connector, but it enables an electrical connection to be made in the ocean. 

 This feature offers a tremendous advantage in the emplacement of under- 

 water power system elements. 



A wide range of connectors are available so that power levels up to 

 1,000 kw can be handled. However, this is not true for connectors to be 

 used with the higher voltages selected in the study program. Figure 20 

 illustrates the availability of dry connectors for underwater power systems. 

 Connectors suitable for a power level of 100 kw could be made available by 

 preliminary engineering and limited testing. Connectors in the 3,000-kw 

 range are not available and would require substantial development effort. 



The recommended development program was divided into a series 

 of phases. A milestone chart, program schedule, and budget costs for the 

 connector development program are given in Figure 27. Phase I of the con- 

 nector development would encompass concept formulation and trade-off 

 analysis. Four types of connectors suggested for development were pressure- 

 compensated and not-pressure-compensated connectors for both the dry and 

 wet connector designs. The connectors would be suitable for 4,160 volts 

 and loads of 300, 1,000, and 3,000 kw and for 13,800 volts and 3,000 kw. 

 Final design approaches would be studied to evaluate the most cost effective 

 connectors and to establish the validity of specific connector concepts 

 developed. Phase II would involve the design, fabrication, and testing of 

 prototype dry connectors for the selected designs established in phase I. 

 A 4,000-volt, 50-ampere connection would be developed for depths as great 

 as 20,000 feet. In phase Ilia prototype 4,000-volt, 50-ampere wet connector 

 and a prototype 4,000-volt, 160-ampere dry connector would be developed 

 and tested. Phase IV is the same as phase 1 1 1 except that the prototype 

 connectors would be for higher power levels. A 4,000-volt, 200-ampere 

 wet connector and a 4,000-volt, 500-ampere dry connector would be 

 developed. In phase V a prototype 13,800-volt, 1 50-ampere dry connector 

 and a prototype 4,000-volt, 500-ampere wet connector would be developed 

 and tested. Phase VI would produce the final design of the entire family of 

 connectors for underwater power systems. 



Heat Rejection Systems 



An in-situ reactor power plant using a secondary steam turbine 

 generator as the energy conversion system requires a significant heat removal 

 capability. Heat removal could be accomplished by the use of circulating 

 seawater through appropriate hull penetrations or by condensing the steam 

 on the normally cooler pressure hull. The advantage of the first method is 

 that a theoretically unlimited heat removal capability would be provided. 



