There is a rather strange statement recently that the newly launched 18th ship or even the next generation of larger platforms in the future may use the so-called nuclear conventional hybrid . Hanhai Langshan (Xiongnu Langshan) felt a little strange about this statement. Of course, if you think about it a little, you will know that the origin of this statement obviously comes from: "For some people who insist on nuclear power and will never give up." ", using this aspect to make the final "curve save" on his original power theory. To put it bluntly, even if the 18th ship or more platforms in the future have obvious smoke coming from the island chimney during navigation, it cannot be said for sure that it is conventional power; maybe there is one or several nuclear power packages hidden inside. Smoking conventional boilers are just an addition to the nuclear power package. This is what some people call the nuclear-normal hybrid model. The question is, did this power model really ever exist in history? Not to mention, it has actually appeared in the history of global naval equipment.
This is the 2.4-ton Kirov-class cruiser built by the former Soviet Union. It was once outside the nuclear power package; in addition, the oil-fired boiler was retained as a supplement to the power system. The main concern is that the daily steam production of the immature nuclear power system is insufficient, resulting in the final limit speed not reaching the standard; therefore, the fuel-fired steam boiler and the large oil tank that provide oil for this are retained in the Kirov-class power compartment; therefore, The Kirov class can be regarded as the earliest application of nuclear-normal hybrid power. However, the development and construction of the Kirov class happened at least forty or fifty years ago; will this type of model still be used on today's giant aviation platforms of more than 80,000 tons, or even more than 100,000 tons? This probability is actually infinitely close to zero. First of all, this nuclear-conventional hybrid power model is essentially a temporary measure where the early nuclear power technology was not up to standard and had to be supplemented by conventional oil-fired boilers. If the steam output and other comprehensive technical indicators of the nuclear power package fully meet the requirements. There is absolutely no need to add several oil-fired boilers and larger dedicated fuel tanks in addition to the nuclear power system. Doing this is equivalent to buying a new BXW, because you are worried that its engine will break down at any time when running long distances, and you have to stuff two mules in the back seat and trunk. In fact, even the Kirov class, during its decades of service, has never turned on the oil-fired boiler to temporarily supplement steam production while the nuclear power package was operating. Because the pressure and temperature of steam generated by nuclear power systems and steam generated by oil-fired boilers are different. Trying to do both at the same time is almost impossible. It can only be said that when an operational failure occurs in the nuclear power package, leading to a complete shutdown, the oil-fired boiler will be temporarily activated to produce steam for alternative propulsion. Therefore, it is better to say that this mode is nuclear-normal hybrid power, rather than nuclear-normal alternating power. Because there are obvious differences in nature between hybrid power and alternating power. Hybrid power requires that power can be output at the same time, and
does not require obvious state switching in the middle. The alternating power must be completely switched, and only one power mode can work normally at any time. And when a certain mode is working, the other mode does not participate in the work at all and becomes a complete dead weight. For example, some 7,500-ton destroyers have typical diesel alternating power. The diesel engine is used for medium and low speed cruising, while the gas turbine is used for high-speed conditions during combat or quasi-combat. You can only choose one or the other at any time. The so-called nuclear-normal hybrid power of the Kirov class is, to put it bluntly, nuclear-normal alternating power. After all Kirov-class ships enter service, they have very few opportunities to cruise on the open sea; there is rarely a need to temporarily start the oil boiler. Therefore, even though the Kilo-class retains its tall chimney, there is almost no Kilo-class smoking so far. photos circulated. This also implies that this kind of nuclear-normal hybrid power is a failure mode with imperfect overall design and completely unworthy of large-scale promotion.In the development process of the superpower navy,
, nuclear power is entirely nuclear power, and conventional power is entirely conventional power. Of course, there are still small steam boilers and diesel auxiliary engine power systems on all Nimitz-class and even Ford-class s, but such boilers only provide a small amount of steam to ensure pipeline temperature; and in the event of complete nuclear power loss, situation, retaining the last hope of motivation. These systems are rarely used and have little to do with the theoretical nuclear-conventional hybrid power. Therefore, in the future, a certain super aviation ship will be either completely advanced conventional power or super nuclear power; nuclear-conventional hybrid? It’s just overthinking!
