The engineering examination of the MRX was completed in 1996 for the present. The JAERI performs the intensive examination on the DRX which is considered to be practically applied prior to the MRX. DRX is the integral reactor where the steam generator is built in the reactor containment similar to the MRX, and the turbine and the generator are built in the containment, and it has been considered since 1989 as the super-compact power generating unit, and the conception is under examination. In 1997, the detailed design of the turbine and the generator, the structural and thermal design of the steam generator, and the response analyses on the hull motion and the fluctuating load and the starting method were considered in succession to those in 1996.
In parallel to the design and studies, it is necessary to solve the technical problems necessary for the practical application, and the development of the reactor containment build-in type control rod driving device, the basic study on the passive safety technology, the study on the water immersion technology of the marine reactor, the development of the integral reactor components, the sophisticated study of the shielding design technology, development of the sophisticated automation system of the marine reactor plant, and the development of the high burnup core were implemented. Fig. 10.1 shows the concept of the oceanographic research ship equipped with the DRX which is under consideration.
10.1.3 System Research for Practical Use of Nuclear Powered Ship
It is essential to establish the marine plant with excellent safety and reliability which is capable of competing with the conventional ships in economy, and being accepted by the people and the international society in order to be prepared for the practical application of the future nuclear powered ship. For this purpose, it is important not only the demonstration by the model or test device to simulate the actual condition, but also the establishment of various environment necessary for the operation of the nuclear powered ship such as the establishment of the safety standards which are operationally and internationally common as the ship, the establishment of the repair base.
The needs for the deep-sea and oceanographic examination are examined by Marine Reactor Research Committee of JAERI, with the aim to summarize the requirements for the practical application of the nuclear powered ship from the viewpoint on the need side, e.g., what nuclear powered ship is required, and what functions are to be provided under the expected social environment in future, and with the aim to extract the problems to be solved.
In 1997, the trend of the deep-sea and oceanographic research and development and arrangement of requested items (including the prospects at present and in near future), clarification of the images of the deep-sea and the undersea navigation observation ship, and the requested items for the DRX were examined. The oceanographic research ship or undersea navigation observation ship should be designed to fit to utilization by the researchers in the field of global environment, ocean physics, and ocean biography. The design of the hull and the DRX is now realizing reflecting opinions of famed oceanographic researchers.
Fig. 10.1 Undersea Navigation Observation Ship Equipped with the DRX
