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Nuclear Technology Volume 206, 2020 - Issue sup1: Special issue on the Kilopower Project, Kilowatt Reactor Using Stirling TechnologY (KRUSTY) Test
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Technical Papers – Selected papers from Kilopower/KRUSTY special issue

KRUSTY Reactor Design

David I. Postona Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico87545Correspondence[email protected]
ORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7642-2929
ORCID Icon,
Marc A. Gibsonb NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio44135
,
Thomas Godfroyc NASA Marshall Spaceflight Center, Huntsville, Alabama35808
&
Patrick R. McClurea Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico87545
Pages S13-S30 | Received 18 Dec 2019, Accepted 31 Jan 2020, Published online: 04 Jun 2020

Figures & data

Fig. 1. Layout for 1-kW(electric) Kilopower system.

Fig. 1. Layout for 1-kW(electric) Kilopower system.

Fig. 2. KRUSTY reactor configuration.

Fig. 2. KRUSTY reactor configuration.

Fig. 3. MCNP core schematic.

Fig. 3. MCNP core schematic.

Fig. 4. MCNP schematic of outer core region.

Fig. 4. MCNP schematic of outer core region.

Fig. 5. KRUSTY in-vacuum components.

Fig. 5. KRUSTY in-vacuum components.

Fig. 6. KRUSTY BeO puzzle pieces, centering ring, and vacuum can, surrounded by radial shield.

Fig. 6. KRUSTY BeO puzzle pieces, centering ring, and vacuum can, surrounded by radial shield.

Fig. 7. Design drawing of radial shield.

Fig. 7. Design drawing of radial shield.

TABLE I Criticality Calculations for Various Hypothetical Configurations

Fig. 8. The keff versus radial reflector height.

Fig. 8. The keff versus radial reflector height.

Fig. 9. KRUSTY reactivity versus platen position (with pretest nominal BeO loading).

Fig. 9. KRUSTY reactivity versus platen position (with pretest nominal BeO loading).

Fig. 10. Component temperature-dependent reactivity worth.

Fig. 10. Component temperature-dependent reactivity worth.

TABLE II Reactivity Feedback of Reactor Components

Fig. 11. Reactivity as a function of heat pipe pool height.

Fig. 11. Reactivity as a function of heat pipe pool height.

Fig. 12. Axial peaking factor in the KRUSTY fuel.

Fig. 12. Axial peaking factor in the KRUSTY fuel.

Fig. 13. KRUSTY core temperature calculations at axial center.

Fig. 13. KRUSTY core temperature calculations at axial center.

Fig. 14. Systemwide (ex-fuel) power density at 4 kW(thermal).

Fig. 14. Systemwide (ex-fuel) power density at 4 kW(thermal).

TABLE III System Power Deposition Fractions

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