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Plasma core reactor applicationsAnalytical and experimental investigations were conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of fissioning uranium plasma core reactors and to characterize space and terrestrial applications for such reactors. Uranium hexafluoride fuel is injected into core cavities and confined away from the surface by argon buffer gas injected tangentially from the peripheral walls. Radiant heat transfer calculations were performed for a six-cavity reactor configuration. Axial working fluid channels are located along a fraction of each cavity peripheral wall. Results of calculations for outward-directed radiant energy fluxes corresponding to radiating temperatures of 2000 to 5000 K indicate total operating pressures from 80 to 650 atm, centerline temperatures from 6900 to 30,000 K, and total radiated powers from 25 to 2500 MW, respectively. Applications are described for this type of reactor such as (1) high-thrust, high specific impulse space propulsion, (2) highly efficient systems for generation of electricity, and (3) hydrogen or synthetic fuel production systems using the intense radiant energy fluxes.
Document ID
19780018920
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Latham, T. S.
(United Technologies Research Center East Hartford, CT, United States)
Rodgers, R. J.
(United Technologies Research Center East Hartford, CT, United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
September 1, 1976
Publication Information
Publication: Princeton Univ. Partially Ionized Plasmas, Including the 3rd Symp. on Uranium Plasmas
Subject Category
Plasma Physics
Accession Number
78N26863
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS1-13291
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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