Measurements and Analysis of Al-, Al2O3-, and BeO- Reflected Fast Critical Experiments
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
The Argonne nuclear rocket program was developed as a backup effort to the graphite rocket reactor program at Los Alamos. As an alternate to the graphite system, Argonne recommended a refractory-metal-based fast reactor, since the refractory metals have potential for operation at very high temperatures. A fast-neutron spectrum would make it possible to use materials with high thermal-neutron cross sections, and to obtain cores of any desired size down to 20 liters or less. Initial studies led to the choice of tungsten as the refractory metal, possibly alloyed with rhenium where added strength or temperature performance was required, and of uranium oxide as the nuclear fuel. The studies also showed that the best system would probably have a reflector that would help flatten the power distribution and improve neutron economy. With weight at a premium the use of light reflector materials, including aluminum oxide, beryllium, and beryllium oxide, was considered most promising. The series of critical assembles discussed here was performed in connection with the program for development of a fast tungsten reactor for nuclear propulsion.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP); US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- NSA Number:
- NSA-21-035645
- OSTI ID:
- 4329785
- Report Number(s):
- ANL-7320
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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