Principles of Nuclear Rocket Propulsion

2nd Edition - March 11, 2023
Author: William J. Emrich Jr.
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 9 0 0 3 0 - 0
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 9 0 0 3 1 - 7

Principles of Nuclear Rocket Propulsion, Second Edition continues to put the technical and theoretical aspects of nuclear rocket propulsion into a clear and unified presen… Read more

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Principles of Nuclear Rocket Propulsion, Second Edition continues to put the technical and theoretical aspects of nuclear rocket propulsion into a clear and unified presentation, providing an understanding of the physical principles underlying the design and operation of nuclear fission-based rocket engines. This new edition expands on existing material and adds new topics, such as antimatter propulsion, nuclear rocket startup, new fuel forms, reactor stability, and new advanced reactor concepts. This new edition is for aerospace and nuclear engineers and advanced students interested in nuclear rocket propulsion.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Preface to the first edition
Preface to the second edition
Chapter 1. Introduction
1. Overview
2. Historical perspective
Chapter 2. Rocket engine fundamentals
1. Concepts and definitions
2. Nozzle thermodynamics
Chapter 3. Nuclear rocket engine cycles
1. Nuclear thermal rocket thermodynamic cycles
2. Nuclear electric thermodynamic cycles
Chapter 4. Interplanetary mission analysis
1. Summary
2. Basic mission analysis equations
3. Patched conic equations
4. Flight time equations
Chapter 5. Basic nuclear structure and processes
1. Nuclear structure
2. Nuclear fission
3. Nuclear cross sections
4. Nuclear flux and reaction rates
5. Doppler broadening of cross sections
6. Interaction of neutron beams with matter
7. Nuclear fusion
8. Antimatter
Chapter 6. Neutron flux energy distribution
1. Classical derivation of neutron scattering interactions
2. Energy distribution of neutrons in the slowing down range
3. Energy distribution of neutrons in the fission source range
4. Energy distribution of neutrons in the thermal energy range
5. Summary of the neutron energy distribution spectrum
Chapter 7. Neutron balance equation and transport theory
1. Neutron balance equation
2. Transport theory
3. Diffusion theory approximation
Chapter 8. Multigroup neutron diffusion equations
1. Multigroup diffusion theory
2. One group, one region neutron diffusion equation
3. One group, two region neutron diffusion equation
4. Two group-two region neutron diffusion equation
Chapter 9. Thermal fluid aspects of nuclear rockets
1. Heat conduction in nuclear reactor fuel elements
2. Convection processes in nuclear reactor fuel elements
3. Nuclear reactor temperature and pressure distributions in axial flow geometry
4. Nuclear reactor fuel element temperature distributions in radial flow geometry
5. Radiators
Chapter 10. Turbomachinery
1. Turbopump overview
2. Pump characteristics
3. Turbine characteristics
Chapter 11. Nuclear reactor kinetics
1. Derivation of the point kinetics equations
2. Solution of the point kinetics equations
3. Decay heat removal considerations
4. Nuclear reactor transient thermal response
5. Nuclear rocket startup
Chapter 12. Nuclear rocket stability
1. Reactor stability model using the point kinetics equations
2. Reactor stability model including thermal feedback
3. Thermal fluid instabilities
Chapter 13. Fuel burnup and transmutation
1. Fission product buildup and transmutation
2. Xenon 135 poisoning
3. Samarium 149 poisoning
4. Fuel burnup effects on reactor operation
Chapter 14. Radiation shielding for nuclear rockets
1. Derivation of shielding formulas
2. Radiation protection and health physics
Chapter 15. Materials for nuclear thermal rockets
1. Fuels
2. Uranium enrichment techniques with historical perspective
3. Moderators
4. Control materials
5. Structural materials
Chapter 16. Nuclear rocket engine testing
1. General considerations
2. Fuel assembly testing
3. Engine ground testing
Chapter 17. Safety considerations for nuclear rocket engines
1. General nuclear safety considerations
2. Risk assessment
3. Acceptable risk
Chapter 18. Advanced nuclear rocket concepts
1. Pulsed nuclear rocket (Orion)
2. Open cycle gas core rocket
3. Nuclear light bulb
Problems
Appendix I. Table of physical constants
Appendix II. Thermodynamic properties of several gases
Appendix III. Selected data from NERVA tests
Index

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William J. Emrich Jr.