Abstract
Several different reactivity control schemes are considered for future space nuclear reactor power systems. Each of these control schemes uses a combination of boron carbide absorbers and/or beryllium oxide reflectors to achieve sufficient reactivity swing to keep the reactor subcritical during launch and to provide sufficient excess reactivity to operate the reactor over its expected 7-15 year lifetime. The size and shape of the control system directly impacts the size and mass of the space reactor's reflector and shadow shield, leading to a tradeoff between reactivity swing and total system mass. This paper presents a trade study of drum, shutter, and petal control schemes based on reactivity swing and mass effects for a representative fast-spectrum, gas-cooled reactor. For each control scheme, the dimensions and composition of the core are constant, and the reflector is sized to provide $5 of cold-clean excess reactivity with each configuration in its most reactive state. The advantages and disadvantages of each configuration are discussed, along with optimization techniques and novel geometric approaches for each scheme.
Recommended Citation
A. E. Craft and J. C. King, "Reactivity Control Schemes for Fast Spectrum Space Nuclear Reactors," American Institute of Physics Conference Proceedings, American Institute of Physics (AIP), Jan 2008.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2844985
Department(s)
Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science
Keywords and Phrases
Electric Control Equipment; Fission Reactors; Lunar Surface; Space Power Generation; Moon - surface
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2008 American Institute of Physics (AIP), All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Jan 2008
