“Yennisei” space nuclear power system

Optimization of the reactivity control drum system of ELECTRA

“…Noting that in some space reactor designs (Nikitin et al, 2000) a larger number of drums were applied, we decided to use such an approach to minimize the rotational worth. In what follows we describe the methodology used for optimizing the control drum design.…”

Estimation of the hydrogen emission from a hydride moderator by measuring the reactivity and using mathematical statistics

“…The critical assembly of the Nartsiss stand is used to simulate the neutron-physical characteristics of a heterogeneous thermionic converter reactor with a solid hydrogen-containing moderator (zirconium hydride), fuel elements consisting of highly enriched uranium dioxide, and single-element electricity-generating channels [3]. The main components of the assembly are the core, the radial reflector, the top and bottom end reflectors, the top and bottom tube plates made of aluminum alloy, and the bottom support ring made of an aluminum alloy.…”

“…1) was chosen as the moderator for the Topaz-2 space reactor system after a large series of design and technological studies, neutron-physical calculations, experimental investigations, and long thermophysical tests [1-3]. The zirconium-hydride moderator blocks have the required number of through vertical cylindrical openings for inserting the electricity generating channels containing the fuel elements.The small size and high working temperature of space nuclear power reactors impose stringent requirements on the possible emission of hydrogen from the zirconium-hydride blocks during operation in the nominal regime [3]. To investigate hydrogen emission, during long thermal tests zirconium hydride blocks were periodically delivered to the critical assembly in the Nartsiss stand (Figs.…”

“…The small size and high working temperature of space nuclear power reactors impose stringent requirements on the possible emission of hydrogen from the zirconium-hydride blocks during operation in the nominal regime [3]. To investigate hydrogen emission, during long thermal tests zirconium hydride blocks were periodically delivered to the critical assembly in the Nartsiss stand ( Figs.…”

“…Zirconium hydride formed into blocks ( Fig. 1) was chosen as the moderator for the Topaz-2 space reactor system after a large series of design and technological studies, neutron-physical calculations, experimental investigations, and long thermophysical tests [1][2][3]. The zirconium-hydride moderator blocks have the required number of through vertical cylindrical openings for inserting the electricity generating channels containing the fuel elements.…”