A Feasibility Study of a High-Temperature, Liquid Aluminum Cooled, Fluidized Bed Nuclear Power Reactor
Abstract
A feasibility study of a high temperature, liquid-metalcooled nuclear power reactor depends upon considerations of materials, heat transfer, fluid flow and nuclear parameters as well as certain design guidelines. The criteria of a coolant outlet temperature of 2000C and a low pressure core, plus good nuclear and heat transfer properties, led to the choice of liquid aluminum as the coolant. A compatibility study determined the only aluminum mononitride is inert to aluminum at 2000C, and must be used for constructing the core. Fuel elements of uranium mononitride were chosen on the basis of probable compatibility with the required aluminum nitride cladding. Consideration of the heat transfer effects led to the choice of micron-size coated fuel particles in a cylindrical fluidized bed core. Three methods of determining the parameters of the fluidized bed were used to indicate the best particle size and aluminum flow rate in the core for any desired power level. The nuclear parameters of the system were studied using two-group diffusion theory and an infinitely reflected spherical geometry. The results predict a fast core with a critical mass above ten kilograms, and indicate that the reactor may be made inherently stable by correct design of the core. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0603610
Entities
People
- Kenneth R. Hooks
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology