The smallest thermal nuclear reactor

Y. Ronen; E. Fridman; E. Shwageraus

doi:10.13182/NSE06-A2597

The smallest thermal nuclear reactor

Y. Ronen, E. Fridman, E. Shwageraus

Unit of Nuclear Engineering

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

There is a growing need for very small nuclear reactors for space applications and as portable high-intensity neutron sources. This technical note investigates the question of what is the smallest possible thermal reactor. It was found that the smallest reactor is a spherically shaped solution of ^242mAm(NO₃)₃ in water. The weight of such a reactor is 4.95 kg with 0.7 kg of ^242mAm nuclear fuel. The radius of the reactor in this case is 9.6 cm.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	90-92
Number of pages	3
Journal	Nuclear Science and Engineering
Volume	153
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.13182/NSE06-A2597
State	Published - 1 Jan 2006

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Nuclear Energy and Engineering

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10.13182/NSE06-A2597

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abstract = "There is a growing need for very small nuclear reactors for space applications and as portable high-intensity neutron sources. This technical note investigates the question of what is the smallest possible thermal reactor. It was found that the smallest reactor is a spherically shaped solution of 242mAm(NO3)3 in water. The weight of such a reactor is 4.95 kg with 0.7 kg of 242mAm nuclear fuel. The radius of the reactor in this case is 9.6 cm.",

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AB - There is a growing need for very small nuclear reactors for space applications and as portable high-intensity neutron sources. This technical note investigates the question of what is the smallest possible thermal reactor. It was found that the smallest reactor is a spherically shaped solution of 242mAm(NO3)3 in water. The weight of such a reactor is 4.95 kg with 0.7 kg of 242mAm nuclear fuel. The radius of the reactor in this case is 9.6 cm.

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The smallest thermal nuclear reactor

Abstract

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