A2W reactor
A2W reactor is the name for the nuclear reactor on the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) of the United States Navy , the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier . The abbreviation stands for:
- A = Aircraft Carrier
- 2 = second generation (A1W was the prototype from Idaho National Laboratory )
- W = Westinghouse was the main contract holder for the construction of the reactor.
The four drive units on the USS Enterprise each have two reactors with the designations 1A - 1B, 2A - 2B, 3A - 3B and 4A - 4B. Each propulsion unit can be operated with only one reactor, with most of the energy then being required for propulsion of the ship.
The reactors are pressurized water reactors that are operated with enriched uranium . Light water is used as a moderator and as a reactor coolant . The thermal power of the reactor is 150 MW.
Individual evidence
- ^ Norman Friedman: US submarines since 1945: an illustrated design history , p. 125 online
- ↑ A2W globalsecurity.org
swell
- Nuclear Propulsion Description Type A1W and A2W with sketches (English) accessed September 5, 2012