Career Path > Nuclear Operator

NRC Reactor Licensing

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Gamecock:
I am a graduate student at MIT.

I am starting work on a thesis that will investigate the possibility of placing a nuclear reactor on a commercial cruise ship or even a commercial tanker ship. I am trying to figure out what would be the licensing process for such a ship, since there has only ever been one commercial nuclear powered ship (USS Savannah which was licensed by DOE as a concept ship).

Can anyone refer me to someone in the organization who may be able to assist me?

ddklbl:

--- Quote from: Gamecock on Feb 03, 2008, 07:22 ---I am graduate student at MIT.

I am starting work on a thesis that will investigate the possibility of placing a nuclear reactor on a commercial cruise ship or even a commercial tanker ship. I am trying to figure out what would be the licensing process for such a ship, since there has only ever been one commercial nuclear powered ship (USS Savannah which was licensed by DOE as a concept ship).

Can anyone refer me to someone in the organization who may be able to assist me?

--- End quote ---

I know that USC, gamecocks not trojans, has a graduate course in Licensing/Regulation, EMCH 561.  I don't know what the course details are, but it might be worth seeing if anyone you might know still can hook you up with a syllabus.

Gamecock:

--- Quote from: dd on Feb 03, 2008, 11:43 ---I know that USC, gamecocks not trojans, has a graduate course in Licensing/Regulation, EMCH 561.  I don't know what the course details are, but it might be worth seeing if anyone you might know still can hook you up with a syllabus.

--- End quote ---

I graduated from USC in 1998....there was no nuke program back then.  I don't know any there currently. 

I know the basics in Reactor licensing.  My guess is there currently is no process in place to license a seagoing reactor plant.  However, I can't very well write that in my thesis without further investigation. 

B.PRESGROVE:
I dont know much about the licensing aspect, but is there anyway to check into the way the DOD goes about getting the green light for building a nuke ship.  It would seem like there is some process in the building of a new commercial ship that may indicate what type of propulsion system is to be installed (diesal, turbine, or possibly nuke).  I know all ships must go through a pretty rigourous inspection and ocean trials process in order to be judged sea worthy so I can only imagine there are provisions for propulsion.

Gamecock:
Yes,
American Bureau of Shipping or one of the other classification societies will "license" the ship, including the propulsion plant.  However, since my proposed ship will have a reactor, I'm sure the NRC will be involved in that process. 

I don't see DoD, specifically Naval Reactors, being involved. 

DoE, maybe....that's how Savannah was licensed back in the late 50's.

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