The alkaline aluminium hydrogen peroxide semi-fuel cell for the HUGIN 3000 autonomous underwater vehicle

Abstract

This semi-fuel cell uses a circulating alkaline electrolyte, aluminium (Al) anodes and maintain the oxidant concentration in the electrolyte by continuously adding hydrogen peroxide (HP) to the electrolyte. This concept resulted in a safe battery that works at ambient pressure (balanced) and with sufficient power and energy density to allow the AUV HUGIN 3000 underwater surveys of up to 50 hours at 4 knots. Between dives, only a few hours are needed for data transfer, HP refill and electrolyte exchange. After 100 hours of accumulated discharge, an exchange of anodes also takes place. The power source consists of a 6 cell Al/HP cell stack, a DC/DC converter delivering 1200 W peak at 30 V, circulation and dosing pumps and a battery control unit. HUGIN 3000 is in routine use by C&C Technologies Inc. for high precision seabed mapping underwater survey operations down to a water depth of 3000 m.