An engine cycle is used to extract work from a nuclear reactor
with helium as the working fluid. The helium enters a compressor,
and its pressure is raised adiabat- ically. It is then heated at
constant pressure to a high temperature in the reactor core. The
energy is supplied by the fission of plutonium. The helium then
enters a turbine, in which it is allowed to expand adiabatically.
It then passes through a pre-cooler, in which heat is rejected at...