Economical Production of Pu-238 Page: 9 of 13
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Proceedings of Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space 2013
Albuquerque, NM, February 25-28, 2013
Paper 6700
determines the mass of Pu-238 produced by that power reactor for a cycle time commensurate with the capsule
velocity through the reactor.
The results in Table 1 show that for roughly 13 kgs of Np-237 in the entire line, a 5 MW reactor can produce the
2.25 kg/yr of Pu-238. This value varies with reactor power. The amount of Np used is an important factor both
from the cost standpoint, i.e. the latest quote is $200,000/kg-Np-237, and from a waste production standpoint, i.e.
more fissions occurring in the Np.
The optimum amount of Pu-238 produced as a function of reactor power is shown in Figure 4. The Figure shows a
slightly non-linear dependence with improved performance at higher powers. This dependence actually reduces the
price per kg of the Pu-238 (see cost section below).Mass of 238Pu kg/yr vs Power MW
12i0
-$-Mass of 238Pu kg/yr vs
Power MW5 1C
Powerof reactorMW15
Figure 4. Optimum mass of Pu-238 produced as a function of reactor power. The neutron flux used in the optimization is
assumed to be linear with power.
The trade study also allowed confirmation of the optimum irradiation time. One possible Figure of Merit (FOM) is
the mass of Pu-238 produced per unit mass of Np-237 per time of irradiation. The desired goal is to have the most
Pu produced for the least amount of Np in the shortest time. The results of the trade study were used to generate the
FOM shown in Figure 5. The figure clearly shows that an optimum time is in the 12-15 day interval. By adding in
the factor of mass Pu-238 versus mass fission products, which should be maximized also, the optimum time of 18
days was found for the irradiation time.8
Mass of 23Pu
kg/yr 6
4
2
00
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Howe, Steven D.; Crawford, Douglas; Navarro, Jorge & Ring, Terry. Economical Production of Pu-238, article, February 1, 2013; Idaho Falls, Idaho. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc842434/m1/9/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.