论文信息 - Cycle Analysis of a 200 MW Class Cermet Based NTR Engine

Cycle Analysis of a 200 MW Class Cermet Based NTR Engine

Nuclear rocket engines utilizing W-UO2 ceramic-metal (cermet) fuel are analyzed. A highly detailed Monte Carlo Neutron-Photon (MCNP) model of the reactor core is developed and exercised to determine the energy deposited in the various engine components via decelerating fission products and scattered neutrons and photons. These results are then used by the Nuclear Engine System Simulation (NESS) code to determine engine performance characteristics, determine thermodynamic state points throughout the cycle, and estimate engine mass. These engines are expander cycle based designs and utilize no tie-tubes to extract thermal energy from the reactor to drive the turbo-machinery. Nomenclature

Bruce G. Schnitzler | James E. Fittje

[1] Stanley K. Borowski,et al. 25,000-lbf Thrust Engine Options Based on the Small Nuclear Rocket Engine Design , 2009 .

[2] James E. Fittje,et al. Conceptual Engine System Design for NERVA derived 66.7KN and 111.2KN Thrust Nuclear Thermal Rockets , 2006 .

[3] James E. Fittje. Upgrades to the NESS (Nuclear Engine System Simulation) Code , 2007 .

[4] Whitney Rocketdyne,et al. Development of a Small Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Flight Demonstrator Concept That Is Scalable to Human Missions , 2012 .

[5] Dennis G. Pelaccio,et al. Nuclear Engine System Simulation (NESS). Version 2. 0: Program user's guide. Final Report , 1993 .

[6] Stanley K. Borowski,et al. "7-Launch" NTR Space Transportation Option for NASA's Mars Design Reference Architecture (DRA) 5.0 , 2009 .

[7] B. Schnitzler,et al. Thermal, Fluid, and Structural Analysis of a Cermet Fuel Element , 2012 .

[8] C. W. Watson,et al. Nuclear rockets: High-performance propulsion for Mars , 1994 .

[9] Stanley K. Borowski,et al. Neutronics Models and Analysis of the Small Nuclear Rocket Engine (SNRE) , 2007 .

[10] Bruce G. Schnitzler,et al. Thermal Hydraulics and Structural Analysis of the Small Nuclear Rocket Engine (SNRE) Core , 2007 .

[11] A. E. Krach,et al. Another Look at the Practical and Theoretical Limits of an Expander Cycle, LOX/H2 Engine , 1999 .