What happens to the steam that nuclear submarines build up?

Question

So from how I understand nuclear reactors work, electricity isnt directly generated from the radioactive material, but rather the radioactive material heats up steam whose pressure poweres a turbine that is connected to a generator (converting mechanical energy to electrical energy).

My question is, nuclear power plants on the surface have towers releasing steam into the air, but since a nuclear sub is underwater, what happens to the steam?

? · Accepted Answer

They appear to have two water loops: One closed loop draws heat from a non-water coolant around the core and converts to steam, driving the turbines, and then condensing to return back to draw heat from the core. A second open loop draws water from the ocean, cooling the steam to condense it back into liquid water, then expels the hot water back into the ocean.

http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/n...

http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/non-power-nuclear-applications/transport/nuclear-powered-ships.aspx

? · Answer

No they don't have towers releasing steam to the atmosphere when on the surface - the steam is run thru a condenser cooled by pumped in sea water and reused.  Nuclear subs can spend months without ever surfacing.

Philomel · Answer

After passing through the turbine it condenses back into water and it returns to the boiler to be used again.

What happens to the steam that nuclear submarines build up?

3 Antworten