Gas-cooled reactor power systems for space

Conference · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5626565

Walter, C E

Efficiency and mass characteristics for four gas-cooled reactor power system configurations in the 2- to 20-MWe power range are modeled. The configurations use direct and indirect Brayton cycles with and without regeneration in the power conversion loop. The prismatic ceramic core of the reactor consists of several thousand pencil-shaped tubes made from a homogeneous mixture of moderator and fuel. The heat rejection system is found to be the major contributor to system mass, particularly at high power levels. A direct, regenerated Brayton cycle with helium working fluid permits high efficiency and low specific mass for a 10-MWe system.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 5626565
• Report Number(s): UCRL-95047-Rev.2; CONF-870102-1-Rev.2; ON: DE88005220
• Resource Relation: Conference: 4. symposium on space nuclear power systems, Albuquerque, NM, USA, 12 Jan 1987; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
GAS COOLED REACTORS
SPACECRAFT POWER SUPPLIES
BRAYTON CYCLE
CONFIGURATION
EFFICIENCY
PERFORMANCE
REACTOR CORES
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
POWER SUPPLIES
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTORS
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
210300* - Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Graphite Moderated