MARITIME GAS COOLED REACTOR PROJECT

Turbomachinery development for the Maritime Gas Cooled Reactor program established basic parameters to facilitate selection of helium rather than carbon dioxide as the cycle gas. Subsequent development of turbomachinery included reference designs, component development, and turbine material tests in helium. Studies to fit the turbomachinery to an array of overall plant concepts were undertaken to optimize cycle parameters. Principal dimensions and characteristics of rotating components were established at maximum pressures of 800, 1000, and 1200 psi with and without compressor intercooling. Basic parameters were set at 20,000 HP rating, 1300 F maximum temperature, and 800 psia maximum pressure for the helium machinery with an intercooled, regenerative cycle. Fossil fired gas turbine propulsion systems were also studied for application to merchant ships. The potential of various plants were evaluated including closed, semi-closed, and open cycles, as well as combined steam-gas turbine cycles. Comparisons were made on factors such as relative size, weight, cost, and adaptability to automation.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document ia available for review at the Department of Commerce Library, Main Commerce Building, Washington, D.C., under reference number EC-118.
• Corporate Authors:

  Westinghouse Electric Corporation

  Steam Division - Lester Works
  Lester, PA  United States 

  General Dynamics

  Quincy, MA  United States  02169
• Publication Date: 1961-11-10

Media Info

• Features: Appendices;
• Pagination: 11 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Design; Gas turbines; Nuclear power; Nuclear reactors; Propulsion
• Old TRIS Terms: Nuclear reactor design
• Subject Areas: Design; Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00026423
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Maritime Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: EC-118 Sum Rpt
• Contract Numbers: AT(04-3)-187
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Apr 13 1973 12:00AM