A preliminary study was made of the feasibility of three cycles for nuclear propulsion of aircraft: a direct-air-turbojet, a binary liquid-metal turbojet, and a helium compressor jet. All three cycles appeared feasible for flight at a Mach number of 0.9 and altitudes up to 50,000 feet; the liquid-metal cycle appeared feasible for flight at a Mach number of 1.5. The air and helium cycles resulted in heavier aircraft than did the liquid-metal cycle, particularly at a Mach number of 1.5. The relative advantage of the liquid-metal cycle became greater as the flight speed and altitude increased, and as the reactor wall temperature decreased.


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    Title :

    Preliminary analysis of three cycles for nuclear propulsion of aircraft


    Contributors:
    Humble, L V (author) / Wachtl, W W (author) / Doyle, R B (author)

    Publication date :

    1950-10-13


    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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