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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

SAFETY ASPECTS OF THE CALDER HALL REACTOR IN THEORY AND EXPERIMENT

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4282828

The design specification, construction requirements, and inspection which ensure the soundness of the reactors at Calder Hall and similar power stations are discussed. The nuclear and thermal kinetics of these natural uranium gas-cooled graphite-moderated reactors are examined, and an account is given of relevant experiments, including those carried out on the Calder Hall reactors. This work takes into account the presence of plutonium and the consequent increase in moderator temperature coefficient with irradiation level. An outline is given of the results of compatibility studies and of the effect of irradiation on fuel elements, on graphite (with particular reference to stored energy), and on constructional steels. In the light of the information obtained on the nuclear and thermal characteristics of the reactor, a number of hypothetical fault conditions are examined. These include loss of reactivity control, blower failure, and loss of pressure. (auth)

Research Organization:
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, Risley, Lancs, Eng.; Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, Berks, Eng.
NSA Number:
NSA-13-007223
OSTI ID:
4282828
Report Number(s):
A/CONF.15/P/267
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English