Italian trio to explore 'commercial nuclear marine propulsion'
Italy-based nuclear tech firm newcleo, shipbuilder Fincantieri and RINA have agreed to study the use of nuclear power technology for marine propulsion.
PHOTO: newcleo’s 30-megawatts (MW) lead-cooled fast reactor. RINA
Fincantieri and classification society RINA will analyse whether newcleo’s 30-megawatts (MW) lead-cooled fast reactor can be used to power larger vessels as an alternative to fossil fuels.
newcleo is a nuclear technology firm that develops nuclear reactors using nuclear waste as fuel.
Lead-cooled fast reactors are nuclear reactors that use liquid lead or lead-bismuth as a coolant, according to the World Nuclear Association. Its design allows it to produce a high amount of power at atmospheric pressure, making it suitable for marine propulsion.
Explaining the safety factor of its lead-cooled fast reactor's design, newcleo said that in case of an accident "the liquid lead inside the reactor would solidify as it cools down in contact with the cold water." The core of the reactor would thus be enclosed in a solid casing and contain all radiation since lead is a shielding material.
Moreover, a smaller modular reactor [30 MW] would enable ships to operate for 10-15 years without refuelling. The reactor would also require "limited maintenance" and could be easily removed and replaced over time, newcleo added.
“Using clean nuclear energy to power marine vessels would help rapidly decarbonise a sector grappling with huge fossil fuel consumption and its consequent carbon emissions,” the partners asserted.
Shipping industry needs alternative fuels with low or zero-emission potential to reach its ambition of "net-zero by or around 2050", said Ugo Salerno, chief executive of RINA.
“Nuclear will be one of the answers to these objectives. In addition, small modular reactors will be the most efficient solution to apply nuclear to shipping,” he added.
By Konica Bhatt
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