Analysis of TOPAZ II and SPACE-R space nuclear power plants using a modified thermionic model

Technical Report · Mon Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/307936· OSTI ID:307936

Habedank, O. D.

Models based on the TDS thermionic diode model were developed for the TOPAZ II and SPACE-R nuclear power systems. Due to computer code limitations inherent in the TDS model, only the TOPAZ II system model ran successfully. Several parameter studies were conducted on the TOPAZ II model. These studies determined system performance and efficiency while varying the following: (1) the coolant flow inlet temperatures; (2) the rate of coolant temperature change; (3) the power profile of the core; and (4) the cesium reservoir temperature. Analysis of the results indicate that the model accurately represented the TOPAZ II system, underestimating published data by 10%. Coolant flow parameter studies indicate that raising coolant flow temperatures up to 100 K higher increases system power by put to 5%. Additional increases in temperature result in gradual performance degradation. Varying the axial power profile of the core from the actual peaked profile to a flat profile results in a negligible 0.3% change in total system performance. The peaked profile used in TOPAZ II produces the highest system efficiency of all the profiles modeled. The cesium pressure study indicates that the system is operating above optimum cesium pressure and that system performance is strongly dependent on cesium pressure. Increasing cesium reservoir temperature above design temperature by 30 K decreases system efficiency by 30%.

• Research Organization: Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AI03-88SF17799
• OSTI ID: 307936
• Report Number(s): DOE/SF/17799-T3; AFIT/GNE/ENP-93M-03; ON: DE99001603; TRN: AHC29905%%113
• Resource Relation: Other Information: TH: Thesis (M.S.); PBD: Mar 1993
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 NUCLEAR POWER REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
99 MATHEMATICS
COMPUTERS
INFORMATION SCIENCE
MANAGEMENT
LAW
MISCELLANEOUS
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
SPACE POWER REACTORS
TOPAZ REACTOR
THERMIONIC FUEL ELEMENTS
THERMIONIC CONVERTERS
THERMIONIC REACTORS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS
PERFORMANCE
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
THEORETICAL DATA
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems