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Heat pipe nuclear reactor for space powerA heat-pipe-cooled nuclear reactor has been designed to provide 3.2 MWth to an out-of-core thermionic conversion system. The reactor is a fast reactor designed to operate at a nominal heat-pipe temperature of 1675 K. Each reactor fuel element consists of a hexagonal molybdenum block which is bonded along its axis to one end of a molybdenum/lithium-vapor heat pipe. The block is perforated with an array of longitudinal holes which are loaded with UO2 pellets. The heat pipe transfers heat directly to a string of six thermionic converters which are bonded along the other end of the heat pipe. An assembly of 90 such fuel elements forms a hexagonal core. The core is surrounded by a thermal radiation shield, a thin thermal neutron absorber, and a BeO reflector containing boron-loaded control drums.
Document ID
19770029945
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Koening, D. R.
(California, University Los Alamos, N. Mex., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1976
Subject Category
Spacecraft Propulsion And Power
Meeting Information
Meeting: Conference on Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering
Location: State Line, NV
Start Date: September 12, 1976
End Date: September 17, 1976
Accession Number
77A12797
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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