Japan wants to establish itself as the undisputed leader in hydrogen mobility, and it looks like the way is clear. The reason? Other countries have started to innovate in other ways, as in the unexpected case of Denmark. A group of engineers from a legendary company is planning to manufacture the first nuclear power engine as a solution to decarbonization. Will this be an unexpected replacement for fossil fuels? The experts are skeptical, and they have reasons for this.
Neither hydrogen nor ammonia: This could be the ultimate fuel for zero-emission mobility
Maersk, the second-biggest container ship operator in the world, has revealed engagement in what could be a pioneering research work to reveal the viability of nuclear power in the container shipping business. This decision defines a major inflection point in the maritime industry’s low-carbon transition and underlines the increasing attraction to nuclear power.
The basis of this idea is a fourth-generation nuclear power reactor, built expressly for use at sea. These advanced reactors are safe, efficient and ‘leaner’ than the first and second generations of nuclear power technology. Of course, you already know that this source is neither renewable nor clean, which is not a good idea, according to what we think.
Is there a risk of radiotoxicity? In reality, there are other hazards that they are working to minimize
Moreover, there are some key features that have engineers on edge:
- Compact Design: The power is also small and provided in a modular form, which means that it will not require large-scale alterations to be incorporated into a container ship.
- Enhanced Safety: Passive safety features are incorporated in fourth-generation reactors such that, in the event of an incident, the reactor power is shut down and cooled without any need for human action or external power supply.
- Fuel Efficiency: These reactors are being developed to use less nuclear fuel and, at the same time, generate large amounts of power needed for ships, thereby increasing the potential lifespans between refueling.
- Reduced Waste: Amalgam fuel cycles in these reactors enhance fuel utilization and lessen the amount of waste produced, besides also decreasing in its radiotoxicity.
- Scalability: The specific design of these reactors also entails more ease in the production process, mounting and even possible later modifications.
From 7 years without refueling, to a record speed: Why the Maersk nuclear power engine is shocking
While specific performance figures for the Maersk nuclear engine are not yet available, we can make some educated estimates based on existing nuclear propulsion systems and the potential of fourth-generation reactors:
- Power Output: It would not be an exaggeration if a colossal, large container ship needed propulsion energy ranging between 60 and 70 MW. A nuclear reactor for this application could be in the range of 100–150 MW of thermal power.
- Operational Range: Nuclear-powered vessels can steam for periods that may span over several years, without the need for re-fueling. For a container ship, this could mean an operating cycle of 5–7 years before having to refuel.
- Speed: Presumably, nuclear-powered container ships would have equivalent average power, to achieve a potential average speed greater than conventional container ships, possibly in a 25–30 knot area.
- Emissions: That aside, the most outstanding KPI would definitely be in the realm of emissions. Compared to the conventional marine engine, a nuclear-powered container ship can help slash several hundred thousand tons of CO2 emissions per year.
What could be the first Maersk nuclear power engine is one step away from being an experimental prototype. The fact that they are thinking about this fuel shows how ‘desperate’ (in our view) maritime mobility companies are, which account for the majority of goods transport on the planet, but still have no clear path to decarbonization. Hydrogen and ammonia, as you know, are other promising avenues, although progress is very slow.
