Re:Play and learn how a nuclear plant works
by exabrial on Tuesday December 05, 2023 @04:25PM
(#38537119)
Agree... although I do believe part of the problem is that a lot of US Naval reactors run on weapons grade uranium. Someone here probably knows more about this.
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Re:Play and learn how a nuclear plant works
by niekze on Tuesday December 05, 2023 @05:34PM
(#38537868)
The fuel in US Naval nuclear reactors is enriched to a much higher percentage than civilian reactors due to size and longevity considerations. It has to fit the ship and refuels take months/years. A ship undergoing a refuel isn't a ship you can use.
In a civilian plant, you can have multiple reactors and refuel them on a rotating schedule to avoid downtime, having a larger reactor vessel isn't a problem, and all of that is also going to be less expensive - which is a huge factor.
Re:Play and learn how a nuclear plant works
by Kimm0n0 on Tuesday December 05, 2023 @11:10PM
(#38540398)
I think the difference i >90% for military use and 3-5% for civilian use.
Some new SMRs are planning on using >5%.
Re:Play and learn how a nuclear plant works
by Ericson2314 on Friday December 08, 2023 @03:42PM
(#38574049)
With that grade fuel, can a nuclear submarine denote like a bomb?!