Potential advantages of molten salt reactor for merchant ship propulsion

Operating costs of merchant ships, related to fuel costs, has led the naval industry search alternatives current technologies propulsion power. A possibility is employ nuclear reactors like Russian KLT-40S, which a pressurized water reactor (PWR) and experience on civilian surface vessels. However, space weight are critical factors in project, addition operational safety costs. This work aims at comparing molten salt (MSR) with PWR for ship propulsion. The present study develops qualitative analysis weight, volume, overnight safety. compares architecture conditions these two types reactors. result that MSR may produce lower amounts high-activity tailings and, if it adopts 233U-thorium cycle, have risks proliferating weapons. Besides proliferation issues, this 4th generation occupy less space, achieve same levels investment. Thus, regenerative using cycle potential candidates use