THE P & WA CIRCULATING FUEL REFLECTOR-MODERATED REACTOR. VOLUME I

Technical Report · Fri Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 1957

OSTI ID:4745688

Bigelow, C C; Greenstreet, M E

The design of a reactor, PWAR-6, intended to be the heat source for a nuclear airplane, is described in detail. The bases for making design choices are given, and, where possible, test results substantiating these choices are shown. Some discussion of operational problems is presented. The reactor is based on the ART circulatingfuel reflector-moderated concept. The ART design was modified for the higher power and the dynamic loads encountered in the aircraft application. The reflector cooling heat-exchanger was located externally to the reactor. Structural details differ because of the higher power and associnted higher pressure drops. Spun or forged shells were substituted for flat plates in the upper part of the reactor. The core entrance and core shape differ because hydraulic tests indicated that the ART core entrance did not produce satisfactory fuel flow with one pump inoperative. (M.C.G.)

• Research Organization: Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Div., United Aircraft Corp. Connecticut Aircraft Nuclear Engine Lab., Middletown
• DOE Contract Number: AT(11-1)-229
• NSA Number: NSA-17-007568
• OSTI ID: 4745688
• Report Number(s): PWAC-189(Vol.I)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AIRCRAFT
CONFIGURATION
COOLANT LOOPS
FAILURES
FORGING
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT TRANSFER
HIGH TEMPERATURE
HYDRAULICS
LIQUID FLOW
LIQUID METAL FUEL
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MODERATORS
NEUTRON FLUX
PLANNING
PLATES
POWER PLANTS
PRESSURE
PROPULSION
PUMPS
REACTOR CORE
REACTOR SAFETY
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
REFLECTORS
SHELLS