Nuclear power propulsions

Electricity generated at nuclear power stations presently accoimts for some 8.4 EJ y or 2% of global energy use (USDoE, 2003). The technology used is primarily light water reactors, a commercial spin-off from the submarine nuclear-powered propulsion systems introduced in the 1950s. The situation after World War II was characterised by two factors of some importance for the development of nuclear energy and the specific reactor choice ... 

Nuclear power propulsion systems (NPPS) in contrast to onboard sources and NPPs discussed in o Sects. 59.2.1 and O 59.2.2, respectively, may perform both functions generate electric energy for the spacecraft s onboard needs and/or heat the propellant producing thrust (Pupko et al. 1991 Kolganov et al. 1993 Ponomarev-Stepnoi and Usov 1995 Ponomarev-Stepnoi et al. 1995, 1996, 2003, 2005). 

Nuclear power propulsion system (NPPS) 1, Recuperator 2, Fuel assembly 3, Control drum (CD) 4, Nuclear safety rod (NSR) 5, CD Drive 6, Radiator 7, Turbogenerator 8, NSR Drive 9, Hydrogen Tank 10, Turbo-pump 11, Hydrogen recuperator 12, Shielding 13, Reflector 14, Nozzle... 

The NPPs based on thermionic reactor converters may also become the basis for nuclear power propulsion systems. There are two possible development lines ... 

The nuclear-powered propulsion system developed for use aboard submarines allows these vessels to go without refueling for twenty years or... 

Atomic Propulsion Systems Engineering Airport Construction Electric Power Plant Construction Nuclear Power Plant Construction... 

Priorities in Space Science Enabled by Nuclear Power and Propulsion (SSB with ASEB, 2005)... 

Nuclear fission is a process in which the nucleus of an atom splits, usually into two pieces. This reaction was discovered when a target of uranium was bombarded by neutrons. Eission fragments were shown to fly apart with a large release of energy. The fission reaction was the basis of the atomic bomb, which was developed by the United States during World War II. After the war, controlled energy release from fission was applied to the development of nuclear reactors. Reactors are utilized for production of electricity at nuclear power plants, for propulsion of ships and submarines, and for the creation of radioactive isotopes used in medicine and industry. 

The Idaho Chemical Processing Plant is a versatile, multipurpose facility used for recovering highly enriched uranium from a variety of fuels in naval propulsion, research, and test reactors. Materials processed [Al] include aluminum-alloyed, zirconium-alloyed, stainless steel-based, and graphite-based fuels. The West Valley plant, although designed primarily for low-enriched uranium fuel from power reactors, also processed plutonium-enriched and thorium-based fuels. It is the only U.S. plant to have reprocessed fuel from commercial nuclear power plants. 

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) manages approximately 1.9 billion cubic meters of radionuclide contaminated environmental media and 4.1 million cubic meters of stored, contaminated waste at 150 different sites located in 30 different states (i, 2). This environmental legacy is a result of the massive industrial complex responsible for defense related and non-defense related research, development and testing of nuclear weapons, nuclear propulsion systems and commercial nuclear power systems. Cleaning up the environmental legacy is expected to cost several hundred billion dollars over the next 5 to 7 decades. To reduce costs and speed remediation efforts the DOE has invested in waste treatment and environmental remediation research. 

Statiis and prospects of propulsion reactor (PR) applications. The PRs for ice-breakers and ships have accumulated about 150 reactor-years of successful operation. Recent developments in the Russian Federation, Canada, China and other countries have demonstrated, that power reactors originally designed for ship propulsion could be used for electricity and heat generation. Use of proven PR technology and new developments on small reactor (SR) presents a broader nuclear power options to meet individual Member States needs for land-based and floating SRs. 

THE USE OF ENGINEERING FEATURES AND SCHEMATIC SOLUTIONS OF PROPULSION NUCLEAR STEAM SUPPLY SYSTEMS FOR FLOATING NUCLEAR POWER PLANT DESIGN... 

Successful resolution of such a problem requires a comprehensive systems approach diat considers all aspects of manufacturing, transportation, operation, and ultimate disposal. Some elements of this approach have been used previously in the development of propulsion (ship and space) nuclear power systems, with consideration given to many diverse requirements such as highly autonomous operation for a long period of time, no planned maint ance, no on-site refuelling and ultimate disposition. 

Electric Propulsion Nuclear Power Reactors Plasma Science and Engineering... 

Developed by the United States and the Soviet Union as a compact reactor for marine propulsion, this is the most widely used type of reactor. Over one hundred and ninety reactors are now operating in nuclear power itationi and there are more than 350 PWR powered naval vaiiels In service. More than 20 countries have PWRs and Britain Is constructing its first at Sizewelt. 

Although nuclear submarines are not the main theme of this handbook, they can keep running underwater for a long time without emitting carbon dioxide or the need for oxygen for propulsion. Several hundred nuclear submarines have been built for military use in Russia and the USA, and their performance has resulted in proof of the high safety performance of LWRs. Marine reactors had been also applied to icebreakers operated in USSR/Russia over 50 years. Nuclear-powered aircraft carriers are equipped with several nuclear reactors. 

They may be developed on the basis of both the NPP and the onboard nuclear power system technologies. The NPPS reactor is operated in two modes either continuous power or short propulsion. Power levels at those modes differ by 3-4 orders of magnitude. 

Andreev PV, Galkin AYa, Zhabotinsky EE et al (1995) Electrical propulsion units based on Topaz-type thermionic nuclear power systems for information satellite systems. In Proceedings of the 12th Symposium on space nuclear power systems, Pt. 1, Albuquerque NM, pp 335—339... 

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