management and operation of the Radiological Characterization of nuclear materials Laboratory (authorized to use radioactive sources, in accordance with the “Nulla Osta cat.management and operation of the Calliope gamma Irradiation Facility at the ENEA Casaccia Research Center.

management and operation of the two main national research reactors (TRIGA-RC1 and RSV-TAPIRO) at the ENEA Casaccia Research Center.The Division guarantees that its technical and scientific activities shall be of excellence. The role played by the Division is of considerable importance in the fields of nuclear fission, use of ionising radiation, and manipulation and radiochemical characterization of materials. The activities are focused on the research and development of advanced nuclear systems, development of techniques for radiological characterization of nuclear materials, correct management and disposal of radioactive waste, reactor system modelling, and research and development in the field of ionising radiation, also for the production of radiopharmaceuticals. Decreto Legislativo (legislative decree) 101/2020 confers upon ENEA the role of manager of the Servizio Integrato nazionale for the collection and management of radioactive waste deriving from medical, industrial, and scientific activities.ĮNEA carries out these activities within the Nuclear Fission Technology, Facilities and Materials Division of the FSN Department, pooling the instrumental and human resources of the Research Centres of Casaccia, Frascati and Saluggia – an impressive array of experiences and multidisciplinary skills, which is practically unique in the national context. Converging CD Nozzle design is explained further in the Beginners Guide to Aeronautics.ENEA engages in research and development in the nuclear fission sector − an area of the national scientific panorama in which it has always played a primary role, given the skills and experience gained since its inception. Nozzlesĭownstream of the reactor, the hydrogen passes through the converging section, the throat, and the diverging section to accelerate the hot exhaust to produce thrust. The reflected neutrons can then cause more fissions and improve neutron economy of the reactor. To minimize neutron leakage, a material is placed at the outer radius of the reactor (such as Be), to reflect or “scatter” neutrons back into the core that would otherwise escape. The assembly also allows for rotation of these control drums to adjust the amount of neutron poison on demand. In order to maintain the nuclear fission chain reaction, control rods/drums in the reactor (such as B4C) are used as neutron poison (or neutron absorbers) to control or often decrease reactivity in order to maintain criticality and sustain the nuclear fission process.

The moderator assembly contains elements (such as ZrH or BeO) to moderate or slow down neutrons to achieve the appropriate neutron energies/velocities for nuclear fission. The fuel assembly for current designs contain the flow tubes for hydrogen, as well as the “fuel matrix” (such as ceramic-metallic or ceramic-ceramic matrix-based Uranium-Nitride (UN) or Uranium-Carbide (UC) fuels), fuel cladding, and insulator. These components fall under the broad category of propellant feed system. The Turbopump includes turbomachinery/pumps needed to help push and condition the propellant from the propellant tanks to the reactor. Includes plumbing, valves, filters, and fluid management devices needed to ensure the propellant is adequately delivered to the reactor at the right conditions. Hydrogen is stored at cryogenic temperatures (20 K) to maintain the propellant in a liquid state by Cryogenic Fluid Management Systems. Home > Research & Engineering > Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Systems Components of a Nuclear Thermal Propulsion System Figure 1: A Typical NTP System Hydrogen Propellant Tanks

Components of nuclear fission reactor