Accession Number:

AD0603610

Title:

A FEASIBILITY STUDY OF A HIGH-TEMPERATURE, LIQUID ALUMINUM COOLED, FLUIDIZED BED NUCLEAR POWER REACTOR.

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis,

Corporate Author:

AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OHIO

Personal Author(s):

• Hooks,Kenneth Robert

Report Date:

1964-08-01

Pagination or Media Count:

140.0

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

Descriptors:

• *ELECTRIC POWER PRODUCTION
• REACTOR FEASIBILITY STUDIES
• REACTOR FEASIBILITY STUDIES
• HIGH TEMPERATURE
• SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
• ALUMINUM
• ALUMINUM COMPOUNDS
• NITRIDES
• URANIUM COMPOUNDS
• FLUID FLOW
• HEAT TRANSFER
• NUCLEAR CROSS SECTIONS
• PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
• MATHEMATICS
• THERMAL PROPERTIES
• REACTOR FUEL CLADDING
• REACTOR CORES
• REACTOR CORES

Subject Categories:

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE