S9G reactor

The S9G reactor is a naval reactor used by the United States Navy to provide electricity generation and propulsion on Virginia class submarines. The S9G designation stands for:

• S = Submarine platform
• 9 = Ninth generation core designed by the contractor
• G = General Electric was the contracted designer

This pressurized water reactor style nuclear reactor, designed by Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (then managed by General Electric), is designed to have increased energy density, and new plant components, including a new steam generator design featuring improved corrosion resistance and reduced life-cycle costs. This steam generator will alleviate the corrosion concerns encountered in existing designs of steam generators, while reducing component size and weight and providing greater flexibility in overall arrangement.

This reactor is designed to operate for 33 years without refueling.^[1][2]

References

1. "Nuclear Marine Propulsion", Ragheb, M., 2/4/09, p. 9.
2. "Ending the Production of Highly Enriched Uranium for Naval Reactors", Chunyan, Ma & von Hippel, Frank, The Nonproliferation Review, Spring 2001, p. 4.