AN ANALYSIS OF DISASSEMBLING THE RADIAL REFLECTOR OF A THERMIONIC SPACE NUCLEAR-REACTOR POWER-SYSTEM

An analysis was performed to investigate the effect of disassembling t he radial reflector fo the TOPAZ-II space nuclear reactor following a postulated reactivity initiated accident (RIA). In this RIA, the contr ol drums, starting in the full-in position, are assumed to run out at their maximum speed of 1.4-degrees/s to their full-out position and re main out. This noncredible event occurs because of a malfunction in th e drive mechanism of the control drums. Results indicate that the disa ssembly of only 3 of 12 radial reflector panels would successfully shu t down the reactor with little overheating of the fuel and the moderat or.