Chapter 410: A tall, high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor

“Hey, why are so many people here?” When Qin Tao returned to the third design office, he was surprised to find that there were more people.

Among them, the fat old man with white hair looked so familiar. He thought for a moment, and then asked tentatively: "Mr. Zhao?"

Hearing his name being called out by Qin Tao, Mr. Zhao showed a smile on his face: "They say Mr. Qin is well-informed, and now he finally understands it. The first time we met, he was recognized. Mr. Qin, Just call me Lao Zhao from now on."

Of course Qin Tao can't agree. The old man in front of him is the person in charge of the nuclear reactor of the first-generation domestic nuclear submarine!

At that time, China was very poor and had no commercial nuclear power plants. Nuclear reactors were just getting started. At this time, it was very difficult to develop an advanced nuclear submarine power system.

However, no matter what difficulties there are, it cannot be troubled by domestic scientific and technological personnel. They persist in working under harsh conditions, even in the third-line construction. For twenty years, the motherland's first-generation nuclear submarine was destroyed in this way. from.

Furthermore, relying on solid skills, the motherland’s nuclear submarines have not had any serious accidents. The nuclear reactor on land was successfully started once and then operated at full power. Years of hard work have yielded success.

However, compared with other submarines in the world, the nuclear reactors of domestic submarines are still very backward, noisy and low-power. Therefore, domestic scientific and technological personnel are also overcoming obstacles and constantly forging ahead to develop more advanced nuclear reactors.

 The first-generation nuclear reactor only had a power of 10 megawatts. After their efforts, the power was increased to 28 megawatts. It can be said that there has been rapid development.

However, if compared with Lao Maozi's VM-5 nuclear reactor, it is not worth mentioning. Their nuclear reactor can output 170 megawatts of power!

In the past, although they had heard of it, they had never seen it. Although they had attended many academic conferences together, Krasnopolski had never disclosed Lao Maozi's most advanced submarine nuclear reactor technology.

Until now, these old guys have decided to stay and design a new nuclear submarine, so this nuclear reactor technology has been developed.

After the report was given, countless people were shocked, and Mr. Zhao even brought people over personally.

“Mr. Zhao, when you come this time, do you plan to just come and take a look, or do you plan to stay and help? Our Mingzhou Group’s guest house can still accommodate everyone. If you can stay and work here, I am very welcome.”

Hearing Qin Tao's words, Mr. Zhao nodded: "Since Mr. Qin is so enthusiastic about staying, then we will stay. You will be responsible for food and accommodation, and we will work for free."

These people are all working in relevant domestic departments. They have a salary provided by the state. Moreover, they don’t care about how much money they earn, but they care more about their achievements at work.

 On the surface, I am staying to help, but in fact, I am staying to learn!

What is the structure and principle of this nuclear reactor, which is more than ten times more powerful than our own? How to ensure safety, etc., these all need to be studied and mastered during their studies.

Seeing Mr. Zhao nodding, Qin Tao was very satisfied: "Okay, then you can get to work, Krasnopolski! The new force is here! The progress of our nuclear reactor research and development can be accelerated!"

Of course, Krasnopolski would not object to the joining of these people. Even with the help of computers, he would still need a large number of manpower. Most of the people in front of him had met him before and had known each other during previous meetings. He is engaged in nuclear reactors, and he is very happy to accept the arrival of these people.

“Mr. Krasnopolsky, I don’t understand the design of the operating system of this control rod.” Soon, Mr. Zhao raised a question.

 Nuclear reactors sound very grand, but in fact the principle is very simple.

In order to facilitate use in submarines, most reactors are graphite reactors, which use graphite blocks as the main body of the reactor. There are cylindrical horizontal and vertical reserved holes on the graphite blocks.

Generally speaking, uranium rods are inserted horizontally, and cadmium rods are inserted vertically.

The uranium rod is used for burning. It continuously releases neutrons. Using graphite as a moderator, it turns fast neutrons into slow neutrons and drives them into other uranium nuclei. The uranium nuclei will split and emit more neutrons. neutrons, releasing energy at the same time.

If it is not controlled, the splitting of a uranium nucleus will release several neutrons. If this continues, more and more uranium nuclei will participate in the fission reaction. If this continues, all the uranium nuclei will be destroyed in a short period of time. If it breaks into pieces, it becomes a nucleation and explodes. (Limited by the uranium concentration of the nuclear reactor, there will be no nuclear explosion, but the heat will definitely soar.)

 At this time, the cadmium rod as a control rod will come into play.

Cadmium rods can absorb neutrons. The more they are inserted, the more they will be absorbed, and the operation of the reactor will slow down. If a part of it is withdrawn, the reactor will speed up. If it is fully withdrawn, the nuclear reactor will heat up rapidly.

 So, in the operation of a nuclear reactor, the control rod must be able to be inserted and removed at any time as needed.

"This design originated from an accident." Krasnopolsky said: "At that time, there was a fire in the submarine and it had to be shut down quickly. However, the electrical system failed and could not be fully inserted. Therefore, someone had to enter above the reactor. It was operated manually, and as a result, the accident resulted in the death of an engineer soldier."

Lao Maozi has always been very radical in the research and development of nuclear submarines. In order to make the submarines have excellent performance, they will use a lot of immature technologies. As a result, submariners will always face threats.

 The famous K-19 became a widow maker because of this.

"In addition to the problems with the control system, these control rods will expand slightly when their life span is approaching, which will also cause insertion difficulties. Therefore, we must increase the power of the electric drive system enough." Krasnopols Key explained: "At the same time, because the submarine may flip over in the event of an accident, the control rod may not be aligned with the insertion position, or even fall off the reactor, so we must retain the manual control system."

 For the control system of a nuclear reactor, there must be enough system redundancy. It is not used in normal times, but once danger occurs, even if the lives of one or two submariners are sacrificed, more lives must be saved.

 This is a multiple-choice question left to every submarine captain. If they make the wrong choice, they are not a qualified submarine captain.

Mr. Zhao nodded, and then said: "Then, can we add a hydraulic system backup to it, so as to act as a double insurance?"

Hydraulic system backup? Krasnopolski's eyes lit up: "Do you have a corresponding plan?"

“Yes, considering the possibility of electrical system failure, we use a hydraulic control scheme. In this way, even if the entire ship loses power, the remaining pressure within the hydraulic system can still be used to perform shutdown operations.”

Seeing that Krasnopolski followed his advice, Mr. Zhao continued: "You have noticed the problem of the submarine flipping out of control and being unable to align the insertion position. In fact, there is another extreme situation. If the submarine flips completely , that is, if the boat body is turned upside down, all the control rods may fall off, so a special locking mechanism is needed.”

The 091 nuclear submarine has low power and a lot of noise. These are weaknesses, but it does one aspect well, that is safety. This submarine has never had any safety problems during operation!

Now, many ideas can be used to improve the nuclear reactor in front of us, so as to make it safer. Combined with its high power advantage, it will be an advanced power for modern submarines in the future.

 Qin Tao was completely speechless.

When all the technical issues were finished, Qin Tao said: "I heard that the university in the capital is already working on a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor. This kind of reactor is very safe. Can it be used on our submarines?"

Speaking of domestic development of nuclear reactors, we have to improve the temperature of gas-cooled nuclear reactors. This kind of reactor still uses graphite as the moderator, but it no longer uses water for cooling, but uses gaseous helium as the coolant. The temperature of the helium Up to about 800 degrees.

The biggest feature of this kind of nuclear reactor is safety. In July 2005, the university carried out Taylor's experiment on the 10-MW high-temperature gas-cooled experimental reactor in which all control rods were withdrawn and superimposed without emergency shutdown. If it were other nuclear reactors, Once all the control rods are withdrawn, the core of the nuclear reactor will melt and it will become a vicious accident.

 However, the high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor was unscathed.

This experiment is also the first of its kind in the world, which marks that China is at the world's advanced level in nuclear energy research and development. After the safety of this 10-megawatt nuclear reactor was verified, the country began to build a 200-megawatt industrial reactor and successfully connected it to the grid to generate electricity.

At that time, Professor Andrew Kadak, former president of the American Nuclear Society and professor of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, arrived at the site and visited the high-temperature gas-cooled reactor demonstration project under construction and sighed: "China is undoubtedly the leader in the global high-temperature gas-cooled reactor. And China will continue to lead the world for a long time to come."

Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station still has to use foreign technology. In later generations, domestic nuclear power technology will lead the world. This is a tribute to many nuclear power workers.

 For a time, all kinds of news were flying all over the sky, saying how powerful the domestic advanced nuclear submarines were, all using high-temperature gas-cooled reactors.

At this time, after hearing Qin Tao's words, Krasnopolski glanced at him: "Mr. Qin, I have participated in relevant meetings and know that you are making rapid progress in this area. Currently, the universities in the capital are We are preparing to build a 10-megawatt test reactor, do you know its size?"

Qin Tao shook his head.

“Then I can tell you that its height is 11 meters. If it is expanded to 170 megawatts of power, even if multiple furnaces are connected in parallel, the height will be about 40 meters.”

Qin Tao smiled, not to mention nuclear submarines, not even nuclear-powered aircraft carriers can fit in!

High temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor belongs to the fourth generation nuclear reactor. It is characterized by very good safety. Its disadvantages are low power density and very large size!

 So, to say that this thing can be used on nuclear submarines is just news from a third-rate tabloid.

But...you can fool people!

  Recently, some people are very enthusiastic about China's nuclear submarine technology. They want to get the submarine technology no matter how much it costs. They even go to various steel mills to buy high-performance steel, and would rather be deceived.

Qin Tao can’t stand it, so he might as well announce it openly!

 A few days later, a familiar figure appeared on the TV.

"I'm very happy today. I can sit here and host the program for everyone." Zhang Zhong on the TV was very happy: "In the past, I always appeared in front of the audience as a guest. Today , as a host, the program I host is called Zhang Zhongshuo Series, for example, it talks about tanks, aircraft, warships, and aircraft carriers. Of course, the first thing we want to talk about is submarines, so now our program The name is Zhang Zhongshuo submarine."

Zhang Zhong is very happy. He has played an important role in this field. At the same time, he has also gained a large number of fans. It can be said that he is already a leader in this industry. Now Zhang Zhong is very confident about his ability. I personally hosted the show and was very satisfied.

"Of course, I can't do it alone. Today, we specially invited the leader in my country's nuclear reactor industry, now President Wang of ** University, to tell us about the advanced fourth-generation nuclear reactor. "

The camera turned to Principal Wang, with a smile on his face: "Hello everyone, I am very happy to be able to sit here and talk about nuclear reactors with you. We know that nuclear power technology is a great initiative for mankind to use nuclear energy peacefully. However, in a few years, During the ten years of use, nuclear power technology has also experienced some vicious accidents. For example, a nuclear power plant core in the United States melted down, and the Red Empire also learned the painful lesson of Chernobyl. However, humans will not be affected by this. We stopped moving forward and even talked about nuclear discoloration. These accidents have prompted us to research safer and more environmentally friendly nuclear reactors."

“So, Principal Wang, is there such advanced nuclear reactor technology now?”

“Yes, this is a high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor. Its biggest feature is safety. No matter what accident occurs, this kind of nuclear reactor will shut down safely.”

“Then tell us the audience.”

  The slideshow appeared on the screen, and Principal Wang's voice came.

"Previous nuclear reactors burned uranium rods. After they were used up, they needed to be replaced, which took a lot of time and faced the risk of nuclear radiation. Our current nuclear reactors burn spherical nuclear materials. It’s just like briquettes. If there’s not enough for burning, you can add it at any time.”

“Principal Wang, how big are these briquettes?”

“The diameter of the fuel ball is about 60 millimeters, which is similar to the size of a tennis ball. The outer layer of the fuel ball is graphite, and the middle layer is filled with fissile material.”

 In the room, Qin Tao looked at Zhang Zhong who was explaining excitedly and was very satisfied.

“Zhang Zhong’s performance is really great.” Qin Tao said with emotion: “He is that kind of natural speaker.”

"Yes, no matter what he says, the audience will believe it, and the intelligence systems of other countries are also paying attention to him." Xu Zhengyang continued.

There were only the two of them in the room. After all, everyone else was busy working. They would not come back until eleven or twelve in the evening.

 “Okay, it’s out!” Qin Tao looked at the screen excitedly.

At this time, a design drawing of a submarine appeared in the PPT. The nuclear reactor at the tail of the submarine was exactly the same as the first slide that was just released.

"This is the application model of our high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactor. We are currently building a 10-megawatt test reactor. Its power is the same as that of our current nuclear submarines. Therefore, it can be transplanted to nuclear submarines. At the same time, , we can also increase its power.”

“Principal Wang, there are many types of nuclear submarine reactors, right?”

"Yes, the Western world, led by the United States, has been using pressurized water reactors for a long time. This method is the safest, but its performance is not advanced enough, and it is a middle-of-the-road approach. Lao Maozi is more radical. He once developed a liquid metal reactor, which allowed The submarine reached a speed of more than 40 knots underwater. Even Western torpedoes could not catch up. It was simply the MiG-25 in seawater. However, these technologies were lagging behind. In the future, submarine nuclear reactors must be high-temperature gas-cooled reactors. , this is the fourth generation nuclear reactor. It is inevitable for the development of nuclear reactor technology."

“Mr. Qin, do you think if we speak openly, will we bring others into trouble?”

“I don’t know, but we have to deceive. Those that are under development will be kept highly confidential. Those that are not in the research and development sequence, we will publicize them with great fanfare. This is what our strategic deception bureau must do.”

Strategic Deception Bureau? Xu Zhengyang was extremely confused. There is no such department in our country, right?

“Now, that batch of steel has almost been transported, right? Next, there will be another **** storm!”

 Maple Leaf Country, a metal laboratory.

"Mingzhou Group is the most powerful heavy industry group in the East. Their steel plant is also very powerful. They are the second in the world to produce Yinwa steel. Therefore, it is normal for them to be able to make high-strength steel." Lesk With a smile on his face: "You go to other steel plants and get nothing. That's normal. After all, other steel plants are state-owned."

Leske was clearly here to show off. After all, he was the only one who successfully brought back ten tons of steel. It is said that the yield strength is as high as two thousand MPa. This thing is beyond everyone's knowledge.

 His success is in sharp contrast to others who have achieved nothing.

His comfort seems to be of good intention, but in fact, it is clearly just showing off.

 Of course the guys are not convinced.

 But there is no other way.

“Now, let’s test it.” Thomas, the person in charge of this operation, said: “Let’s see how strong the steel we bought for fifty million US dollars is.”

Although many metal experts in China doubted that two-gigabar steel could not exist at all, their sonar was unmistakable. The other party had indeed dived into a depth of 600 meters. Only at this level Only with high-quality steel can we achieve such a deep dive. Ordinary steel would have been crushed to pieces long ago.

Now, they have to test it.

 “Test it.” Lesk replied, feeling full of confidence at this moment.

 So, the steel sample was placed on the testing machine.

 Hundred MPa, two hundred MPa, three hundred MPa...pop!

 The sample is discounted!

“Lesk, is this the 200 MPa high-strength steel you are talking about? Why is it only at the level of civil steel?”

“The quality of their batch of steel is unstable, and there are several scraps, which is understandable.” Lesk said: “Let’s change another piece and continue testing!”

 So, the second steel sample was clamped up.

 The luck shouldn’t be so bad, right?

Perhaps this is the kind of advanced steel that can reach two thousand megapascals?

 Testing begins again.

 One hundred, two hundred, three hundred, four hundred... Watching the numbers soaring, Leske's heart gradually relaxed.

 However, when it was just over 400, there was another sound, and the sample also broke!

 As for the marking of steel products, conscientious companies all set low standards, as is the case with Mingzhou Steel Plant.

Marked 200 MPa, then the lowest piece can be 250 MPa, the best one can be 300 MPa, and the extreme one can be 400 MPa.

The piece in front of me is definitely the best, but it is still far from high-strength steel!

"Leske, have you been deceived by others? That Mr. Qin is said to be very good at deceiving others."

"How is it possible? I have been doing foreign trade for so many years. There is no way I can be cheated and get a new one!"

Although he insisted on his words, Lesk was already panicking in his heart.

 Can’t make any more mistakes!

　　Disassembly of the new steel material, Leske looked at the bright color on it, should it be okay now?

Who knew, after going up there, it would break after more than 200 years!

Leske's face turned completely dark.

Thomas’ face was also ugly: “Leske, you spent fifty million dollars on us, and this is what you bought?”

"No, no, there must be something wrong with this!" Lesk said: "We will replace them with new ones. The quality of these is unstable, but we can always find good ones!"

 One batch after another.

All the steel plates have been dismantled, and the best piece only has a yield strength of more than 400 MPa, which cannot meet the requirement of 2,000 MPa!

"Leske, you have been deceived." Thomas also concluded: "Your Irving Shipyard will bear part of this loss. This batch of steel is sold to you for 20 million, and there is still no problem in building the ship."

 “No, no, there must be something wrong with this, I’ve seen it tested with my own eyes!”

He clearly saw with his own eyes that the test came out with incredible numbers, but now, how could it be like this?

 “I’m going to make a phone call!”

 The phone cannot be reached.

How can it be so easy to get through a transoceanic phone call in this era?

 “I’ll go there myself!”

“The quality of the steel provided by the other party is not up to standard. You can go to the nationality court to sue them and make them pay the price!” A companion who was watching the excitement gave an idea.

Follow legal procedures?

Leske thought of what Qin Tao said at that time. The quality of this batch of steel materials ranged from high to low, so they could not guarantee that they would all meet the requirement of two thousand megapascals.

So, if it cannot be achieved, how much does it count as unachievable?

Fifteen hundred MPa has not been reached, nor has it reached 1,000 MPa. Neither has 500 MPa, nor has it reached 200 MPa.

Even if you sue for this contract, you may not be able to win!

 Furthermore, the key is the signing of the contract.

"Where's the contract?" The person in charge of Irving Shipyard looked at Lesk seriously.

Leske could only take out the contract.

"Damn, you can sign this kind of contract, and you still say that you are professional in trade? Also, what is going on with this China 250 Import and Export Company? Shouldn't it be signed by Mingzhou Group?"

PS: Thank you to book friends l599xl, Zhai Weilu, Nijiangzhicrucian and other friends for their rewards. Thank you to all book friends for subscribing and voting!

　　

 (End of this chapter)