A review of gas-cooled reactor concepts for SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative) applications
We have completed a review of multimegawatt gas-cooled reactor concepts proposed for SDI applications. Our study concluded that the principal reason for considering gas-cooled reactors for burst-mode operation was the potential for significant system mass savings over closed-cycle systems if open-cycle gas-cooled operation (effluent exhausted to space) is acceptable. The principal reason for considering gas-cooled reactors for steady-state operation is that they may represent a lower technology risk than other approaches. In the review, nine gas-cooled reactor concepts were compared to identify the most promising. For burst-mode operation, the NERVA (Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application) derivative reactor concept emerged as a strong first choice since its performance exceeds the anticipated operational requirements and the technology has been demonstrated and is retrievable. Although the NERVA derivative concepts were determined to be the lead candidates for the Multimegawatt Steady-State (MMWSS) mode as well, their lead over the other candidates is not as great as for the burst mode. 90 refs., 2 figs., 10 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/NE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 5619371
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-87-0558; ON: DE89016962
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Strategic defense initiative
Deterrence enhanced by SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative). Student essay
Related Subjects
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
HTGR TYPE REACTORS
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
MASS
SPACE WEAPONS
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE
BRAYTON CYCLE POWER SYSTEMS
FUEL PELLETS
HYDROGEN FUELS
MULTIWIRE PROPORTIONAL CHAMBERS
NERVA REACTOR
PARTICLE-CORE COUPLING MODEL
PLUTO REACTOR
PULSED REACTORS
RANKINE CYCLE POWER SYSTEMS
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
RISK ASSESSMENT
SPACE POWER REACTORS
STEADY-STATE CONDITIONS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
THERMIONIC FUEL ELEMENTS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUELS
GAS COOLED REACTORS
GRAPHITE MODERATED REACTORS
HEAVY WATER COOLED REACTORS
HEAVY WATER MODERATED REACTORS
HYDROGEN COOLED REACTORS
IRRADIATION REACTORS
MATERIALS TESTING REACTORS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MOBILE REACTORS
NATIONAL DEFENSE
NUCLEAR MODELS
PELLETS
POWER REACTORS
POWER SYSTEMS
PROPORTIONAL COUNTERS
PROPULSION REACTORS
RADIATION DETECTORS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTORS
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
SYNTHETIC FUELS
TANK TYPE REACTORS
THERMAL REACTORS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
210300* - Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Graphite Moderated
210600 - Power Reactors
Auxiliary
Mobile Package
& Transportable
450202 - Explosions & Explosives- Nuclear- Weaponry- (-1989)