原子能科学技术2024，Vol.58Issue(3)：672-679,8.DOI:10.7538/yzk.2023.youxian.0652
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
摘要
Abstract
The performance of space nuclear reactors and spacecraft is significantly influ-enced 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)reac-tor.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(B4C),tungsten(W),and lithium hydride(LiH).Considering the radial distribution of radia-tion 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.First-ly,the multi-layer Be-B4C configuration,compared to the single-layer Be plus single-layer B4C 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 decrea-sing the photon shielding radius.Thirdly,a shielding configuration with a Be to B4C 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 second-ary photons,leading to an optimal shielding mass.The optimized shielding demon-strates 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 valua-ble reference for future shielding design and optimization for space nuclear reactors.关键词
空间核反应堆/中子-光子耦合/阴影屏蔽/质量优化/蒙特卡罗方法Key words
space nuclear reactor/neutron-photon coupling/shadow shield/mass opti-mization/Monte Carlo method分类
能源科技引用本文复制引用
姜百惠,吉宇,孙俊,刘志宏,石磊..百千瓦级空间核反应堆屏蔽优化研究[J].原子能科学技术,2024,58(3):672-679,8.基金项目
国家自然科学基金(52106256) （52106256）
