Romashka reactor
The Romashka reactor (Russian: Ромашка, lit. 'chamomile') was a Soviet experimental nuclear reactor. It began operation in 1964, and was developed by the Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy. The reactor used direct thermoelectric conversion to create electricity, rather than heating water to drive a turbine. It is thus similar to a radioisotope thermoelectric generator, but higher power.
| Romashka reactor | |
|---|---|
Cutaway view of an early ground-based Romashka reactor showing 11 fuel disks. | |
| Generation | Experimental |
| Reactor concept | RTG |
| Status | decommissioned |
| Main parameters of the reactor core | |
| Fuel (fissile material) | 235U |
| Fuel state | solid disks, UC 2 |
| Neutron energy spectrum | Fast |
| Primary control method | rod |
| Neutron reflector | Beryllium |
| Primary coolant | none (conduction) |
| Reactor usage | |
| Primary use | research |
| Power (thermal) | 40 kW |
| Power (electric) | 0.3–10 kW |
The Romashka reactor was developed with the intention of using nuclear power in space satellites, but was superseded by the more powerful BES-5 reactor. The project was canceled after the death of Sergei Korolev, who was heavily involved in the project.
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