ART OF COOLING AND MODERATING NEUTRONIC REACTORS
Monoisopropylbiphenyl (IPBH) is preferable to biphenyl as a reactor coolant and moderator because of its lower freezing point (--47 deg C vs. + 7O deg C). IPBH can be synthesized by alkylating biphenyl with propylene and usirg AlCl/sub 3/ as catalyst. A specific synthesis procedure is given for obtaining 32 lb of IPBII from 80 lb of biphenyl. The effects of 1.6-Mev neutron irradiation on the properties of IPBH were studied for fluxes of 1.6 x 10/sup 11/ neutrons/cm/sup 2//sec for >110 days. If IPBH is employed in a hydrocarbon mixture for reactor purposes, it exerts a beneficial effect since it reacts with radioinduced radicals to form a hydrocarbon and IPBH radicals. However, because IPBH is readily oxidized, O/sub 2/ must be eliminated from reactor systems using IPBH. A method is described for removing contaminated scale and impurities from steel or iron systems prior to use with IPBH. A power reactor using IPBH as moderator and coolant is illustrated diagrammatically, and IPBH is compared with biphenyl with reference to moderating effectiveness, specific heat, and melting point. Only in the respect of viscosity is IPBH inferior to biphenyl; however, a mixture of IPBW and biphenyl can remedy this defect. (D.L.C.)
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- NSA Number:
- NSA-14-025039
- OSTI ID:
- 4149745
- Report Number(s):
- GB 845666
- Country of Publication:
- United Kingdom
- Language:
- English
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