Could a jet engine be run on nuclear power?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the feasibility of using nuclear power to run jet engines, specifically considering the concept of nuclear thermal jet engines and their potential applications in supersonic flight and space travel. Participants examine both theoretical and historical perspectives on this topic.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose the idea of replacing the combustion area of a conventional jet engine with a small nuclear reactor, questioning the feasibility of this design.
  • Others reference historical projects, such as the Convair X-6, to highlight past attempts to integrate nuclear technology into aircraft engines.
  • A participant expresses skepticism about the practicality of using nuclear power for ramjets or scramjets, noting the extremely short time air spends in the combustion chamber, which complicates heat transfer.
  • There is a suggestion that a hybrid nuclear thermal jet/rocket could potentially enable single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) spacecraft, although this is met with caution regarding the actual goals of historical projects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the feasibility of nuclear-powered jet engines, with some expressing optimism about the potential applications while others highlight significant technical challenges and limitations.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific historical projects and technical challenges without resolving the implications of these references. The discussion includes uncertainties regarding the effectiveness of heat transfer in high-speed jet engines.

FireStorm000
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I know people have designed nuclear rocket engines, but is there any reason you couldn't have a nuclear thermal jet engine? Simply take a conventional jet and swap out the combustion area with a small reactor? Could the same idea work at higher speeds with a nuclear ramjet, or scramjet equivalent?
 
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RandomGuy88 said:
Check this out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convair_X-6

Well I'll be damned; I was aware of that program, I just didn't think they had planned to put the reactors directly in the engines.

So this could potentially empower a SSTO space craft, with a hybrid nuclear thermal jet/rocket? How cool would that be?
 
FireStorm000 said:
Well I'll be damned; I was aware of that program, I just didn't think they had planned to put the reactors directly in the engines.

So this could potentially empower a SSTO space craft, with a hybrid nuclear thermal jet/rocket? How cool would that be?

Did you read the Wiki article? One sentence from it ought be enough for you to see they were not trying to propel the Bomber at all: "Its sole purpose was to investigate the effect of radiation on aircraft systems."
 
Bobbywhy said:
Did you read the Wiki article? One sentence from it ought be enough for you to see they were not trying to propel the Bomber at all: "Its sole purpose was to investigate the effect of radiation on aircraft systems."

...Read further. That's how far they actually tested. That wasn't the end goal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convair_X-6#Development_plans
 
To answer your question about powering a ramjet or scramjet with nuclear power, I would say that it is a stretch with a ramjet and pretty much no way with a scramjet. The air passing through a scramjet is only in the combustion chamber for milliseconds at best. It would be very, very difficult to transfer a meaningful amount of heat into the flow in that amount of time. It is hard enough when you mix fuel with the air and then ignite it. Trying to transfer heat through convection from the sides would take much longer.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb7uZQ1_n4w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4MfrvMnnww

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TzCPZyAmpQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udLJbSywzBM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp-0Y8lQ-JQ
 

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