FRINK - A Code to Evaluate Space Reactor Transients
- Nuclear Systems Design Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM87545 (United States)
One of the biggest needs for space reactor design and development is detailed system modeling. Most proposed space fission systems are very different from previously operated fission power systems, and extensive testing and modeling will be required to demonstrate integrated system performance. There are also some aspects of space reactors that make them unique from most terrestrial application, and require different modeling approaches. The Fission Reactor Integrated Nuclear Kinetics (FRINK) code was developed to evaluate simplified space reactor transients (note: the term ''space reactor'' inherently includes planetary and lunar surface reactors). FRINK is an integrated point kinetic/thermal-hydraulic transient analysis FORTRAN code - ''integrated'' refers to the simultaneous solution of the thermal and neutronic equations. In its current state FRINK is a very simple system model, perhaps better referred to as a reactor model. The ''system'' only extends to the primary loop power removal boundary condition; however this allows the simulation of simplified transients (e.g. loss of primary heat sink, loss of flow, large reactivity insertion, etc.), which are most important in bounding early system conceptual design. FRINK could then be added to a complete system model later in the design and development process as system design matures.
- OSTI ID:
- 21054550
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 880, Issue 1; Conference: International forum-STAIF 2007: 11. conference on thermophysics applications in microgravity; 24. symposium on space nuclear power and propulsion; 5. conference on human/robotic technology and the vision for space exploration; 5. symposium on space colonization; 4. symposium on new frontiers and future concepts, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 11-15 Feb 2007; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2437485; (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DESIGN
F CODES
FISSION
HEAT SINKS
LOSS OF FLOW
MATHEMATICAL SOLUTIONS
PERFORMANCE
POWER SYSTEMS
REACTIVITY INSERTIONS
SPACE
SPACE PROPULSION REACTORS
SPACE VEHICLES
TESTING
THERMAL HYDRAULICS
TRANSIENTS
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems