Technocrat

Largest Nuclear Powered Icebreaker Launched

zogger
Wed Apr 11 17:09:28 -0700 2007
Mechanics.
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Russia has started operating the "50 Years of Victory" Icebreaker, now the world's largest at 25,000 tons at 522 feet long. This is an important addition to their merchant fleet, as they want to open the Murmansk to Vladivostok northern shipping route.

.."The 50 Years of Victory icebreaker took 18 years to complete. Russian shipbuilders resumed work on this ambitious Soviet-era project after President Vladimir Putin told a conference that the famous Northern Sea Route linking Murmansk and Vladivostok would remain a top priority of Russia's plans in the Arctic. Putin emphasized the importance of icebreakers for Russia and instructed the Finance Ministry to find money to complete the 50 Years of Victory."..more there

Here are some images of their nuclear powered icebreaker fleet, some impressive ships.

Largest Nuclear Powered Icebreaker Launched
President4242
Wed Apr 11 17:44:15 -0700 2007
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I've always wondered- but can't find any references to this idea anywhere, nor no mention of it in any of the decriptions of nuclear icebreakers I've seen:  Has anybody ever thought about using waste heat from the reactor to heat the keel and icebreaking mass of such ships?  Seems to me that would weaken the ice beneath the keel- and make the icebreaker more effective.  It's not like I think there'd be enough waste heat to actually melt through the ice, but it seems it would help.
Largest Nuclear Powered Icebreaker Launched
SECProto
Wed Apr 11 18:02:05 -0700 2007
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I am judging simply from the pictures of the ships on one of those sites - but it looks like there is no "waste" heat. I don't see any cooling towers or anything of the sort. My guess is they use the waste heat to head the cabins, and other indoor parts of the ship, to make it hospitable.

Again, I am just guessing.
Largest Nuclear Powered Icebreaker Launched
rubycodez
Wed Apr 11 20:08:30 -0700 2007
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the wikipedia article answers the question, in the Artika class icebreakers arctic water is indeed used for cooling, the ships can't function in tropical water.  Also they have an air bubbling system to help break ice.  wild stuff
Largest Nuclear Powered Icebreaker Launched
rubycodez
Wed Apr 11 20:12:12 -0700 2007
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at speeds of up to 10 knots, no time for heating, ice is broken, not melted.   underwater air jet bubbling system some of them use to get air under ice is very cool.
Largest Nuclear Powered Icebreaker Launched
Jason
Thu Apr 12 10:59:53 -0700 2007
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Does that mean they have solved the problem of what to do with their offshore Nuclear Waste floating facilities? Or is the international community still going to change their diapers for them?... Q
 

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