Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Nuclear power continues to be a great promise in the green revolution, as it is a cost-effective, low-emission, and safer alternative to fossil fuels that is capable of continuous operation. A preliminary design evaluation is presented for a submersible nuclear power station capable of operating under its own power during emergencies and routine maintenance. Because it is stationed at sea, it offers a resilient solution to natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, giving it the capability to disengage and sail to deeper waters in less than a half of an hour. In the present evaluation, the hull dimensions of a very large existing submarine and the turbomachinery layout of a Pebble Bed Modular Reactor cycle were used as baselines. The conceptual design of the submersible nuclear power station includes reactor and turbomachinery integration, preliminary sizing (4 pressure hull design; total length of 57.74 m), and propulsion system analysis, demonstrating the technical viability of the proposed submersible power station.
DOI: 10.3390/jmse13091666
Authors: Jon Serna, Stefania Romero, Eduardo Anselmi Palma, Dimitrios Fouflias, Pericles Pilidis
Institution: Cranfield University
Language: English
Subfield: Aerospace Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
OpenAlex ID: W4413895239