Nuclear Propulsion

O presente trabalho apresenta alguns aspectos relevantes para o projeto e operação das instalações propulsoras nucleares propriamente ditas e da especificidade do navio nuclear em si mesmo. É apreciada, dos pontos de vista teórico e tecnológico, a escolha dos reatores do tipo PWR, quase universalmente adotados para as aplicações de propulsão naval, considerando as diversas realizações e protótipos construídos. As particularidades dos reatores de propulsão naval em comparação com os reatores de centrais núcleo-elétricas comercias são comentadas. Alguns dos principais critérios de projeto e base para dimensionamento são apresentados.

Especially in the 21st century, the space has become the actual final frontier for mankind.The possibilities are endless, as there are a lot of frontiers that can be covered in space exploration. Unfortunately, two main problems prevail in space exploration. The first problem is that the distances that need to be covered are extremely large and the second problem is the need for energy for any outpost installation in space. Fortunately, the availability of nuclear technologies allow for solution of these problems. In this paper, it is demonstrated that by using nuclear technology,traveling time can be greatly reduced and the energy requirements of the astronauts onboard a spacecraft or a space station can be met.

Especially in the 21 st century, the space has become the actual final frontier for mankind. The possibilities are endless, as there are a lot of frontiers that can be covered in space exploration. Unfortunately, two main problems prevail in space exploration. The first problem is that the distances that need to be covered are extremely large and the second problem is the need for energy for any outpost installation in space. Fortunately, the availability of nuclear technologies allow for solution of these problems. In this paper, it is demonstrated that by using nuclear technology, traveling time can be greatly reduced and the energy requirements of the astronauts onboard a spacecraft or a space station can be met.

This book has been written within the framework of the IAEA’s innovative reactor and fuel cycle technology development activities. It elucidates the role that peaceful air & space related nuclear power research and development could play in terrestrial innovative reactor and fuel cycle technology development initiatives. This book gives an introduction to Direct Cycle Nuclear engines which would resemble a conventional jet engine, except that there would be no combustion chambers. The air gained from the compressor section would be sent to a plenum that directs the air into the nuclear reactor core. An exchange takes place where the reactor is cooled, but it then heats up the same air and sends it to another plenum. The second plenum directs the air into a turbine, which sends it out the exhaust. The end result is that instead of using jet fuel, an aircraft could rely on nuclear reactions for power. Dr.Ugur Guven and Rohan M Ganapathy, both specialists in the field of Nuclear Propulsion discuss and explain how nuclear power plants and nuclear propulsion devices work by describing the fundamental physics of these devices and their conceptual application on UAV's.