The liquid annular reactor system (LARS) propulsion
Abstract
A new concept for very high specific impulse ({gt}2000 seconds) direct nuclear propulsion is described. The concept, termed LARS (Liquid Annular Reactor System) uses liquid nuclear fuel elements to heat hydrogen propellant to very high temperatures ({similar to}6000 K). Operating pressure is moderate ({similar to}10 atm), with the result that the outlet hydrogen is virtually 100% dissociated to monatomic H. The molten fuel is contained in a solid container of its own material, which is rotated to stabilize the liquid layer by centripetal force. LARS reactor designs are described, together with neutronic and thermal-hydraulic analyses. Power levels are on the order of 200 megawatts. Typically, LARS designs use 7 rotating fuel elements, are beryllium moderated and have critical radii of {similar to}100 cm (core L/D{approx}1.5).
- Authors:
-
- Brookhaven National Laboratory, Department of Nuclear Energy, Upton, NY (USA)
- SDIO The Pentagon, Washington, DC (USA)
- Publication Date:
- OSTI Identifier:
- 5489262
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-910116-
Journal ID: ISSN 0094-243X; CODEN: APCPC
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH00016
- Resource Type:
- Conference
- Journal Name:
- AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States)
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 217:2; Conference: 8. symposium on space nuclear power systems, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 6-10 Jan 1991; Journal ID: ISSN 0094-243X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS; SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS; DESIGN; HYDROGEN; LIQUID FUELS; NEUTRON FLUX; RADIANT HEAT TRANSFER; REACTOR FUELING; SPACE VEHICLES; ELEMENTS; ENERGY TRANSFER; FUELS; HEAT TRANSFER; MOBILE REACTORS; NONMETALS; POWER REACTORS; PROPULSION REACTORS; RADIATION FLUX; REACTORS; SPACE POWER REACTORS; VEHICLES; NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems; 220800* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Propulsion Reactors; 210600 - Power Reactors, Auxiliary, Mobile Package, & Transportable
Citation Formats
Maise, G, Lazareth, O W, Horn, F, Powell, J R, Ludewig, H, and Lenard, R X. The liquid annular reactor system (LARS) propulsion. United States: N. p., 1991.
Web. doi:10.1063/1.40114.
Maise, G, Lazareth, O W, Horn, F, Powell, J R, Ludewig, H, & Lenard, R X. The liquid annular reactor system (LARS) propulsion. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.40114
Maise, G, Lazareth, O W, Horn, F, Powell, J R, Ludewig, H, and Lenard, R X. 1991.
"The liquid annular reactor system (LARS) propulsion". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.40114.
@article{osti_5489262,
title = {The liquid annular reactor system (LARS) propulsion},
author = {Maise, G and Lazareth, O W and Horn, F and Powell, J R and Ludewig, H and Lenard, R X},
abstractNote = {A new concept for very high specific impulse ({gt}2000 seconds) direct nuclear propulsion is described. The concept, termed LARS (Liquid Annular Reactor System) uses liquid nuclear fuel elements to heat hydrogen propellant to very high temperatures ({similar to}6000 K). Operating pressure is moderate ({similar to}10 atm), with the result that the outlet hydrogen is virtually 100% dissociated to monatomic H. The molten fuel is contained in a solid container of its own material, which is rotated to stabilize the liquid layer by centripetal force. LARS reactor designs are described, together with neutronic and thermal-hydraulic analyses. Power levels are on the order of 200 megawatts. Typically, LARS designs use 7 rotating fuel elements, are beryllium moderated and have critical radii of {similar to}100 cm (core L/D{approx}1.5).},
doi = {10.1063/1.40114},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5489262},
journal = {AIP Conference Proceedings (American Institute of Physics); (United States)},
issn = {0094-243X},
number = ,
volume = 217:2,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Jan 05 00:00:00 EST 1991},
month = {Sat Jan 05 00:00:00 EST 1991}
}