Experimentally Backed Bubbly Mixing Model for CNTR Using AI Analysis

Centrifugal Nuclear Thermal Propulsion is an advanced propulsion concept engine which utilizes a bubble through nuclear reactor to directly heat the propellent, containing the liquid fuel in rotating cylinders using centrifugal force. In this design the fission products are not bound in the uranium fuel and move freely about the reactor. This gives rise to a need to accurately predict the movement of these products to improve the fidelity of neutronics modeling for such an engine. A series of modified point kinetics equations were used in conjunction with bubbly flow mixing models to predict the drift of the delayed neutron precursors throughout the fuel layer. The model was validated against an experimental apparatus using water and nitrogen. The results of the study found that the bubbly mixing of the uranium layer by the hydrogen propellant can generate a strong mixing diffusion resulting in particle drift of almost 1 m/s.