Comparison of KENO-VI and MCNP5 Criticality Analyses for a Lunar Regolith Clustered-Reactor System

Journal Article · Mon Jan 21 00:00:00 EST 2008 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2844979· OSTI ID:21043563

Bess, John Darrell ^[1]

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1. Center for Space Nuclear Research PO Box 1625, MS 5855 Idaho Falls, ID 83415-3855 (United States)

The Lunar Regolith Clustered-Reactor System design has been presented as an alternative method for providing surface power to a lunar facility using a fast-fission, heatpipe-cooled nuclear reactor. The reactor system is divided into subcritical units that can be safely launched into orbit without risk of inadvertent criticality in the event of a launch accident. The reactor subunits are emplaced into the lunar surface to form a clustered-reactor system, utilizing the regolith as both radiation shielding and neutron-reflector material. Coordinated placement of multiple subunits can provision a critical reactor system proportional to localized lunar surface power demand. Reactor units assembled using proven and tested materials in radiation environments such as UO{sub 2} fuel, stainless-steel cladding and support, and compatible liquid-metal heatpipes promote safety and reliability, with ease of manufacture and testing. Reactor power levels of approximately 100 kWth per subunit significantly reduces the negative effects of elevated temperature and radiation environments associated with single nuclear power reactors operated at higher power levels. The analysis of subunit criticality in various accident scenarios differs by up to 4% ({approx}$6 in reactivity) between results generated using conventional criticality analysis codes, MCNP5 and KENO-VI. A demonstrated trend exists between results of the two criticality codes as accident conditions approach a multiplication factor of one. Code comparison of a tri-cluster system on the lunar surface provides comparable results with calculated system reactivity within 0.5%. Iron concentration is confirmed as the dominant element in the lunar regolith influencing system reactivity.

• OSTI ID: 21043563
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 969, Issue 1; Conference: Space Technology and Applications International Forum-STAIF 2008: 12. conference on thermophysics applications in microgravity; 1. symposium on space resource utilization; 25. symposium on space nuclear power and propulsion; 6. conference on human/robotic technology and the vision for space exploration; 6. symposium on space colonization; 5. symposium on new frontiers and future concept, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 10-14 Feb 2008; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2844979; (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CRITICALITY
DESIGN
FAST FISSION
IRON
LIQUID METALS
MULTIPLICATION FACTORS
NEUTRON REFLECTORS
NUCLEAR FUELS
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER DEMAND
POWER GENERATION
POWER SYSTEMS
REACTIVITY
REACTOR SAFETY
REACTORS
STAINLESS STEELS
SURFACES
URANIUM DIOXIDE