3 ms·
The power numbers are a bit confusing. It is stated that the sub is powered by two 380MW nuclear reactors. It almost doesn't make sense that a submarine can out
by MisterTea 7y ago
The power numbers are a bit confusing. It is stated that the sub is powered by two 380MW nuclear reactors. It almost doesn't make sense that a submarine can output as much power as a large power station. Though, the reactors power appears to be thermal and not electrical.
At 746 watts to a horsepower 760MW is pretty much 1,000,000 horsepower. But the stated shaft horsepower (shp) driving the props is given at 80,000 shp which is a 1/10th the output of each reactor. Granted there are losses and the rest of the ship needs power but not 90%.
- johnm1019 7y agoReactors are often quoted in MW-thermal vs. MWe (electric). They also mention there are 2 steam turbines. Here's my analysis. 2x 380MWt. They have two for redundancy. Then 1x 380MWt, assume 33% conversion efficiency => 125MWe. 80k SHP implies after losses, guess 85% conversion efficiency, 80k/0.85 HP to MWe ~= 70MWe. Which leaves 55MWe left over. That's still a lot of power, but it puts this closer to realistic I think.