ECONOMIC COMPARISON OF A NUCLEAR POWERED AND FOSSIL FUELED CONTAINER SHIP

In the past, with the low power levels and low fossil fuel cost, the higher capital cost of the nuclear power plant has not been outweighed by lower nuclear fuel cost. However, with the higher power requirements and higher fossil fuel cost today and in the future, serious consideration must be given to nuclear propulsion systems. This paper compares the economic aspects of one application of marine nuclear propulsion. Chosen for this study was the Sea-Land Service containership SL-7, a modern, high speed, high horsepower, quick turn around vessel. It was the objective of this study to make as few assumptions as feasible, while at the same time presenting as realistic a situation as possible. Because the nuclear propulsion system is the challenger, all data was conservatively chosen to favor the fossil fueled ship. Most areas of expense are examined and appropriate values assigned. Two separate economic criteria were used to analyze the ships so as not to inadvertently favor one or the other alternative through inappropriate selection of criteria.

• Corporate Authors:

  Pennsylvania State University, University Park

  Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering
  Leonhard Building
  University Park, PA  United States  16802
• Authors:
  • Dade, T B
• Publication Date: 1972-4

Media Info

• Pagination: 123 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Economic analysis; Economics; Investments; Nuclear power; Nuclear powered ships; Propulsion; Risk assessment
• Uncontrolled Terms: Investment risk
• Old TRIS Terms: Economic analysis (Propulsion systems)
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Economics; Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00051171
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Pennsylvania State University, University Park
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 28 1974 12:00AM