热管空间核反应堆电源的研究进展

A survey of heatpipe space nuclear reactor power supply

随着人类对宇宙太空的深入探索,对于提供能量的电源要求也在逐步提高,空间核反应堆电源在执行深空探测任务中脱颖而出。热管核反应堆由于具备非能动性、寿期长、可靠性高等优势,成为目前空间核反应堆领域的研究热点。本文通过重点介绍典型热管堆的概念设计系统以及在Kilopower中的应用,对热管电源系统(Heatpipe Power System,HPS)、由热管控制的火星探索反应堆(The Heatpipe-operated Mars Exploration Reactor,HOMER)、安全可负担裂变引擎方案(Safe Affordable Fission Engine,SAFE)以及Kilopower进行了重点调研,归纳总结了各个反应堆的结构设计、燃料选择、热管排布、功率设计等,以期对未来热管空间核反应堆电源的设计研究提供思路和参考。

[Background]With the in-depth exploration of space,the power supply requirements for energy supply are gradually increasing.Space nuclear reactor power supply stands out in the deep space exploration mission due to its advantages of passivity,long life and high reliability,hence heat pipe nuclear reactor has become the focus of research in the field of space nuclear reactor.[Purpose]This study aims to evaluate the progress and technology of heat pipe space nuclear reactor used as power supply.[Method]First of all,the conceptual design of heatpipe reactor in the early stage and its application in Kilopower was summarized.Then the details of heatpipe power system(HPS),the heatpipe-operated mars exploration reactor(HOMER),safe affordable fission engine(SAFE)and Kilopower were investigated with emphasis on the structure design,fuel selection,heatpipe arrangement and power design of each reactor.[Results]This survey provides ideas and references for future research and design of heatpipe space nuclear reactor power system.[Conclusions]The design of heatpipe reactor is highly flexible and innovative.The use of different alkali metal heat pipes and thermoelectric conversion methods has a direct impact on the system power and the quality of the entire system.The combination of heat pipe and various thermoelectric conversion methods can be attempted.