Development of Self-Actuated Shutdown Systems for LMFBR Plants (Final Report)
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
The further development during FY 1975 of the Self-Actuated Shutdown System (SASS) for LMFBR plants carried out at ANL is presented in this report. A ferromagnetic Curie temperature permanent magnet holding device has been selected as the basis for the design of the Inherent Shutdown Assembly (ISA) of the SASS. The self-actuated self-contained device operates such that accident conditions, resulting in increased coolant temperature or neutron flux reduce the magnetic holding force by raising the temperature of the trigger mechanism above the Curie point. Boron carbide absorber is then inserted into the core, under gravity, terminating the accident. Several possible designs of the selected concept are presented. All of the proposed designs derive the magnetic holding force from an Alnico V permanent magnet which drives the magnetic holding flux through the parting plane of a carbon steel magnetic circuit. Magnetic and thermal-hydraulic analyses have been performed which show the feasibility of the concept with respect to response time, holding force, and coolability. ISA absorber worths have been estimated in the physics analysis. These have been shown to be sufficient to protect against severe reactor transients such as loss of flow and fast reactivity excursions in an accident analysis. The presence of the absorber material in the upper axial blanket region of a CRBR type core has been shown to have a minimal impact upon core performance. Fissile source and radiation induced heat generation calculations were also carried out in the physics analysis. An experimental program has also been performed which has demonstrated proof of principle of the selected Curie point magnetic hold device. As part of this program, experiments were carried out in air and in static sodium. Several of the materials aspects of the SASS design have been examined and discussed particularly with respect to the possible problem areas.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE); US Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA); US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-06CH11357
- OSTI ID:
- 1527016
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/CT-76-2; 153003
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Self-actuated shutdown system for a commercial size LMFBR. Final report
LMFBR self-activated shutdown systems