The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Nuclear Ship Savannah, First Atomic
Merchant Ship, by Anonymous
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of
the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
Title: The Nuclear Ship Savannah, First Atomic Merchant Ship
Author: Anonymous
Release Date: October 30, 2020 [EBook #63584]
Language: English
Character set encoding: UTF-8
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NUCLEAR SHIP SAVANNAH ***
Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at
https://www.pgdp.net
the
nuclear ship
SAVANNAH
_first atomic merchant ship_
one of the world’s
SAFEST
ships
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Frederick H. Mueller, _Secretary_
MARITIME ADMINISTRATION
Ralph E. Wilson, _Chairman_, Federal Maritime Board
and _Maritime Administrator_
ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION
John A. McCone, _Chairman_
[Illustration: Multiple advanced electronic and mechanical safety
devices guard this “atomic heart.”]
CONTROL ROD DRIVE MOTORS
HYDRAULIC SCRAM CYLINDERS
DRIVE LINE LEAD SCREW SECTION
BUFFER SEAL ENCLOSURE
BORON STEEL CONTROL RODS
PRESSURE VESSEL
OUTLET NOZZLE
REACTOR CORE
THERMAL SHIELD
FUEL ELEMENTS
FLOW BAFFLE
SUPPORT RING
INLET NOZZLE
PRESSURIZED WATER REACTOR
The N.S. SAVANNAH, the first nuclear-powered cargo-passenger ship, is
one of the safest seagoing craft in the world.
This is the result of careful and deliberate planning.
Every appropriate safety device, factor, and technique were sought in
the design and planning stage, and the ship’s construction has probably
been more closely and intensively inspected, tested, and scrutinized
than that of any other merchant ship ever built.
SAFETY POLICY BASIC
The Declaration of Policy of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 calls upon
the Maritime Administration for the promotion and maintenance of an
American Merchant Marine for trade and defense “composed of the best
equipped, safest, and most suitable types of vessels.”
The Atomic Energy Commission is engaged in the N.S. SAVANNAH project as
a part of its responsibility under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 “to
encourage widespread participation in the development and utilization of
atomic energy for peaceful purposes to the maximum extent consistent
with the common defense and security and with the health and safety of
the public.” The Commission has the responsibility of providing a safely
operable nuclear power plant for the vessel; instructions and
regulations for the disposition of wastes; the use, handling, and
disposal of source, special nuclear, and by-product material; and the
health and safety aspects associated with these responsibilities.
Ship safety ashore, abroad, on the high seas, and in port is of major
interest to the Maritime Administration, the Atomic Energy Commission,
the U.S. Coast Guard, the Public Health Service, and such private
agencies as the American Bureau of Shipping.
The N.S. SAVANNAH is constructed to meet or surpass every standard set
by all of these responsible agencies and will have a substantial
built-in safety margin in excess of the most stringent requirements of
applicable standards, which are among the highest in the world. Where
there were no existing standards every precaution in keeping with sound
judgment and engineering experience has been applied in the construction
and safety considerations of the ship.
_The N.S. Savannah Is a Safe Ship_
The reputation of American industry and the integrity of the Government
of the United States stand behind this statement.
Following is a detailed listing of the factors that make the N.S.
SAVANNAH so safe:
SAFETY FACTORS
As the world’s first commercial, nonstationary type of nuclear power
plant, the SAVANNAH’s design and construction have resulted in a vessel
with an unprecedented degree of safety. Basically, the safety
considerations concern two separate but closely inter-related factors:
(1) The hull and interior structure surpass the highest standards of
safety, both in the conventional marine sense and in the light of the
additional factors created by the installation of a nuclear propulsion
plant; and
(2) The nuclear propulsion system creates no more hazard to the crew and
passengers, and other ships in a busy port, than any modern conventional
steam propulsion system—actually, in the light of safety factors,
included because of its prototype nature, the N.S. SAVANNAH is as safe
as, and in some respects safer than, a steam-powered vessel that burns
coal or oil.
The basic difference in safety between a nuclear-powered ship and a
conventionally powered ship involves radioactivity which results from
the fission process. Provision has been made to control this
radioactivity on the SAVANNAH under all foreseeable conditions. This
control is accomplished through the following design and operational
features:
HULL AND INTERIOR STRUCTURE
In general, the following safety requirements were used by the
SAVANNAH’s architects, George G. Sharp, Inc., in the design of the ship:
(1) The ship is as safe as, or safer than, any other vessel of its class
with regard to the usual “hazards of the sea”; and
(2) In no credible accident can there be any hazardous release of
radioactivity to the surroundings.
The SAVANNAH is designed to a two-compartment standard of subdivision
(i.e., the ship will remain afloat with two main compartments totally
flooded) at a draft of 29 feet, 6 inches. The ship complies with all the
applicable laws of the United States and requirements of the regulatory
bodies and rules in force as to standards of safety.
Structurally, the SAVANNAH differs from conventional passenger-cargo
ships only in that the reactor and containment foundations are
comparatively much heavier than the foundations for normal ship’s
machinery. The heavy longitudinal members are carried well beyond the
reactor space bulkheads to tie with a smooth transition into the
double-bottom structure.
Stability equivalent to that of a conventional passenger-cargo ship with
fuel oil tanks full has been obtained in the SAVANNAH. In addition,
because there is no fuel oil to be consumed in passage, there is less
variation in the stability of the ship during the course of a long
voyage.
VITAL COMPONENTS DUPLICATED
From the standpoint of ship safety, assurance of sufficient power to
maintain steerage and maneuverability is the principal requirement of
the propulsion plant. To this end, duplication of machinery and power
sources on the SAVANNAH has been carried to the fullest practicable
degree. An electric “take-home” motor is installed for emergency
operation. Developing 750 hp (nominal), it is coupled to one of the
high-speed pinions in the reduction gear. A quick-connect coupling
permits engagement in less than 2 minutes. In addition, a temporary
supplementary startup steam plant is installed in No. 7 hold. This plant
is capable of developing 2,000 shp ahead and about 1,750 shp astern,
using the main propulsion unit; in emergencies this steam plant may be
used in lieu of the take-home motor. Using forced circulation boilers,
it can, like the take-home motor, be brought on the line in about 2
minutes. In case of a reactor plant failure, the stored heat in the
reactor system will be available during the interim period, so that at
no time will the SAVANNAH be without power to the shaft.
From the standpoint of conventional ship operation, the SAVANNAH is
designed and constructed to the highest degree of operational safety.
Reactor safety is ensured by the heavy steel containment shell
surrounding the reactor system. This shell is designed to withstand the
pressure surge from the hypothetical example, “maximum credible
accident,” used in nuclear reactor analysis. Thus, any internal accident
will be contained within the reactor containment shell and no hazardous
amount of radioactivity can escape to the environment.
Protection of the containment complex from ship accidents was studied in
detail in establishing the SAVANNAH’s design criteria. In particular,
ship collisions were carefully reviewed and methods developed to predict
structural damage to vessels struck in collision as a function of speed
and displacement of the vessels involved. On the basis of the data
obtained from these studies, the SAVANNAH is designed and constructed to
withstand, without damage to the nuclear reactor compartment, any
collision with any of the ships making up 99 percent of the world’s
merchant fleet.
COLLISION POSSIBILITY LOW
The probability of collision with a ship of this remaining 1 percent
group is extremely low. Considering that the SAVANNAH, as the first
nuclear-powered merchant ship, will be handled with extreme care, the
probability of a dangerous release of radioactivity through collision is
negligible. Because large ships proceed at relatively low speeds in
harbors, and because of the built-in invulnerability of the SAVANNAH,
the probability of a collision of sufficient severity to damage the
reactor compartment is extremely low.
Surrounding the reactor compartment are heavier-than-normal structural
members. The inner-bottom, below the reactor space, is “egg crated” with
transverse floors at every frame; and a deep vertical keel with more
than the usual number of keelsons in the fore and aft direction add to
this strengthening. Outboard of the reactor compartment are two heavy
longitudinal collision bulkheads; outboard of these bulkheads there is
heavier-than-normal plating continuously welded to the beams. Inboard of
the collision bulkheads are collision mats made up of alternate layers
of 1-inch steel and 3-inch redwood planks for a total thickness of 24
inches.
In the event of a collision broadside to the reactor compartment, the
ramming ship would have to penetrate 17 feet of stiffened ship
structure, the collision mat, and the reactor containment vessel, before
reaching the reactor plant.
SINKING, GROUNDING WEIGHED
Other accidents, such as grounding, fire and explosion, and sinking also
were considered in the design and construction of the N.S. SAVANNAH.
Grounding is very similar to collision in its effects, except that the
damage is ordinarily more localized. The heavy reactor and containment
foundations in the inner-bottom provide adequate protection to the
reactor system.
The SAVANNAH, as a passenger ship, is prohibited by Coast Guard
regulation from carrying dangerous and explosive cargo in quantity.
The ship’s fire-protection and fire-fighting systems are fully adequate.
In case of sinking, provision has been made to allow for automatic
flooding of the containment shell of the reactor to prevent its collapse
in deep waters. The flooding valves are designed to close upon pressure
equalization so that containment integrity will be maintained even after
sinking. Salvage connections have been installed to allow containment
purging or filling with concrete in case of sinking in shallow water
where recovery or immobilization of the reactor plant seems advisable.
Besides the very latest in navigation and communication equipment,
including true motion radar, the ship is equipped with antiroll
stabilizers. Located outside the hull amidships, the stabilizers are
operated hydraulically by a gyro system capable of sensing sea
conditions and providing counter-forces to reduce the roll. Each
stabilizing fin has a lift of approximately 70 tons at 20 knots speed.
RADIATION SHIELDING
One of the most important features of the SAVANNAH is her radiation
shielding. The main sources of radiation during operation of the
SAVANNAH’s power plant are the reactor itself and the primary coolant
loop lines. The primary coolant which passes through the reactor core is
irradiated, and itself becomes a source of radiation. Both the reactor
and the coolant emit neutrons and gamma rays. There are also radiation
sources of lesser magnitude including process piping, hold-up tanks,
pumps, and demineralizers.
The objective of radiation shielding on the SAVANNAH is twofold: First,
it limits the radiation dose outside the containment to prescribed safe
levels, and second, it reduces the activation of structure within the
containment shell by reactor core neutrons. The latter consideration is
necessary in order that the reactor plant be accessible for maintenance
within 30 minutes after shutdown.
The shielding is divided into a primary shield, which surrounds the
reactor itself, and a secondary shield, which surrounds the entire
containment shell.
PRIMARY SHIELDING
The primary shield, immediately surrounding the reactor pressure vessel,
consists of a 17-foot-high lead-covered steel tank that surrounds the
reactor vessel with a 33-inch water-filled annulus. The tank extends
from a point well below the active core area to a point well above it.
The active core height within the reactor is only 60 inches. Constructed
of carbon steel, the primary shield tank is covered with a layer of lead
varying in thickness from 2 to 4 inches. When the tank is filled with
water, the dose rate outside the primary shielding from core gamma
sources and activated nuclei will not exceed 200 mr per hour 30 minutes
after shutdown. This is sufficiently low to permit entry into the
containment vessel for inspection or maintenance.
SECONDARY SHIELDING
The containment shell completely surrounds the primary (reactor) system,
and serves not only to confine spread of radioactivity in the event of a
rupture of the system but to support the hundreds of tons of lead and
polyethylene of the secondary shield.
CONTAINMENT SHELL
The primary function of the containment shell is to surround the primary
system and provide complete containment of any radioactive matter that
might escape from the system. The design pressure of the vessel was
determined by postulating the instantaneous release and expansion of the
entire contents of the primary system. This approach is highly
conservative because of the improbability of a large rupture.
A study has been made concerning the penetration of the vessel wall by a
piece of debris in an explosion. An analysis of the penetrating power of
high-speed components indicated that the shell would contain the largest
missile that could be expected.
The shell is cylindrical in shape, 35 feet in diameter by 50.5 feet
long, and is centrally located on the ship’s bottom.
The containment shell is sealed at all times during plant operation.
Entry to the shell will be made only after the reactor has been shut
down, the shell purged with air, and the radiation level has dropped
below 200 mr per hour.
The bottom half of the shell rests in a cradle of steel surrounded by a
48-inch-thick wall of reinforced concrete.
The top half of the containment shell is covered by a 6-inch layer of
lead plus a 6-inch layer of polyethylene. During normal power operation,
this reduces the radiation level to less than 0.6 mr per hour at the
nearest point of access by the crew.
CONTAINMENT SHELL AIR CONDITIONING
This system maintains a constant maximum ambient temperature of 140° F.
and a maximum relative humidity of 72 percent inside the containment
shell. The system operates in conjunction with the intermediate cooling
water system, using 95° F. water.
During normal operation, the containment shell is sealed and no outside
air will enter or leave the vessel. Ambient conditions will be
maintained by regulating the cooling water flow as required according to
instrument readings on the control panel.
In all areas where crew members have unlimited access, radiation levels
will be less than 5 rem integrated dosage per year, the recommended
maximum annual exposure of workers in the atomic energy field. Assuming
that passengers would move about the ship, and on the basis of their
calculated average distance from the reactor, the average exposure of a
passenger remaining aboard for a year would be under 0.5 rem, i.e. ¹/₂₀
of the occupational value.
The 5 rem area is relatively small and not in general use. No crew
member will be aboard ship or in the 5 rem area continuously for a full
year, and it is doubtful that any crew member will actually receive an
integrated dose of more than 0.5 rem in a year.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This system supplies power to the reactor system and its auxiliaries and
is designed to operate with a high degree of reliability to assure
reactor safety during all phases of operation and shutdown.
It includes all load control and protective devices, containment wiring,
metering, interlocking and alarms associated with electrical loads for
the reactor system. Power for the system normally is supplied by two
turbine-generators, each rated at 1,500 kw, 0.8 pf, 450-volts, 3 phase
and 60 cycles. For increased reliability, a double bus type arrangement
is used. In the event of a bus fault, an automatic transfer of all vital
loads to the other bus will occur. During normal operation, a circuit
breaker ties the two busses together.
RADIATION MONITORING
The radiation monitoring system of the SAVANNAH keeps a constant check
on the intensity of radiation at various points within the reactor
system as well as areas remote from the power plant. This system is
divided into two areas for this description. They are power-plant
monitoring and health physics monitoring. The latter is covered under
its own heading.
POWER-PLANT MONITORING
Through keeping track of the radiation level at various points in the
reactor system, any abnormalities in operation can be quickly detected
and corrected.
A leak in the heat exchangers, for example, would show up on a radiation
monitor located in the blowdown line from each of the heat exchangers.
The intermediate cooling system, which includes cooling water from the
primary pumps, shield water cooler, containment air cooler, and other
components not directly in the primary loop, is monitored at five
locations. Leakage of primary loop water into the secondary water is
possible only from the pumps and letdown coolers, because of differences
in pressure. Consequently, radiation monitors are located downstream
from the letdown coolers and in each of the return lines from the pump
cooling coils.
The demineralizers are also monitored. When the resin bed is
functioning, the flow downstream (effluent) will have negligible
radioactivity. Consequently, a monitor signal at this point will
indicate when to switch to a new demineralizer. The monitor in the
influent (water entering the demineralizer) measures the activity level
in the primary loop.
The fission product monitor keeps track of fission product activity in
the primary (reactor) system. The monitor consists of a cation and anion
column, an amplifier, and an indicating system. This monitor is located
in the primary coolant flow system.
TANKS HOLD LIQUID WASTE
Power plant liquid wastes are collected in tanks for storage prior to
discharge into a specially designed servicing vessel in port. The liquid
waste collection tanks are monitored. Gaseous wastes will normally be
disposed of at sea through the radio mast, which contains two detectors
for monitoring purposes. They are an air-particle monitor and a
radio-gas monitor, and operate at all times so that gas is vented to the
atmosphere. If gaseous radioactivity should rise above specified limits,
the gas will be diluted to below the limit before being discharged to
atmosphere.
The above monitor stations are the principal ones involved in reactor
system operation. The monitors operate through a system of separate
channels, with each channel responsible for a pre-selected range of
activity. All detectors relay their readings to the main panel in the
control room, where automatic recording and visual observation
instruments are located.
[Illustration: Surrounded by steel, wood, concrete, the N.S.
SAVANNAH reactor is safe against any credible accident.]
STABILIZING BRACKET PORT AND STARBOARD
POLYETHYLENE
“C” DECK
STEEL & REDWOOD COLLISION MAT
WOOD PAD
“D” DECK
CONCRETE
WATERTIGHT BULKHEAD
REACTOR COMPARTMENT
STIFFENING RINGS
LEAD
CONTAINMENT VESSEL
COMPARTMENT BULKHEAD
CONCRETE
INNER BOTTOM
FOUNDATIONS
FORWARD
Portable monitoring equipment, samplers, and other health physics survey
equipment are provided for access, survey, and maintenance monitoring.
REACTOR CONTROL AND SAFETY SYSTEMS
The design of the control system is such that a malfunction which leads
to an abnormal withdrawal rate of the rods will not result in a
dangerous condition. Studies indicate that the minimum reactor period
resulting from maximum withdrawal of the rods is not less than 30
seconds. The control system is designed to maintain the _net_ reactivity
insertion always less than the delayed neutron fraction.
The entire reactor system is protected by the safety system. This system
causes the reactor to terminate power production if a dangerous
operating condition exists. The safety system also contains interlocks
which prevent actions which would otherwise jeopardize the reactor
system.
The control and safety systems are capable of protecting the reactor
system from damage due to any credible accident except a major leak in
the primary loop.
The reactor will “scram” (shut down) automatically from any of seven
causes: (1) shorter than a safe reactor period, (2) excessive power, (3)
excessive rise or fall in reactor pressure, (4) excessive reactor outlet
pressure, (5) loss of flow, (6) loss of power to safety circuits, and
(7) loss of power to control rod drives.
INSTRUMENTS DOUBLE CHECKED
The nuclear instrumentation system provides maximum reliability and
safety, yet minimizes erroneous readings or signals from the monitoring
channels. This is done by using two or more measuring channels in each
operating range, and then interlocking the circuits so that at least two
of them give the same signal of abnormal operating conditions before
initiating a reactor “scram.”
Increased reliability is obtained by using “solid state” instruments or
magnetic amplifier units rather than electron tubes and relays.
REACTOR SAFETY SYSTEM
This system constantly monitors signals from the nuclear and non-nuclear
instrumentation, and when necessary takes corrective action. Corrective
action will be either in the form of “fast insertion” of the control
rods, or in the form of reactor “scram.” Fast insertion takes place at a
rate of 15 inches per minute, while a scram is achieved in 1.6 seconds.
Fast insertion consists of moving all control rods to the full down
position at the fastest rate possible through the electromechanical
drives. For reactor “scram,” all rods are driven to full down position
under the force of a net hydraulic pressure of 1,250 psi.
SHORTER THAN A SAFE PERIOD
The reactor period is a measure of the rate of reactor power increase;
the shorter the period the faster the rise. Ten neutron-measuring
channels, covering the full range from source level to 150 percent of
maximum power, measure neutron intensity (flux level) and its rate of
change. These data are continuously transmitted to the reactor operator
and the automatic control and safety system. Too fast a rate of change,
or shorter than a safe period, will automatically “scram” the reactor.
EXCESSIVE POWER
The amount of power produced is a function of the neutron flux and its
resultant heat generation in the primary loop. The temperature selected
to produce automatic “scram” is 540° F. This temperature “scram” circuit
provides an independent backup to the neutron flux “scram.”
EXCESSIVE RISE OR FALL IN PRESSURE
Too low a pressure could result in boiling of the primary coolant, while
too high a pressure could result in poor heat transfer as well as
placing unnecessary stresses on the reactor’s fuel element core
structure. There are a number of causes for either condition, all of
which would relay a “scram” signal to the operator and to the automatic
safety system.
EXCESSIVE OUTLET PRESSURE
In addition to protection against rapid rate of change in pressure, a
scram circuit is provided to prevent any steady excessive outlet
pressure that could result in damage to the core and related equipment.
LOSS OF FLOW
This condition would result from a mechanical failure in the primary
loop pumps, piping, etc., or by accidentally stopping the pumps when the
reactor is at power, or by loss of power to the pumps. When a single
pump fails to operate for any reason, an alarm is sounded to warn the
operator. If all four pumps fail to operate for any reason, a signal is
sent to the reactor safety system to “scram” the reactor.
LOSS OF POWER TO SAFETY CIRCUITS
The hydraulic drives that operate the “scram” mechanism require reserve
pressure to keep them in the “ready” position for “scram” condition and
are an integral part of the safety circuitry. A power failure in the
safety circuits would automatically put the hydraulic drives into
operation to “scram” the reactor.
LOSS OF POWER TO CONTROL ROD DRIVES
Each of the 21 control rods has its own drive mounted vertically on the
upper reactor head. Of these, 9 are servo controlled and 12 are of the
nonservo type. The 9 servo rods have variable speed drives and operate
in two groups in a synchronous manner, according to demand signals from
the reactor system. The 12-rod group can be operated manually or in
groups according to predetermined conditions. All of these operate at a
speed determined by their gearing.
The safety considerations are as follows:
1. Each servo loop contains a monitor that will sound an alarm and
initiate a fast insertion if the rod fails to follow its command signal.
2. Another circuit monitors all nine servo monitors, and should any of
the servo monitors malfunction, an alarm will sound and appropriate
corrective action will be taken through the automatic safety system.
3. “Scram” action starts in the safety system and is independent of
operator control. Once started, a “scram” action cannot be stopped.
4. For conditions that do not warrant “scram” action, a fast insertion
serves to reduce power and permit the operator to correct the condition
without a complete shutdown. A manual fast insertion can be made by the
operator.
The electrical circuits controlling the reactor control rods are
monitored, and an electrical failure in one or more circuits will result
in a fast insertion or “scram” action. Should electrical power to the
control rod drives fail completely, the hydraulic drives will be
actuated.
WASTE STORAGE AND HANDLING
This system drains and collects, until safe for removal, all drainage
from the reactor system that might be radioactive. Drainage may result
from a leak, or be part of the normal drainage accumulation during
initial fill and testing, normal startup, operation and shutdown, and
decontamination.
The drainage and storage system consists of two pumps, valves, piping,
containment drain tank, and four waste storage tanks. The total capacity
of the tanks is 1,350 cubic feet. This is approximately 80 percent more
than the maximum operational leakage and drainage for a 100-day period.
Provisions are made to take samples from any of the five tanks at any
time.
After sampling indicates sufficiently low level of activity, the fluid
will be pumped to special dock facilities for transfer to inland waste
disposal sites. No waste will be discharged at sea under present
operating plans.
A special 129-foot vessel, the NSV ATOMIC SERVANT, will service the
Savannah’s reactor and handle the radioactive wastes.
The majority of the potentially radioactive gases vent into a central
manifold. Here they are monitored, diluted by fan-driven air and
discharged up the radio mast after passing through a series of filters.
During normal operation, the manifold is vented continuously. However,
if the radiation monitor indicates activity levels too high for
satisfactory dilution, the gases can be diverted into the containment
shell.
GAS FILTERED, MONITORED
The region between the containment vessel and the secondary shielding is
ventilated with a 4,000 cfm fan which discharges about half way up the
radio mast. This gas is not expected to be radioactive but as an added
precaution it is monitored to determine if radioactivity is present.
All gases released through the radio mast are filtered to remove
particulate matter.
The containment shell air is purged with fresh air periodically at sea
and prior to entry by the ship’s engineering crew. During normal
operation the only radioactive gas in the shell is argon-41, at a
concentration less than the maximum permissible level for continuous
occupational exposure. The only potential sources of activity in the
containment air above tolerance levels would be fission products and
these are not present during normal operation. However, as previously
described, prior to purging, air samples will be analyzed to ascertain
the activity levels.
HEALTH PHYSICS MONITORING SYSTEM
This system provides radiation protection to crew and passengers through
constant monitoring for any abnormalities in radiation levels that might
occur. This is accomplished through a system of 12 radiation detector
units in the following locations: A-deck, outside doctor’s office;
B-deck, aft passageway; B-deck, port passageway; C-deck, port
passageway; C-deck, aft passageway; D-deck, starboard passageway;
D-deck, both fore and aft bulkheads and at tanktop level, the port,
starboard, fore and aft passageways.
These 12 monitor units feed their readings into 2 channels, with 6
monitors on each channel according to a predetermined sequence. A
manually operated detector permits switching to any one monitor to allow
observation and study of that station for as long as desired. By means
of a recorder on each channel, a permanent record of the 12 monitoring
stations can be obtained.
The detectors are calibrated and maintained periodically by operating
personnel using a standardized cobalt-60 source.
Ionization chambers located at the points of entry into the containment
vessel will determine when it is safe to enter the vessel. In addition,
anyone entering the vessel will carry a portable monitor to determine
the dose rate at the point he will be working.
In addition to the installed detectors, there is a full complement of
portable equipment to make any specific investigations required. The
equipment is used to check decontamination results and to monitor
contaminated spaces during maintenance. Health physics personnel,
equipped with portable equipment, accompany all groups working any area
that might contain radioactivity.
The health physics laboratory aboard the ship is outfitted for all tests
required during the operation of the reactor plant.
AUXILIARY SYSTEMS
_Sampling System._ This system provides a means for removing liquid
samples from the primary loop to determine the effectiveness of the
purification system. Samples will be taken from both the inlet and
outlet flow of the primary demineralizers.
_Intermediate Cooling System._ The primary function is to provide clean
cooling water to the various reactor system components. A secondary
function is to maintain water in the annular primary shield tank.
The system consists of two separate flow circuits: a sea water circuit
and a fresh water circuit. Each of these circuits contains two pumps and
two coolers, plus other necessary components. The pumps and coolers are
arranged in parallel, permitting either pump to supply water to either
cooler.
In the sea water circuit, inlet temperature is 85° F and outlet
temperature is 106° F. The fresh water enters its coolers at 143° F and
leaves at 95° F.
Components outside and inside of the containment vessel are cooled by
one or the other of these intermediate cooling circuits.
EXTRA EMERGENCY POWER
Two auxiliary 750-kw diesel generator sets are on standby to provide the
following: (1) Power to the main bus for operating those loads needed to
supply cooling for decay-heat removal after a scram or shutdown, (2)
emergency “take-home” power should the nuclear power plant become
inoperative, (3) power for reactor startup, and (4) spare generating
capacity for normal operation should a turbine generator become
inoperative.
In the event of a reactor “scram,” these generators will automatically
start and synchronize on the main bus bar to supply and distribute power
to the components used for reactor cooling.
A 300-kw emergency diesel generator is also available to supply power to
the 450-volt emergency switchboard. This source will operate in case
both the main turbine generators and auxiliary diesel generators do not.
Loads connected to the emergency switchboard include lighting, low speed
windings of the primary coolant pumps, and the emergency cooling system.
A battery protected source will also provide power to those loads that
require an especially dependable power source with no interruption due
to loss or switching of auxiliary power.
TAKE-HOME POWER
As mentioned, in the electrical system there are two 750-kw diesel
generator sets installed in the engine room. If any emergency
“take-home” power is required, either diesel generator can be used to
operate a 750-hp wound rotor motor, which is connected to the ship’s
propeller, through the reduction gears.
Each diesel generator is sized to furnish adequate power for reactor
decay heat removal, lighting, and necessary ship service.
N.S. SAVANNAH MANNED FOR SAFETY
To assure that the first nuclear-propelled merchant ship will be
completely safe, it is manned by well-trained, competent personnel whose
duty and responsibility it is to operate the ship safely and
efficiently.
Every mechanical and electrical safety device of modern navigation is at
the disposal of the SAVANNAH’s crew to insure the safety and integrity
of the ship.
The men who will handle the SAVANNAH ashore and afloat will have had the
advantage of the specialized and extensive training program conducted by
the Atomic Energy Commission, the Maritime Administration, and the
private contractors who built the N.S. SAVANNAH and her reactor.
The ship’s master and officers are men of long experience on the sea
whose backgrounds assure sound and stable assessment and judgment under
all possible conditions.
All of the factors herein discussed make it possible for the United
States Government to say of the N.S. SAVANNAH, as she ushers in the
atomic age on the world’s essential trade routes, that this unique and
wonderful vessel is unquestionably one of the world’s safest ships.
THE NUCLEAR SHIP SAVANNAH IS DESIGNED AND BUILT TO THESE SAFETY
REQUIREMENTS
_APPLICABLE CODES OF_:
1. U.S. Coast Guard
2. American Bureau of Shipping
3. Maritime Administration
4. U.S. Public Health Service
5. American Institute of Electrical Engineers Marine Code
6. U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
_SAFETY REVIEW BY_:
1. AEC Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards
_DESIGN REVIEW BY_:
1. U.S. Coast Guard
2. Maritime Administration
3. AEC
(A) Oak Ridge National Laboratory
(B) Electric Boat Company
4. American Bureau of Shipping
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1960 O—562017
[Illustration: The N.S. SAVANNAH’s construction meets ultimate
standards of health and environmental safety.]
PASSENGER DINING ROOM
CREW QUARTERS
MAIN LOUNGE
PASSENGER STATEROOMS
REACTOR HATCH
REACTOR AUX. HATCH
CREW QUARTERS
CARGO HOLD
MACHINERY CONTROL CENTER
ENGINE ROOM
SHIP’S PROVISIONS
STABILIZER SPACE
CARGO HOLD
REACTOR CONTAINMENT VESSEL
[Illustration: The N.S. SAVANNAH—world’s first atomic merchant
ship—pride of the American Merchant Marine—model of maritime
safety.]
Transcriber’s Notes
—Silently corrected a few typos.
—Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook
is public-domain in the country of publication.
—In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by
_underscores_.
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Nuclear Ship Savannah, First
Atomic Merchant Ship, by Anonymous
*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NUCLEAR SHIP SAVANNAH ***
***** This file should be named 63584-0.txt or 63584-0.zip *****
This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
http://www.gutenberg.org/6/3/5/8/63584/
Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at
https://www.pgdp.net
Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will
be renamed.
Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright
law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works,
so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United
States without permission and without paying copyright
royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part
of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project
Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm
concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark,
and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive
specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this
eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook
for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports,
performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given
away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks
not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the
trademark license, especially commercial redistribution.
START: FULL LICENSE
THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full
Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at
www.gutenberg.org/license.
Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project
Gutenberg-tm electronic works
1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all
the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or
destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your
possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a
Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound
by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the
person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph
1.E.8.
1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be
used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few
things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See
paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project
Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this
agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm
electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below.
1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the
Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection
of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual
works in the collection are in the public domain in the United
States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the
United States and you are located in the United States, we do not
claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing,
displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as
all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope
that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting
free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm
works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the
Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily
comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the
same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when
you share it without charge with others.
1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are
in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States,
check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this
agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing,
distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any
other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no
representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any
country outside the United States.
1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other
immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear
prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work
on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the
phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed,
performed, viewed, copied or distributed:
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no
restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it
under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this
eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the
United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you
are located before using this ebook.
1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is
derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not
contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the
copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in
the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are
redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project
Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply
either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or
obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm
trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any
additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms
will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works
posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the
beginning of this work.
1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
Gutenberg-tm License.
1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including
any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access
to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format
other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official
version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site
(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense
to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means
of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain
Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the
full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
provided that
* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed
to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has
agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project
Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid
within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are
legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty
payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project
Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in
Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg
Literary Archive Foundation."
* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all
copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue
all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm
works.
* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of
any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of
receipt of the work.
* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project
Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than
are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing
from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The
Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm
trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
1.F.
1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project
Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm
electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may
contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate
or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other
intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or
other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or
cannot be read by your equipment.
1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGE.
1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you
received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium
with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you
with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in
lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person
or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second
opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If
the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing
without further opportunities to fix the problem.
1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO
OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of
damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement
violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the
agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or
limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or
unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the
remaining provisions.
1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in
accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the
production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm
electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses,
including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of
the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this
or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or
additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any
Defect you cause.
Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of
computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It
exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations
from people in all walks of life.
Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project
Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future
generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary
Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see
Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at
www.gutenberg.org
Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary
Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by
U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the
mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its
volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous
locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt
Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to
date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and
official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact
For additional contact information:
Dr. Gregory B. Newby
Chief Executive and Director
[email protected]
Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
Literary Archive Foundation
Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations
($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
status with the IRS.
The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations
where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND
DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular
state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate
While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
approach us with offers to donate.
International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other
ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To
donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate
Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works.
Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project
Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be
freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and
distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of
volunteer support.
Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in
the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not
necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper
edition.
Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search
facility: www.gutenberg.org
This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
