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Title: The scalability of OTR (out-of-core thermionic reactor) space nuclear power systems

Abstract

In this document, masses of the STAR-C power system and an optimized out-of-core thermionic reactor (OTR) power system versus power level are investigated. The impacts of key system parameters on system performance are also addressed. The STAR-C is mass competitive below about 15 kWe, but at higher power levels the scalability is relatively poor. An optimized OR is the least massive space nuclear power system below 25 kWe, and scales well to 50 kWe. The system parameters that have a significant impact on the scalability of the STAR-C are core thermal flux, thermionic converter efficiency, and core length to diameter ratio. The emissivity of the core surface is shown to be a relatively unimportant parameter. For an optimized OR power system, the most significant system parameter is the maximum allowable fuel temperature. It is also shown that if advanced radiation-hardened electronics are used in the satellite payload, a very large mass savings is realized. 10 refs., 23 figs., 7 tabs.

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
DOE/NE
OSTI Identifier:
6923465
Report Number(s):
SAND-90-0163
ON: DE90013553
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-76DP00789
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS; 30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; SPACE POWER REACTORS; DESIGN; SCALE MODELS; THERMIONIC CONVERSION; THERMIONIC CONVERTERS; FUEL PARTICLES; FUELS; GRAPHITE; HEAT FLUX; HEAT TRANSFER; MASS; RADIATION HARDENING; SCALING LAWS; THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY; CARBON; CONVERSION; DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS; ELEMENTAL MINERALS; ELEMENTS; ENERGY CONVERSION; ENERGY TRANSFER; HARDENING; MINERALS; MOBILE REACTORS; NONMETALS; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS; POWER REACTORS; RADIATION EFFECTS; REACTORS; STRUCTURAL MODELS; THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES; NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems; 210600* - Power Reactors, Auxiliary, Mobile Package, & Transportable; 220600 - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Research, Test & Experimental Reactors; 300401 - Thermionic Converters- Design & Development

Citation Formats

Gallup, D R. The scalability of OTR (out-of-core thermionic reactor) space nuclear power systems. United States: N. p., 1990. Web. doi:10.2172/6923465.
Gallup, D R. The scalability of OTR (out-of-core thermionic reactor) space nuclear power systems. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/6923465
Gallup, D R. 1990. "The scalability of OTR (out-of-core thermionic reactor) space nuclear power systems". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/6923465. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6923465.
@article{osti_6923465,
title = {The scalability of OTR (out-of-core thermionic reactor) space nuclear power systems},
author = {Gallup, D R},
abstractNote = {In this document, masses of the STAR-C power system and an optimized out-of-core thermionic reactor (OTR) power system versus power level are investigated. The impacts of key system parameters on system performance are also addressed. The STAR-C is mass competitive below about 15 kWe, but at higher power levels the scalability is relatively poor. An optimized OR is the least massive space nuclear power system below 25 kWe, and scales well to 50 kWe. The system parameters that have a significant impact on the scalability of the STAR-C are core thermal flux, thermionic converter efficiency, and core length to diameter ratio. The emissivity of the core surface is shown to be a relatively unimportant parameter. For an optimized OR power system, the most significant system parameter is the maximum allowable fuel temperature. It is also shown that if advanced radiation-hardened electronics are used in the satellite payload, a very large mass savings is realized. 10 refs., 23 figs., 7 tabs.},
doi = {10.2172/6923465},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6923465}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1990},
month = {Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1990}
}