Design and performance analysis of a mobile, land-based micro-reactor

This work examines a mobile, land-based micro-reactor concept based on the mobile low power reactor prototype 1 (ML-1). A detailed model of ML-1 was created in MCNP® and compared with experimental data from multiple demonstrations conducted between 1962 1965. The computed values agree data, evidenced by an obtained keff 1.10705 ± 0.00104 versus expected value 1.102 0.007. cost-estimate $71.1 million high cost- estimate $291.3 today’s dollars for design using program costs captured Congressional legislative records average inflation rate. Improvements were made to advanced fuel materials meet contemporary requirements. It has been demonstrated that modernized configuration utilizing uranium carbide form, 19.75% U-235 enrichment, helium coolant can support steady state operation at 3 MWth years.