THE ACCIDENT WITH THE ZERO POWER REACTOR ON OCTOBER 15, 1958

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1959 · Bull. Inst. Nuclear Sci. "Boris Kidrich" (Belgrade)

OSTI ID:4255352

Savic, P P

During a subcritical experiment with the zero power reactor, the reactor became uncontrolled and went supercritical. Six people within the immediate vicinity of the reactor received very high doses of neutron and ionizing radiation. Two additional people received smaller doses, which were, however, above the maximum permissible dose. One fatality resulted. The cause of the accident was investigated. During the experiments, the alarm system and the automatic shutdown apparatus were not functioning. The dosimetry control system and the automatic safety rod drop were constructed with no interlock system so that the reactor could be operated without these controls. The personnel detected the anomalous operation by the smell of ozone. The power increase was detected by a strong increase of the gamma radiation during a time interval of 10 minutes on recorders of atmospheric activity placed 540 m from the reactor in a direct line. The neutron and gamma dose received by the personnel was estimated from the activity of gold and copper objects on their person and the phosphorus activity of the urine. It was estimated that the average total neutron dose was 388 rem and the gamma dose was 295 rem giving a total average dose of 683 rem. (J.S.R.)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-13-013058
• OSTI ID: 4255352
• Journal Information: Bull. Inst. Nuclear Sci. "Boris Kidrich" (Belgrade), Journal Name: Bull. Inst. Nuclear Sci. "Boris Kidrich" (Belgrade) Vol. Vol: 9
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: French

Related Subjects

ACCIDENTS
AIR
CONTROL
CONTROL ELEMENTS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
COPPER
CRITICAL ASSEMBLIES
CRITICALITY
DETECTION
DOSEMETERS
EXCURSIONS
GAMMA RADIATION
GOLD
NEUTRONS
OPERATION
OZONE
PERSONNEL
PHOSPHORUS
R-B
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION INJURIES
RADIOACTIVITY
REACTOR SAFETY
REACTORS
RECORDING SYSTEMS
RODS
SERVOMECHANISMS
SHUTDOWN
URINE