I think that's CG or AI generated...
CV-18 Fujian/003 CATOBAR carrier thread
- Thread starter Jeff Head
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What kind of propulsion is used by the Fujian? I was trying to search online and Google AI says it uses steam turbines. Isn't that an obsolete way of propulsion for Ships?
It's not wrong, from what we know CV-18 is powered by steam turbines via steam from heavy oil boilers similar to the previous 001 and 002. Steam turbines in of itself isn't obsolete, nuclear still relies on them but IMO the source of the steam is what makes them obsolete in this case, heavy oil boilers have long starting time, rather maintenance heavy, very low efficiency and for the people that care, terrible emission control, plus the carrier will need a different type of fuel than its escort/rest of the fleet complicating logistical needs. Hopefully the next CV will be using IEPS w/ gas turbines like the rumors say it is.
All nuclear carriers and nuclear submarines currently in service are powered by steam turbines too. Boilers + steam turbines is a very safe bet and natural choice for propulsion if you are eyeing building large nuclear carriers.
"Obsolete" is a loaded term.
The cross over on technologies between steam turbines and nuclear propulsion is useful if one wants to pursue nuclear carriers in the future, and in terms of the density and the mass of steam turbines and volume needs (think intakes and exhausts of gas turbines) they are also fairly convenient. For China, the fact that the PLAN already has two steam turbine driven carriers prior to CV-18 also offers a degree of technological maturity.
As a form of conventional (non-nuclear) propulsion for large capital ships such as carriers where startup times are less important and where you want to maximize deck space, they are pretty good.
Whether it makes sense for the supposed follow on conventional carrier to have a different form of propulsion is another matter. Just because gas turbines are "more modern" does not necessarily mean they are automatically more desirable for something like a carrier.
In summary -- for CV-18, a modern steam turbine system certainly is not obsolete. Whether alternative conventional powerplant arrangements such as gas turbines would make sense for it or not, depends on the specifics of mass, volume, output etc.
Do note that originally the carrier was also designed with steam catapults, by using steam turbines, the steam can be used straight from the engines. It was only after that EMCATs were determined to be mature enough, within the power limits, and worth the redesign cost for the catapult system would the 003 eventually switch over to using them instead. Completely redesigning the powerplant to go along with the EMCAT change as well would've likely also have delayed the 003 for years.
lcloo
Major
Steam turbine is still relevant today. Modern methods of generating steam has been vastly improved since 1950s, heat from nuclear reactor is certainly the most siginificant.
Here is an interesting piece of news from 1952. SS United States (displacement 47,264 tons maximum), a passenger ship powered by steam made a record of 35.59 knots (about 41 mph) during her maiden voyage crossing the Atlantics from New York to UK.
Here is an interesting piece of news from 1952. SS United States (displacement 47,264 tons maximum), a passenger ship powered by steam made a record of 35.59 knots (about 41 mph) during her maiden voyage crossing the Atlantics from New York to UK.
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