[PSUBS-MAILIST] Thermite and other stuff...

["Richard Gordon" <lrrg@wantree.com.au>]

Hi guys,

            it occured to me that if you were going to run a reactor with a steam-turbine that was fuelled by thermite, wouldn't it be good if you ran the exhaust gases from the thermite through the same turbine that the steam was running through? This would surely increase your energy density, which is what it's all about for a PSUB. An old turbo-charger would probably make a very suitable turbine for these purposes. As always though, someone needs to build one to really know what the deal is. Anyone out there feel up to the task?

 

Point 2: What's the story with these space-age ceramics we were hearing so much about a few years ago. They are probably the best thing in the world for submarine hulls (they can be almost as stong as diamond). I'm sure they're still very much on the pricey side, but they must be getting a bit cheaper by now. Are the materials for their fabrication commercially available? I'll look into it further and get back to you all, but I would like to know if anyone else has more info on it in the meantime. Cheers.

 

Rich