reactor and 



electrical plant 



control 



The pressurized water-cooled reactor with a steam conversion system 

 has seen extensive application in submersibles. However, major problems 

 encountered in the use of this power plant below the ocean surface include 

 design and fabrication problems relating to equipment size, orientation, 

 pressure hull limitations, and waste heat removal. Additional problems that 

 must be considered are those related to transportation, deployment, and 

 operation. These difficulties will increase with both power level and operating 

 depths. 



The wide range of power levels 

 established for this study program 

 resulted in the establishment of two 

 power plant arrangements, or concepts, 

 based on power level. The 30-kw, 100- 

 kw, and 300-kw plants are arranged in 

 a vertical cylinder, as shown in Figure 

 2.* Reactors are generally designed to 

 occupy a vertical cylindrical space for 

 safety requirements of gravity rod 

 insertion, natural convection heat 

 removal, and refueling. Turbine- 

 generator equipment, which is located 

 in the conversion machinery area, is 

 normally designed for horizontal 

 orientation to achieve long-life 

 performance. The vertical cylinder 

 arrangement is suitable for deployment 

 but not for transportation by towing. 

 The plant can readily be designed for 

 nearly horizontal towing and vertical 

 operation. The reactor location at the 

 bottom places the reactor core at a 

 maximum distance from accessible 

 areas. The shielded water tank, with 

 large areas exposed to the sea, provides 



conversion 

 machinery 



^5isSS^^^ 



A concept for a 30-kw power plant was 

 developed under contract to Gulf-General 

 Atomic Inc. and is contained in Contract 

 Report No. CR68.01 1 , "TRIGA Oceano- 

 graphic Power Supply for a Manned 

 Underwater Station." (In process of 

 publication.) 



Figure 2. In-situ power plant arrangement 

 for 30, 100, and 300 kw. 



15 



