Modular Travelling Wave Reactor for Space Exploration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current research on travelling wave reactors is limited to land-based applications, and there is a need for a reactor design that can efficiently meet power requirements for deep space exploration while avoiding the weight and load pressures associated with traditional reactor designs.
Innovation Solution
A modular travelling wave reactor design is proposed, consisting of a starting source module and multiple fresh fuel modules, assembled coaxially with heat pipes, allowing for in-space assembly and modular extension, enabling efficient power generation and spent fuel management to reduce spacecraft load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a traditional land-based travelling wave reactor design is used for space exploration, then power requirements can be met, but the weight and load pressure on the spacecraft increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor core is divided into multiple independent modules, each containing fuel assemblies and capable of functioning as a separate unit. This segmentation allows the reactor to be configured in different sizes and weights depending on specific mission requirements, rather than using a single large fixed-design reactor
Solution Approach 2:
The reactor design incorporates dynamic adjustability where modules can be added or removed from the core configuration during operation. This allows the reactor to adapt its power output and physical dimensions to match changing mission requirements, optimizing the power-to-weight ratio throughout the mission lifecycle
2Power
If the reactor core length is increased to meet power requirements, then power generation capability improves, but the load pressure on the spacecraft structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the reactor into modular units, the system can achieve required power levels through parallel arrangement of multiple compact modules rather than a single long core, distributing the mechanical load across different structural attachment points on the spacecraft
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design enables power scaling in multiple spatial dimensions (arranging modules in various configurations such as linear arrays, clusters, or radial patterns) rather than being constrained to a single longitudinal extension, allowing optimization of both power output and structural load distribution
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed reactor design is used, then manufacturing and deployment are simplified, but adaptability to different space mission requirements is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each module is designed as a standardized, self-contained unit with uniform interfaces and assembly procedures. This standardization maintains manufacturing simplicity while enabling flexible combination of different numbers and types of modules to suit various mission power requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The modular architecture creates universal building blocks that can be configured for different power levels, mission durations, and operational profiles. The same basic module type can serve multiple mission requirements by varying the number of modules and their arrangement, eliminating the need for entirely different reactor designs
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design allows for adaptable reactor length, reduced launch power requirements, and efficient power generation, with spent fuel modules being discarded to reduce spacecraft load and provide additional propulsion, enhancing the efficiency of space exploration missions.
Implementation Method 1
each module further includes a heat pipe; and during assembly, the heat pipe in each module positioned at a front part sequentially passes through all the modules positioned at a rear portion thereof and extends out of the module at a rear end
Implementation Method 2
The starting source module is used for emitting neutron flow to enable the fresh fuel module nearby to generate a nuclear critical reaction
Implementation Method 3
a fast neutron reactor which uses fast neutrons to carry out a chain fission reaction and provide energy
Data Source
AI summary
A travelling wave reactor for a space exploration. A reactor core of the travelling wave reactor is dispersed into several modules in a travelling wave direction; a new reactor is sequentially provided with a starting source module and a plurality of new fuel modules at zero burnup; all the modules are coaxially assembled in the travelling wave direction by means of an assembling parts, and each module further includes a heat pipe; the heat pipe in each module positioned at a front part sequentially passes through all the modules positioned at a rear portion thereof and extends out of the module at a rear end; and after a period of time of burn-up, the reactor core of the travelling wave reactor is provided with the starting source module, a spent fuel module, a critical fuel module and the new fuel module sequentially in the travelling wave direction.