Session: 04-05: SMRs, Advanced Reactors and Fusion

Paper Number: 125424

125424 - Research on a Space Reactor Scheme for the Lunar Research Station 

Abstract: 

As the primary infrastructure of the Lunar Research Station, energy system is supposed to meet various task requirements such as Antarctic low temperature, complex terrain and flexible power use. It is important to study an efficient, safe and reliable power system for the construction of lunar research station. In future, the trend of high-density and long-life power development makes the Space Nuclear Reactor (SNR) become the only power option, of which the core problems are the high efficiency energy conversion methods and the design and manufacture of the matched space reactor. Closed Cycle Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Power Generation System, combined with Space Nuclear Reactor (SNR), has excellent characteristics of high efficiency and low specific mass, which is a promising choice for lunar research station and deep space exploration. In this paper, regarding the space reactor scheme used for the lunar research station, a core scheme with the open lattice structure used in Closed Cycle Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Power Generation System is evaluated, by reviewing the development history and comparing operating performance of another two potential applicable core schemes proposed in the Prometheus Project by NASA. This paper also explains the design concept, material selection basis, and fine structure of the feasible core scheme composed of 217 fuel rods in a triangular arrangement. On this basis, the analysis of reactor thermal characteristics is carried out. Taking into consideration the gap structure, the fuel rod power distribution and the in-reactor radiation, the three-dimensional fine modeling of the reactor core is established, and the three-dimensional thermal hydraulic Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) calculation model of space reactor with the open lattice structure is conducted, which realizes the structured mesh generation of the complex geometric model of the whole core. In addition, Ansys Fluent is then used to conduct the sensitivity analysis of the geometric parameters on the aperture of the axial reflection layer. The SST k-ɷ model is chosen as the flow model, because previous scale experimental research of flow in the typical core structure can provide data support. Finally, The calculation results show that the impact of small differences in the aperture of the reflection layer is basically limited to the reflection layer area. The small changes in aperture have little effects on the flow and heat transfer inside the reactor. This work demonstrates the rationality of this scheme for use in lunar research stations, and also contributes to the further study of reactor core design optimization. 

Presenting Author: Zhipeng Wang Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Presenting Author Biography: Dr Wang Zhipeng obtained the doctor's degree in Nuclear Science and Technology in Tsinghua University in 2022.
After graduation, Dr Wang entered Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Chinese Academy of Sciences as a research assistant and continued the research in space nuclear power.

Authors:

Zhipeng Wang Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Qiang Sheng Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Zijing Liu Key Laboratory of Advanced Nuclear Energy Design and Safety, Ministry of Education
Ke Wang Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Chinese Academy of Sciences