D2G reactor
The D2G reactor was a naval reactor used by the United States Navy to provide electricity generation and propulsion on warships. The D2G designation stands for:
- D = Destroyer platform
- 2 = Second generation core designed by the contractor
- G = General Electric was the contracted designer
History
This model of nuclear reactor was installed on the Bainbridge, Truxtun, California, and Virginia classes of guided missile cruisers. The only nuclear-powered cruiser in the United States Navy not equipped with a D2G reactor was the world's first nuclear cruiser, the USS Long Beach (CGN-9), which used a C1W reactor. All of the Navy's nuclear cruisers have been decommissioned.
Operation
Rated for a maximum thermal output of 150 megawatts, the reactors were designed to last 15 years with normal usage. The Navy's nuclear cruisers were outfitted with two reactors per ship, each having the ability to cross-connect the steam and condensate systems between plants to power both engine rooms from a single reactor. With both reactors running and the steam plants split, the average cruiser could reach 32 knots (59.2 km/h). With one reactor running and the steam plants cross-connected, the ship could reach 25–27 knots (46.3–50 km/h). With one reactor running, the steam plants split, and running on one shaft, the ship could reach only 15 knots (27.7 km/h).
Design
These reactors were boron-doped vertically for longer core life, and axially for even power distribution without hot spots. They employ 12 X-shaped control rods driven by DC-powered movable armature reluctance motors. Three main loops driven by three variable-speed reactor coolant pumps supplied three steam generators with water, which in turn supplied saturated steam to the engine room.