NS SAVANNAH UPGRADING PROGRAM, ADVANCED PRESSURIZED WATER REACTOR CONCEPTS

New pressurized water concepts for shipboard application were investigated through consideration of the technological advances made since the design of the N.S. Savannah. In an effort to utilize the Savannah as a research and development ship, major design features required for an economic ship were established. A nuclear-powered surface vessel incorporating these features could carry oil from the Persian Gulf to the United States as cheaply as a conventional ship. Lower operating temperatures of commercial shipboard reactors reduce the unit cost of heat and the capital cost of reactor plant equipment. Self-pressurization, which eliminates the need of a pressurizer, combined with the moderate temperatures reduce system operating pressure. This reduces the cost of equipment and simplifies fabrication and erection. With the exception of the reactor vessel interior, carbon steel could replace stainless steel as a primary system material. The number of required control rods would be reduced by use of either a soluble poison for lifetime reactivity control, or flux and trap rods with inert followers.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • This document is available for review at the Department of Commerce Library, Main Commerce Building, Washington, D.C., under reference number BAW-1219-Rev.
  • Corporate Authors:

    Babcock and Wilcox Company

    Atomic Energy Division
    Lynchburg, VA  United States  24504
  • Publication Date: 1961-8

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 393 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00026344
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Maritime Administration
  • Report/Paper Numbers: BAW-1219
  • Contract Numbers: AT(30-1)-2468
  • Files: TRIS, USDOT
  • Created Date: Feb 14 1973 12:00AM