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Multi-objective conceptual design method for nuclear thermal propulsion reactor
- NUCLEAR TECHNIQUES Vol. 48, Issue 11, Article number: 110601(2025)
- 作者机构：
1.南华大学 核科学技术学院 衡阳 421200
2.上海交通大学 核科学与工程学院 上海 200240
3.上海交通大学 智慧能源与创新学院 上海 200240
4.上海市数值反应堆技术融合创新中心 上海 200240
5.南华大学 资源环境与安全工程学院 衡阳 421200
- 作者简介：
ZHU Pengcheng, male, born in 2000, undergraduate student, focusing on advanced nuclear energy system design
LI Wei, E-mail: cooLee@usc.edu.cn
- 基金信息：75th Batch of the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation General Program(2024M751349)
DOI：10.3724/j.0253-3219.2025.hjs.48.240286
CLC： TL371Received：12 July 2024，
Revised：2024-12-21，
Published：15 November 2025
- 稿件说明：
移动端阅览
朱鹏橙,赵鹏程,刘晓晶等.核热推进反应堆多目标优化设计方法研究[J].核技术,2025,48(11):110601.
ZHU Pengcheng,ZHAO Pengcheng,LIU Xiaojing,et al.Multi-objective conceptual design method for nuclear thermal propulsion reactor[J].NUCLEAR TECHNIQUES,2025,48(11):110601.
朱鹏橙,赵鹏程,刘晓晶等.核热推进反应堆多目标优化设计方法研究[J].核技术,2025,48(11):110601. DOI： 10.3724/j.0253-3219.2025.hjs.48.240286. CSTR： 32193.14.hjs.CN31-1342/TL.2025.48.240286.
ZHU Pengcheng,ZHAO Pengcheng,LIU Xiaojing,et al.Multi-objective conceptual design method for nuclear thermal propulsion reactor[J].NUCLEAR TECHNIQUES,2025,48(11):110601. DOI： 10.3724/j.0253-3219.2025.hjs.48.240286. CSTR： 32193.14.hjs.CN31-1342/TL.2025.48.240286.
摘要
在深空探测任务对高性能推进系统的迫切需求下，针对现有核热推进反应堆（Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Reactor，NTPR）设计方法的系统性和完整性不足的问题，提出了一种NTPR多目标概念设计方法，以实现具有大推力、高比冲、长寿命和轻量化特点的NTPR堆芯设计。首先，该方法依据组件间的传热特点构建了组件间传热模型，并将其与核火箭的飞行性能及堆芯的临界状态相结合以便开展综合分析；其次，基于组件间传热模型、飞行性能模型以及组件二维临界模型，提出了一种多目标参数筛选方法，采用该方法对NTPR设计方案进行耦合迭代计算，以优化堆芯布局，确保满足热工、飞行和中子物理的综合设计标准，同时实现堆芯质量的最小化。在优化过程中，利用开源蒙特卡罗软件OpenMC对优化后的堆芯布局进行了详尽的三维中子学计算，这些计算针对反应堆的临界特性、安全特性以及燃耗表现等关键性能指标进行了全面评估。结果显示，基于该方法设计的低浓缩铀（Low-Enriched Uranium，LEU）NTPR概念设计方案初步满足了高性能设计要求，为未来载人深空探测任务提供了有价值的参考。
Abstract
Background
2
The imperative need for high-performance propulsion systems in deep space exploration missions has led to a focus on improving the design of nuclear thermal propulsion reactor (NTPR). The existing methods for designing NTPRs have been identified as lacking in systematic and integral approaches.
Purpose
2
This study aims to propose a novel multi-objective optimization design method for NTPR to achieve a core design that offers high thrust
high specific impulse
extended service life
and reduced weight.
Methods
2
The methodology involved several key steps: constructing a heat transfer model between components based on their thermal interaction characteristics. This model was integrated with the flight performance model of the nuclear rocket and the two-dimensional criticality model of the components. A multi-objective parameter screening method was proposed that combined the aforementioned models for coupled iterative calculations to optimize the core layout. The design was ensured to meet comprehensive standards in thermal engineering
flight performance
and neutron physics while minimizing the core mass
with the specific impulse of 910 s
the thrust of 113 kN
the core mass of 2 645 kg
and the fuel temperature limit of 3 000 K. The open-source Monte Carlo software OpenMC was utilized to perform detailed three-dimensional neutronics calculations and conduct a comprehensive assessment of the reactor's criticality
safety
and burnup performance.
Results
2
The simulation results indicate that the Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) NTPR conceptual design
developed using the proposed method
has a thrust of 110 kN
a specific impulse of 872 s
a maximum full-power operating time of over 7 h
and a dry core weight of approximately 2.63 t. This core design preliminarily meets the design criteria for high thrust
high specific impulse
long service life
and lightweight.
Conclusions
2
The results of this study suggest that the proposed method for NTPR core design is effective in meeting the demanding requirements of future manned deep space exploration missions
offering a promising direction for further research and development in this field.
关键词
Keywords
references
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