SPERT II HAZARDS SUMMARY REPORT

Technical Report · Wed Dec 10 04:00:00 EST 1958

OSTI ID:4235619

Bright, G O; Grund, J E

Spert II will be a heterogeneous water-cooled and -moderated reactor designed for operation at pressures up to 300 psig and temperatures up to 400 F. The facility will provide for both static and flow tests with reactor cores employing either light or heavy water as a moderator-reflector, and also tests utilizing solid reflector materials. Its primary function is to provide a facility to permit study of the influence of various types of moderators and reflectors on reactor kinetic behavior. This report discusses the major hazards present in the operation of this facility, the precautions to be taken to reduce the probability of an accident, and the consequences of the maximum possible accident. Brief descriptions of the Spert II design and the site location are also presented. It is concluded that the proposed method of operation and the site location make possible the operation of the Spert II facility without hazard to the general public. (auth) From the calculations it was determined that the reactor could be safely operated at 20 Mw with an average shim rod position of 19 in. and with the core as it was for flux run number two. Since the assumption that the inclusions were 50 wt.% plutonium is quite conservative, the reactor could probably be operated at higher powers. The power increases were gradual and the reactor instrumente scrutinized for any evidence of boiling in the reactor. The reactor operated at 20 Mw while the average shim rod position was between 19 and 25 inches; at 25 Mw while the average shim rod position was between 25 and 28 inches; and at 30 Mw while the average shim rod position was between 28 and 30 inches. At no time during the cycle was there any evidence of boiling in the reactor. (auth)

• Research Organization: Phillips Petroleum Co. Atomic Energy Div., Idaho Falls, Idaho
• DOE Contract Number: AT(10-1)-205
• NSA Number: NSA-13-021719
• OSTI ID: 4235619
• Report Number(s): IDO-16491
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ACCIDENTS
ENVIRONMENT
FLUID FLOW
HEAVY WATER
HEAVY WATER MODERATOR
OPERATION
PLANNING
POPULATIONS
PRESSURE
REACTORS
REFLECTORS
SOLIDS
SPERT-2
TEMPERATURE
TESTING
TRANSFER FUNCTIONS
TRANSIENTS
WATER COOLANT
WATER MODERATOR