QUARTERLY TECHNICAL REPORT, SPERT PROJECT, JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH, 1961
Spert I. The UO/sub 2/-core experimental program for reactor kinetics investigations is described and some static reactor measurements reported. Checks of the compensated ion chambers used as neutron detectors in the largeamplitude, low-power oscillator tests show that the anomaly in the oscillatcr test data is not due to faulty operation of the chambers. Sert II. The first self-limiting power-excursion test with a D/sub 2/0-moderated,reactcr was performed in Spert II. The data indicate that the behavior is that of the long-lifetime system and that steam formation is an important mechanism for quenching of the initial burst. For tests with periods of 70 to 50 msec, transient pressure differentials in the core are sufficient to deform fuel plates. Spert III. The magnitude of calculated reactivity compensations are found to be only half that of the experimental results. The reactor response to reactivity additions which are linear functions of time (ramp rats) was studied and compared with step-wise additions. Engineering. The thermowells in Spert III which were found to have natural resonant frequencies in close proximity to the frequency of primary pump impellers were replaced with shorter thermowells. A hydraulic fatigue test of a 18-plate type-D fuel assembly resulted in no damage after 220 hr. (D.L.C.)
- Research Organization:
- Phillips Petroleum Co. Atomic Energy Div., Idaho Falls, Idaho
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AT(10-1)-205
- NSA Number:
- NSA-15-025593
- OSTI ID:
- 4015225
- Report Number(s):
- IDO-16693
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-61
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
QUARTERLY TECHNICAL REPORT ON SPERT PROJECT, APRIL, MAY, JUNE 1961
SPERT PROJECT QUARTERLY TECHNICAL REPORT, JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH 1960