"Old Yuan, the current generator can be put into practical use, right?"

After the successful trial operation of the third molten salt reactor, Zhang Xingyang found Yuan Bing and asked.

Yuan Bing shook his head: "There are still a lot of problems. ”

"If you want to apply it on a large scale, the first thing you face is the cost problem."

"Because of the use of a large number of new materials, the cost of a single generator is close to 120 million."

This figure is indeed slightly expensive.

Because the current supercritical CO2 generator is not very powerful, only 25MW.

The cost per kilowatt is 4,800 yuan.

The current gas turbine cost per power is 1600-2000 yuan.

Supercritical CO2 generators want to really get an advantage in terms of cost performance.

Either the power will be more than tripled.

Or reduce the cost to less than 50 million.

"What are the main new materials that are used more?"

Zhang Xingyang asked.

"High-strength alloy tubes for heat exchangers, and composite turbines for high-speed turbine generators."

Yuan Bing said a little helplessly:

"This is just the cost price they give, and there is no money."

The high-strength alloy pipe is a material developed by Su Xiao and them before.

Because some rare metals are used, even if only the price of raw materials is calculated.

And already a staggering number.

If you add Su Xiao's R&D costs, the price will at least double.

As for composite turbines, they are more expensive than gold.

"If the cost can't go down, is it possible for us to increase the power?"

Zhang Xingyang said after listening.

If the power can be increased to more than 50MW.

Then the price per unit of power will still fall to a reasonable range.

"We are looking for a way to do this, and we have reached a supercritical state in terms of fluids and can no longer be improved."

"We're envisioning further increasing the speed of the turbine."

Yuan Bing nodded, and then said what they had thought recently.

Zhang Xingyang didn't give them much advice.

Now that they already have their own ideas.

As long as it's not too outrageous, Zhang Xingyang still hopes to let them develop on their own.

"Then so be it, I will leave for a while, and contact a few main responsible persons if I have any questions."

As he was about to end the conversation, Zhang Xingyang said:

"If you come across something you can't fix on your own, call me."

The development of supercritical carbon dioxide generators is an unexpected surprise for Zhang Xingyang.

But it didn't disrupt the research program either.

The construction of the nuclear-powered container ship still started on schedule.

Jiangnan Shipyard took over this extremely important task.

This is also to accumulate some experience in the construction of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in the future.

"Professor Zhang, long time no see!"

As soon as they met, Vice President Yuan of the shipyard greeted him very warmly.

The order for nuclear-powered container ships is also a valuable order for Jiangnan Shipyard.

At this time, domestic shipyards have not yet seized the leading position in the industry.

The shipyard of rods and foot basins still controls most of the large civil ship construction business.

This order will not only bring significant profits to the shipyard.

For Vice President Yuan, this can also be regarded as a credit.

When he was promoted in the future, he had a very dazzling resume.

"Long time no see!"

Zhang Xingyang smiled and shook hands with Vice President Yuan.

"The last time we met, it was a year ago."

Zhang Xingyang's memory is very good, and the time that has passed is not very long.

"I was standing in the back at that time, and I can't remember it."

Vice President Yuan said happily.

That was at a feasibility seminar on a 240,000-ton ultra-large nuclear-powered container ship.

Vice President Yuan followed the people from Jiangnan Shipyard to participate together.

It's just that he wasn't the protagonist at that time, and few people noticed him.

"I just have a slightly better memory."

Zhang Xingyang said modestly.

"I heard that the container ship is about to start construction, and the design plan has been reviewed?"

Although Zhang Xingyang did not specify which container ship.

However, everyone present can understand that Zhang Xingyang is referring to the 240,000-ton container ship that surpasses the world's largest tonnage ship.

"I just completed the review of the drawings last month."

Vice President Yuan proudly said:

"If nothing happens, we'll be able to cut the first steel plate next week!"

The container ship itself is not too difficult to design.

Jiangnan Shipyard also has a lot of experience in the construction of large container ships.

It's just that those containers are only about 100,000 tons.

For cargo ships of more than 200,000 tons, Jiangnan Shipyard also has no experience in building them.

So it took a lot of time on the design side.

Otherwise, you can directly use the previous design scheme and start construction directly.

"Can you show us there?"

Zhang Xingyang put forward his own request.

"Of course, I don't know if you want an electronic version or a paper version?"

Vice President Yuan asked.

Before coming, Zhang Xingyang had not seen the relevant drawings.

Because of the nuclear research institute and the outside world, the physical disconnection.

This is also due to confidentiality concerns.

"It's all right, it's up to you which one is convenient."

Zhang Xingyang said somewhat casually.

"Then let's show you the electronic version, there are too many paper drawings."

Vice President Yuan began to lead the way for everyone.

The design drawings of a container ship can be stacked with several standard-sized containers.

If Zhang Xingyang wants to see the paper version of the drawings, then just carrying these drawings will tire people to death.

Zhang Xingyang also did not plan to read all the design drawings.

I just looked at the design of the power part.

At the beginning of the design, it was decided that the ship would be nuclear-powered.

Therefore, in terms of related protection, the design team still spent a lot of thought.

Near the power chamber is a 0.6-meter-thick lead plate, and a 0.5-meter-thick steel plate on the outside.

According to the design team's narrative, after multiple layers of protection, it is possible to effectively isolate nuclear radiation.

Even if the reactor fails, there is a leak.

It is only necessary to close the entire compartment to prevent leakage.

In fact, the safety of molten salt reactors is far beyond the imagination of the design team.

Even if it is a hole directly in the reactor.

Nor will serious leaks occur.

This is because molten salts cool and solidify quickly when they come into contact with air.

Then plug the broken area.

And the liquid molten salt that flows out does not drift with the steam everywhere like pressurized water reactors and boiling water reactors.

They also cool down quickly.

But the design team didn't know that.

Therefore, when designing, they are designed according to the current common PWR standards.

Naturally, many designs appeared that were useless in Zhang Xingyang's opinion.

"Professor Zhang, is there any problem with the drawing design?"

Vice President Yuan, who was guarding Zhang Xingyang's side, looked nervously at Zhang Xingyang, who was reviewing the drawings with an expressionless face.

"No problem."

Zhang Xingyang's words made Vice President Yuan's mood instantly better.

It's just that within a few seconds, it fell to the bottom.

"But there's something wrong with the power room."

Vice President Yuan asked in a mood: "What's the problem?" ”

"The design is so big, our reactor is much smaller than that."

Zhang Xingyang looked at the drawings on the screen and talked about the problem.

"The same is true for the power room, where our generators are about less than a fifth of the volume."

When the design team designed, it was designed according to the pressurized water reactor + steam turbine scheme.

But in reality, they will use molten salt reactors + supercritical generators.

There is a big difference between the two.

Fortunately, this part has not changed much for the structure of the whole ship.

They didn't have to overhaul the entire design.

It is only necessary to reduce the area of the power room and the power generation room.

It even frees up a lot of cabin space.

Vice President Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

It can be difficult to expand the cabin space.

But if you want to zoom out, it's too simple.

"Neither of these is difficult to solve, are there any other problems?"

Vice President Yuan then asked.

"No, you're doing a great job." Zhang Xingyang shook his head and said.

Ship design is not Zhang's area of expertise.

Compared to a ship adrift at sea.

He's even better at starships flying through space.

It's a pity that this era doesn't have room for him to play in this regard.

It's like a nuclear engineer traveling back in time to the pre-industrial era.

His expertise is largely useless.

"How long will it take for these changes to materialize?"

Zhang Xingyang then asked.

"It will take about a week or two?"

Vice President Yuan first thought about the design speed of the past, and then said:

"But with a little rush, it should be done in six days."

Zhang Xingyang looked at the structural diagram on the screen and nodded calmly.

Seven days later, the newly completed design drawings were released.

During this time, the Jiangnan Shipyard also completed preparations for construction long ago.

A large amount of raw materials and equipment have been put on the slipway.

Just waiting to cut the first steel plate.

This day was not only the employees of the shipyard, but also the people of Zhang Xingyang.

There were also personnel from the Navy who came to the scene.

They also wanted to know about the world's largest freighter, which had been advertised in the media before construction began.

The main thing is to learn about the nuclear propulsion system used on board.

The first aircraft carrier of the Navy, which was renovated a few months ago.

It is still in sea trials.

In the past few months, this aircraft carrier has also made people feel a lot of problems.

First of all, in terms of power, the main engine of the aircraft carrier uses four 149 megawatt steam turbines, which can provide 200,000 horsepower.

Although the steam dynamic stability is good, the aircraft carrier accelerates slowly.

It takes a long time to reach a top speed of 30 knots.

The auxiliary engine adopts 6 sets of 1500 kW diesel generators and 9 sets of 1500 kW turbine generators.

The first steel plate was cut quickly, and the construction of the largest container ship in history began.

Han Zitao, the representative of the navy, chatted with Zhang Xingyang in a low voice while malfunctioning:

"Director Zhang, can your nuclear reactor be applied to warships?"

Han Zitao made a lot of achievements in fighting pirates in the Red Sea some time ago, and after returning to China, he was immediately promoted to the captain of the main combat ship.

There are already rumors that he will soon become the deputy captain of the aircraft carrier.

"We have just completed the development of the experimental reactor and are still some way from being on board."

Zhang Xingyang looked at the scene of processing steel plates in full swing in front of him and said:

"Wait a little longer, by the time the first domestic aircraft carrier is built, it should be about the same."

Han Zitao recently made up for the knowledge related to nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, "What level can it reach, can it surpass Eagle Sauce's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier?" ”

Zhang Xingyang looked into the distance with a hint of contempt:

"It's going to be the most powerful nuclear propulsion system in the world."

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Xingyang decided to reveal a little bit of relevant content to the navy: "How much do you know about the Ford-class aircraft carrier that Yingjiang has just started building?" ”

The Ford-class aircraft carrier is the most expensive military equipment in the new century.

The cost of a single ship reached 13 billion US dollars.

The cutting of the first steel plate was just completed last year.

"I have learned about it, it uses two nuclear reactors as the most energy core, with a tonnage of more than 110,000 tons, and can carry more than 80 of the most advanced fourth-generation fighters."

Although Eagle Sauce's Ford-class aircraft carrier has not yet been built, the relevant information has already been spread all over the world.

Han Zitao also learned a little.

"Then let's talk about the energy core first, the Ford-class uses high-temperature gas-cooled reactors, and the power of a single unit is about 210 megawatts."

Zhang Xingyang said more details that Han Zitao did not know.

"The power of the fourth-generation reactor we developed was 10 percent higher than that of the experimental reactor."

"The power of the official reactor will be more than 300 megawatts."

"And the Ford-class still uses steam-driven propulsion, and we plan to use all-electric propulsion."

"The propulsion power will be more than 200 megawatts."

Although Han Zitao didn't know what Zhang Xingyang and they did on the reactor, the power exceeded by such a large amount.

But it didn't prevent him from feeling happy.

As a captain who already has a lot of experience.

He understands better than anyone that more power means more speed.

On the surface of the sea, speed can sometimes determine a lot of things.

Whether it's seeking the enemy, fighting, or even escaping, speed is inseparable.

"Dean Zhang, do you think our second aircraft carrier will be a 100,000-ton aircraft carrier?"

Han Zitao said as he looked at the huge construction scene in front of him.

Zhang Xingyang really didn't know about this.

If it is according to the normal historical context, then the first three aircraft carriers will not have 100,000 tons.

Because there is not much relevant experience in China at present.

With such a big step at once, everyone is afraid that something will go wrong.

Normally, the first domestic aircraft carrier will be an aircraft carrier of the same class as the Varyag.

The second aircraft carrier will be further increased to 80,000 tons.

The third ship will be closer to 100,000 tons.

"I don't know about this question, it may or may not be."

Zhang Xingyang rarely gave an uncertain answer.

"For me, I also want to directly get 100,000 tons in one step."

"However, this is not realistic." (End of chapter)