Dry Cell Reactor

The Dry-Cell reactor is a type of naval nuclear reactor build by the Foundation. Well reactor of a similar principle see some limited commercial use, its primary role is aboard nuclear fast-attack and missile submarines such as the MuRN class of subsurface ships. The MuRN A22 Foxbat is the most oft-cited example. The dry-cell reactor works by harnessing beta particles rather than heat, through an extremely efficient capture system that produces large amounts of electricity without any internal moving parts.

The Foundation is the only group with the capability to construct true Dry-Cell reactors, though many imitations have been tried.

Key Advantages

As a power source for a submarine, the dry cells are quiet and small as compared to traditional naval nuclear reactors. The design, which centers around a low excess of reactivity, is over all safer than traditional water-moderated reactors. With no internal moving parts, operation is silent.

Disadvantages

Dry-Cell technology requires extremely precise construction techniques with little margin for error. This is perhaps why only the Foundation has been able to master the technology, despite operating principles being well-understood. Essentially, the reactor has to operate within a very narrow window of self-sustaining, which due to the materials used is not much lower than its maximum potential output. It is also theorized the Foundation employs warm neutrino principles in it's fielded reactors as an additional safety margin.

The other core problem in adapting them to submarine use is heat. The reactors are graphite-moderated and do not require steam, but excess heat still needs to be removed. Cooling them can present a challenge.

Finally, the trade-off for the technology is short operational lifespan as compared to traditional designs. While the reactor will never need refueling, the cladding that contains the particle traps wears out very quickly, sometimes in as little as five years. The cladding has been designed using a modular approach, allowing small portions to be easily swapped out quickly. This has the benefit of limiting radiation exposure for technicians while also improving the over-all operational readyness of the ships.