Heat Pipe Space Nuclear Reactor Design Assessment. Volume 1. Design Status of the SP-100 Heat Pipe Space Nuclear Reactor System

摘要

This document reviews the design status of the SP-100, heat pipe space nuclear reactor system. It also identifies those systems and components requiring additional research to support continued SP-100 system development. The heat pipe reactor was designed to produce 100 KWe of continuous power in a space environment. The design constraints include an expected system operation time of 7 years and a maximum weight of approx. 3000 kg. The reactor, employing an unclad, highly enriched uranium dioxide core, operates as a fast reactor, and is cooled by high temperature molybdenum -- 13 percent rhenium, heat pipes with lithium working fluid. Electric power is generated by thermoelectric converters, with the bulk of the thermal energy rejected to space by a radiator panel system. Keywords: Space nuclear reactor; Radiation shield; Thermoelectric converter; Heat pipe; Radiator; Nuclear fuel; Fuel waters; Control drums; Self-welding; Thermal radiation; Fuel swelling; Lithium coolant; Gamma fission products; Power upgrade; Uranium dioxide fuel.