Methodology for the design of a heat removal system for
nuclear powered surface ships
Proposal for a project for Master’s in Mechanical Engineering
Author: Scott Misiaszek
Advisor: Dr. Ernesto Gutierrez-Miravete
Abstract
Heat removal for nuclear powered ships is required for ships to function properly
and efficiently. Nuclear powered surface ships generate large amounts of heat, which
mainly comes from components, electrical systems, and the reactor core. Many factors
are taken into account to design a cooling system to remove the proper amount of heat,
while remaining within the design limits of operation. The methodology proposed for
this engineering project will evaluate the steps, calculations, and considerations taken
into account when designing a cooling system for a nuclear powered surface ship. A real
world situation will then be evaluated using the previously mentioned methodology to
show the real world applicability in systems engineering.
Introduction / Background
On a nuclear powered surface ship, numerous components including pumps, motors,
and electronics, produce great quantities of heat during use. To operate properly, this
heat must be removed or the components could overheat and malfunction. These
malfunctions could cause catastrophic damage to the ship and could be a risk to the
personnel aboard and the environment at large.
The most commonly used medium for heat removal is water. For nuclear powered
ships this medium is obviously readily available in the form of sea water. Most ships use
fresh water to seawater heat removal systems. The fresh water to seawater heat removal
system is meant to reduce the amount of contact of seawater with piping and components
of the ship. This is because of the corrosive and fouling properties of seawater on piping
and components, and the increase risk of system failure from it.
The design of these systems can be complex with many factors taken into account,
ranging from fluid flows to material selection. Assumptions shall be made and limits will
be set, to set the scope of this design.
Problem Description
System design is complex and far reaching, however there is not much in the way of
resources devoted to specific systems design. There are high-level process maps which
show the process of systems design. These maps are general and apply to any system
design, including database systems, mechanical systems, and numerous others. There is
no specific methodology to design a heat removal system, which would be more useful
than a generalized process map with a lack of focus on any specific discipline.
This project will present the methodology for designing a fresh water to seawater heat
removal system for a nuclear powered surface ship.
Numerous calculations and analyses, including fluid flow, heat and mass transfer, and
other engineering principles, will be used to demonstrate the decision making process
during the design process.
Methodology / Approach
Assumptions and limits will be used to set the boundaries of the heat removal system.
Design and engineering principles will be used to proceed, step by step, through the
methodology of the design of the system.
Excel will be used to perform and compile the thermodynamic and mass transfer
calculations into easy to use spreadsheets. Process Model will be used to map the process
visually to show the complexity and decision points in the process. This all can then be
converted into a webpage to allow for an interactive tool.
Resources
Excel
Process Model
Crane Manual
Thermodynamic Text Books
Mass/Energy Transfer Books
Internet Resources
System Design Text Books
Expected Outcomes
Creation of a methodology for the design of a heat removal system for a nuclear
powered surface ship, and the evaluation of a real world example to be implemented
using an Excel spreadsheet tool to show its usefulness in industry. This paper will
provide inexperience persons the roadmap to design a heat removal system with little to
no guidance from a more experienced person. The methodology, Excel spreadsheet tool,
and process maps will all be compiled into an interactive webpage for ease of use.
Project Time Line
Action
Project Proposal Draft
Inventory of Systems to
be Considered
Set Control Ranges
First Progress Report
Heat Balance/Fluid Flow
Design Guidelines
Second Progress Report
Overall System (Excel)
User Interface (Webpage)
Final Draft
Final Report
Start Date
9/9/2010
Completion
Date
9/30/2010
9/30/2010
10/7/2010
9/30/2010
10/14/2010
10/28/2010
10/21/2010
11/11/2010
11/25/2010
11/11/2010
12/2/2010
10/7/2010
10/14/2010
10/21/2010
10/28/2010
11/11/2010
11/11/2010
11/25/2010
12/9/2010
12/2/2010
12/16/2010
References
Blanchard, Benjamin S. System Engineering Management. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley,
2004. Print.
Faulconbridge, R. Ian., and M. J. Ryan. Managing Complex Technical Projects: a
Systems Engineering Approach. Boston: Artech House, 2003. Print.
Glasstone, S., and A. Sesonske. Nuclear Reactor Engineering. Vol. 1. Reactor Design
Basics. New York, NY: Chapman and Hall, 1994. Print.
Glasstone, S., and A. Sesonske. Nuclear Reactor Engineering. Vol. 2. Reactor
Systems Engineering. New York, NY: Chapman and Hall, 1994. Print.
Kossiakoff, Alexander, and William N. Sweet. Systems Engineering: Principles and
Practices. New York: J. Wiley, 2003. Print.
Martin, J. N. Systems Engineering Guidebook: a Process for Developing Systems and
Products. Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC, 1996. Print.
ITER Joint Central Team, “ITER Heat Removal System: System & Process Control
Design”, December, 2008
Corsini, Dubs, Sigg, Wagner, “Heat Removal System: Final Update of Concept and
Detail Design, Dimensional and Functional Issues”
Mullet, Steven, “Secondary Coolant System Design and Decay Heat Removal of the
Heat Pipe-Encapsulated Nuclear Heat Source Reactor”
“Cooling Power Plants”, http://www.worldnuclear.org/info/cooling_power_plants_inf121.html
“Nuclear Propulsion”, http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/eng/reactor.html
“Nuclear Powered Ships”, http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf34.html
“Iter Heat Removal System: System & Process Control Design”, http://wwwferp.ucsd.edu/raffray/publications/SOFT/SOFT_98_Hoshi.pdf
“Is the Cooling of Power Plants a Constraint on the Future of Nuclear Power?”,
http://www.world-nuclear.org/uploadedFiles/org/reference/pdf/PS-cooling.pdf
“Ship Design Tools Roadmap”,
http://www.nsrp.org/Ship_Production_Panels/Ship_Production/downloads/121008_Ship_
Design_Tools-Roadmap_Doerry.pdf
“Handbook of Industrial Water Treatment”, http://www.gewater.com/handbook/index.jsp
“Practical Heat Transfer”, http://dl.begellhouse.com/ebooks/b6c74ac312b3b85ea492/chapter-10-cooling-water-systems.html