Failure of latch mechanism for motion control of safety rods

Technical Report · Thu Jan 16 00:00:00 EST 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10164095· OSTI ID:10164095

Yau, W W.F.; Leader, D R

During safety rod tests in K-reactor prior to startup, one safety rod could not be lifted because the ``button`` broke off and became lodged in the mechanism. Examination of the failed latch assembly along with other assemblies from both K-Area and L-Area revealed several missing buttons as well as severely deformed ``jaw hanger extensions.`` We participated in the investigation of the damage by request of the Reactor Restart Section. Based on our study of the latch mechanism, the modifications to the ``safety rod extension,`` and the operating history of the machine, this memorandum describes the causes of the observed damage with experimental evidence and calculations to support the findings. 3 refs.

• Research Organization: Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• OSTI ID: 10164095
• Report Number(s): WSRC-RP-92-112; ON: DE92018132
• Resource Relation: Other Information: PBD: 16 Jan 1992
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
K REACTOR
SCRAM RODS
ROD DROP ACCIDENTS
REACTOR SAFETY
INVESTIGATIONS
DAMAGE
REACTOR START-UP
220900
220600
RESEARCH
TEST
TRAINING
PRODUCTION
IRRADIATION
MATERIALS TESTING REACTORS