Core length testable reactor concept neutronic analysis
Development work on thermionic reactor systems has been ongoing in the US since the early 1950s. While significant successes were achieved, progress has been hampered by frequent changes in direction and funding instabilities (as has been true for many high technology initiatives). The recent Air Force thermionics initiative (1991) represents the latest in thermionics reactor development in the US. This Air Force initiative called for the development of thermionics reactors with the output power of about 40 kWe, and which incorporated the features of testability, fabricability, low development cost, high level of safety and reliability, and survivability. Several concepts were analyzed to define a design that would meet all the requirements set forth by the Air Force. This report describes the methodology used, the different designs analyzed and reasons for the evolution of the design, and presents the results for the different concepts.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (United States). Engineering Physics Div.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOD; Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 6909188
- Report Number(s):
- ANL-EP-TM-92/1; ON: DE93001337
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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