US Plans "Disposable" Nuclear Batteries

NewScientistTech ^ | 3-13-08 | Phil McKenna

[Tallguy]

Didn’t the Soviets play with Liquid-Sodium reactors on a sub or 2? I don’t think that they had a lot of success with it.

[Centurion2000]

bump

[Centurion2000]

Actually there was one of these platforms that used liquid lead as the heat conductor if I remember correctly. It was so automated that when the nuclear fuel ran down the lead would freeze in place and provide a solid lead shielding block that could be buried or extracted as needed.

[B-Chan]

So did we. USS SEAWOLF (SSN-575) had a liquid sodium moderated reactor at launch, but it never did work right, and later it was ripped out and replaced with the standard naval PWR (pressurized water reactor). This was back in the late ‘50s.

The Russian Alfa-class subs of the 1980s used molten lead for coolant!

[HangnJudge]

Another reference

http://www.ornl.gov/info/press_releases/get_press_release.cfm?ReleaseNumber=mr20080312-00

Making nuclear power an option for developing countries is of great importance, Ingersoll said, because their energy demand will be met regardless of whether they use nuclear energy. By using nuclear energy, countries can offset negative consequences -- such as higher prices caused by increased demand -- of expanded use of fossil fuels.