About 470 days of operation will be possible with constant heat output 1250kWt, although the equivalent diameter and effective height of the SCR core are small, being 450mm and 420mm, respectively. Primary cooling water is naturally circulated in the reactor and maintains a certain design flow rate under conditions of up to 30-degree inclination. The SCR conceptual design, conceptual system, and principal components are shown in Figs. 10.1 and 10.2, and Table 10.1, respectively.
Fig. 10.1 Conceptual Design of the SCR
Fig. 10.2 Conceptual System of the SCR
10.1.3 System Research for Practical Use of a Nuclear-powered Ship
It is essential to establish a marine plant with excellent safety and reliability, which is capable of competing economically with conventional ships and can be accepted by both the Japanese people and international society, in order to be prepared for practical application of future nuclear-powered ships. For this purpose, it is important not only to demonstrate using a model or test device to simulate actual conditions, but also to establish various environments necessary for operation of a nuclear-powered ship, such as establishment of safety standards that are as operationally and internationally standard as the ship, and establishment of a repair base. Needs for deep-sea and oceanographic observations are being examined so as to summarize the requirements for practical application of a nuclear-powered ship from the viewpoint of the need side, e.g., what sort of nuclear-powered ship is required, and what functions will it serve under the expected future social environment. Based on such examination, it is possible to extract the problems yet to be solved.
In 1998, trends in oceanographic research and development, priorities of requested items (including present and near-term future prospects), clarification of images of an undersea-navigating observation ship, and requested characteristics for the SCR were examined by the Marine Reactor Research Committee of JAERI, following similar consideration in 1997.
The opinions of famed oceanographic researchers were reflected in this work to fit the SCR for utilization by researchers in the fields of global environment, ocean physics, and ocean biography. As a result, it was determined that the need is urgent for survey of the medium-deep-sea region in the area of the Arctic Ocean, survey and observation in the sub-Arctic zone, and for operation in stormy weather. It was also shown that a ship with undersea navigation capability will be necessary for these survey observations.
How much power and how long a fuel supply interval are required for mission operations determine whether nuclear power is required. The advantages of nuclear power over conventional power sources are large, long-term output. Power demand and operation time of the undersea-navigating observation ship were examined in detail for the mission and survey methods corresponding to the needs.
