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ABS nuclear power study favours Russian reactor for boxships
来源：shippingazette 编辑：编辑部 发布：2023/08/02 09:06:33
THE American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has conducted a study on nuclear powered containerships and favours the Russian propulsion system over its American rival, reports London's energyportal.eu.
US classification society ABS chairman and CEO, Christopher Wiernicki said Russia stands as the only country operating a nuclear-powered cargo ship today.
For a 14,000-TEU postpanamax, the research team selected a twin-reactor, lead-cooled, 30MW fast reactor design with a total installed power of 60MW (80,000 horsepower).
"The Soviet Navy utilised a lead-bismuth cooled fast reactor in their ultra-fast Alfa-class attack submarines, which could reach speeds of over 40 knots underwater," said the report.
Its configuration would increase the ship's cargo capacity and operating speed, said the report. Nuclear propulsion ABS said, can contribute to a net-zero CO2 world.
Key advantages of this reactor include its compactness and inherent safety, with no need for a pressure vessel and the coolant solidifying in the event of a leak or shutdown, said ABS.
This concept has gained renewed attention for its carbon-free profile, making it appealing for civilian applications. ABS collaborated with Hebert Engineering Corp (HEC) under a contract from the US Department of Energy to model the implementation of nuclear propulsion for two common vessel classes.
They were to look at nuclear propulsion systems for the containership and for a 157,000-dwt suezmax tanker.
For the tanker, the team studied the installation of a different power configuration ¨C four 5MW heat-pipe microreactors, providing a total installed power of 20MW (27,000 horsepower). This installation would increase the tanker's speed but reduce its cargo capacity.
Both reactor technologies allow the fuel core to last for 25 years, which aligns with the typical operational life of a merchant ship.
US classification society ABS chairman and CEO, Christopher Wiernicki said Russia stands as the only country operating a nuclear-powered cargo ship today.
For a 14,000-TEU postpanamax, the research team selected a twin-reactor, lead-cooled, 30MW fast reactor design with a total installed power of 60MW (80,000 horsepower).
"The Soviet Navy utilised a lead-bismuth cooled fast reactor in their ultra-fast Alfa-class attack submarines, which could reach speeds of over 40 knots underwater," said the report.
Its configuration would increase the ship's cargo capacity and operating speed, said the report. Nuclear propulsion ABS said, can contribute to a net-zero CO2 world.
Key advantages of this reactor include its compactness and inherent safety, with no need for a pressure vessel and the coolant solidifying in the event of a leak or shutdown, said ABS.
This concept has gained renewed attention for its carbon-free profile, making it appealing for civilian applications. ABS collaborated with Hebert Engineering Corp (HEC) under a contract from the US Department of Energy to model the implementation of nuclear propulsion for two common vessel classes.
They were to look at nuclear propulsion systems for the containership and for a 157,000-dwt suezmax tanker.
For the tanker, the team studied the installation of a different power configuration ¨C four 5MW heat-pipe microreactors, providing a total installed power of 20MW (27,000 horsepower). This installation would increase the tanker's speed but reduce its cargo capacity.
Both reactor technologies allow the fuel core to last for 25 years, which aligns with the typical operational life of a merchant ship.