A4W reactor
Encyclopedia : A : A4 : A4W : A4W reactor
An A4W reactor is a type of nuclear reactor in use aboard the United States Navy's Nimitz-class supercarriers, capable of producing 140,000 shaft horsepower (104MW) of energy, and with a normal fuel lifespan of 10 years and a core lifespan of 50 years. The nuclear fuel was originally 93% U235, but current technology uses 20-25% U235. The fuel is not UO2, but rather a metal-zirconium alloy. The reactor uses an internal neutron shield to maintain long term integrity.
The A4W reactor is the nuclear fission pressurized water reactor (PWR) design used in powering U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. It was designed jointly by Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory and Knolls Atomic Power Lab (KAPL) Division, with BAPL as the prime contractor.
Meaning of the name
The A4W reactor is the fourth nuclear fission reactor design for use in powering U. S. Navy aircraft carriers by a division of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation. The A stands for aircraft carrier, 4 for 4th reactor design, and W for Westinghouse.
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