Parametric Study of the Colloid Core Reactor Rocket Engine.
Abstract
The Westinghouse Electric Corporation conducted (at its Astronuclear Laboratory site) a parametric study of the Colloid Core Reactor Rocket Engine concept. This entailed investigations of the effect on reactor design and engine weight of such factors as cavity geometry, fuel bed thickness and fuel distribution, reflector thickness, hydrogen content in the reflector region, uranium loss rate, thrust level and cladding the fuel particles, as well as the clustering of small cavities within a common reflector. In these studies, the reflector was assumed to be unfueled with the propellant cycle providing the enerty needed to drive the turbine. Except when considered as the independent variable in specific portions of the parametric study, the thrust and specific impulse were assumed to have the values of 50,000 pounds (1300 MW cavity fission power) and 1100 seconds, respectively, and the fuel form was considered to be (U-233 + 10 Zr)C. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1974
- Accession Number
- AD0778939
Entities
People
- D. L. Black
- J. A. Kyslinger
- J. E. Faulkner
- J. M. Ravets
- J. M. Tobin