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The fuel in US Naval nuclear reactors is enriched to a much higher percentage than civilian reactors due to size and longevity considerations. It has to fit the
by niekze 3y ago
The fuel in US Naval nuclear reactors is enriched to a much higher percentage than civilian reactors due to size and longevity considerations. It has to fit the ship and refuels take months/years. A ship undergoing a refuel isn't a ship you can use.
In a civilian plant, you can have multiple reactors and refuel them on a rotating schedule to avoid downtime, having a larger reactor vessel isn't a problem, and all of that is also going to be less expensive - which is a huge factor.
- Kimm0n0 3y agoI think the difference i >90% for military use and 3-5% for civilian use. Some new SMRs are planning on using >5%.
- Ericson2314 3y agoWith that grade fuel, can a nuclear submarine denote like a bomb?!