Krypton Engineering
RCUMA
Krypton MUV 1
Krypton AUV 1
Technical cycle of works of the mining deep-water complex
Krypton Lab
Mining Tools
Theoretical Background and Calculations
Krypton Mining
FMNs and Other Mineral Sediments Mining Potential
History of Discovery and Researches in the Mining Areas
Information on Potential Mining Areas
History of Mining Technologies for Nodules and Other Mineral Deposits
Mining of Nodules and Other Mineral Deposits
Sustainability of Applied Technologies
Krypton Ocean
Deep-Sea Deposits Development and Ore Processing Horizons
Minerals Processing
Metallurgy of Raw Polymetallic Minerals
Hydrometallurgical Method for Ferromanganese Ore Processing
Electrometallurgical Method for Ferromanganese Ore Processing
Project Estimate

Krypton MUV 1

 

Krypton MUV 1 is an autonomous/manned underwater vehicle designed for comprehensive exploration and underwater operations at the depth of 6,000 m. The robust body of the vehicle is of a spherical shape with a diameter of 2 m. It is made of construction steel with a high specific strength and resistance to external pressure. Inside the body, there is an air regeneration and conditioning system, control equipment and a crew zone.
   

 

 

Length, mm
Width, mm
Height, mm		 11,000
4,000
3,000		    

 

 Speed, m/sec

0.5 – 2.3

  

Diameter of the strong body, mm

2,100  

Crew members

 2+1  

Power supply reserve, kWh

110  
Duration of stay under
water (autonomy), h   		 up to 8  
Working immersion depth, m 6,000  
Immersion depth limit, m 6,500  

 

 

 

Material of strong body

 Martensitic steel
 Titanium alloy
       
Thickness of the strong body, mm     45 80

Weight of the strong body, t

4.9

 4.7

Weight in the air with a solid steel body, t

 31.0 30.5

Vehicle construction time, year

 3  3

 

 

 

Power Unit

 

A 110 kW power unit operates with a hydrogen fuel cell and provides the required power to all systems, mechanisms and exploration equipment of the vehicle. It is charged with hydrogen and oxygen for 1 hour. The power unit is located in a separate, strong housing and connected to all energy consumers through a switchgear. The power unit provides energy reserves sufficient for 8 hours. Krypton MUV 1, as well as Krypton AUV 1, consists of 3 main compartments accommodating the power unit, the shaft of the mining tool (sampling tool) with a vertical conveyor, the ballast system with a storage tank. Therefore, Krypton MUV 1 can take samples of nodules and carry them to the surface.

The vehicles are equipped with a tool for grabbing and transporting nodules to the storage tank.
   

 

 

A lightweight fiberglass body of the vehicle has a streamlined surface, multi-layer structure and stiffening ribs.

The vehicle is based on the carrier vessel, where the tracking and control station is located.
   

 

 


The vehicle immerses to the operating depth using its ballast system. The vehicle submerges at a speed of 4.5 km/h. The immersion mode (the depth of immersion) is tracked with a pressure sensor located onboard the vehicle.

The vehicle occupies its position at the required distance of 2 m to the bottom with the help of 4 onboard echo sounders.

 


The required distance to the bottom is maintained by means of 4 thrusters located

in the horizontal plane of the vehicle.

The vehicle moves along the bottom surface with the help of propellers located in the stern.


 

 

 

 

 

 

The nodule-grabbing tool is positioned taking into account the bottom relief by the mechanism inclination.

The performance of the nodule-grabbing tool is tracked by scanners located in the diametral plane in the bow and stern of the vehicle.
   

 

 

 


Zero buoyancy of the vehicle in the course of mining (loading of the tank) is maintained by pumping the water out of the ballast system.

The vehicle is capable of carrying 1 ton of nodules to the surface by keeping positive buoyancy through pumping all the water out of the ballast system.

Communication with the carrier vessel is conducted via a hydroacoustic communication channel with an acoustic modem.

 

 

The Vehicle has an autonomous
emergency system ensuring

 

 

1

The vehicle surfacing, a quick transformation into positive buoyancy, after 200 kg solid ballast if discharged. This is required in the event of failure of high-pressure pumps in the course of the vehicle immersion;
2
In case of emergency, there is a system for the discharge of nodules from a storage tank in the course of mining;
3
The vehicle has an alarm buoy with a 7,000 meter long cable. The alarm buoy serves to indicate the location of the vehicle on the ground and, after surfacing, transmits signals to the carrier vessel and the GPS system. A Kevlar rope is guiding a cargo cable to lift the vehicle.