ANP HTREs FULFILL TEST GOALS
Performance results from the Heat Transfer Reactor Experiment (HTBE) test series have measured up to or exceeded expectations. The series has involved three reactor systems (HTRE-l, HTRE-2, and HTRE-3) and two reactor concepts (water-moderated and ZrH-moderated). HTRE-l achieved a number of full- power runs which demonstrated conclusively the feasibility of operating a jet engine on nuclear power, and easily passed a 100-hr endurance test at fuel temperatures to l850 deg F, operating a single J-47 jet engine at power levels of 18.5 Mw. The HTRE-2 consisted of a mechanical modification of HTRE-l to serve as a test facility for advanced fuel and moderator sections. The HTRE-3 system differed from HTRE-l and -2 in that it had a solid ZrH-moderator and an air- cooled core structure, where the others were water-cooled and moderated. The HTRE-3 system was tested with parallel J-47 engines at 32.4 Mw. Since the HTRE-3 core was designed for air flow of 850 lb/sec and the requirements of the jets were 123 lb/ sec, it is seen that when coupled to an engine system of greater capacity the BTRE-3 could conceivably develop a correspondingly higher power level. The design concepts and operational charaeteristics of the three reactor systems are described. Specifies are given on the performance of HTRE-3. Design, mechanical, nuclear, and thermodynamic data are included for HTRE-l. (B.O.G.)
- Research Organization:
- General Electric Co., Cincinnati
- NSA Number:
- NSA-15-007098
- OSTI ID:
- 4120083
- Journal Information:
- Nucleonics (U.S.) Ceased publication, Journal Name: Nucleonics (U.S.) Ceased publication Vol. Vol: 19, No. 1; ISSN NUCLA
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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