Core Design and Analysis of Physical and Thermal Characteristics of Lunar-based Nuclear Power Source

Ning Kewei; Song Shuai; Zhao Fulong; Xie lin; Tan Sichao

doi:10.13832/j.jnpe.2022.S2.0118

Volume 43 Issue S2

Dec. 2022

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Ning Kewei, Song Shuai, Zhao Fulong, Xie lin, Tan Sichao. Core Design and Analysis of Physical and Thermal Characteristics of Lunar-based Nuclear Power Source[J]. Nuclear Power Engineering, 2022, 43(S2): 118-124. doi: 10.13832/j.jnpe.2022.S2.0118

Citation:

Ning Kewei, Song Shuai, Zhao Fulong, Xie lin, Tan Sichao. Core Design and Analysis of Physical and Thermal Characteristics of Lunar-based Nuclear Power Source[J]. Nuclear Power Engineering, 2022, 43(S2): 118-124. doi: 10.13832/j.jnpe.2022.S2.0118

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Core Design and Analysis of Physical and Thermal Characteristics of Lunar-based Nuclear Power Source

doi: 10.13832/j.jnpe.2022.S2.0118

Ning Kewei^{1, 2
,},
Song Shuai^{1, 2, 3},
Zhao Fulong^{1, 2
,
,},
Xie lin^{1, 2},
Tan Sichao^{1, 2}

1.
Harbin Engineering University, College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin 150001, China
2.
Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Nuclear Power System & Equipment, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin 150001, China
3.
Beijing Normal University, College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Beijing, 100875, China

Received Date: 2022-07-20
Rev Recd Date: 2022-09-19
Publish Date: 2022-12-31

Abstract

Abstract

Nuclear energy has the characteristics of long endurance and long life, which can provide reliable energy guarantee for lunar exploration. In this paper, the lunar-based 300kWt thermionic reactor scheme is proposed. The core physical characteristics are analyzed by Monte Carlo method, and the reactor thermal safety is studied by numerical simulation through the single channel flow and heat exchange calculation of the core. The calculation results show that the scheme can achieve 10 years’ lifetime and has sufficient shutdown depth, but there is positive temperature feedback in some temperature intervals, and it needs to rely on the fine control to meet the reactor safety requirements. In the lunar microgravity environment, when the coolant flow rate is not less than 0.9m/s, the hottest channel of the core does not exceed the thermal safety limit.
- Lunar-based nuclear power source,
- Thermionic reactor,
- Physical characteristics,
- Heat exchange characteristics

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References(16)

References

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