Small low mass advanced PBR`s for propulsion

Conference · Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1993

OSTI ID:10114495

Powell, J R; Todosow, M; Ludewig, H

The advanced Particle Bed Reactor (PBR) to be described in this paper is characterized by relatively low power, and low cost, while still maintaining competition values for thrust/weight, specific impulse and operating times. In order to retain competitive values for the thrust/weight ratio while reducing the reactor size, it is necessary to change the basic reactor layout, by incorporating new concepts. The new reactor design concept is termed SIRIUS (Small Lightweight Reactor Integral Propulsion System). The following modifications are proposed for the reactor design to be discussed in this paper: Pre-heater (U-235 included in Moderator); Hy-C (Hydride/De-hydride for Reactor Control); Afterburner (U-235 impregnated into Hot Frit); and Hy-S (Hydride Spike Inside Hot Frit). Each of the modifications will be briefly discussed below, with benefits, technical issues, design approach, and risk levels addressed. The paper discusses conceptual assumptions, feasibility analysis, mass estimates, and information needs.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 10114495
• Report Number(s): BNL-49696; CONF-940101-30; ON: DE94005142; TRN: AHC29403%%3
• Resource Relation: Conference: 11. symposium on space nuclear power systems,Albuquerque, NM (United States),9-13 Jan 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1 Oct 1993
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
DESIGN
FUEL DISPERSION REACTORS
SPECIFICATIONS
DISPERSION NUCLEAR FUELS
URANIUM DIOXIDE
BERYLLIUM
LITHIUM HYDRIDES
POWER DENSITY
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
210600
POWER REACTORS, MOBILE, PROPULSION, PACKAGE, AND TRANSPORTABLE