HTGR Knowledge Base
Conference Article: A High Temperature Reactor for Ship Propulsion
P. Lobet, R. Seigel, Ecole de Application Militaries de l Energie Atomique, France and A. C. Thompson, R. J. Beadnell and P. A. Beeley, HMS Sultan, Nuclear Department, United KingdomAbstract
The initial thermal hydraulic and physics design of a high temperature gas cooled reactor for ship propulsion is described. The choice of thermodynamic cycle and thermal power is made to suit the marine application. Several configurations of a Helium cooled, Graphite moderated reactor are then analysed using the WIMS and MONK codes from AEA Technology. Two geometries of fuel elements formed using micro spheres in prismatic blocks, and various arrangements of control rods and poison rods are examined. Reactivity calculations through life are made and a pattern of rod insertion to flatten the flux is proposed and analysed. Thermal hydraulic calculations are made to find maximum fuel temperature under high power with optimized flow distribution. Maximum temperature after loss of flow and temperatures in the reactor vessel are also computed. The temperatures are significantly below the known limits for the type of fuel proposed. It is concluded that the reactor can provide the required power and lifetime between refueling within likely space and weight constraints.
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key words: Gas Cooled Reactor, Nuclear Technology
- Reference:
- Proceedings of the Conference on High Temperature Reactors, Petten, NL, April 22-24, 2002
Organized by HTR-TN in cooperation with the European Nucler Society (ENS) and the IAEA- International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)
- HTR-2002, pp:1-6
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)