Kilowatt Reactor Using Stirling TechnologY (KRUSTY) Component-Critical Experiments

The Kilowatt Reactor Using Stirling TechnologY (KRUSTY) was a prototypic nuclear-powered test of a 5-kW(thermal) Kilopower space reactor. This paper presents results from the KRUSTY warm critical experiments, which were completed prior to the final system test. The first set of criticals comprised cold or zero-power criticals; i.e., the core was not heated by fission power. These were followed by three warm criticals, where fission power heated the core to 200°C, 300°C, and 450°C, respectively. These criticals provided the data, confidence, and regulatory framework that were needed to proceed with the KRUSTY nuclear system test. The criticals also provided valuable data for the benchmarking of codes applicable to all nuclear systems. Finally, a comparison of KRUSTY results to pretest predictions is provided, and overall, the models matched the experimental results very closely.

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“…A description of the component criticals is detailed in Ref. 7, and the cold KRUSTY criticals are documented in Ref. 8.…”

Section: Zero-power (Cold) Criticalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Results of the KRUSTY Warm Critical Experiments

et al. 2020

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“…The agreement between the analytical model and the results were outstanding, with only minor variations. A sample table of the results is provided in Table I, which is a reprint from work performed by Sanchez et al 13 The core was then removed from the platform and installed into the KRUSTY heat pipe and Stirling engine/ simulator assembly, and this assembly was installed on top of the Comet platform to complete the readiness of the experiment for the subsequent critical test phases. A picture of the assembled core and heat pipes is shown in Fig.…”

Section: Iie1 Component Critical Testingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Kilopower Project: The KRUSTY Fission Power Experiment and Potential Missions

et al. 2020

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The Kilopower Project was initiated by NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate/ Game Changing Development Program in fiscal year 2015 to demonstrate subsystem-level technology readiness of small space fission power in a relevant environment (Technology Readiness Level 5) for space science and human exploration power needs. The Kilopower Project centerpiece is the Kilowatt Reactor Using Stirling TechnologY (KRUSTY) test, which consists of the development and testing of a ground technology demonstrator of a 1-kW(electric)-class fission power system (FPS). The technologies to be developed and validated by KRUSTY are extensible to space FPSs from 1 to 10 kW(electric), which can enable modular surface FPSs for human exploration as well as higherpower future potential deep space science missions. The KRUSTY demonstration is cofunded by NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration. The KRUSTY demonstration in the National Critical Experiment Research Center's Device Assembly Facility was completed in the first quarter of 2018.

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“…k eff <<< 1.0 for all credible configurations during fuel and assembly handling. 5. Limit reactivity insertion rates and fuel/reflector loading to prevent accidental fuel melting.…”

Section: Poston Et Al • Krusty Reactor Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This paper focuses on the reactor design, including the goals and approach that facilitated project success. Accompanying papers in this special issue provide additional detail about the power conversion system 3 (PCS); regulatory approvals 4 ; and test results from the cold criticals, 5,6 warm criticals, 7 and full nuclear system test. 8 Figure 1 shows the basic layout of a Kilopower system.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

KRUSTY Reactor Design

et al. 2020

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The Kilowatt Reactor Using Stirling TechnologY (KRUSTY) was a reactor design, development, and test program to demonstrate the nuclear operation of a Kilopower reactor. Kilopower systems are intended to provide between 1 and 10 kW(electric) in space, or on the surface of planets or moons, with a clear evolution to substantially higher power systems. KRUSTY was a prototype of a 1-kW(electric) highly enriched uranium-fueled Kilopower system. In March of 2018, KRUSTY successfully operated as a fission power system and was the first nuclear-powered operation of any truly new reactor concept in the United States in over 40 years. This paper discusses the design of the KRUSTY reactor along with the philosophy, goals, and engineering work that ultimately led to KRUSTY's success.

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Kilowatt Reactor Using Stirling TechnologY (KRUSTY) Component-Critical Experiments

Cited by 20 publications

References 2 publications

Results of the KRUSTY Warm Critical Experiments

Results of the KRUSTY Warm Critical Experiments

Kilopower Project: The KRUSTY Fission Power Experiment and Potential Missions

KRUSTY Reactor Design

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