OPERATING EXPERIENCE WITH THE SODIUM REACTOR EXPERIMENT AND ITS APPLICATION TO THE HALLAM NUCLEAR POWER FACILITY

Technical Report · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1960

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4054625· OSTI ID:4054625

Beeley, R J; Mahlmeister, J E

The Sodium Reactor Experiment (SRE) was constructed to demonstrate the feasibility of sodium-oooled graphitemoderated reactors for central station power. The operating experience of SRE has provided valuable data for the design of the Hallam Nuclear Power Facillty (HNPF) now under construction. Some of the difficulties found in the SRE, which HNPF will be designed to avoid, are the sodium-sodium intermediate heat exchanger (horizontal position in SRE gave trouble; a vertical position will be used in HNPF), sodium pumps, handling of broken fuel elements, and excessive thermal stresses due to inadequate coolant flow. Other features of HNPF include the addition of an activity monitoring system for the core cover gas, elimination of tetralin for auxiliary cooling of plant equipment, instrumentation of fuel elements, and addition of carbon traps in the primary sodium system. SRE operation has demonstrated unusual reactor stability and capability for rapid power changes. (D.L.C.)

• Research Organization: Atomics International. Div. of North American Aviation, Inc., Canoga Park, Calif.
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-15-013991
• OSTI ID: 4054625
• Report Number(s): NAA-SR-Memo-5464
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CARBON
COOLING
FAILURES
FUEL ELEMENTS
GRAPHITE MODERATOR
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HNPF
LIQUID METAL COOLANT
MONITORING
PUMPS
RADIOACTIVITY
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
REACTORS
SODIUM
SRE
STABILITY
THERMAL STRESSES
TRAPS