Beryllium Reflected Cavity Reactor for UF6 Critical Experiments

Conference · Mon Sep 29 04:00:00 EDT 1975

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2514/6.1975-1260· OSTI ID:4003608

Jarvis, G. A.; Bernard, W.; Helmick, H. H.; White, R.

Experiments and theoretical studies are being conducted for NASA on critical assemblies with one-meter diam by one-meter-long low-density cores surrounded by a thick beryllium reflector. These assemblies make extensive use of existing nuclear propulsion reactor components, facilities, and instrumentation. Due to excessive porosity in the reflector, the initial critical mass was 19 kg U (93.2). Addition of a 17-cm-thick by 89-cm-diam beryllium flux trap in the cavity reduced the critical mass to 7 kg when all the uranium was in the zone just outside the flux trap. A mockup aluminum UF6 container was placed inside the flux trap and fueled with uranium-graphite elements. Fission distributions and reactivity worths of fuel and structural materials are available. These results will be used to guide the design of a prototype plasma core reactor which will test energy removal by optical radiation.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
• NSA Number: NSA-33-032367
• OSTI ID: 4003608
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*GAS FUELED REACTORS-- CRITICALITY
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
Beryllium Reflector
Critical Assemblies
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
PROPULSION REACTORS
Porosity
Preliminary Plasma Core Reactor Design
ZERO POWER REACTORS