NTR Fuel Testing in MIT Reactor Facilities

This project will further the exceptional analysis and design work completed during the Phase I STTR effort. During Phase II, the following will be performed: Perform a final design of the Fuel Test Capsule (FTC) Perform a stress analysis on the FTC Perform a thermal analysis on the FTC using power generated for NTR test samples Complete require safety and environmental analyses Fabricate and purchase components for a first-run FTC and assemble Generate assembly procedures Send capsule to MIT for fit test in 3GV6 test chamber Using the FTC, verify that all fluid and sensor attachments perform as desired Fabricate a fuel test coupon and check for fit in FTC Develop fuel testing procedures Fabricate 3 final Fuel Test Capsules Obtain surrogate fuel sample from NASA Assemble first FTC with surrogate fuel part Test surrogate fuel Write final report Prepare for externally funded actual fuel testing The primary innovation with this STTR is the ability to test nuclear rocket fuel forms in a university reactor at operating temperature in a flowing hydrogen environment.  Time at temperature, total operating requirements and real-time observation of fuel in operation are possible.  Post-irradiation analysis in MIT hot cells is also feasible.  Present test limits on temperature appear to be ~ 2900 Kelvins achieving NASA's benchmark temperatures.  High temperatures are feasible with higher temperature insulating materials Complete the fuel test capsule final design incorporating material changes recommended by MIT; incorporating new approaches to simplify capsule design.  Provide revised test capsule design to MIT for detailed neutronic and thermal analyses Perform structural analyses on revised test capsule Obtain surrogate test fuel element configuration and dimensions from NASA MSFC Procure and manufacture parts for the three test capsules Develop assembly procedures checklist for fuel test capsule Develop and complete required safety and environmental documentation, obtain approval for test operations  Fabricate one test capsule, documenting any changes to assembly checklist; perform QA on capsule and ship to MIT for integration (non-nuclear) testing (in 3GV6 test fixture) Develop procedures for integration of test capsule into 3GV6 fixture Document results of integration testing.  Generate list of test capsule modifications required Document results of detailed neutronic and thermal analyses of refined test capsule Develop procedures for introducing surrogate and actual HALEU fuel elements and instrumentation into capsule and readying capsule for test Develop comprehensive test procedures including tests of instrumentation, fluid flows and reactor and test operations, including removal and transfer to hot cell facility Perform in-core test of fuel capsule with surrogate fuel element

NASA is pursuing the development of a Nuclear Thermal Rocket for solar system exploration.  A functional NTR design cannot occur without fuel that is tested to operational conditions.  This STTR will provide the ability to test actual fuel by developing the fuel test capsule and testing surrogate fuel. The Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory may also be testing fuel and would use the LPS-MIT team to do so.  

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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