWh and 135.5L. Volumetric capacity of module is 186Wh/L-module (=25.2kWh/135.5L). Assuming capacity of 75Wh/L for LIB, then total capacity of LIBs in battery section is 1.95MWh [=(75Wh/L)/(186Wh/L)]. In the case of module consisted of 96 cells, total capacity of LABs is 2.29MWh. In these cases, Battery Management System (BMS) is not considered for LIBs. Then, actual total capacity of LABs may be 2-3MWh.

[2] Dimension (D x W x H [m])of battery section in Type 212A is estimated to be 10m x 2- 3m x 1.6m [3]. Based on dimension (diameter 63mm, length 225mm), weight metric capacity (139Wh/kg) and weight (1.510-1.520kg) LIB by FAAB, total capacity of Type 212NFS is estimated as follows. 

Case I

96 cells are arranged in a battery module (6 columns x 4 rows x 4 layers = 478 x 252 x 900mm). Dimension (D x W x H) of battery section is 10 x 2 x 1.6m. In this case, 192 battery modules arranged in a battery section (24 columns x 8 rows) with 18432 cells. Then, total weight of cell is 27.8t and capacity of total cell is 3.87MWh (=139Wh/kg x 27800kg). In this case, ideal minimization of stray magnetic field in x, y and z directions is achieved.

Case II

120 cells are arranged in a battery module (6 columns x 4 rows x 5 layers = 478 x 252 x 1125mm). Dimension (D x W x H) of battery section is 10 x 2 x 1.6m. In this case, 192 battery modules arranged in a battery section (24 columns x 8 rows) with 23040 cells. Then, total weight of cell is 34.8t and capacity of total cell is 4.84MWh (=139Wh/kg x 34800kg).

Case III

96 cells are arranged in a battery module (6 columns x 4 rows x 4 layers=478 x 252 x 900mm). Dimension (D x W x H) of battery section is 10 x 3 x 1.6m. In this case, 288 battery modules arranged in a battery section (24 columns x 12 rows) with 27072 cells. Then, total weight of cell is 40.9t and capacity of total cell is 5.68MWh (=139Wh/kg x 40900kg).

[3] Stray magnetic field caused by batteries has three directions, x (horizontal bow-stern), y (horizontal starboard-port), z (vertical). Minimization of stray magnetic field in x and y directions is conducted by even number arrangement of battery modules which cancels stray magnetic field by battery module pairing. Battery modules near the starboard or port wall of pressure hull locates at higher position than those on the keel due to cylindrical cross section of pressure hull, resulting vertical (z direction) unbalance of stray magnetic field. Usually minimization of stray magnetic field is mainly conducted on x and y directions, not on z direction. In Type 212A, to achieve thorough magnetic transparency, minimization of stray magnetic field in z direction is presumably conducted by adopting long and narrow battery section in addition to non-magnetic hull. Dimension (D x W x H [m]) of battery section in Type 214A is estimated to be 10m x 2- 3m x 1.6m based on its structure.

As Norway Navy also demands magnetic transparency for Type 212CD, shape of its battery section will resemble Type 212A or 212NFS. In Case I arrangement with two battery section for Type 212CD, its battery capacity is 7.74MWh with perfect minimization of stray magnetic field.

In DSME2000 and KSS-III Batch2 submarine by South Korea, battery arrangement in z direction is in normal manner. If it is true, magnetic steel such as HY100 is used for pressure hull.

[4] Concerning K. R. Energy (parent company of FAAM (aka FAAB) see Full Company Report (page 52/56) Lithium and defence are the key drivers of the investment case,

“ 2) the reaching of a deal on the supply of battery packs for the new Italian Navy U-212 “NFS” submarines represent major triggers for the investment case, possibly materializing in the next 6 months.

[5] Rosoboronexport (the sole state intermediary agency for Russia's exports/imports of defense-related and dual use products, technologies and services) http://roe.ru/eng/catalog/naval-systems/stationary-electronic-systems/komor/

“The Komor electromagnetic stationary submarine detection system is designed to control the sea-situation to ASW border”

[6] As capacity of FAAB-cell is 139Wh/kg, the amount of LIBs, which is currently 35-41t has to increase to 500t (=70x10^6[Wh]/139[Wh/kg]) to achieve a total capacity of 70MWh.

Anonymous