PATHFINDER ATOMIC POWER PLANT. BURNUP LIMITS FOR PATHFINDER TWO WEIGHT PER CENT NATURAL BORON-STAINLESS STEEL CONTROL RODS

Technical Report · Thu Dec 19 04:00:00 EST 1963

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4086665· OSTI ID:4086665

Patterson, D A; Nehrig, D A

A survey of literature on irradiation experience with boron stainless steel was conducted to determine the effect of neutron irradiation and boron-10 burnup on the two weight per cent natural boron stainless steel control rods being used in the Pathfinder reactor. The literature reviewed included irradiation test samples and full-size control rods in operating reactors. From the analysis of the survey, it was concluded that the Pathfinder control rods will operate satisfactorily and retain their integrity within the burnup limits prescribed. The effects of irradiation and boron-10 burnup on boron stainless were divided into the categories of mechanical properties, cracks, and swelling and gas release. These categories were examined in detail with the data available and correlated with the Pathfinder rods and operating conditions. The allowable local burnup of the boiler rods is limited to one core at.% (50% boron- 10 depletion) and the superheater rods are limited to one-half core at.% (25% boron-10 depletion). (auth)

• Research Organization: Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co. Atomic Power Associates
• NSA Number: NSA-18-009632
• OSTI ID: 4086665
• Report Number(s): ACNP-63006
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BIBLIOGRAPHY
BOILING
BORON
BORON 10
BURNUP
CONFIGURATION
CONTROL ELEMENTS
CRACKS
DEFORMATION
GASES
HIGH TEMPERATURE
IRRADIATION
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NEUTRON FLUX
PATHFINDER
POWER PLANTS
PRODUCTION
RADIATION EFFECTS
REACTOR CORE
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
REACTORS
RODS
STAINLESS STEELS
SUPERHEATING
TEMPERATURE
THERMAL STRESSES
WATER COOLANT