The paper provides an analytical review of published works on experimental, and, in part, analytical and theoretical studies of neutronic properties of critical assemblies, simulating geometry and materials composition of fast-neutron Thermionic Converter-Reactors (TCR). It provides results of studies of radial distribution of energy release with absorbing and fissile shields placed at the boundary of the active zone with side reflector, results of equalization of radial energy release and suppression of the local surge of energy release in fuel kernels of peripheral Electric generating Assemblies-Channels (EAC). It provides results of experimental measurements of the microstructure of energy release in the fuel kernels cross-section. It provides an analysis of the results of experiments and efficiency calculations for the side reflector with actuating elements of the Control and Safety System (CSS). It is demonstrated that insertion of twelve actuating elements of CSS into the reactor places it into a deeply subcritical state. An order of magnitude reduction of the modular TCR assembly, as compared with the conventional configuration assembled from individual EACs, was experimentally demonstrated. The paper provides results of experiments on a critical assembly simulating TCR with homogenous (non-modular) structure of the active zone. It provides results of experimental neutronic studies of operating conditions for combined-excitation lasers within fast-neutron TCR with moderating reflector.
Key words: thermionic reactor, neutronic characteristics, energy release distribution, absorption and fissile shields, actuating elements of CSS, modular assembly, combined excitation lasers.
Simulations of argon plasma decay in a thermionic converter
