CLOSED-CYCLE GAS-TURBINE NUCLEAR-POWER-PLANT FOR SUBMARINE PROPULSION

The pressurized light water reactor (PWR) propulsion plant and related machinery occupy about 50% of the interior usable volume of present n uclear attack submarines. Li a smaller general purpose attack submarin e with significant warfare capability is desired, then substantial red uctions in size will require new, innovative technology for the propul sion plant. One such technology with promise for a revolutionary impro vement in nuclear propulsion system performance in a reduced physical envelope is a high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) as the heat s ource in a closed gas turbine (Brayton) cycle driving an advanced elec tric propulsion plant. Direct and indirect closed Brayton cycle gas tu rbine propulsion plant parameters are developed for a reference attack submarine.