Concept of a nuclear powered submersible research vessel and a compact reactor

Kusunoki, Tsuyoshi ; Takahashi, Teruo*; Nishimura, Hajime*; Tokunaga, Sango*; Odano, Naoteru; Yoritsune, Tsutomu ; Ishida, Toshihisa

A concept of a submersible research vessel navigating in 600 m depth and a compact nuclear reactor were carried out for the expansion of the nuclear power utilization. The mission of the vessel is the research of mechanism of the climate change. Through conditions of the Arctic Ocean and the sea at high latitude have significant impacts on the global environmental change, it is difficult to investigate those areas by ordinary ships because of thick ice or storm. By taking account of the research mission, the basic specifications of the vessel are decided; the total weight is 500 t, the submersible depth is 600 m, the maximum speed is 12 knots (22.2km/h), and the number of crews is 16. Nuclear power has an advantage in supplying large power of electricity in the sea for long period. Based on the requirements, it has been decided that two sets of compact nuclear reactor, SCR, which is light-weighted and of enhanced safety characteristics to supply the total electricity of 500 kW.