APPLICATION OF ION EXCHANGE FOR CONTROL OF NUCLEAR ROCKET REACTORS

Journal Article · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1961 · Nuclear Sci. and Eng.

OSTI ID:4832494

Ma, C -C

Studies were made for the application of liquid poisons in lieu of movng control rods for shim control of core reactivity. Liquid control is achieved by: injection of neutronabsorbing poison irto the system from a poison supply tank if lower core reactivty is desired; removal of a certain per cent of neutron- absorbing poison from the system by ion exchange if higher core reactivty is required; no poison is added to or subtracted from the system if no reactivity change is desired. Nitrate or other salts of cadmium, europium, or gadolinium are suggested for absorbing thermal neutrons, while silver, indium, or hafnium salts are used for the removal of resonance neutrons. A mixed solution containing one or more of these salts in any desired ratio can be prepared according to the need of a particular reactor. Boric acid can also be used. The principal advantages of using chemical poisons are lower capital cost, simpler maintenance, ready control of large reactivties, and elimination of rod hot-spot factors. The liquid control system under consideration was studied for its applicability to nuclear rocket reactor control, although it might also be feasible for the control of ordinary power reactors with certain modifications. (auth)

• Research Organization: Rocketdyne, Canoga Park, Calif.
• NSA Number: NSA-16-002756
• OSTI ID: 4832494
• Journal Information: Nuclear Sci. and Eng., Journal Name: Nuclear Sci. and Eng. Vol. Vol: 11
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ABSORPTION
BORON OXIDES
BURNOUT
CADMIUM NITRATES
CHEMICALS
CONTROL
CONTROL ELEMENTS
COOLANT LOOPS
CROSS SECTIONS
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
EPITHERMAL NEUTRONS
EUROPIUM NITRATES
GADOLINIUM NITRATES
HAFNIUM
HIGH TEMPERATURE
INDIUM
INJECTION
ION EXCHANGE
LIQUIDS
MAINTENANCE
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
POISONING
POWER PLANTS
PROPULSION
REACTIVITY
REACTOR CORE
REACTOR SAFETY
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
RESONANCE NEUTRONS
ROCKETS
RODS
SALTS
SHUTDOWN
SILVER
SOLUTIONS
STABILITY
STARTUP
STORAGE
THERMAL NEUTRONS
TRANSIENTS
VESSELS