Micro-scale molten salt and metal reactor for space applications
This paper introduces a novel reactor concept called Molten Salt Metal Reactor (MSMR), specifically designed for space applications. This innovative reactor leverages a uranium alloy liquid metal as fuel, integrating the advantages of traditional Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) while achieving criticali...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-11-01
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| Series: | Nuclear Engineering and Technology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573325003444 |
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| author | Jaehyun Ryu Yonghee Kim |
| author_facet | Jaehyun Ryu Yonghee Kim |
| author_sort | Jaehyun Ryu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper introduces a novel reactor concept called Molten Salt Metal Reactor (MSMR), specifically designed for space applications. This innovative reactor leverages a uranium alloy liquid metal as fuel, integrating the advantages of traditional Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) while achieving criticality in a compact size and enabling long operational lifespans without the need for refueling. To adapt the MSMR for extra-terrestrial use, we employed high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) and heat pipes, followed by comprehensive optimizations to ensure a compact reactor design that delivers both high power and longevity. Our study focuses on assessing the feasibility of the proposed MSMR design through detailed neutronic and thermal-hydraulic analyses. Utilizing the Monte Carlo code Serpent 2 for neutronics and COMSOL 6.2 for thermal-hydraulics, we evaluated the reactor's performance under a 500kWth condition. The results show that the reactor achieves an operational lifetime of approximately 36 years. Safety evaluation confirms a negative fuel temperature coefficient (−3 pcm/K), an excess reactivity of less than 1$, and a shutdown margin exceeding 7100 pcm under cold conditions. Our findings suggest that the MSMR is a promising candidate for space applications, combining long life, structural simplicity, and superior safety features inherent to MSRs. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4459ae0b63d34176a7f483c6acf68eb2 |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 1738-5733 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-11-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nuclear Engineering and Technology |
| spelling | doaj-art-4459ae0b63d34176a7f483c6acf68eb22025-07-10T04:34:21ZengElsevierNuclear Engineering and Technology1738-57332025-11-015711103776Micro-scale molten salt and metal reactor for space applicationsJaehyun Ryu0Yonghee Kim1Department of Nuclear & Quantum Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of KoreaCorresponding author.; Department of Nuclear & Quantum Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of KoreaThis paper introduces a novel reactor concept called Molten Salt Metal Reactor (MSMR), specifically designed for space applications. This innovative reactor leverages a uranium alloy liquid metal as fuel, integrating the advantages of traditional Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) while achieving criticality in a compact size and enabling long operational lifespans without the need for refueling. To adapt the MSMR for extra-terrestrial use, we employed high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) and heat pipes, followed by comprehensive optimizations to ensure a compact reactor design that delivers both high power and longevity. Our study focuses on assessing the feasibility of the proposed MSMR design through detailed neutronic and thermal-hydraulic analyses. Utilizing the Monte Carlo code Serpent 2 for neutronics and COMSOL 6.2 for thermal-hydraulics, we evaluated the reactor's performance under a 500kWth condition. The results show that the reactor achieves an operational lifetime of approximately 36 years. Safety evaluation confirms a negative fuel temperature coefficient (−3 pcm/K), an excess reactivity of less than 1$, and a shutdown margin exceeding 7100 pcm under cold conditions. Our findings suggest that the MSMR is a promising candidate for space applications, combining long life, structural simplicity, and superior safety features inherent to MSRs.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573325003444Molten-Salt and Metal Reactor (MSMR)Molten salt Reactor (MSR)Liquid metal fuelHeat pipeSpace reactor |
| spellingShingle | Jaehyun Ryu Yonghee Kim Micro-scale molten salt and metal reactor for space applications Nuclear Engineering and Technology Molten-Salt and Metal Reactor (MSMR) Molten salt Reactor (MSR) Liquid metal fuel Heat pipe Space reactor |
| title | Micro-scale molten salt and metal reactor for space applications |
| title_full | Micro-scale molten salt and metal reactor for space applications |
| title_fullStr | Micro-scale molten salt and metal reactor for space applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Micro-scale molten salt and metal reactor for space applications |
| title_short | Micro-scale molten salt and metal reactor for space applications |
| title_sort | micro scale molten salt and metal reactor for space applications |
| topic | Molten-Salt and Metal Reactor (MSMR) Molten salt Reactor (MSR) Liquid metal fuel Heat pipe Space reactor |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573325003444 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jaehyunryu microscalemoltensaltandmetalreactorforspaceapplications AT yongheekim microscalemoltensaltandmetalreactorforspaceapplications |