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Difficulty: HardDefense and Nuclear Technology

Regarding the Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system indigenously developed for India's conventional submarine fleet, which of the following statements are correct?

  1. The AIP system developed by DRDO's Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) is based on Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC) technology using hydrogen generated on-board.Answer
  2. B
    Submarines equipped with AIP modules are required to surface or snort every 24 hours to draw atmospheric oxygen for battery charging.
  3. The fuel-cell based AIP module generates electric power electrochemically by combining hydrogen and oxygen, producing pure water as its primary byproduct.Answer
  4. D
    AIP technology is primarily integrated into nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) like INS Arihant to replace their primary reactor cores.

Answer

The correct statements are the ones highlighting that NMRL's indigenous AIP system utilizes Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC) technology with on-board hydrogen generation, and that fuel cell AIP modules produce electrical power electrochemically with pure water as the main byproduct without requiring daily surfacing.
The correct statements accurately identify that DRDO-NMRL developed a Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC) based AIP system that generates hydrogen on-board. Furthermore, fuel cell AIP technology produces electrical energy by combining stored oxygen and generated hydrogen, yielding pure water as a byproduct while drastically reducing indiscretion rates (time spent at snort depth).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the technological mechanism of India's indigenous AIP system
DRDO's Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) developed a fuel-cell based Air-Independent Propulsion system relying on Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC) technology with on-demand hydrogen generation from sodium borohydride.
Fuel cells are significantly quieter and more efficient than closed-cycle diesel or Stirling engine alternatives for conventional submarines.
2
Evaluate the operational role and endurance impact of AIP on conventional submarines
AIP allows diesel-electric submarines to remain submerged for up to 14 days without snorting (using a snorkel to draw air for diesel generators), eliminating the need for daily battery-recharging surfaces.
Snorting exposes submarines to radar detection; AIP minimizes vulnerability by eliminating frequent snorting cycles.
3
Distinguish between conventional AIP-fitted submarines and nuclear-powered submarines
AIP is an upgrade for conventional diesel-electric submarines (like the Kalvari-class/P-75), whereas nuclear submarines (SSNs/SSBNs like INS Arihant) draw power from nuclear fission reactors and do not need AIP modules.
Nuclear reactors provide near-indefinite power without atmospheric air; AIP is a technological bridge for non-nuclear vessels.

Key Concept

Submarine Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) Technology and Fuel Cell Systems
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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Topics

Defense and Nuclear Technology

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