Reactivity control schemes for fast spectrum space nuclear reactors

Several reactivity control schemes are considered for future space nuclear reactor power systems. Each of these control schemes uses a combination of boron carbide absorbers and/or beryllium oxide reflectors to achieve sufficient reactivity swing to keep the reactor subcritical during launch and to provide sufficient excess reactivity to operate the reactor over its expected 7-15 year lifetime. The size and shape of the control system directly impacts the size and mass of the space reactor's reflector and shadow shield, leading to a tradeoff between reactivity swing and total system mass. This paper presents a trade study of drum, shutter, slat, and petal control schemes based on reactivity swing and mass effects for a representative fast-spectrum, gas-cooled reactor. For each control scheme, the dimensions and composition of the core are constant, and the reflector is sized to provide $5 of cold-clean excess reactivity with each configuration in its most reactive state. Reactivity insertion behavior is analyzed for each control scheme, along with the submersion behavior following a launch abort. The advantages and disadvantages of each configuration are discussed, along with optimization techniques and novel geometric approaches for each scheme. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.