Naval Nuclear Reactors

[kalos72]

Odd question perhaps but...

Anyone know how much they, and the necessary additional hardware might weigh? Are they portable?

Say a S6G reactor for example.... :)

[kato13]

The reactor core of an S6G (26MWe) submarine nuclear power plant (just the vessel that holds the fuel and the fuel itself) weighs about 110 +/-3 tons. It needs 20000 gallons (80 tons) of water for coolant. After you add in the rest of its systems you are looking at at least 1000 tons of machinery. The reactor fits in a space about 10m long, 10m wide, and 12m tall. Two hundred times more space than the Hyperion Reactor. The S6G is rated at about 130 megawatts thermal power. The electric output is 26 megawatts.

http://nextbigfuture.com/2008/10/power-to-overall-weight-ratio-aspect-of.html

So several rail-cars minimum for transport. Plus the need for heavy cranes.

[kalos72]

Is that site bullshit or are they really producing reactors that powerful now?

100 tons doesnt seem like that much, could it be pulled and transported via cargo ship, assuming skills and equipment are available? :)

[kato13]

Is that site bullshit or are they really producing reactors that powerful now?

100 tons doesnt seem like that much, could it be pulled and transported via cargo ship, assuming skills and equipment are available?


No idea of the specifics of that reactor but when thermoelectrics (converting heat directly to electricity bypassing steam) become a reality power effeciency will be radically increased.

The 100 tons may not be a insurmountable problem but the 1000 tones of supporting equipment could very well be.

[Dog 6]

http://www.hyperionpowergeneration.com/

[m47dragon]

Weight is one issue...radiological issues involved in salvaging a once operating nuclear reactor are immense. Having been involved in the decommisioning of a commercial nulcear power plant I will verify that it is HUGE endeavor. Individual components might be much more feasible. You would need some really good servicing dry-docks and some heavy duty cranes. Not to mention, a lot of engineering talent. I cannot comment as to the feasibility of removing a reactor and setting it up someplace else (assumingly on land somewhere.)

As a side note, a LOT of weight can be moved by air jacks/pallets.