China’s CNOOC and CGN nuclear companies are currently working together on the development of a nuclear reactor for marine use scheduled to be ready by 2020.
The demonstration project for a small marine nuclear propulsion reactor, called ACPR50S, will be included in China’s 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) for the energy industry after getting the necessary approval from the National Development and Reform Commission, the top economic planner, said China General Nuclear Power Corp, a leading atomic power company.
China Daily reports that CGN, which is currently working on the preliminary design for ACPR50S, is expected to start construction in 2017 and be commissioned by 2020.
NDRC said that CGN needs to speed up efforts in the research and innovation of core technologies, design and key components in a way to meet the demand for “mass production” of maritime atomic propulsion.
The 200-megawatt ACPR50S reactor, which can be equipped inside a section of the ship, is able to supply stable and reliable electricity and heat to islands and some projects, which need to be at sea for long periods without refueling, such as seawater desalination and offshore oilfield exploration, CGN said.
While land-based nuclear reactors produce up to around 1,000 mW of power, a typical marine propulsion reactor produces no more than a few hundred mW, experts said.
Also, China Daily reports that according to a source two nuclear majors－China National Nuclear Corp and CGN－are working with China Shipbuilding Industry Corp, a major shipbuilder, to build nuclear-powered vessels.
“Compared with conventional ships, nuclear-powered ships can travel further with more reliable fuel, enabling them to complete missions like polar expeditions,” the source said.
In 2014, CSIC set up a national research center, called 719, to develop maritime nuclear power platform and core technologies in the field. The shipbuilder has also received NDRC approval last week to start research on a demonstration project for nuclear-propulsion vessels.
Source: China Daily
