NUCLEAR SUPERHEAT PROJECT ELEVENTH QUARTERLY REPORT, JANUARY-MARCH 1962

Technical Report · Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1962

OSTI ID:4122734

Pennington, R T

Results of a study concerning the optimum type or types of superheat elements are presented. A seven-rod fuel element appears to be the most promising design for nuclear superheaters. It is recommended that the combination-type element with internal coolant channels be investigated. Physics work during the period was devoted to the core for a 600-Mw(e) reactor. Results of analysis of flooding effects on reactivity are presented along with data on effects of moderator temperature and control rod worth. Examination of fuel element SH-5A after irradiation at 750 to 845 deg F for 1000 hr revealed small cracks in the cladding of intergranular nature. A description of the NUSU irradiation operation is included. Data are included on the ESH-1 and ESH-2 fuel design. Data are included which show that the stainless steel tubing rejection rate is about 10%. Development of welding parameters for 10- and 20mil-thick Inconel, Hastelloy X, Hastelloy N, Ni-o-Nel, and stainless steel is reported. It was found that end plugs involving these alloys can be welded without undue preparation. Test work done on type 304 stainless steel stress corrosion is summarized along with results of a 1000-hr check on stress corrosion of Inconel and Incoloy. Results are also included on the effects of 1100 deg F steam on Hastelloy N and Inconel, and on the SH-5A and NuSu tests. In mechanical development efforts during the period were devoted to procurement of a plastic shroud for air-water testing and to a series of steam-water tests. A design and irradiation summary for SADE fuel elernents is given. Work on the E-SADE is about 70% complete. Information is included on design of the 75-Mw(e) Mixed Spectrum plant along with data and information on the Mixed Spectrum Superheater Critical Experiment. (J.R.D.)

• Research Organization: General Electric Co. Atomic Power Equipment Dept., San Jose, Calif.
• NSA Number: NSA-18-004795
• OSTI ID: 4122734
• Report Number(s): GEAP-3924
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALUMINUM ALLOYS
CANNING
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
CLOSURES
COBALT ALLOYS
CONFIGURATION
CONTROL ELEMENTS
COOLANT LOOPS
COPPER ALLOYS
CORROSION
CORROSION PROTECTION
CRACKS
EFFICIENCY
FABRICATION
FAILURES
FUEL CANS
FUEL ELEMENTS
GRAIN BOUNDARIES
HASTELLOY
HEAT TRANSFER
HIGH TEMPERATURE
INCONEL ALLOYS
IRRADIATION
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MODERATORS
MOLYBDENUM ALLOYS
NICKEL ALLOYS
NIOBIUM ALLOYS
PLANNING
POLYMERS
POWER PLANTS
RADIATION EFFECTS
REACTIVITY
REACTOR CORE
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
RODS
SHUTDOWN
STAINLESS STEELS
STEAM
STRESSES
SUPERHEATING
TEMPERATURE
THERMAL STRESSES
THICKNESS
TITANIUM ALLOYS
TUBES
VARIATIONS