Norwegian consortium to study nuclear maritime propulsion
Norwegian shipbuilder Vard and its partners are studying the feasibility of using fourth-generation nuclear reactor technologies for marine propulsion.
CONCEPT: Vessel with nuclear propulsion. Vard
A fourth-generation nuclear reactor is a proposed system which aims to make more economical, safe and reliable nuclear power system.
The consortium also includes the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, classification society DNV, the Norwegian Maritime Administration, shipowner Knutsen Tankers and Spanish nuclear consultancy IDOM.
The consortium has selected three reactor technologies, each developed by a different nuclear technology company.
US-based Kairos Power has developed a fluoride high-temperature molten salt reactor that uses TRISO fuel particles combined with a low-pressure fluoride salt coolant.
TRISO (Tristructural Isotropic) fuel particles are small pellets of nuclear fuel, such as uranium, enclosed in multiple protective layers. These layers ensure safety and heat resistance, making the fuel suitable for high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) and molten salt reactors (MSRs).
US-based Ultra Safe Nuclear (USN) has developed a helium-cooled gas reactor, which also employs TRISO fuel particles. “TRISO fuel particles, noted for their durability and containment properties, play a crucial role in two of these reactor types, TRISO technology in fact, is renowned as one of the most resilient nuclear fuel types available today,” VARD said.
Sweden’s Blykalla has developed a lead-cooled reactor concept using uranium oxide as fuel. This design offers “high efficiency with advanced cooling mechanisms,” according to Vard.
One of these technologies will now be further tested to determine whether it can be used for marine propulsion as part of the project.
The first phase of the project concluded last year. The second phase, lasting two years, will expand to include maritime insurance companies. This will be a “critical step in evaluating the business viability of nuclear technology in the shipping industry,” Vard added.
By Konica Bhatt
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