AIR INDEPENDENT PROPULSION

The types of AIP systems are:

 Closed Cycle Diesel Engines

 Closed Cycle Steam Turbines
 Sterling Cycle Engines
 Fuel Cells

Closed Cycle Diesel Engines

Involves storing a supply of oxygen in the submarine in order to run a diesel engine while
submerged.
Liquid oxygen (LOX) is stored in tanks on board the submarine and sent to the diesel engine
for combustion.
Oxygen is mixed with an inert gas (usually argon) and then sent to the engine.
The exhaust gases are cooled and scrubbed to extract any leftover oxygen and argon from
them and the remaining gases are discharged into the sea after being mixed with seawater.
The main challenge with this technology is the storing of liquid oxygen safely on board the
submarines. The Soviet subs which used this technology during the 1960s found them to be
highly prone to fires and subsequently discontinued their usage.

Closed Cycle Steam Turbines

Steam turbines make use of a source of energy to heat water and convert it into steam in order
to the run the turbine.
A non-nuclear energy source is used to do the same.
The combustion of ethanol and oxygen under high pressure is used to generate steam. The
steam generated is the working fluid and is used to run the turbine. 
The high-pressure combustion allows the exhaust carbon dioxide to be expelled outside into
the sea at any depth without making use of a compressor.

Advantage: Higher power output when compared to the alternatives which allows higher
underwater speeds.

Major drawback: lower efficiency.

Sterling Cycle Engines

Closed cycle engine with a working fluid which is permanently contained in the system
A source of energy is used to heat this working fluid, which in turn moves the pistons and
runs the engine
The engine is coupled to a generator, which generates electricity and charges the battery.
 The source of energy used here is typically LOX as oxidizer and diesel fuel, which is burnt in
order to generate heat for the working fluid. 
 Advantage : Easy availability of diesel fuel and low refueling costs when compared with
Fuel Cells. 

Drawback : They are relatively noisy when compared to Fuel Cells due to the presence of a
large number of moving parts.

Fuel Cells

 A device which converts chemical energy into electricity. This is done using a fuel
and an oxidizer.
A typical fuel cell converts Hydrogen (fuel) and Oxygen (oxidizer) into electricity,
with water and heat released as by-products. 
This is done by an electrolytic cell which consists of two electrodes, one positive
(anode) and the other negative (cathode), separated by an electrolytic barrier.
 The reaction between the cathode and anode produces an electric current, which is
used to charge the batteries.

Advantages :
Stealthiness and power generation.
Reduces the acoustic signature of the sub.
Fuel Cells can achieve an efficiency of over 80% under certain circumstances.
They can also be scaled easily into large or small sizes depending on the displacement
of the submarine.

Drawback: They are expensive and complex.

As of 2016, the following countries have developed their own AIP systems to be fitted on
submarines.

 Germany – Fuel Cell

 Sweden – Stirling
 Japan – Stirling
 France – MESMA
 Spain – Fuel Cell
 India – Fuel Cell
 Russia – Fuel Cell
 People’s Republic of China – Stirling

Reference : defenceencylopedia.com