THE USE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN THE GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY
The use of the nuclear reactor for purposes other than the generation of electricity is examined within the framework of three substances which can be produced by the reactor. These are steam, hot gases, and nuclear radiation, principally neutrons and gamma rays. The present and future projected costs of producing steam of the quality required for various purposes are reviewed, such as space heating, evaporation and purification of water, heating and drying in mannfacturing operations such as in the paper industry, and the use of steam directly in chemical processes such as the gasification of coal. Reactors for the production of hightemperature gases are discussed, and the principal technical difficulties encountered are reviewed. The gas temperatures of interest are approximately 2000 deg F and above. Ship propulsion with nuclear reactors is discussed in the light of the known costs for constructing and operating nuclear reactors. The principal/characteristics of the first USA nuclear-propelled merchant ship are reviewed, and the possible economic advantage of nuclear power for long hauls is discussed. The application of the high- temperature gas turbine to ship propulsion is reviewed also, and possible advantages are pointed out. The radiation produced by the reactor may be used in certain chemical industrial processes and for foed preservation. The suitability of the sodium coolant from a power reactor for these purposes is examined. The economic feasibility of constructing and operating a reactor solely for the large- scale preduction of a radioisotope, such as cobalt-60, is examined with special emphasis on the practical conversion ratios to be expected in reactors designed for this purpose. (auth) 5936A A 66 Mwe nuclear power plant, known as the Sioux Falls Power Reactor, designed by Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company for the Northern States Power Company. Steam at 600 psi is generated in this boiling water type reactor and passes to a conventional turbine, Very high power densities are obtained by pumping a large volume of water through the reactor core. Pump speed may be varied to control the reactor. An efficiency greater than 30% is anticipated, and minimum capital costs are attained because of the high power density, use of normal water, and general simplicity of design. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- General Nuclear Engineering Corp., Dunedin, Fla.; Division of Reactor Development. Maritime Reactors Branch, AEC
- NSA Number:
- NSA-13-005935
- OSTI ID:
- 4273888
- Report Number(s):
- A/CONF.15/P/1831
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Prepared for the Second U.N. International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, 1958. Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-59
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLEANING
COAL
COBALT 60
CONVERSION
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
EVAPORATION
FABRICATION
FOOD
GAMMA RADIATION
GAS COOLANT
GASES
HEATING
HIGH TEMPERATURE
IMPURITIES
IRRADIATION
LIQUID METAL COOLANT
NEUTRON BEAMS
NEUTRONS
PAPER
POWER PLANTS
PRODUCTION
PROPULSION
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOISOTOPES
SHIPS
SODIUM
STEAM
SWITZERLAND
TURBINES
USES
WATER
WATER COOLANT