Research on a Space Reactor Scheme for the Lunar Research Station

Abstract Closed Cycle Magnetohydrodynamic Power Generation System, combined with Space Nuclear Reactor, 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, potential applicable core solutions initially proposed by NASA in the Prometheus Project are compared, and a core scheme with the open lattice structure used in the system is evaluated. This paper also explains the design concept, material selection considerations, and fine structure of the proposed 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. Ansys Fluent is used to conduct the sensitivity analysis of geometric parameters on the aperture of the axial reflection layer. 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 further study of reactor core design optimization.