An early conceptual design and feasibility analysis of a nuclear-powered cargo vessel
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Authors
Beaver III, John L.
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
2009
Date
Jun-09
Publisher
Monterey California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
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.
Type
Thesis
Description
CIVINS (Civilian Institutions) Thesis document
Series/Report No
CIVINS (Civilian Institutions) Theses and Dissertations
Department
Naval Engineering and Nuclear Science and Engineering
Organization
CIVINS (Civilian Institutions)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, CIVINS program
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.