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Title: Design of Production Test IP-381-A-FP, Irradiation of oversize fuel elements in the C Reactor overbored process channel facilities

Abstract

Recent studies have confirmed that large incentives exist for overboring the reactor process channels approximately 500 mils in the C and five old reactors, under the updated Plant Improvement Program. Conservative estimates of the incentives for overboring indicate a payout period of about two years for the proposed work, an increase in plutonium production of 15--18%, derived from increased conversion ratio and a reduction in plant unit cost. The proposal to overbore the graphite channels approximately 500--550 mils in one or more of the present Hanford reactors will require fuel elements about 0.5-inch larger in diameter than the present I & E fuel elements. Since there is only limited experience at HAPO in fabrication and irradiation of large diameter fuel elements, it is highly desirable to secure additional experience to assure that large fuel element technology will be available for full scale reactor use in advance of the time when extensive overboring of the old reactors is implemented. This report presents the design of the test to fabricate and irradiate the oversize (PIP-1) fuel elements.

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
General Electric Co., Richland, WA (United States). Hanford Atomic Products Operation
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
10108331
Report Number(s):
HW-67720-A
ON: DE93003952
DOE Contract Number:
AC06-76RL01830
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 6 Jan 1961
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS; HANFORD PRODUCTION REACTORS; REACTOR CHANNELS; FUEL ELEMENTS; IRRADIATION; MACHINING; PLUTONIUM; PRODUCTION; MODIFICATIONS; TESTING; 220600; RESEARCH, TEST, TRAINING, PRODUCTION, IRRADIATION, MATERIALS TESTING REACTORS

Citation Formats

Hodgson, W.H., and Clinton, M.A. Design of Production Test IP-381-A-FP, Irradiation of oversize fuel elements in the C Reactor overbored process channel facilities. United States: N. p., 1961. Web. doi:10.2172/10108331.
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Hodgson, W.H., & Clinton, M.A. Design of Production Test IP-381-A-FP, Irradiation of oversize fuel elements in the C Reactor overbored process channel facilities. United States. doi:10.2172/10108331.
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Hodgson, W.H., and Clinton, M.A. Fri . "Design of Production Test IP-381-A-FP, Irradiation of oversize fuel elements in the C Reactor overbored process channel facilities". United States. doi:10.2172/10108331. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/10108331.
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@article{osti_10108331,
title = {Design of Production Test IP-381-A-FP, Irradiation of oversize fuel elements in the C Reactor overbored process channel facilities},
author = {Hodgson, W.H. and Clinton, M.A.},
abstractNote = {Recent studies have confirmed that large incentives exist for overboring the reactor process channels approximately 500 mils in the C and five old reactors, under the updated Plant Improvement Program. Conservative estimates of the incentives for overboring indicate a payout period of about two years for the proposed work, an increase in plutonium production of 15--18%, derived from increased conversion ratio and a reduction in plant unit cost. The proposal to overbore the graphite channels approximately 500--550 mils in one or more of the present Hanford reactors will require fuel elements about 0.5-inch larger in diameter than the present I & E fuel elements. Since there is only limited experience at HAPO in fabrication and irradiation of large diameter fuel elements, it is highly desirable to secure additional experience to assure that large fuel element technology will be available for full scale reactor use in advance of the time when extensive overboring of the old reactors is implemented. This report presents the design of the test to fabricate and irradiate the oversize (PIP-1) fuel elements.},
doi = {10.2172/10108331},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jan 06 00:00:00 EST 1961},
month = {Fri Jan 06 00:00:00 EST 1961}
}
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Technical Report:
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DOI:  10.2172/10108331
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  • A significant portion of the planned production.gain expected from the FY 60 Reactor Plant Improvement Program was directly related to overboring the existing graphite channels. The overbore contemplated was a modest 200 mil enlargement (which would not require enlarging the reactor shield penetrations) at those reactors which were the last to require tube replacement. This was all that appeared feasible in view of the developmental work which had been accomplished at the time the program was prepared. Recent studies have confirmed that large incentives exist for overboring the reactor process channels approximately 500 mils in the C and 5 oldmore » reactors. Conservative estimates of the incentives for overboring indicate a payout period of about two years for the proposed work based on an increase in plutonium production of 15--18% derived from increased conversion ratio, and a reduction in plant unit cost. The proposal to overbore the graphite channels approximately 500--550 mils in one or more of the present Hanford reactors will require fuel elements about 0.5 inch larger in diameter than the present I&E fuel elements. Since there is only limited experience at HAPO in fabrication and irradiation of large diameter fuel elements, parallel development of large fuel elements is necessary to ensure that fuel element technology will be available for full scale reactor use, should overboring of the old reactors be realized. This report presents the design of the test to irradiate these oversize fuel elements.« less

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