Space Nuclear Power and Power Propulsion Systems Basedon the Reactor with External Solid Core Heat Conversion

摘要

Nuclear fission reactors with an external conversion of the solid phase core heat arernconsidered both in Russia and abroad as a compact power source of a long-term use which isrnindependent of a space vehicle position.rnFor the last years Russia has accumulated an experience in development of both the power and thernpower- propulsion systems including the systems based on the use of the reactors designed on thernNuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) technology. The results of experimental development of thernmain structural elements of the reactors with solid phase cores of different power andrnconfigurations are available. At the same time, the systems are under consideration in which a fastrnneutron reactor and turbogenerator system working by the Brayton thermodynamic cycle are thernbasic components.rnOne of the two variants to organize heat removal is contemplated in the reactor structure:rn-by a heterogeneous core with the rod fuel elements cooled by a longitudinally enteringrncoolant;rn-by a core of a particle bed type with fuel spheres and longitudinal-lateral distribution of therncoolant by a scheme from periphery to center.rnCarbonitride fuel with highly enriched uranium is supposed to be used in both configurations.rnEquipping the space vehicles with such reactors is carried out by two types of the systems, namely:rnby Bimodal Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (BNTP) and Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). For allrnvariants of using BNTP and NPP a preliminary development of their structure has been conductedrnand thermohydraulic, neutronic and dynamic calculations have been performed. The mainrnstructural and technological parameters of each system under consideration have beenrndetermined. The measures to ensure their nuclear and radiation safety, and the measures tornachieve high reliability in all modes of their operation have been substantiated. Both heat pipe andrndroplet variants of a radiator are considered as the NPP's radiators in the systems to utilize anrnunused heat.