skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Start-up of the 100-B pile following 1569-B tube failure

Abstract

Tube 1569-B ruptured on September 22, 1948 and was replaced. Between the time of failure and final isolation of this tube, considerable water escaped into the graphite packing. As a result, the unit start-up and subsequent operation was quite different from that usually followed. This report has been prepared to summarize the observations and activities related to this operation.

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Hanford Works, Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
10188240
Report Number(s):
HW-11426
ON: DE93002063
DOE Contract Number:
AC06-76RL01830
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 8 Nov 1948
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS; HANFORD PRODUCTION REACTORS; REACTOR START-UP; FUEL RODS; RUPTURES; MAINTENANCE; 220600; RESEARCH, TEST, TRAINING, PRODUCTION, IRRADIATION, MATERIALS TESTING REACTORS

Citation Formats

Carlton, G.B.. Start-up of the 100-B pile following 1569-B tube failure. United States: N. p., 1948. Web. doi:10.2172/10188240.
Copy to clipboard
Carlton, G.B.. Start-up of the 100-B pile following 1569-B tube failure. United States. doi:10.2172/10188240.
Copy to clipboard
Carlton, G.B.. Mon . "Start-up of the 100-B pile following 1569-B tube failure". United States. doi:10.2172/10188240. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/10188240.
Copy to clipboard
@article{osti_10188240,
title = {Start-up of the 100-B pile following 1569-B tube failure},
author = {Carlton, G.B.},
abstractNote = {Tube 1569-B ruptured on September 22, 1948 and was replaced. Between the time of failure and final isolation of this tube, considerable water escaped into the graphite packing. As a result, the unit start-up and subsequent operation was quite different from that usually followed. This report has been prepared to summarize the observations and activities related to this operation.},
doi = {10.2172/10188240},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Nov 08 00:00:00 EST 1948},
month = {Mon Nov 08 00:00:00 EST 1948}
}
Copy to clipboard
Technical Report:
View Technical Report (0.38 MB)
DOI:  10.2172/10188240
Save / Share:
Export Metadata
Save to My Library
You must Sign In or Create an Account in order to save documents to your library.

  • This report covers the examination of nine process tubes, five tubes from B Pile and four from H Pile. Four of the tubes from B File were removed because they were leaking and the fifth was removed because it contained a stuck ruptured slug. Tube 2681-H was removed for graphite mining, tube 2852-H was removed under PT 313-105-14M ``In-Pile Evaluation of 63-S Aluminum Process Tubes,`` and two tubes were removed from channel 0961-H under PT 105-506-E, ``Recirculation of Pile Cooling Water.`` Visual inspection was made of the inside and outside surfaces of the tubes before and after cleaning with coldmore » 10 per cent nitric acid. Samples varying from one to four inches in length were taken from each section and transferred to the 108-B Metallurgical Laboratory for close examination to determine depth of pitting, 72-S cladding thickness, and wall thickness. These determinations were made at specific points in each section on what appeared to be the area of severest attack. It is indicated on six of the tubes where the sample was taken on the circumference of the tube.« less

  • ;
    Following a rupture outage incurred on 9-27-57, the reactor was started up on 9-28-57 under cold start-up'' procedures. Power was raised at a normal rate to 900 (megawatts) and that level held for 15 minutes whole a temperature map was made. The temperature map showed a distortion of the tube power distribution to the near-side of nearly 65{degree} with near-side temperature as high as 114 {degree}. These observed temperatures would indicate tube powers as high as 875 to 900 kilowatts. The hot region was concentrated in the area between vertical rows 55 to 68 and horizontal rows 8 to 33.more » While at the 900 MW level, the downstream rods were moved in 60 to 90 inches while during the same period of time the center rods were moved in about 30 inches. Normal procedures call for insertion of the center rods to at least mid-pile before the downstream rods are started in. The rod configuration recorded at the time indicated on the temperature maps shows the deepest rod penetrating to vertical row 57, barely within the hot region's near-side boundary.« less

  • This memorandum details the recommendation of the Technical Section that the C Pile be started up using alum treated water to which has been added sodium dichromate at a concentration of 2 ppm., and that the pile be purged at monthly intervals despite the expected absence of film formation. During the initial months of operation the necessity of adding sodium dichromate and of purging the pile should be evaluated with the hope that these factors can be eliminated from the process. The reasons for this recommendation, and proposals for water treatment in the current operating piles are discussed.

  • ; ;

  • ; ;