Specifications, Pre-Experimental Predictions, and Test Plate Characterization Information for the Prometheus Critical Experiments

Technical Report · Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/883627· OSTI ID:883627

Zerkle, M. L. ^[1]; Meyers, M. E. ^[1]; Tarves, S. M. ^[1]; Powers, J. J. ^[1]

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1. Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory (BAPL), West Mifflin, PA (United States)

This report provides specifications, pre-experimental predictions, and test plate characterization information for a series of molybdenum (Mo), niobium (Nb), rhenium (Re), tantalum (Ta), and baseline critical experiments that were developed by the Naval Reactors Prime Contractor Team (NRPCT) for the Prometheus space reactor development project. In March 2004, the Naval Reactors program was assigned the responsibility to develop, design, deliver, and operationally support civilian space nuclear reactors for NASA's Project Prometheus. The NRPCT was formed to perform this work and consisted of engineers and scientists from the Naval Reactors (NR) Program prime contractors: Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory, Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL), and Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc (BPMI). The NRPCT developed a series of clean benchmark critical experiments to address fundamental uncertainties in the neutron cross section data for Mo, Nb, Re, and Ta in fast, intermediate, and mixed neutron energy spectra. These experiments were to be performed by Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) using the Planet vertical lift critical assembly machine and were designed with a simple, geometrically clean, cylindrical configuration consisting of alternating layers of test, moderator/reflector, and fuel materials. Based on reprioritization of missions and funding within NASA, Naval Reactors and NASA discontinued their collaboration on Project Prometheus in September 2005. One critical experiment and eighteen subcritical handstacking experiments were completed prior to the termination of work in September 2005. Information on the Prometheus critical experiments and the test plates produced for these experiments are expected to be of value to future space reactor development programs and to integral experiments designed to address the fundamental neutron cross section uncertainties for these refractory metals. This information is being provided as an orderly closeout of NRPCT work on Project Prometheus.

• Research Organization: Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory (BAPL), West Mifflin, PA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
• DOE Contract Number: AC12-00SN39357
• OSTI ID: 883627
• Report Number(s): B-TM-1639
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
Criticality
Nuclear Reactors
NASA
Naval Reactors
Project Prometheus
NRPCT
Bechtel Plant Machinery Inc
BPMI
Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory
KAPL
Subscritical
Experiments
Naval Reactors Prime Contractor Team