Progress in the reactor physics design of space reactors
The requirements for long life, high specific powers, and high working temperatures in the space environment have led to unique space nuclear reactor designs that are broadly based on liquid-metal reactor (LMR) technology. In particular, the liquid-metal-cooled nuclear power system for the SP-100 is being designed and developed as part of a ground engineering system (GES) program under the joint sponsorship of the US Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The principal objective of the GES program is to demonstrate the technology for space power sources that can produce 10s to 100s of kilowatts of electric output under conditions of high operational reliability and rigorous safety requirements. The SP-100 reactor is a small, fast-spectrum, BeO-reflected configuration with enriched uranium nitride fuel pins, lithium coolant, and a niobium-based alloy for the cladding and structural materials. In addition, rhenium metal is utilized as a thermal neutron barrier outside of the core and as a fuel pin linear material in the core. The reactor for a 100-kW(electric) system provides a total of 2.4-MW(thermal) output, with a nominal inlet and outlet primary lithium coolant temperature of 1,290 and 1,350 K, respectively. The mission requirements for the SP-100 call for a 10-yr life with at least 7 yr of operation at full power.
- OSTI ID:
- 6844746
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-901101--
- Journal Information:
- Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States), Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States) Vol. 62; ISSN 0003-018X; ISSN TANSAO
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
SCoRe - Concepts of Liquid Metal Cooled Space Reactors for Avoidance of Single-Point Failure
SP-100, a flexible technology for space power
Related Subjects
210500* -- Power Reactors
Breeding
210600 -- Power Reactors
Auxiliary
Mobile Package
& Transportable
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
ANL
BERYLLIUM COMPOUNDS
BERYLLIUM OXIDES
CALCULATION METHODS
CALIBRATION
CHALCOGENIDES
COMPUTER CODES
DATA BASE MANAGEMENT
EIGENVALUES
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
EXPERIMENTAL REACTORS
FAST REACTORS
LIFETIME
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
M CODES
MANAGEMENT
MOBILE REACTORS
MONTE CARLO METHOD
NASA
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
NUCLEAR DATA COLLECTIONS
OPERATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICS
POWER REACTORS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR CORES
REACTOR OPERATION
REACTOR PHYSICS
REACTORS
RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS
RESEARCH REACTORS
SERVICE LIFE
SPACE POWER REACTORS
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
US AEC
US DOD
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
VOID FRACTION
ZERO POWER REACTORS
ZPPR REACTOR