NUCLEAR SUPERHEAT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. Third Quarterly Progress Report for January-March 1960

Technical Report · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1960

OSTI ID:4123989

Research and development work aimed at establishing the technological and economic feasibility of producing superheated steam from a boiling water reactor is reported. Studies conducted during the quarter were directed toward establishing the basic configuration of the preliminary reference design. Preliminary consideration was given to a one-pass rod-annular fuel element for the maximum utilization of the "roof-top" axial power distribution inherent in a boiling water reactor. Owing to excessive centerline temperature of the rod- annular element, attention was concentrated on detailed studies of a double- annular fue1 element. With a double-annular fuel element, it was possible to reduce the number of fuel elements required in the boiler-superheater region. Results of reactor physics analysis of the effects of varying the fuel enrichments in the boiler and the superheater zones are reported. Fuel element power distributions for various enrichments in the double-annular element were also determined. To distinguish between designs involving various fuel elements and core configurations, a design classification system was adopted. The critical experiment program at Windsor established preliminary reference measurements for "p", "f," and " epsilon ." The design of the plumbing and electrical system for the remote control of the superheater section was completed. Detailed design work on the test loop to determine acceptable carry-over of moisture in steam entering superheater fuel elements was completed and sized for an earlier design of the two-pass double-annular element. Design modifications were continued on the steam separator loop. Procurement and fabrication of parts for research and development on BONUS components proceeded satisfactorily. (For preceding period see GNEC-125.) (W.D.M.)

• Research Organization: Combustion Engineering, Inc., Windsor, Conn.; and General Nuclear Engineering Corp., Dunedin, Fla.
• NSA Number: NSA-15-001051
• OSTI ID: 4123989
• Report Number(s): GNEC-131
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BOILING
BONUS
DISTRIBUTION
ECONOMICS
ENERGY
ENRICHMENT
FABRICATION
FUEL ELEMENTS
IN PILE LOOPS
MEASURED VALUES
REACTOR CORE
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
REACTORS
REMOTE CONTROL
RODS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
STEAM
SUPERHEATING
TEMPERATURE
WATER
ZONES