The level of understanding of 3rd year BSMT students on the use of

nuclear power in ships.

 CHAPTER I

Introduction

The nuclear power is one of the branches of nuclear engineering; (Encyclopedia

Britannica, 2011) articulates that the nuclear power is the greatest growth in the nuclear

industry has been in the development of nuclear power plants. It is estimated that

eventually one-third of all electric power generated worldwide will come from nuclear

power plants. One use of nuclear power is propulsion of a ship or submarine with heat

provided by a nuclear power plant. According to, (The world book encyclopedia, 2010)

that the nuclear energy also powers some submarines, surface ships, and spacecraft

which produce electric power to function objects. Moreover, the United States launched

the worlds first nuclear powered ship according to (World Book Inc., 2010) and four

countries have launched nuclear-powered merchant ships: America built the

NS Savannah, a passenger-cargo ship; Germany built the Otto Hahn, which carried ore

for nearly a decade; Japan built the Mutsu, which was decommissioned after a single

test run; and Russia built the Sevmorput, which carried cargo until 2012 (Dan Wang).

Ships today have become increasingly automated used nuclear power as a fuel

of the ships that helps to navigate on course. Nuclear ships might be more economical

than conventionally powered ships, since savings in fuel costs might offset the

additional up-front costs of nuclear-powered ships. Additionally, nuclear ships are

environmentally friendly: nuclear fission releases no greenhouse gasses, the

confinement against radioactive leakage is excellent, and nuclear ships are even

recyclable (TekantMelis, 2013). Furthermore, nuclear power has the advantage of

providing power for long periods and millions of kilometers of high speed steaming

without the need to replenish its fuel (the core of the reactor) that emphasize of (Groiler

encyclopedia of knowledge, 1991).

The naval nuclear reactors provide more miles per unit of the raw fuel compared

to combustion-driven power sources (HebaSoffar, 2016) , So , The nuclear ships are

much faster. They need to carry much less fuel and they do not need an oxygen source.

This study attempts to know the purpose of nuclear energy as a fuel in ships, the

pros and cons and to measure the level of understanding of the 3 rd year BSMT student

about the nuclear energy use in ship as an alternative fuel.

Theoretical Framework

Research on the possibility of nuclear-powered ships started in the 1940s, and

the first nuclear powered submarine, USS Nautilus, was completed in 1955 (Melis

Tekant, 2013). The United States and Russia became the first and leading countries to

use nuclear power, peaking at the end of Cold War. By that time, there were around 400

nuclear powered submarines or ships operational or under construction (Melis Tekant,

2013).

Nuclear powered ships are becoming increasingly popular in advancing ship

technology. Important factor that has spurred on the continuous research of nuclear

power generation within ships is the erratic cost of combustible fuels. A ship, being a

fairly large means of transportation, requires adequate means of forward propulsion. In

many ships throughout the world, combustible fuel is the primary means of
thrust. Nuclear power is being promoted as a necessary and viable alternative fuel.

Russia, China, India, U.S.A and some other countries use nuclear power as fuel to

expand its nuclear generation industry both domestically and internationally. Moreover,

the nuclear power efficiently used as a base-load source of generation which

emphasized by Ismail Aktar (2003).

As of today, nuclear energy is considered as one of the most environmentally

friendly source of energy as it produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions during the

production of electricity as compared to traditional sources like coal power plants. Heba

Soffar (2016) stated that the nuclear ships might be more economical than

the conventionally powered ships, since savings in the fuel costs might offset the

additional up-front costs of nuclear-powered ships. However, there are still

disadvantages of nuclear power, the radioactive waste produced can pose serious

health effects on the lives of people as well as the environment. The Chernobyl accident

that occurred on 26 April 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine was the

worst nuclear accident in the history. Its harmful effects on humans and ecology can still

be seen today. Then there was another accident that happened in Fukushima in Japan.

Although the casualties were not that high, but it caused serious environmental

concerns.

Constraints on fossil fuel use in transport may bring nuclear propulsion into more

widespread use. Nuclear technology has made massive strides since its conception in

the early 20th century. Its applications have been limited due to safety concerns, safety
risks may be minimized and nuclear poweraboard ships and even in carsmay be

the norm

Conceptual Framework

Below is the conceptual framework of the study. This schematic diagram shows

the profile of the respondents and the advantages and the disadvantages of using

nuclear power.

Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Demographic profile of The use of nuclear power in

respondents: ships in terms of:

a. Sex a. Advantages

b. Age b. Disadvantages

Fig.1. the schematic diagram shows the between the independent and the

independent variables of the study.

 Figure 1 shows the conceptual framework of this study. The framework is use as

basis of conceptualizing the relationship between the independent and dependent

variables. The general applicability of these two variables is highly significant in

conceptualizing and designing the research, and interpreting the results of the research.

The independent variables are presumed input and the dependent variables are the

presumed output.

The study is based on the concept that the independent variables

(demographic profile of respondents) influence the dependent variables (The use of

nuclear power in ships in terms of: advantages and disadvantages). The presumed

output is significant in finding level of understanding of the respondents about the

nuclear energy use in ship as an alternative fuel.

Statement of the Problem

The study aims to determine the level of understanding of 3rd year BSMT

students on the use of nuclear power in ships.

Specifically it seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of?

1.1 Sex; and

1.2 Age?

2. What is the level of understanding of the respondents on the use of nuclear power in

ships in terms of:

2.1 Advantages

2.2 Disadvantages

3. Is there a significant relationship between the respondents profile and the level of

understanding on the use of nuclear power in ships in terms of advantages and

disadvantages?

Null Hypothesis

Ho: There is no significant relationship between the respondents profile and the

level of understanding on the use of nuclear power in ships in terms of advantages and

disadvantages.
Significance of the Study

This study is conducted to benefit the following individuals:

Students. This study may serve as a guide and reference for the students

undertaking similar studies.

Administrators. Results of this study could be used as feedback for the school

administrators that would give great contribution in this institution which gives

knowledge and awareness to researchers.

Faculty. This research will aid them their discussions regarding related lessons. It

will be easier for them to tackle related topics about this research.

Future Researchers. This research will be a useful reference for the

researchers who would plan to make any related study precisely the standard

underlying the Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation program.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study presents an understanding of 3rd year BS Marine Transportation

students on the use of nuclear power in ships. The researchers limited the study to 100

male BSMT students enrolled in the first semester of school year 2017-2018 of Lyceum

of Iligan Foundation since the male students are more dominant enrollee in the course.

The researchers assure the confidentiality collected data are being kept accordingly.
Definition of Terms

During the course of this research, it is important to conceptually and

operationally define the following terms:

Nuclear Reactor. This refers to a nuclear reactor, formerly known as an atomic

pile, is a device used to initiate and control a sustained nuclear chain

reaction. Nuclear reactors are used at nuclear power plants for electricity generation

and in propulsion of ships.

Nuclear Marine Propulsion. This refers to nuclear marine

propulsion is propulsion of a ship or submarine with heat provided by a nuclear power

plant.

Nuclear Power Plant. This refers to a nuclear power plant or nuclear

power station is a thermal power station in which the heat source is a nuclear reactor.

Nuclear Powered Ship. This refers to the nuclear powered ship is the surface

ship or the submarine; it receives its propulsion energy from the nuclear power plant on

board

Nuclear Fission. This refers to the nuclear fission is the form of the alternative

energy that can be utilized in place of the fossil fuels which are most commonly used

and the nuclear power plants can generate this energy.

Ship. This refers to a vessel larger than a boat for transporting people or goods

by sea.