Horizontal control rod corrosion, KW Reactor

Technical Report · Fri May 25 04:00:00 EDT 1962

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10148172· OSTI ID:10148172

Renberger, D L

On September 19, 1961, the No. 3 horizontal control rod at KW reactor was removed after an apparent failure of the wall separating the boron carbide powder from the coolant water. The instrument indications that were interpreted as a rod failure include: high radiation alarms in the exhaust air, unexplained gain in reactivity, increasing coolant outlet temperature on No. 3 HCR, and high radiation readings of the outlet water from No. 3 HCR. The possible reactor safety aspects of such a failure made it necessary to obtain a thorough examination of the rod and inner coolant tube. A complete borescope examination of the rod and partial visual examination of the inner coolant tube have recently been completed. This document is intended to summarize the inspection results, discuss the safety and costs aspects of a horizontal rod failure, and suggest courses of action for the remaining rods at KE and KW reactors.

• Research Organization: General Electric Co., Richland, WA (United States). Hanford Atomic Products Operation
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 10148172
• Report Number(s): HW--73763; ON: DE94011305
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220600
220900
CONTROL ELEMENTS
CORROSION
FAILURES
HANFORD PRODUCTION REACTORS
HEAT TRANSFER
HYDRAULICS
REACTOR SAFETY
RESEARCH
TEST
TRAINING
PRODUCTION
IRRADIATION
MATERIALS TESTING REACTORS