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China’s Nuclear-Powered Containership: A Fluke Or The Future Of Shipping? (hackaday.com)

submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by WayeeCool@hexbear.net to c/chapotraphouse@hexbear.net

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Here the KUN-24AP container ship would be a massive departure with its molten salt reactor. Despite this seemingly odd choice, there are a number of reasons for this, including the inherent safety of an MSR, the ability to refuel continuously without shutting down the reactor, and a high burn-up rate, which means very little waste to be filtered out of the molten salt fuel. The roots for the ship’s reactor would appear to be found in China’s TMSR-LF program, with the TMSR-LF1 reactor having received its operating permit earlier in 2023. This is a fast neutron breeder, meaning that it can breed U-233 from thorium (Th-232) via neutron capture, allowing it to primarily run on much cheaper thorium rather than uranium fuel.

An additional benefit is the fuel and waste from such reactors is useless for nuclear weapons.

Another article with interviews: https://gcaptain.com/nuclear-powered-24000-teu-containership-china/

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[-] zifnab25@hexbear.net 35 points 10 months ago

I'd say this is a real shot across the bow for Australia, as it signals decoupling from the coal economy.

[-] iridaniotter@hexbear.net 30 points 10 months ago

Incidentally, Australia has huge reserves of uranium, so a nuclear economy would rely on them as well. Unless you're using breeder reactors and/or thorium reactors. some-controversy

[-] Redderthanmisty@lemmygrad.ml 25 points 10 months ago

This is a fast neutron breeder, meaning that it can breed U-233 from thorium (Th-232) via neutron capture, allowing it to primarily run on much cheaper thorium rather than uranium fuel.

Australia isn't looking so happy.

[-] zifnab25@hexbear.net 6 points 10 months ago

Learn this one neat trick to decouple yourself from the hated English post-colonial dregs.

Australians hate it.

[-] Tankiedesantski@hexbear.net 28 points 10 months ago

But modern container ships don't burn coal, they burn bunker fuel which is an oil product?

Australia's days are numbered either way with China moving towards renewables an nuclear at speed but I just don't see the connection here.

[-] DamarcusArt@lemmygrad.ml 17 points 10 months ago

Noo! Maybe if we just insult them a couple more times, insinuate they are inhuman oriental savages who should be grateful that our blessed white nation is willing to give them our wonderful coal, they'll change their minds.