Comparison of thermionic reactor concepts for 50 to 100 kWe
Five thermionic reactor types were studied for use in the power range of 50 to l00 kW(e). These were (1) an all-cell U-235 reactor which is larger than necessary and turned down to l00 kW(e), (2) an all-cell U-233 reactor, (3) a reactor with /sup 235/UN driver elements in addition to thermionic fuel elements, (4) a reactor with /sup 235/U- ZrH driver elements and the same Mark VIIB thermionic elements (1.l in. diameter by 2 in. long emitter) used in the fast reactors, and (5) a reactor with U- ZrH driver elements and Mark VIIA thermionic elements (0.63 in. diameter by 2 in. long emitter). Performance comparisons in terms of power plant weight showed that the all-cell U-233 reactor was by far the best, while the all-cell U-235, UN driver, and Mark VIIB U - ZrH reactors all have similar intermediate performance, and the Mark VIIA U- ZrH reactor has the poorest performance. The Mark VIIA U-ZrH driver reactor was also difficult to control with poison-backed reflector drums and was found to require several modifications including a large increase in the diameter of the control drums to obtain adequate control. A comparison of the dynamic behavior of the UN driver reactor with that of the U-235 all-cell reactor showed that the prompt negative reactivity coefficient due to expansion of the driver elements could prevent rupture of the thermionic fuel element cladding for accidental rates of reactivity insention of to per second. 5 references. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Gulf General Atomic Co., San Diego, Calif. (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT(04-3)-167
- NSA Number:
- NSA-29-014703
- OSTI ID:
- 4356616
- Report Number(s):
- GA-9509
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 30-JUN-74
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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