Description and characterization of the ACRR's programmable transient rod withdrawal mode
- Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM 87185 (United States)
To satisfy experiment needs for Sandia's Advanced Reactor Safety Program, a programmable Transient Rod Withdrawal (TRW) mode has been developed for the Annular Core Research Reactor (ACRR). The programmable mode is a modification of the existing continuous-withdrawal TRW mode and permits speed and direction changes during the pulse sequence. Basically, a TRW operation is similar to a routine pulse operation except that transient rods are mechanically withdrawn rather than pneumatically fired. Being a pulse-type operation, the TRW mode complies with pulse-mode safety system settings. Control system interlocks prevent the pneumatic firing of rods in the TRW mode. The hardware for the programmable TRW mode includes three ACRR transient rods, the ACRR timer, two rod programmers, a minicomputer and a summing circuit for position indication. Each ACRR transient rod is mechanically driven by a stepping motor (rated torque at 4.24 joules) and is capable of a maximum TRW speed of 26.7 centimeters/ second. The maximum reactivity insertion rate is $2.45/second with a transient rod bank worth of $3.00 and $3.47/second with a bank worth of $4.25, which is expected to be installed soon. The ACRR timer is a multifunctional timer used in all operating modes of the reactor. In the programmable TRW mode, the timer starts the rod programmers and drops regulating rods to terminate the operation. Programmed withdrawal capability is provided by one of two rod programmers (a hardwire-based unit and a microprocessor-based unit). The hardwire unit has eight intervals in which speed, direction and distance are selected by switches on the front panel. The microprocessor-based unit has the capability of 64 intervals in which speed, direction, and distance or time can be specified. Programming this unit is accomplished from the front panel or by inputting data from an HP-9845. minicomputer via a digital I/O interface. Self-test programs in the software provide a continual check of an operating program. The rod position summing circuit provides a single output for analyzing transient rod position as a function of time. At this writing, approval for installation and initial testing of the TRW mode has been received from the Department of Energy. Mechanical tests are being performed to evaluate the rod drive performance under maximum transient conditions. The initial power tests will concentrate on achieving a 50 megawatt square-wave pulse for a 4-second duration. (author)
- Research Organization:
- General Atomic Co., San Diego, CA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 21149382
- Report Number(s):
- INIS-US-09N0119; TOC-12; TRN: US09N0128028988
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 7. biennial U.S. TRIGA users' conference, San Diego, CA (United States), 2-5 Mar 1980; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Abstract on p. xviii; 9 figs; Related Information: In: 7. biennial U.S. TRIGA users' conference. Papers and abstracts, 369 pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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