INVESTIGATION OF NUCLEAR RAMJET ENGINE

Yordan KATSAROV

Abstract


A Monte Carlo neutronics model of a compact, gas‑cooled fast‑spectrum reactor relevant to nuclear ramjet engine concepts was developed using the OpenMC code. The model treats the gas coolant as a static, low‑density medium and focuses exclusively on neutronic behavior. The reference configuration exhibits a fast neutron spectrum and a strongly leakage‑dominated balance. A coolant density variation of ±20–30% produces only minor changes in the effective multiplication factor. The resulting coolant density reactivity coefficient is small, indicating weak reactivity sensitivity to gas density in this regime and supporting the suitability of gas‑cooled fast‑spectrum cores for high‑temperature propulsion applications.

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References


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