Daming 1805

Daming built a plutonium [-] production reactor and continued to extract and refine enriched uranium [-].

What's more, the enriched uranium [-] accumulated by Ming Dynasty is several times more than the accumulated plutonium [-].

Because Daming, like the United States back then, was prepared to "walk on two legs" in terms of nuclear fuel selection and production methods.

The reason for walking on two legs is that the difficulty of refining and producing the two charges of plutonium and uranium is displayed in two completely different directions.

The extraction and enrichment of uranium [-] can be regarded as a simple and crude type to some extent.

When the performance of the material is sufficient and a strong enough centrifuge is built, it can barely be regarded as the mode of working hard to perform miracles.

Anyway, no one can interfere with the electricity consumption of Daming Xintianfu.

As long as enough centrifuges are manufactured and the power supply is sufficient, stable production can continue.

But the production of plutonium [-] requires careful and meticulous work.

The production of plutonium [-] does not seem to require uranium enrichment like uranium [-], and can be produced through special production reactors.

The raw material of the reactor can even use natural uranium directly, without special separation of uranium [-] and uranium [-].

But the difficulty of producing and refining plutonium-[-] is much more complicated than enriching uranium.

First, there are issues of design and construction and control of the production reactor itself.

The logic of the production reactor is essentially to let the uranium [-] in the natural uranium undergo fission, and the neutrons released will bombard the uranium [-].

Uranium [-] is converted into uranium [-], and after two gamma decays, it is converted into plutonium [-].

Finally, the generated plutonium [-] is separated from the raw material pile.

The process itself is difficult.

This production process then simultaneously creates plutonium-[-].

Plutonium [-] has a high rate of spontaneous fission, and it is possible to make a plutonium [-] bomb runaway.

The point is that after the plutonium is produced, it is more troublesome to separate the plutonium-[-] inside than to enrich uranium.

If the concentration of plutonium [-] exceeds [-]%, it can be regarded as waste directly.

The concentration of plutonium-[-] needs to be less than [-] percent to be used as a nuclear charge in an atomic bomb.

Products in between can be used in nuclear power plants to generate electricity.

Therefore, the proportion of plutonium-[-] must be well controlled during the production process.

Heavy water moderation reactors must be used, and the production of heavy water is equally cumbersome, and regular refueling is required.

Before plutonium [-] is enriched to the critical point, the produced plutonium [-] is extracted.

In this repeated extraction process, a relatively large amount of waste will inevitably be formed.

So in fact, the plutonium-[-] production reactors of later generations usually use the spent fuel of uranium-[-] as raw material, that is, use "slag" to refine.

Finally, the production of plutonium-[-] actually consumes uranium-[-].

It is uranium [-] that drives the reaction in the production reactor.

At the current technical level, the total amount of uranium [-] consumed is much greater than the amount of plutonium [-] eventually produced.

After this series of tossing, looking at this series of processes and difficulties, one can already imagine a situation:

"In the early production methods, the speed of producing plutonium-[-] must not be fast."

In the history of Zhu Jingyuan's previous life, the United States produced only a little over ten kilograms of plutonium-[-] in the later stages of the Manhattan Project.

And uranium 50 has more than [-] kilograms.

This is the result of their use of the less efficient gas diffusion method to enrich uranium.

Under the circumstance that Daming has the ability to perform miracles vigorously, if he wants to obtain more nuclear fuel quickly, he can only rely on uranium enrichment.

At the same time, Daming's current demand for plutonium fuel is not urgent.

The biggest advantage of plutonium fuel lies in the miniaturization of nuclear weapons.

Compared with plutonium [-], the critical mass of uranium [-] is several times larger.

Therefore, the mass of nuclear fuel consumed to make a uranium bomb will definitely be much larger than that of a plutonium bomb.

The final result must be that the weight of the entire uranium bomb exceeds the weight of the entire plutonium bomb.

It's just that the current level of technology is limited, and the throwing weight of the current fission bombs is still maintained in the era of tons.

Whether the nuclear fuel is tens of kilograms or a few kilograms is of little significance.

Moreover, from the very beginning, Ming took the route of implosion-type atomic bombs. Both uranium bombs and plutonium bombs were all implosion-type designs.

The mass of nuclear fuel required for the implosion-type uranium bomb is actually less than half that of the gun-type bomb "Little Boy" in the previous life.

The gap between the nuclear fuel required by the two is actually a gap of a few kilograms to a dozen kilograms.

In the future, nuclear weapons will continue to be miniaturized, and in the end they will definitely reach the level of hundreds or even tens of kilograms.

But by that time, the ability to control the critical state of the nuclear charge will definitely be improved simultaneously, that is, less nuclear fuel will be needed.

The difference in fuel consumption between the two will become a difference between three or four kilograms and seven or eight kilograms.

This is the experience of Zhu Jingyuan's previous life.

In the case that the weight of the warhead is not particularly sensitive, the pure uranium bomb scheme is still feasible.

The two fission bombs detonated by Ming Dynasty in Tiannan Continent's two nuclear tests were a plutonium bomb and a uranium bomb.

The four bombs Zhu Zhaoxie escorted to the mainland were three uranium bombs and one plutonium bomb.

There is basically no difference in the throwing weight of these bombs, and they are all very close to the integer of two tons.

In fact, whether it is using centrifuges to enrich uranium [-] or producing plutonium [-] in heavy water, it is a large-scale heavy industry.

Although the two paths have their own merits, neither of them can be easily realized by a small country.

What's more, in Zhu Jingyuan's previous life, most countries had no choice at all, and it would be great if they could implement a set of plans.

Those who can walk on two legs like Daming are big countries like America and Lucia.

Lucia was not able to walk on two legs in the early days. According to the information obtained, she first completed the test explosion of the plutonium bomb, and then completed the technology of the uranium bomb.

But Daming is bigger than the two of them combined.

The second part of the report is the status of follow-up research related to fission weapons.

Under the condition that the explosion experiment has been completely successful and the existing research and production system is basically perfect.

The next key tasks of relevant research institutions have shifted to the upgrading and optimization of fission bombs, as well as more types of bomb designs.

That is, the miniaturization and practicalization of fission weapons.

Continue to reduce the throwing weight of the bomb, continue to increase the reaction ratio of the nuclear charge, and continue to increase the actual yield of the bomb.

It is estimated that within two to three years, the total weight of the bomb will be reduced to less than one ton, and the explosive yield will be increased to more than [-].

The explosive equivalent of a pure fission atomic bomb can actually reach the level of 50 tons.

It's just that the efficiency and weight will be ugly by then.

However, on the basis of [-] tons, it is still very necessary to continue to upgrade to the level of [-] to [-] tons.

This research is definitely faster than the development of fusion bombs.

Even if the rapid development is successful, the early fusion bombs will certainly be bigger and heavier.

No matter how many tricks Zhu Jingyuan knows, the basic principle of using atomic bombs determines that fusion bombs will always be bigger and heavier than atomic bombs.

Continuing to "refine" the atomic bomb itself is the basis for the miniaturization of nuclear weapons.

Continuous research and improvement must be persevering.

As for the so-called practical application, it is to develop more types of fission bombs that can be installed directly.

These include bombs suitable for different bombers, bombs delivered using existing and upcoming missiles, and bombs capable of serving as artillery shells.

Just like the early development of nuclear weapons in the previous life, with a new weapon that is powerful enough, people tend to apply it to all aspects of warfare.

The third part of the report is the situation of marine propulsion nuclear power reactors.

The nuclear fission reactor is the most powerful, sustainable and controllable energy source that human beings can obtain at present.

Even for nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and nuclear power plants, due to cost-effectiveness and environmental safety issues, there may be discussions among the industry and the public about whether to continue to use them, but nuclear-powered submarines are not discussed.

The nuclear fission reactor is currently the only energy source that humans can obtain to allow submarines to truly submerge for a long time.

Nuclear submarines are an indispensable part of strategic nuclear strikes.

Therefore, marine nuclear power reactors must be studied.

Zhu Jingyuan also knew this very well.

Therefore, Daming's new element project had two goals of bombs and power from the very beginning.

Research on marine reactors started simultaneously with fission bombs.

While studying the production and reprocessing reactors of plutonium [-], it is simultaneously researching the pressurized water reactors for outputting heat.

Experiments with fission bombs are now complete.

In terms of marine power reactors, all theoretical research has now been completed, and the construction of land-based test reactors has begun.

The design and construction of nuclear-powered ships can now be started.

If the onshore test reactors are functioning properly, then production of real marine reactors can begin and go directly to ships in a few years.

If all goes well, it is estimated that after about five years, the Daming nuclear-powered ship will be launched.

This speed is much faster than the Americans in the previous life.

The nuclear submarine project in the previous life was also another engineering project started after the completion of the Manhattan Project.

The first nuclear submarine entered service nine years after the completion of the Manhattan Project.

Daming is likely to cut this time in half as well.

In fact, like the entire new element project, it doesn't mean that Daming's research speed will be faster than that of the Americans in his previous life.

Instead, under the leadership of the Emperor of Ming Dynasty, all related projects of Ming Dynasty were carried out intensively, one after another or even at the same time.

The projects of the Americans are carried out semi-independently one by one.

Every time a new project is launched, there may be a lot of wrangling issues waiting for the relevant personnel.

Even if scientists have mature ideas, they must be able to persuade officials and the military to promote the establishment of projects, and officials and the military must also promote congressional appropriation.

Only then can we start organizing personnel to start specific research.

In this process, there will still be a large number of commercial problems, such as the selection and cooperation of manufacturers responsible for production.

They will waste a lot of time on these links that cannot be saved.

Just like now, before the construction of the land test reactor is completed, Zhu Zhaoxie’s report has already stated:

"The design and construction of nuclear submarine design can be started in advance."

The reactor has not been verified, how can we design a nuclear submarine using this reactor?

The logic is very simple. The reactor design team gives the space required by the reactor and gives the main parameters of the reactor.

When designing a nuclear submarine, design the power and transmission system according to the parameters of the reactor, while leaving enough space for the reactor to install.

After the nuclear submarine has built its hull and frame, leave the place where the reactor is installed temporarily empty.

After the reactor verification is completed, it will be pulled over for loading.

Of course, the premise is that the onshore experiment of the reactor can really be completed on time and normally.

Otherwise, at the last minute, if there is a problem with the reactor design and a major modification is required, then the submarine with the shell built will also be greatly modified.

Although existing products will not be completely obsolete, it will definitely waste a lot of money and time.

Therefore, the more critical issue is to have a person with sufficient authority to endorse and be responsible for this project management method.

This person can only be the emperor.

And Zhu Jingyuan's decision was: "Yes."

If it succeeds, the nuclear submarine will be launched within three years. If it fails, tens of millions of dollars will be wasted, and the nuclear submarine may not be launched until five years later.

Zhu Jingyuan could still afford this price.

The point is that the current research direction is also given by Zhu Jingyuan, which is generally correct.

The probability of success is high.

More than ten years ago, the design of Ming's high-speed battleships and aircraft carriers actually adopted this very common project management method.

It ended up being largely successful.

Although the relevant managers and workers worked very hard, there were many times of repeated design revisions and adjustments.

But it also allowed Daming's warship design to change rapidly.

The fourth part of the report is about the research progress of fusion bombs.

The related research on the fusion bomb of Ming Dynasty was started in the middle and late stages of the theoretical research on the fission bomb.

This is actually another typical project parallel solution.

It was also a reasonable arrangement based on Zhu Jingyuan's foresight.

To use fission weapons as the detonation level of fusion weapons.

It is not necessary to wait until a fission weapon is made before designing a fusion weapon from scratch.

After the basic principles of fission weapons are clarified, research on fusion weapons can be started on the premise that "fission weapons already exist".

Zhu Jingyuan's previous country also did the same.

That's why it was possible to make the fusion weapon after the fission weapon was completed, less than three years later.

If you pay attention to the propaganda caliber, you can find that what the newspaper said was not that it took less than three years to complete the hydrogen bomb.

Instead, it repeatedly emphasized that it took only more than two years "after the atomic bomb" to detonate the hydrogen bomb.

This kind of propaganda caliber actually avoids the accurate number of the actual research time of the country's hydrogen bomb.

It took more than seven years between the atomic bomb explosion in the United States and the fusion bomb explosion.

Because the United States was the pioneer at that time, all paths and methods had to be explored by himself.

When the Manhattan Project began, although someone had proposed a direction, the energy of a fission bomb was used to trigger a fusion reaction.

But this direction has not become a formal research direction and goal.

Even before Red Lucia came up with the atomic bomb, American officials were not very enthusiastic about this research.

After all, they are the only country with an atomic bomb.

At that time, the atomic bomb was already the sword of thunder above conventional weapons.

At the same time, there were errors in their cognition of the hydrogen bomb route, and the power of the early layer cake design was not obvious compared with the atomic bomb at that time.

They feel that there is no need to make great efforts to study.

It was after confirming the news that Lucia had completed the atomic bomb that the Americans increased their investment in fusion bomb research.

So it is completely normal for the United States to take longer between the two bombs.

To put it bluntly, they are irrelevant.

But on the flip side, don't they want to get it done quickly?They don't have that condition at all.

The American court is essentially a merchant association.

The key is that there is no speaker with absolute authority, and the president cannot directly order all personnel to cooperate with him, and persuade Congress to let them see their interests.

Without feeling the pressure of competition, they will not spend enough cost to invest in projects that do not see benefits.

Although the current Daming is also a pioneer, it is a focused model.

Zhu Jingyuan gave the right direction, allowing relevant research to skip the design of the puff pastry and directly explore the use of X-ray irradiation and lithium deuteride 6.

The Emperor and Huangzhuang provided absolute funding, environment, and talent support, allowing them to work more efficiently than normal explorers.

So although their speed may not be as fast as the home country that was the chaser in the previous life, they will definitely be faster than the Americans in the previous life.

So far, the progress of relevant research has been quite smooth, and the theoretical research and the preparation of supporting production processes are now in the stage of key research.

The estimated completion time given by the researchers is three years.

Zhu Jingyuan knew that these three years must be a conservative estimate, and the officials of Ming Dynasty did not dare to speak big words.

At the same time, the finished product that can be produced after three years should also be a fusion bomb with certain practical significance.

Just like Zhu Jingyuan's first hydrogen bomb in his country in his previous life, it weighed no more than the first atomic bomb, and the experiment was completed by airdropping directly from an airplane.

Obviously, in the next three to five years, the entire New Element project will usher in a big harvest period.

The fission bomb was really only the first harvest, but it also opened the door to a new era.

Zhu Jingyuan is basically satisfied with the situation of the New Element Engineering Project.

After reading the report, in addition to the approval, I also gave a very high evaluation:

"Very well, the progress of the project has obviously exceeded the initial expectation, and the original 13-year plan has been completed in 15 years.

"What's even more gratifying is that if there are no accidents, the original 30-year goal should be completed within 20 years.

"This is all thanks to you and all the craftsmen. It is your unremitting efforts over the past 13 years that have resulted in the current harvest.

"So, from now on, all engineering-related personnel will be paid two levels of wages.

"All those who have actually made outstanding contributions to the project, and all those who have participated in the project from 13 years ago to the present, will all be awarded a first-level honorary title."

After hearing this, Zhu Zhaoxie hurriedly took all the officers and bowed to thank him:
"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After Zhu Jingyuan nodded slightly, Zhu Zhaoxie immediately said:
"It's His Majesty who pointed me in the right direction, so all the research can be done so smoothly, the last general really dare not take the credit..."

When Zhu Jingyuan heard these compliments, he didn't try to be polite.

What Zhu Zhaoxie said could not be wrong.

Besides, as an emperor, he should not be too modest, which would damage his majesty.

So Zhu Jingyuan accepted it directly, and then led them to discuss the arrangement of the imperial army.