The Small Pressurized Light-Yater Reactor - A Yell-Optimized Marine-Propulsion Power Source

Abstract

Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) originally developed for the U.S. submarine program have achieved a high level of maturity and proven capability both as a marine power source and in civilian power-generation applications. Compact design, excellent inherent load following and core lifetimes that challenge conventional machinery refit/refurbishment cycles are features that combine to make the PWR system so attractive. Requirements for a marine-propulsion power source are identified and some of the relevant characteristics of a typical marine PWR system are reviewed in this paper