Re: submarines and Norm

["High Plains Drifter" <magna1@jps.net>]

Kent, the reason they may never be refueled, is the robust fuel elements,

unique geometry, and the fact they used highly enriched fuel.  Fifteen years

and they still have nearly half of their fuel left.  Also, because cost is

no problem, they can build and equip them with high integrity materials.

Also, try and build a steam generator with the same material processes and

specs the Navy uses, and see what it costs.  Steam generator chemistry, as

many, commercial PWRs found out is not just basic chemistry and periodic

evaluation.



Dean Chaney, CHP





----- Original Message -----

From: "Kent, Michael D." <Michael.Kent@nmcco.com>

To: <radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu>

Sent: Friday, April 12, 2002 9:12 PM

Subject: RE: submarines and Norm





> Another point is that the Navy does not have the same cost-benefit

problems

> that the civilian power plants have.  We could expend more money and

> manpower of monitoring, since we did not have to show a profit.  We could

> have more stringent requirements than those of the civilian world, and

would

> have the resources to meet them.

>

> >You obviously have not been in the Navy in the post cold war years.

There is considerable cost cutting going on.  Why do you think the 688 Sub

is now called the disposable sub?  Most 688's will never be refueled.  The

Navy is trimming the fat where-ever it can.  But the Navy still insists on

quality control, training, and zero tolerance for mistakes.  And oh, did I

mention training.  The nuclear power industry has a mentality that "anyone

can be trained to operate a nuclear reactor".  The Navy's approach is a bit

different.  The Navy tries to fail out 50%.

>



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