The objective of this mission is to develop/acquire technology for an eventual commercial mining of deep sea nodules from the Central Indian Ocean Basin.NIOT is also involved in design and development of other related systems and accessories like submercibles, underwater manipulator, test rig for slurry pump, underwater thruster and underwater connector.

11.2.1 Technology Development for Deep Sea Mining

NIOT and University of Siegen(IKS) signed an agreement in January, 1998 for undertaking a joint technology development programme for an integrated deep sea mining system in a phased manner. Under this programme, in Phase-I, the crawler designed and developed by IKS will be tested at a depth of 500 m in Indian waters. The crawler is being refurbished with a cutting system, a manipulator and a slurry pumping system for an early test shallow bed mining demonstration. During this test, the performance on the crawler maneuverability and control system will be tested besides the sand mining demonstration. This will be followed by a complete and detailed documentation. The system will be upgraded in due course as to operable at 6000m depth with a mining capacity of 25,000 tonnes/year.

11.2.2 Remotely Operable Vehicle (ROV)

For carrying out underwater inspection, CMERI, Durgapur, was assigned a project to develop a remotely operable vehicle capable of operating upto 200m water depth. It has been designed and tested at a shallow test basin. The performance of the vehicle with respect to its controllability and stability was evaluated. Further improvements were planned. The ROV with an improved control algorithm was tested off Chennai port in February, 1998.

11.2.3 Underwater Manipulator Arm

Design and development of an underwater robotic arm with a payload capacity of 2Kg and four degrees of freedom suitable for operations like sample collection, picking of objects etc. was undertaken by NIOT. The arm was mounted on the remotely operable vehicle developed by CMERI. The control circuit and the mechanical sub- assembly were completed. Drive systems were mounted and the integration of various subsystems was completed. Dry testing was carried out in March, 1998.

11.2.4 Test Facility for Slurry Pumping System

Development of a slurry pump test system for providing design details for offshore mining was undertaken by NIOT. The slurry pump test facility is under construction at the material handling laboratory of IIT, Chennai. The layout, system design and the procurement of major components have been completed. Assembly of the test rig is being carried out.

11.2.5 Underwater Connector

Most underwater systems often consist of prime movers which include electric motors. The electrical power to these motors is provided through specially designed underwater connectors and cables. NIOT has initiated the design and manufacture of underwater connectors. This connector can be used for thrusters being developed indigenously. The study of the imported connectors and the component design of 4,6 and 10 pin connectors have been completed. The first prototype 4 pin type connector was fabricated. The project is expected to be completed by December, 1998.

11.2.6 Underwater Thruster

Underwater intervention systems like ROV and Remotely Operable Sea surface Skimmer (ROSS) are powered by underwater electric motor driven thrusters which are currently being imported. Keeping in mind the need of deep sea activities in India, there is an urgency to develop such thrusters. The development of oil-filled electric motor has been assigned to PSG Institute of Technology, Coimbatore, while CMERI, Durgapur has been given the task of design and fabrication of the pressure proof shell, seals and pressure compensators and integration of the in-built speed reducer. The design/selection of propeller will be carried out by NIOT.