百千瓦级空间核反应堆屏蔽优化研究

Mass Optimization of Shielding Materials for 100 kWe-level Space Nuclear Reactor

屏蔽体尺寸和重量对空间核反应堆和核动力航天器性能有着重要影响,因而屏蔽设计优化是空间核动力系统设计的关键。本文以JIMO项目反应堆为对象,在铍-碳化硼-钨-氢化锂分层组合屏蔽方案的基础上,考虑到辐照剂量的径向分布,采用蒙特卡罗方法计算了负载处辐照剂量和氢化锂中子剂量,分析了屏蔽设计原理,并提出了分步优化方法以实现屏蔽优化。根据结果分析,调整了铍和碳化硼的厚度比例、钨半径及布置位置,获得了优化的屏蔽方案,在满足屏蔽要求的基础上质量减少了98.41 kg。提出的屏蔽方案及设计流程可为空间核电源屏蔽设计优化提供参考。

The performance of space nuclear reactors and spacecraft is significantly influenced by the size and mass of shield,therefore shielding design and optimization are crucial for the development of space nuclear power systems.In this paper,shielding design and optimization process was proposed,and the effectiveness was verified through an optimized shielding design for the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter(JIMO)reactor.Building upon the open lattice reactor concept of the JIMO project,the neutronic design of the JIMO reactor was supplemented.The shielding design and optimization for the reactor employed a layered combination of beryllium(Be),boron carbide(B 4C),tungsten(W),and lithium hydride(LiH).Considering the radial distribution of radiation dose,the Monte Carlo method was utilized to compute the neutron flux and the photon dose at the payload.Additionally,the neutron dose at the leading edge of the LiH was taken into account.Given the computational cost associated with the Monte Carlo method,the stepwise optimization approach was proposed after the analysis of the coupled transport characteristics of neutrons and photons and the shielding design principles.The stepwise optimization and analysis revealed several key findings.Firstly,the multi-layer Be-B 4C configuration,compared to the single-layer Be plus single-layer B 4C arrangement,effectively reduces reflected neutrons,thereby diminishing the mass required for photon shielding material.This reduction results from a decrease in the secondary photons generated within the leading-edge structural materials.Secondly,due to the lower photon doses at the outer edge resulting from the strong penetration ability of photons,the mass of the photon shielding material can be reduced by decreasing the photon shielding radius.Thirdly,a shielding configuration with a Be to B 4C thickness ratio of 7∶3 demonstrates excellent shielding effectiveness while maintaining a relatively small mass.Finally,placing W at 30 cm from the shielding leading edge not only reduces the photon shielding radius but also decreases the generation of the secondary photons,leading to an optimal shielding mass.The optimized shielding demonstrates equivalent radiation attenuation capabilities to the JIMO shielding,encompassing the attenuation of neutron flux and photon dose at the payload and neutron absorption dose at the leading edge of LiH.Simultaneously,the shielding mass is reduced by 98.41 kg.This underscores the effectiveness of the shielding optimization process.The developed shield and the associated design process have the potential to serve as a valuable reference for future shielding design and optimization for space nuclear reactors.