Question for Fermi

Re: Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (g lof2) — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 06:34:00 GMT

Oh, I sure there will be diesel generators to handle any reactor emergencies, I think they are part of the standard equipment on all nuclear reactors now, even that beast you run Mike. But I don't see you putting that unit on the grid.

The Gas Turbine, a 30-35 Mw one, is added as more of an oversized 'take you home' unit that provide enough power to move the ship at a respectable...

Re: Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (emc) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:28:21 GMT

I think that something like a smallish (enough for, say, 20 kts, plus normal auxiliary loads) reactor with gas turbine engines for boost may be technically practical. I suspect the main problem would be that most naval reactors spend most of their operating time at fairly low percentages of rated power, but a cruise-only reactor would operate most of the time at a fairly high percentage of rated power. This may necessitate a new reactor system; it would almost certainly require fairly...

Re: Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (Fermi2) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:07:29 GMT

It'd be heavy and you'd only need a Back Up Diesel in order to provide enough electricity to start the reactor. I could do a FRSU faster than I could get a GT online.

Gas Reactors will remain a fallacy until they design an effective gas seal.

Mike

Re: Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (g lof2) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:49:39 GMT

jim 1 wrote:
g lof2 -

If you want to go new idea nuke, why not go PBMR (or another HTGR) and use the helium as the gas for gas turbine propulsion, with a smidge drawn off for gas electric turbine generators? We're talking serious shaft horsepower here!

But I think you'd want this stuff down in the hull, as safely recessed as possible.

I not looking for a new idea in...

Re: Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (jim 1) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:58:16 GMT

g lof2 -

If you want to go new idea nuke, why not go PBMR (or another HTGR) and use the helium as the gas for gas turbine propulsion, with a smidge drawn off for gas electric turbine generators? We're talking serious shaft horsepower here!

But I think you'd want this stuff down in the hull, as safely recessed as possible.

Re: Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (g lof2) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 04:45:25 GMT

Thr Hybrid drive would consist Nuclear Electric/Gas Turbine Electric. The Reactor could provide enough power drive the ship to 30 knots, plus operate any radar and domestic needs. The Gas Turbine acts more as an emergency back up, and is normal not operated except for testing and training.

Because the ship is total electric like the DDG-1000, so would not provide a problem in transistion of power sources beyond the lost of available power. In fact it the all electrical nature of...

Re: Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (Fermi2) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 02:46:57 GMT

You look like you have excellent judgment, then again your posts and comments always seem to be well informed.

What kind of Hybrid? Nuclear/Diesel?

Mike

Re: Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (g lof2) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 06:32:44 GMT

Thank you Mke for your answer. A 40 persent savings is about what I estimated, it is good to see my engineering common sence is not all the way shot.

BTW the reason for the question is a argument about "Hybrid nuclear" drive for surface ship, IE the CGN(x) currently being debated in various forms. The version I supporting is tasked with ballistic missile defence patrol and possibly deterent patrols, so they are long endurance solo missions which is the Nuclear forte while...

Re: Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (Fermi2) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 05:14:12 GMT

Metropolitan Edison, the original owners of Three Mile Island

Mike

Re: Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (jim 1) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:22:06 GMT

Scott -

In the beginning of nuke construction (back in 1960s), there was no previous nuke construction experience and this was reflected in a great many design and construction issues.

For example, utilities would buy stuff off the shelf and not understand the pedigree requirements of 10 CFR 50 Appendix B. In once case, a very large and savvy utility (Duke) thought it could use non-Appendix B EDGs at McGuire, once it became clear that the NRC might never let Duke use hydro...

Re: Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (Scott Brim) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 15:34:58 GMT

Fermi2: Honestly I'm not certain anyone tried to defraud anyone. CGE was a small utility and had no real business playing with the big boys. From the guys I talked to the utility was very ma and pa and thought contracting the QA was ok.

Mike what you are saying...

Re: Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (Fermi2) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 04:55:45 GMT

Honestly I'm not certain anyone tried to defraud anyone. CGE was a small utility and had no real business playing with the big boys.
From the guys I talked to the utility was very ma and pa and thought contracting the QA was ok.

Re: Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (jim 1) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:13:49 GMT

Fermi2 -

What happened at Zimmer was a tragedy. However, i apparently have far less confidence than do you that it was well constructed. After all, if the emplyees of the utility were willing to break the regulations, lie, and attempt fraud, why should anyone believe they followed the regulations when they built it?

Re: Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (Fermi2) — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:36:37 GMT

While I firmly believe the responsibility for QC is vested in the worker in the field the nature of our work demands having a second checker. To be honest the industry has evolved into second checking everything.

Zimmer was actually a well designed and well built plant, it's a pity it would have cost them a billion extra to prove it. Keep in mind it wasn't non quality work that doomed that plant, it was the cost of not starting up the Unit while they recreated the paperwork...

Re: Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (g lof2) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:32:40 GMT

New question for the group.

What would be the cost saving of using a single reactor design verse the twin reactor design used on USN surface nuclear warships.

Re: Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (jim 1) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 18:08:37 GMT

Crazy Yank -

There are a lot of U fields and sources, there will considerable deblending, and maybe some recycling. Nonetheless, U consumption should grow modestly over the next decade.

There should not be a rapid growth in demand until more large power reactors enter operation. Several nations have talked more plants, but only a few are under construction right now. The Q might be if China gets serious, as they have said.

OTOH, US coal production costs did not...

Re: Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (crazy yank) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:25:33 GMT

I have some investments in junior uranium mines. The companies that I have stock in are located in Australia, Canada and Africa.
Some concerns:

The spot price of the stocks in these companies have been dropping in the last year. Are their any comments on the future of junior uranium in general. I will not burden this group with questions on individual stocks unless there is a request for that information

The spot price of uranium...

Re: Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (jim 1) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:28:11 GMT

Scott Brim -

I think we are in agreement. I certainly agree that quality in design, construction, and operation is a line function.

Re: Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (Scott Brim) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:15:18 GMT

Jim..... I do not want to argue with you. ....However, while it is certainly true that it is not the QA head's job to build in quality, the job description most certainly does include assuring that the required documentation is created and maintained. ... ..See Part 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 50, Appendix B (10CFR50, Appendix B): .....

Re: Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (jim 1) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 05:47:28 GMT
Mike -

Nope.

Am I to interpret your Zimmer position as now agreeng with me? That is, that NRC did not refuse to grant a license. Instead, NRC said it would grant a license once the utiity was able to demonstrate that it complied with the regulations. The utiity could not and gave up.

BTW, I did not give you all the Zimmer stuff of which I have knowledge Here's another. They did not have the radiographs they were suposed to have. When challenged on it, many of...

Question for Fermi

feeds@yuku.com (PMN1) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:05:41 GMT
Fermi, what do you think of this?

http://www.energyfromthorium.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24