OPTIMIZATION OF PLUTONIUM-238 PRODUCTION IN THE ADVANCED TEST REACTOR FOR RADIOISOTOPE THERMOELECTRIC GENERATORS IN DEEP SPACE EXPLORATION APPLICATIONS

摘要

Plutonium production for use in Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) is becoming increasingly important in the United States due to several reasons. The plutonium stockpile originally produced at the Savannah River Site, as well as plutonium purchased from the USSR has steadily decreased due to use in RTGs. In addition, with a half-life of 87.7 years, the quality has steadily decreased. The United States is aiming to produce high-quality ~(238)Pu and become independent in space fuel production in the process. The high-quality plutonium combined with the currently available low-quality plutonium will produce usable fuel for future space missions like the Mars 2020 rover. This paper details the new models / methodologies investigated by the Center for Space Nuclear Research (CSNR) to optimize ~(238)Pu production in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR). Increasing the ~(238)Pu production at the ATR will supplement the current production at the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Labs in Tennessee to achieve the national goal of 1.5 - 2.0 kg ~(238)Pu per year.