Low power unattended defense reactor

Conference · Wed Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Proc., Intersoc. Energy Convers. Eng. Conf.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5860232

Kirchner, W L; Meier, K L

A small, low power, passive, nuclear reactor electric power supply has been designed for unattended defense applications. Through innovative utilization of existing proven technologies and components, a highly reliable, ''walk-away safe'' design has been obtained. Operating at a thermal power level of 200 kWt, the reactor uses low enrichment uranium fuel in a graphite block core to generate heat that is transferred through heat pipes to a thermoelectric (TE) converter. Waste heat is removed from the TEs by circulation of ambient air. Because such a power supply offers the promise of minimal operation and maintenance (OandM) costs as well as no fuel logistics, it is particularly attractive for remote, unattended applications such as the North Warning System.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
• OSTI ID: 5860232
• Report Number(s): CONF-840804-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Proc., Intersoc. Energy Convers. Eng. Conf.; (United States) Journal Volume: 3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210600* -- Power Reactors
Auxiliary
Mobile Package
& Transportable
CONTROL
COST
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
MAINTENANCE
MILITARY EQUIPMENT
OPERATING COST
POWER RANGE 100-1000 KW
POWER REACTORS
POWER SUPPLIES
REACTOR SAFETY
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
REACTORS
RELIABILITY
REMOTE CONTROL
SAFETY
THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS