An Early Conceptual Design And Feasibility Analysis Of A Nuclear-Powered Cargo Vessel

Abstract

Economic globalization has resulted in the tremendous growth of worldwide trade. Much of this trade is carried out via the various waterways of the world. The bulk of these trade goods are transported by merchant ships that burn diesel fuel to propel them through the water. With the cost of crude oil rising to record highs, the cost of operating these ships has been skyrocketing as well, indicating the need for the development of alternative sources of propulsion power. This thesis focuses on the development of an early stage conceptual design for a nuclear-powered commercial cargo ship and the subsequent economic analysis of that ship in comparison with its conventionally-powered predecessor ship. In addition, this thesis will also analyze and propose solutions to the various non-technical issues that currently stand in the way of building and operating a nuclear-powered cargo vessel. The end result of this research shows that a nuclear-powered commercial cargo ship, while being technically feasible, is still economically inferior to a conventionally-powered cargo ship.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 08, 2009
Accession Number
ADA541066

Entities

People

  • John L. Beaver Iii

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Boats
  • Cargo Ships
  • Diesel Fuels
  • Economic Analysis
  • Economic Models
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Marine Transportation
  • Material Degradation Processes
  • Materials Science
  • Navy
  • Nuclear Energy
  • Nuclear Powered Ships
  • Nuclear Propulsion
  • Nuclear Reactors
  • Petroleum
  • Propulsion Systems

Readers

  • Economics
  • Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
  • Systems Analysis and Design