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Modelling Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Reactor Expander Cycle Startup Transients

Conference ·
OSTI ID:2369607
As the interest in nuclear thermal propulsion grows, the need for high fidelity and comprehensive models of the system increases. An expander cycle model was developed using RELAP-7 for the thermal-hydraulic performance and Griffin to provide the power level using a point kinetics approximation, for a reference NTP system. The tank and pump are approximated using boundary conditions. Flow is split between the moderator cooling channels flow path and the regenerative cooling/reflector cooling channels flow path. The flow recombines before entering the turbine and the fuel cooling channels. The turbine pressure ratio is maintained at 1.44 using a PID controller. A startup transient was simulated and shows the capability of the model to run from low temperature and pressures to nominal conditions.
Research Organization:
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
58
DOE Contract Number:
AC07-05ID14517
OSTI ID:
2369607
Report Number(s):
INL/CON-23-71130-Rev000
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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