Romashka reactor

The Romashka reactor (Russian: Ромашка, lit. 'chamomile') was a Soviet experimental nuclear reactor. It began operation in 1964, and was developed by the Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy. The reactor used direct thermoelectric conversion to create electricity, rather than heating water to drive a turbine.[1] It is thus similar to a radioisotope thermoelectric generator, but higher power.

Romashka reactor
Cutaway view of an early ground-based Romashka reactor showing 11 fuel disks.
GenerationExperimental
Reactor conceptRTG
Statusdecommissioned
Main parameters of the reactor core
Fuel (fissile material)235U
Fuel statesolid disks, UC
2
Neutron energy spectrumFast
Primary control methodrod
Neutron reflectorBeryllium
Primary coolantnone (conduction)
Reactor usage
Primary useresearch
Power (thermal)40 kW
Power (electric)0.3–10 kW

The Romashka reactor was developed with the intention of using nuclear power in space satellites, but was superseded by the more powerful BES-5 reactor. The project was canceled after the death of Sergei Korolev, who was heavily involved in the project.

Reactor design

The fuel was 49 kg of highly enriched uranium (90% 235
U
) in the form of UC2 (uranium carbide).[2][3][4] A beryllium reflector was used on the ends of the reactor, and electricity was generated using silicon-germanium semiconductors.

The Romashka reactor didn't use liquid coolant; it was designed to be simple, compact, and light. Temperature was self-regulated through the use of a negative temperature reactivity coefficient. The successful demonstration of the Romashka reactor provided a baseline for further developments in Soviet nuclear power for space satellites.

The experimental reactor was started (reached criticality) in 1964 and decommissioned in 1966, and was used to research the concept of direct energy conversion.[4] It produced 40 kW of heat,[2][4] and reached temperatures of 2,173 K (1,900 °C; 3,452 °F).The reactor operated for 15000 hrs.[5]

See also

References
  1. Ponomarev-Stepnoi, N. N.; Kukharkin, N. E.; Usov, V. A. (March 2000). ""Romashka" reactor-converter". Atomic Energy. New York: Springer. 88 (3): 178–183. doi:10.1007/BF02673156. ISSN 1063-4258.
  2. "Nuclear Reactors for Space". World Nuclear Association. September 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
  3. Angelo, Joseph A. (2004). "Reentry of Soviet Nuclear-Powered Reactor Spacecraft". Nuclear Technology. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 417. ISBN 1-57356-336-6. Retrieved 2009-01-06. A small, relatively low-powered, space nuclear reactor (called the Romashka reactor), using HEU as its fuel, provided electric power to this type of Soviet radar-surveillance satellite
  4. "Nuclear research reactors and nuclear research centers". Project # 245 "Radleg". Kurchatov Institute, All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Chemical Technology. pp. Table 6.1 and section 6.2.1.11. Archived from the original on 2009-01-23. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
  5. Bennett, Gary L. (August 6, 1989). "A LOOK AT THE SOVIET SPACE NUCLEAR POWER PROGRAM" (PDF). International Forum on Energy Engineering. NASA Propulsion, Power and Energy Division. IECEC-89. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
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