On October 16, the first commercial land-based modular small reactor in the world, the "Linglong One" demonstration project of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) in Hainan Changjiang, successfully completed the cold state functional test of the primary loop.
According to the information, "Linglong One" started construction at Hainan Nuclear Power in July 2021. After its completion and operation, it is expected to generate an annual power output of 1 billion kilowatt-hours, meeting the electricity needs of about 526,000 households in Hainan. It can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 880,000 tons per year, equivalent to planting 7.5 million trees annually.
In general, "Linglong One" cannot be directly and literally used for nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. However, the technological breakthroughs, design concepts, and engineering experience behind its success have a significant and positive supporting role for China's development of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, especially those with electromagnetic catapult systems.
How large is the Ford-class carrier? It has a displacement of 110,000 tons, a total power of 700 megawatts, and can reach speeds of 30 knots.
For example, the most advanced small pressurized water reactor in China, "Linglong One," has a height of only 14 meters and a diameter of 8 meters. It not only can be used on land but also can be installed on ships. The offshore nuclear power station plan displayed by CNNC uses "Linglong One." The rated thermal power of a single unit of "Linglong One" reaches 385 megawatts, and two units reach 770 megawatts, which already exceeds the A1B pressurized water reactor of the Ford-class carrier.
"Linglong One" and Aircraft Carrier Reactor Commonalities
1. "Small Reactor" Positioning: "Linglong One" is the world's first commercial land-based small reactor. This is highly consistent with the direction of "miniaturization" and "compactness" required for aircraft carrier reactors. Aircraft carriers have limited space, and huge energy sources must be packed into the confined hull.
2. Modular Design: "Linglong One" adopts a modular design and construction, which is also a trend in modern vessels, especially nuclear-powered ones. Modularity can shorten the construction cycle, facilitate maintenance and upgrades, which is crucial for aircraft carriers that require long-term deployment and rapid maintenance.
3. Technological Homology: Whether it is "Linglong One" or aircraft carrier reactors, their basic principles (pressurized water reactor) and core technologies (nuclear fuel, reactor control, primary loop system, etc.) are common. China has accumulated valuable design, construction, commissioning, and safe operation experience through projects like "Linglong One."
4. Strong Power Output: Although the power generation capacity of "Linglong One" cannot be directly equated to propulsion power, it proves that China has the capability to design and build small nuclear reactors with power output reaching tens of thousands of kilowatts. This provides a sufficient energy foundation for aircraft carriers.
Key Differences and Direct Application Barriers (Why It Cannot Be Used Directly)
1. Design Goals and Operating Conditions Are Worlds Apart:
"Linglong One": Designed for civilian power generation, focusing on stability, economy, and absolute safety. It is built on a stable foundation with a smooth operating environment and relatively constant power output.
Aircraft Carrier Reactors: Designed for military vessels, focusing on extreme power density, maneuverability, and shock resistance. They need to operate in turbulent seas, adjusting power rapidly and significantly according to the aircraft carrier's speed requirements (from cruising to high-speed surges above 30 knots) to cope with tactical maneuvers. Additionally, they must withstand the massive shocks from torpedoes, missiles, and other weapons during wartime.
2. Power Density Is the Core Bottleneck:
This is the most critical difference. Aircraft carrier reactors require as much power as possible within the smallest volume and weight. As a land-based commercial reactor, "Linglong One" has far fewer restrictions on size and weight compared to warships. Its pressure vessel, shielding layers, and other components may be unacceptable for aircraft carriers in terms of size and weight. Installing "Linglong One" directly into an aircraft carrier would severely occupy other spaces, affecting the number of aircraft, fuel, and ammunition reserves.
3. Different Forms of Power Output:
"Linglong One" produces electricity (through steam turbines).
Aircraft carrier reactors primarily provide propulsion power to drive large propellers. Although nuclear-powered aircraft carriers follow the principle of "nuclear energy -> thermal energy -> steam -> propulsion," the system integration and transmission methods have their own specificities. Of course, for aircraft carriers with electromagnetic catapults, powerful power generation capabilities are essential.
4. Different Emphasis on Safety Standards:
Civilian nuclear power plants have extremely strict safety standards, focusing on preventing radioactive material leakage into the external environment and protecting the public.
Military reactors, in addition to basic safety, emphasize damage control survivability and the ability to continue operating under damage conditions.
Positive Significance for Electromagnetic Catapult Aircraft Carriers
Although it cannot be used directly, the success of "Linglong One" contributes strategically to China's nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, especially those with electromagnetic catapult systems:
1. Proving Small Reactor Technology Capabilities: It declares to the world that China has fully mastered the entire set of advanced small pressurized water reactor technology. From "having" to "being excellent," we have solved the "having" problem and reached international advanced levels. This clears up the biggest doubts in developing aircraft carrier nuclear power at the technical level.
2. Paving the Way for High-Power-Density Reactors: "Linglong One" can be seen as a "pathfinder" and "test field" for related technologies. Data, materials, and process experience accumulated during its development (such as more efficient fuel elements, more compact steam generator designs, and more advanced control systems) can be directly used to develop higher power-density military ship reactors.
3. Perfectly Matching the Energy Needs of Electromagnetic Catapults:
Electromagnetic catapults are "electricity hogs," requiring a massive amount of electricity in a short time for each launch.
Conventional-powered aircraft carriers (such as the Fujian) require large shaft generators or auxiliary power to meet catapult demands, which is a significant challenge for the power system design.
Nuclear-powered aircraft carriers do not have this issue. The nuclear reactor can provide almost unlimited, stable, and huge electrical and steam power. On nuclear-powered aircraft carriers with integrated electric propulsion (IEP), the energy generated by the reactor can be flexibly distributed between the propulsion system and the grid (including electromagnetic catapults, weapon systems, and daily life). The successful power generation of "Linglong One" means that China has become very mature in converting huge nuclear energy into electricity, including large steam turbine generators.
4. Training and Cultivating Talent Teams: From design, construction, commissioning, to operation, the "Linglong One" project has trained a large number of top nuclear engineering and project management talents in China. This team is the most precious asset for future development of aircraft carrier nuclear power.
A vivid analogy can be made: "Linglong One" is like a family SUV with advanced technology and reliable safety, while an aircraft carrier requires a specially tailored engine for F1 racing, which is ultra-lightweight and has extraordinary power.
You cannot directly install the SUV's engine on an F1 car, but the materials science, combustion technology, turbocharging, and electronic control systems mastered in developing this SUV engine are undoubtedly solid foundations and strong proof for being able to produce an F1 engine.
Therefore, the success of "Linglong One" does not mean that we can immediately see an aircraft carrier equipped with the same reactor, but it strongly indicates that China has made sufficient technical preparations for developing its own high-power-density nuclear reactors for aircraft carriers. A Chinese nuclear-powered aircraft carrier capable of supporting electromagnetic catapults and with nearly infinite range is no longer far away.
Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7561709812623344128/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author. Please express your opinion by clicking the [Up/Down] button below.