09V/09VI (095/096) Nuclear Submarine Thread
- Thread starter Hendrik_2000
- Start date
The point is that if they can develop a civilian one, then they can develop a military one. There is no major obstacle preventing them from building a 200+ MWt reactor for nuclear sub, if they can do it for civilian use. They are very similar. Most countries around the world are not looking to build nuclear subs. China is.
How many of those reactors do you think can fit into a nuclear submarine? Look at that document, there are 6 marine based reactors in there. Of which, only KLT40S, RITM-200M and ACPR50S are generating the amount of MWe you'd expect for a reactor that makes sense for nuclear sub.
It seems to me that many people here have a doubt of using ACP-100 and ACP-50 to gauge Chinese military reactors. I have read from many sources that these SMRs are firstly developed as military reactors then converted to civilian purpose. So when we see ACP-50, it is certain that there is a military version already years ago which has either been put in a submarine or going to be installed in a submarine soon.
In terms of SMR, they are developed in similar path as "ICBM -> satellite launcher". When we see CZ-2,3,4, DF has been flying for years.
Particularly about ACP-50, it is a further development from military program. I can not find the source specifically about the claim of ACP-50 now although I have see it, but I have an article here stating the general development path of these SMRs. The article is from 中国核能行业协会 and 上海市核电办公室. Nuclear Energy Association of China and Shanghai Nuclear Power Agent. It lays out the policy for Shanghai utilizing SMRs.
In the article it states, SMR was initially used in military, its "Military to Civilian" transformation is driven by US and Russia (USSR).
1.2技术起源
小型堆最初应用于军事应用领域，可用于保障军事基地能源供给安全、建造核动力舰艇等方面，是典型的军民融合技术。美、俄等核大国基于小型堆技术建造的核潜艇、核航母与核巡洋舰，具有航速快、巡航时间长等其他能源不可替代优势。目前，国际上所有在役核潜艇、核航母和核巡洋舰共装载超过200 台小型堆。在美、俄等国带动下，基于“军转民”的小型堆逐渐推广应用于电力、船舶等民用领域。国际上主要核能国家都在研发自主小型堆技术或考虑利用小型堆。
Regarding the fuel enrichment, it should not be a concern either. Because all these SMRs (US, Russia and China at least) are firstly military reactors, by the time their civilian versions come to the market, they have been running in subs. The needed enrichment level is already there whatever level that is.
In terms of SMR, they are developed in similar path as "ICBM -> satellite launcher". When we see CZ-2,3,4, DF has been flying for years.
Particularly about ACP-50, it is a further development from military program. I can not find the source specifically about the claim of ACP-50 now although I have see it, but I have an article here stating the general development path of these SMRs. The article is from 中国核能行业协会 and 上海市核电办公室. Nuclear Energy Association of China and Shanghai Nuclear Power Agent. It lays out the policy for Shanghai utilizing SMRs.
In the article it states, SMR was initially used in military, its "Military to Civilian" transformation is driven by US and Russia (USSR).
1.2技术起源
小型堆最初应用于军事应用领域，可用于保障军事基地能源供给安全、建造核动力舰艇等方面，是典型的军民融合技术。美、俄等核大国基于小型堆技术建造的核潜艇、核航母与核巡洋舰，具有航速快、巡航时间长等其他能源不可替代优势。目前，国际上所有在役核潜艇、核航母和核巡洋舰共装载超过200 台小型堆。在美、俄等国带动下，基于“军转民”的小型堆逐渐推广应用于电力、船舶等民用领域。国际上主要核能国家都在研发自主小型堆技术或考虑利用小型堆。
Regarding the fuel enrichment, it should not be a concern either. Because all these SMRs (US, Russia and China at least) are firstly military reactors, by the time their civilian versions come to the market, they have been running in subs. The needed enrichment level is already there whatever level that is.
If we just guess, we can guess anything…
No, civilian SMRs are converted from existing military reactors, at least in the case of China, and probably most of US, Russian/USSR and French designs.
It is only non nuclear powers like South Korea and Canada developed their SMRs as a pure civilian application.
There are 6 marine reactor in that list. Only 3 of them would be of dimension that would work for submarine. RITM200 is a follow up to KLT-40S. So basically, there are only Russia and China looking to build marine nuclear reactors that could fit in a submarine.
Just to remind you civilian small reactors are not necessarily related to submarines. it’s reasonable if they want to develop a reactor for SCS islands or icebreaker independently, after all we’re guessing.
I just showed you KLT-40S comes from the same parent that also "fathered" OB-650V. If you have the technology for one, you can build the other also. The dimension of ACPR50S also makes sense for a nuclear sub. It's actually more likely China is further along on their military one.
But since you are trying to annoy me. Why don't you tell us then? Do you think they need a new reactor for 095? If they do and it's not a 200 MWt reactor, what will it be? If it's not, then what would they use?
There’re also some American/European startups building SMR, do you think they are transferring military reactors?
No, they have nothing to transfer from to begin with.