NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Heat transfer and core neutronics considerations of the heat pipe cooled thermionic reactorThe authors summarize the results of detailed neutronic and thermal-hydraulic evaluations of the heat pipe cooled thermionic (HPTI) reactor design, identify its key design attributes, and quantify its performance characteristics. The HPTI core uses modular, liquid-metal core heat transfer assemblies to replace the liquid-metal heat transport loop employed by in-core thermionic reactor designs of the past. The nuclear fuel, power conversion, heat transport, and heat rejection functions are all combined into a single modular unit. The reactor/converter assembly uses UN fuel pins to obtain a critical core configuration with in-core safety rods and reflector controls added to complete the subassembly. By thermally bonding the core heat transfer assemblies during the reactor core is coupled neutronically, thermally, and electrically into a modular assembly of individual power sources with cross-tied architecture. A forward-facing heat pipe radiator assembly extends from the reactor head in the shape of a frustum of a cone on the opposite side of the power system from the payload. Important virtues of the concept are the absence of any single-point failures and the ability of the core to effectively transfer the TFE waste heat load laterally to other in-core heat transfer assemblies in the event of multiple failures in either in-core and radiator heat pipes.
Document ID
19920067967
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Determan, W. R.
(Rockwell International Corp. Rocketdyne Div., Canoga Park, CA, United States)
Lewis, Brian
(General Atomics San Diego, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Subject Category
Fluid Mechanics And Heat Transfer
Meeting Information
Meeting: IECEC ''91: Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference
Location: Boston, MA
Country: United States
Start Date: August 4, 1991
End Date: August 9, 1991
Accession Number
92A50591
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS3-25209
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available