Motofun352
Well-Known Member
Navy reactors are pressurized reactors and much smaller but with higher enrichment fuel. I think the current versions are meant to go the lifetime of the vessel though I'm not really sure about that. Previous sub reactors required the pressure hull to be cut apart at the seams to remove the reactor, kind of like cutting a slice of baloney out of the middle of the ring. I think a current nuclear sub just might be the most complex machine ever built by man.MANY years ago I had the pleasure of touring the reactor in Glen Rose, TX. It was awesome. I did notice how careful they seemed to be with everything and it got me thinking, how does a reactor in a submarine not be a problem with all the movement. It would seem the rods and BWR function would be very unstable with the constant movement.