Houston-based class society and consultancy, ABS has released a report into the potential of advanced nuclear technology utilising a small modular reactor on a standard LNGC.
The impact of a high-temperature, gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) on the design, operation and emissions of a 145,000 cu m LNGC design was modelled by ABS and Herbert Engineering Corp (HEC).
This study is designed to help industry better understand the feasibility and safety implications of nuclear propulsion and to support future development projects, ABS said.
It provides ABS and the industry important information on heat and energy management, shielding, weight distribution, and other design features for an LNGC with nuclear propulsion.
This will assist the identification of design issues that will inform future rules development.
ABS’ study also found the HTGR technology allowed faster transit speeds and offers zero-emission operations. There would also be no requirement to refuel, although the HTGR technology would need replacing about every six years.
“While this technology is well understood on land, adapting it for marine application is in its infancy. However, this study and the other research we have carried out clearly highlight its significant potential to address not only shipping’s emissions challenge but to deliver a range of other operational advantages to the industry.
“ABS is committed to helping the industry evaluate its suitability for use in a range of use cases and LNG carriers is just one of a range of potential applications we are exploring,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and CTO.
The study showed a nuclear propelled LNGC would have specific design features, with reactors placed at the rear of the vessel and batteries forward of the location occupied by fuel tanks on current vessels and a reinforced hull.
Given the design constraints, the HTGR technology would only be suitable for larger LNGCs.
The report is the latest in a succession of initiatives from ABS designed to address challenges to the adoption of nuclear technology at sea.
Last month, ABS launched the industry’s first comprehensive rules for floating nuclear power plants at a forum for nuclear industry leaders held jointly with Idaho National Laboratory (INL).
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded ABS a contract to research barriers to the adoption of advanced nuclear propulsion on commercial vessels.
