Chapter 322 Thorium-based molten salt fourth-generation reactor (there are two more chapters tonight)

Author: September Sauce

Chapter 322 Thorium-based molten salt fourth-generation reactor (there are two more chapters tonight)

Of course, what comes out of Chen Nian's hands will not be as simple as just replicating the 094A from the previous life.

In fact, he knows very well that although many people regard the 094A as China's strongest "Shadow Sword", if evaluated objectively, the performance of this type of nuclear submarine is only "adequate".

Yes, we can indeed rely on it to launch a strategic nuclear counterattack.

But beyond that?

Due to problems such as insufficient reactor power and backward hull design, some key indicators of Type 094 are still far behind the world's advanced level.

As for the Julang-2 type, it is limited by its range. If it wants to hit all of North America, the 094 needs to go at least to the east side of the Philippine Sea, which means it has to sail 3,500 kilometers eastward from Hainan Island to the first island chain.

You have to go left and right to reach the launch position.

This area is very close to the second island chain, and submarines are extremely easy to detect and attack.

Therefore, to make it truly "easy to use", it needs to be fully upgraded.

This is the true intention of Project 096.

What Chen Nian wants to do is to build a submarine that can crush all submarines currently active in the ocean and pose a substantial threat to North America.

Therefore, he made a comprehensive upgrade based on the 094A project, and even set extremely exaggerated project goals on certain technical parameters.

Extremely low noise is the most typical one - logically speaking, the natural noise of the ocean is close to 90 decibels. It is actually very difficult for a strategic nuclear submarine to be lower than this decibel.

Although it seems that the difference is only 5 decibels, from a pure "sound level" perspective, 5 decibels is more than twice the difference.

But that doesn't mean it can't be achieved.

In fact, there is still a chance to achieve the target of 85 decibels by relying on floating raft vibration reduction, silencer tiles, integrated electricity + shaftless pump, propeller fairing and other solutions.

——

Of course, we can't rely on the scientific researchers of the project team, Chen Niande will do it himself.

This is not because Chen Nian looks down on their abilities, it is simply because this series of technologies is too complex and cumbersome. If you start from scratch, it will consume too much time and will seriously affect the progress of the project.

Therefore, Chen Nian spent 26 source points to analyze all the technologies of this silencer system, and spent several days to output them.

Before colleagues in the technical team had time to worry about this outrageous goal, the document had already been sent to them.

The project has been launched successfully. At least they will not have nothing to do until the core problem of the small nuclear reactor is solved.

In the Chengdu office, Chen Nian held the latest feedback from the 096 project team in his hand and said to Chen Guo:

"Their requirements are really not high. The first batch of documents only gave some directional suggestions, and they were extremely satisfied. They even sent a letter to explain the future work arrangements."

"This actually made me feel a little ashamed - originally I wanted to let them dry out first so that they would not become dependent on Spark."

"Now it seems that I have a villainous heart."

Hearing Chen Nian's words, Chen Guo smiled and replied:

"There's nothing wrong with your idea. The cultivation of scientific research talents requires them to take the initiative to explore on their own. It's not enough to always rely on Spark to provide technology."

"What you want to play should be a cover-up role."

"If they can't handle it, or if they can't handle it within the time we require, you can just take action."

"Having said that, now that the silencer technology has been solved, how do you plan to solve the reactor problem?"

"The Nuclear Power Research Institute has already expressed its intention, but their technology is not good enough. If we want to start as soon as possible and produce results as soon as possible, you will probably need to get involved deeply."

Chen Nian frowned slightly. He really hadn't thought about this issue well.

Go ahead, your time will definitely be occupied and it will affect your investment in other technical fields.

Don't go. They really can't do it in a short time.

——

In the eyes of most people, as long as a country's "nuclear"-related technical departments should represent the highest level of domestic scientific research, they must be top-notch in terms of capabilities, resources, and efficiency.

but it is not the truth.

Due to the long-term blockade and the fact that there is no technical exchange between countries for this quarter-sensitive technology, Chinese researchers have no reference at all and can only cross the river by feeling the stones on their own.

In this case, slow development is almost inevitable.

Not to mention that the current technology of the Nuclear Power Research Institute is not good, even if we say this 10 years later, there will still be no problem.

After all, the current 094 still uses the third-generation pressurized water reactor removed from the 092, with a power of only 90 megawatts.

Ten years later, the 094A was modified, but the improved power reactor only had a power of 120 megawatts.

In comparison, the power of the Ohio-class nuclear power reactor is 260 megawatts, more than twice that of the 094.

To close this gap, how easy is it to rely solely on the strength of the Nuclear Power Research Institute?

Yes, ten years later, they did build the Linglong 1 reactor, but this reactor actually solved most of the "modular" problems.

To put it bluntly, what researchers have developed is a universal platform. This platform can be used in the field of commercial power generation, in the field of ships, and in the field of heavy oil extraction. It has a wide range of uses and strong applicability.

But the problem is that its power is not strong enough.

The power of only 125 megawatts is not much better than the third generation reactor of 094A.

If such a heap is used in the 096 project, instead of helping the entire project, it may actually be a drag.

After all, 125 megawatts and 280,000 horsepower are far from being able to propel a giant submarine with a displacement of more than 18,000 tons.

Thinking of this, Chen Nian said:

"I'd better intervene directly."

"From the current point of view, we are still too weak in the field of nuclear power."

"Although this is a sub-project that is slow to produce results and takes a long time to give back results, it is a step that must be taken no matter what."

"If we take this step well, it will be smoother for us to continue to build commercial reactors, small reactors, and even fusion reactors in the future."

Chen Guo nodded in agreement, this was also his idea.

For a long time in the past, the projects Chen Nian worked on were all highly application-oriented projects that produced short-term results—or, to be more precise, they were extreme fire-fighting projects.

Including fifth-generation aircraft, including aircraft carriers, missiles, high-speed rail, and large machinery. This is true.

All they point to are weak links that China urgently needs. Although they do play a role, they all have one thing in common:

It failed to fundamentally enhance China's underlying strength.

As the pattern of bipolar confrontation gradually takes shape, the key to determining victory or defeat will increasingly lean toward the underlying strength.

This contradiction must be resolved. Metallic hydrogen is a route, and nuclear power is also a route.

"Then I'll make arrangements with the institute - it's pretty good, they're all in Chengdu, at least I don't have to travel between places."

"Let them come to see you, or should you go to the institute to find them?"

Chen Nian hesitated for a moment and replied:

"I'll go find them tomorrow!"

At the same time, inside the Nuclear Power Research Institute.

Lu Qingzhou is conducting the third simulation test of the 216 nuclear submarine reactor onshore simulation reactor. His expression is solemn, and his eyes reveal a deep helplessness.

A comprehensive protection system for 216 piles is being tested. The testing process involves all modules of the protection system.

According to the technical design requirements, this test should not have encountered too many problems. After all, all functions have been simulated and verified.

But this is not the case.

Less than an hour after the test started, the test team had already detected more than ten abnormal feedbacks.

Abnormal data transmission between Reactor Protection System (RPS) and TXP interface, abnormal connection between RPS and AV42, interruption of connection between RPS and ATWT, abnormal activation of RPS trip reactor circuit breaker, frequent rod drop test conditions, and safety injection malfunctions

How to describe this RPS test?

Simply put, it was almost a disaster.

"Failed to achieve the expected results" is the lightest statement. More objectively speaking, this system should be said to be "completely unusable."

Looking at the results in front of him, Lu Qingzhou sighed deeply.

He turned to the researcher beside him and asked:

"Why are there so many problems? Is it a problem with the design parameters or is it a problem during the execution of the construction process?"

The researcher hesitated for a moment and replied:

"There are two reasons."

"Based on preliminary analysis, the sensitivity of the RPS system is too high and there are problems with the placement of each sensor, which resulted in excessive data traffic during the test and challenged the computing power of the central processor."

"Most of these malfunctions are caused by this reason."

"As for the abnormal connection problems in various aspects, it is because the process flow is not up to par."
To be continued...