Exploring Potential For Nuclear "Batteries" On Commercial Tankers

International shipping has been identified as a significant global contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and it is under mounting pressure to contribute to overall emission reductions.

by Staff Writers Athens, Greece (SPX) Nov 18, 2010 A consortium of British, American, and Greek interests have agreed to investigate the practical maritime applications for small modular reactors (SMRs) as commercial tanker-owners search for new designs that could deliver safer, cleaner and commercially viable forms of propulsion for the global fleet. The Strategic Research Group at Lloyd's Register, Hyperion Power Generation Inc., British designer BMT Nigel Gee, and Greek ship operator Enterprises Shipping and Trading SA are to lead the research into use of SMR's in nuclear propulsion, which they believe is technically feasible and has the potential to drastically reduce the CO2 emissions caused by commercial shipping.
"This an exciting project," said Lloyd's Register CEO, Richard Sadler. "The aim of the research is to understand the implications and potential of SMRs in ship design and the practicalities related to the ship's safe construction, operation, maintenance, and disposal."
The agreement for the joint industry project was signed at the offices of Enterprises Shipping and Trading in Athens, Greece.
The research is intended to produce a concept tanker-ship design based on conventional and 'modular' concepts. Special attention will be paid to analysis of a vessel's lifecycle cost as well as to hull-form designs and structural layout, including grounding and collision protection.
"We see this project as a unique collaboration between two traditionally distinct industries: nuclear power and ship building," said John R. (Grizz) Deal, CEO of Hyperion Power. "We believe the more input we have the better, and we look forward to working with the entire industry on this effort."
International shipping has been identified as a significant global contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and it is under mounting pressure to contribute to overall emission reductions

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There is an ongoing debate about how much the sector will be able to reduce those emissions, while continuing to support the forecast expansion in world trade that it enables.http://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/Exploring_Potential_For_Nuclear_Batteries_On_Commercial_Tankers_999.html

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