A big country of aerospace with black technology

"Lao Yuan, are the current generators ready for practical use?"

After the third successful trial operation of the molten salt reactor, Zhang Xingyang approached Yuan Bing and asked.

Yuan Bing shook his head: "There are still many problems."

“If we want to apply it on a large scale, the first thing we face is the cost issue.”

"Because a lot of new materials are used, the cost of a single generator is close to 120 million."

This number is indeed a bit expensive.

Because the current supercritical carbon dioxide generator power is not high, only 25MW.

The cost per kilowatt is 4,800 yuan.

The current cost per power of gas turbines is 1,600-2,000 yuan.

Supercritical carbon dioxide generators, if you want to truly gain advantages in cost performance.

Or more than double the power.

Or reduce the cost to less than 50 million.

“Which new materials are mainly used more often?”

Zhang Xingyang asked.

"High-strength alloy tubes for heat exchangers, and composite turbines for high-speed turbine generators."

Yuan Bing said with a little helplessness:

"This is just the cost price they gave, without making any money."

High-strength alloy tube is a material developed by Su Xiao and others before.

Because some rare metals are used, even if only the price of raw materials is calculated.

It is already a staggering number.

If you add Su Xiao's research and development costs, the price will at least double.

As for the composite turbine, the price is even better.

"If the cost cannot be reduced, is it possible for us to increase the power?"

Zhang Xingyang said after listening.

If the power can be increased to more than 50MW.

Then the unit power price will still drop to a reasonable range.

"We are trying to figure out a way in this regard. Currently, the fluid has reached a supercritical state and cannot be improved."

“We are envisioning further increasing the turbine speed.”

After Yuan Bing nodded, he expressed their recent thoughts.

Zhang Xingyang didn't give them many suggestions.

Now that they have their own ideas.

As long as it's not too outrageous, Zhang Xingyang still hopes to let them develop on their own.

"That's it. I'll be away for a while. If I have any questions, I'll contact the main people in charge first."

When preparing to end the conversation, Zhang Xingyang said:

"If you encounter something you can't solve on your own, give me a call."

The development of supercritical carbon dioxide generators is an unexpected surprise for Zhang Xingyang.

But it did not disrupt related research plans.

The construction of the nuclear-powered container ship still started as scheduled.

Jiangnan Shipyard took over this extremely important task.

This is also a way to accumulate certain experience in the construction of future nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.

"Professor Zhang, long time no see!"

As soon as they met, Vice President Yuan of the shipyard greeted him warmly.

The order for nuclear-powered container ships is also a rare and valuable order for Jiangnan Shipyard.

At this time, domestic shipyards have not yet seized the leading position in the industry.

The stick and footbath shipyards still control most of the large civilian shipbuilding business.

This order will not only bring considerable profits to the shipyard.

For Vice President Yuan, this is also a credit.

When promoted in the future, it will be a very dazzling resume.

"haven't seen you for a long time!"

Zhang Xingyang smiled and shook hands with Vice President Yuan.

"The last time we met was a year ago."

Zhang Xingyang has a good memory, and not a long time has passed.

"I was standing behind me at that time. It's hard for you to still remember."

Vice President Yuan said happily.

That was at the feasibility seminar on 240,000-ton ultra-large nuclear-powered container freighters.

Vice President Yuan attended with people from Jiangnan Shipyard.

But he was not the protagonist at that time, and few people noticed him.

"My memory is just a little better."

Zhang Xingyang said modestly.

"I heard that the construction of the container ship has started and the design plan has been reviewed?"

Although Zhang Xingyang did not specify which container ship.

However, everyone present could understand that what Zhang Xingyang was referring to was the 240,000-ton container ship that surpassed the current world's largest tonnage ship.

"The review of the drawings was just completed last month."

Vice President Yuan said proudly:

"If nothing happens, we will be able to cut the first steel plate next week!"

The container ship itself is not very difficult to design.

Jiangnan Shipyard also has a lot of experience in building large container ships.

But those containers are only about 100,000 tons.

Jiangnan Shipyard has no experience in building cargo ships of more than 200,000 tons.

Therefore, a lot of time was spent on the design.

Otherwise, just use the previous design plan and start work directly.

"Can you take us to see it?"

Zhang Xingyang put forward his request.

"Of course. I don't know if you want the electronic version or the paper version?"

Vice President Yuan asked.

Before coming, Zhang Xingyang had not seen the relevant drawings.

Because the Nuclear Research Institute and the outside world are physically disconnected.

This is also due to confidentiality considerations.

"Anything is fine, whichever is more convenient."

Zhang Xingyang said somewhat casually.

"Then let me show you the electronic version. There are too many paper drawings."

Vice President Yuan began to lead the way.

Container ships are designed to be able to stack several standard-size containers.

If Zhang Xingyang wanted to read the paper drawings, then just carrying these drawings would be exhausting.

Zhang Xingyang has no intention of reading all the design drawings.

I just looked at the design of the power part.

From the beginning of the design, it was decided that the ship would be nuclear powered.

Therefore, the design team still spent a lot of thought on related protection.

Near the power chamber is a 0.6-meter-thick lead plate, and the outer layer is a 0.5-meter-thick steel plate.

According to the design team, after multiple layers of protection, nuclear radiation can be effectively isolated.

Even if the reactor fails, a leak occurs.

Only the entire cabin needs to be sealed to effectively prevent leakage.

In fact, the safety of molten salt reactors is far beyond the imagination of the design team.

Even by cutting a hole directly into the reactor.

No serious leaks will occur either.

Because molten salt will quickly cool and solidify after contacting air.

Then seal the damaged area.

The outflowing liquid molten salt will not float everywhere with the steam like pressurized water reactors and boiling water reactors.

They also cool down quickly.

But the design team didn't know this.

Therefore, when designing, they were designed according to the current common pressurized water reactor standards.

Naturally, many designs appeared that Zhang Xingyang considered useless.

"Professor Zhang, are there any problems with the drawing design?"

Vice President Yuan, who was guarding Zhang Xingyang, looked nervously at Zhang Xingyang, who was reviewing the drawings with an expressionless face.

"no problem."

Zhang Xingyang's words made Vice President Yuan feel better instantly.

But within a few seconds, he hit rock bottom.

"But there is a problem with the power chamber."

Vice President Yuan asked in a confused mood: "What's the problem?"

"The design is too big, and our reactor is much smaller than that."

Zhang Xingyang talked about the problem while facing the drawings on the screen.

"The same is true for the power generation room. Our generator is probably less than one-fifth the size."

When designing, the design team followed the pressurized water reactor + steam turbine solution.

But in fact, they will use molten salt reactor + supercritical generator.

There is a big difference between the two.

Fortunately, this part does not change much to the structure of the entire ship.

They don't need to overhaul the entire design.

Just reduce the area of ​​the power room and power generation room.

It can even free up a lot of cabin space.

Vice President Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

It may be difficult to expand the cabin space.

But if you want to shrink it, it's too easy.

"Both of these are not difficult to solve. Are there any other problems?"

Vice President Yuan asked next.

"No, you did a good job." Zhang Xingyang shook his head and said.

Ship design is not Zhang Xingyang’s area of ​​expertise.

Compared to a ship adrift on the sea.

He is better at flying interstellar battleships in space.

It's a pity that there is no room for him to perform in this area in this era.

It's like a nuclear engineer traveling back in time to pre-industrial times.

His expertise was largely useless.

“How long will it take for these changes to be implemented?”

Zhang Xingyang asked immediately.

"About a week or two?"

Vice President Yuan first thought about the past design speed, and then said:

"But if we rush the work a little bit, it should be completed in six days."

Zhang Xingyang looked at the structural diagram on the screen and nodded calmly.

Seven days later, the newly completed design drawings were released.

During this period of time, Jiangnan Shipyard had already completed preparations for construction.

A large amount of raw materials and equipment are already on the slipway.

Just waiting to cut the first steel plate.

This day is not just for the employees of the shipyard, but also for people like Zhang Xingyang.

Navy personnel also came to the scene.

They also want to know about the world's largest cargo ship, which has been widely publicized in the media even before construction has begun.

The most important thing is to learn about the nuclear propulsion system used on the ship.

The Navy's first aircraft carrier has completed its transformation a few months ago.

It is still undergoing sea trials.

In the past few months, this aircraft carrier has also caused many problems.

First of all, in terms of power, the aircraft carrier's main engine uses four 149-megawatt steam turbines, which can provide 200,000 horsepower.

Although steam power has better stability, the aircraft carrier accelerates slowly.

It takes a long time to reach the top speed of 30 knots.

The auxiliary engines use 6 1500 kW diesel generators and 9 1500 kW turbine generators.

The cutting of the first steel plate was quickly completed, and the construction of the largest container ship in history officially began.

Navy representative Han Zitao was chatting quietly with Zhang Xingyang while troubleshooting:

"Director Zhang, can your nuclear reactor be used on warships?"

Han Zitao made a lot of achievements in fighting pirates in the Red Sea some time ago. After returning to China, he was immediately promoted to captain of the main battleship.

There are already rumors that he will soon serve as deputy captain of an aircraft carrier.

"We have just completed the development of the experimental reactor, and there is still some distance before it can be put on the ship."

Zhang Xingyang looked at the heated scene of steel plate processing in front of him and said:

"Just wait a little longer. By the time the first domestically produced aircraft carrier is built, it should be almost there."

Han Zitao recently added some knowledge about nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, "What level can it reach? Can it surpass Yingjiang's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier?"

Zhang Xingyang looked into the distance with a hint of contempt:

"It will be the most powerful nuclear propulsion system in the world."

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Xingyang decided to reveal a little bit about it to the Navy: "How much do you know about the Ford-class aircraft carrier that Yingjiang has just started building?"

The Ford-class aircraft carrier is the most expensive military equipment in the new century.

The cost of a single ship reaches 13 billion US dollars.

The cutting of the first steel plate was just completed last year.

"I have learned part of it. It uses two nuclear reactors as its energy core, with a tonnage of more than 110,000 tons, and can carry more than 80 of the most advanced fourth-generation fighter jets."

Although the construction of Yingjiang's Ford-class aircraft carrier has not yet been completed, relevant information has already been spread all over the world.

Han Zitao also knew something about it.

"Then let's talk about the energy core first. The Ford-class uses a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor, with a single power of about 210 megawatts."

Zhang Xingyang told more details that Han Zitao didn't know.

"The power of the experimental reactor of the fourth-generation reactor we developed is ten percent higher than it."

"The official reactor power will be above 300 megawatts."

"And the Ford-class still uses steam-driven thrusters, but we plan to use all-electric propulsion."

"The propulsion power will be above 200 megawatts."

Although Han Zitao didn't know what Zhang Xingyang and the others did to the reactor to increase the power by such a large amount.

But that didn't stop him from feeling happy.

As a captain who already has rich experience.

He understands better than anyone that more power means faster speed.

On the sea, speed can sometimes determine a lot of things.

Whether it is tracking the enemy, fighting, or even escaping, speed is inseparable.

"Dean Zhang, do you think our second aircraft carrier will be a 100,000-ton aircraft carrier?"

Han Zitao said while looking at the huge construction scene in front of him.

Zhang Xingyang really didn't know about this.

If we follow the normal historical context, then the first three aircraft carriers will not have 100,000 tons.

Because there is currently not much relevant experience in the country.

Taking such a big step all at once, everyone is afraid of problems.

Normally, the first domestically produced aircraft carrier will be of the same level as the Varyag.

The second aircraft carrier will further increase the capacity to 80,000 tons.

Only the third ship will approach 100,000 tons.

"I don't know about this question. It may be the case, or it may not be."

Zhang Xingyang rarely gave an uncertain answer.

"For me, I also want to reach 100,000 tons in one step."

"However, this is not realistic." (End of chapter)