The single largest difference between submarine reactors and western nuclear powerplant reactors is simple. While the turbines in the nuclear plants use the generator to create electricity, the turbins spun by the steam in submarines simply turn the propeller, skipping the step of generating electricity. Another source, usually a large battery, is required onboard to run the electrical systems of the ship.
That said, these two types of reactors share many things in common.
- They both use small amounts of uranium-235 to heat water, generating large quantities of steam.
- While the submarine powerplant is much smaller than the electrical facility, the reactor still requires a number of cooling systems to operate, but on a much smaller scale.
- Both are pressurized and can only operate under strict conditions.
