THE FEASIBILITY OF THE GASEOUS-CORE NUCLEAR REACTOR FOR ELECTRIC-POWER GENERATION,
Abstract
An examination of the potential of the gaseous-core nuclear reactor as a means of generating electric power. An analysis of the radiation-heat-transfer process in the core of a gaseous-core power-production reactor is combined with an estimate of the quantity of uranium required for criticality to determine the core pressure and temperature for various values of power generation and core diameters, with varying assumptions as to the effect of ionization of the fissile gas and the uncertainty of the Rosseland mean opacity. Even under the most unfavorable assumptions, attractive power levels can be obtained in reactors of practical size at gas pressures and wall temperatures that present structural materials can contain. The extreme operating endurance and high power densities of the power system make it attractive for space as well as terrestrial power generation. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0692113
Entities
People
- B. Pinkel
- E. C. Gritton
Organizations
- RAND Corporation