THE DESIGN OF THE EXPERIMENTAL REACTOR FOR THE PLUTONIUM RECYCLE PROGRAM

Technical Report · Fri Oct 31 04:00:00 EST 1958

OSTI ID:4307187

Fryar, R M

Since the reactor for the Plutonium Recycle Program is an experimental tool, the bases for its design stem directly from the incentives, the unknowns, and objectives ef the program. The incentives of the program including the peaceful use ef plutonium produced in both power and other reactors, the design fiexibility and cycle economy from enrichment with dependence on high cost isotope separations facilities, and the threeto fourfold energy availability increase as a result ef plutonium recycle are discussed. The technicai unknowns of the fields of nuclear physics, metallurgy, chemistry, and reaator engineering associated with plutonium recycle are identified. From these incentives and unknowns, the proposed Plutonium Recycle Program is derived. It is concluded that in order to accomplish the objectives of the program, a prime requirement is an irradiation facility from which can be obtained a variety of nuclear and metallurgical information. Siace the reactor is a research and development tool, the prime prerequisite of the facility is to provide the maximum amount of flexibility in as many parameters as possible, consistent with safety and avaiable funds. To secure this flexibility, the reactor was designed as a heavy water moderated and cooled, pressure-tube type reactor with a thermal power rating of 70 megawatts. The physical features of the reactor including the containment and service structures; the reactor core including calandria, process tubes, fuel element, and shielding; the heavy water process and moderator cooling systems; the moderator level control by the gas balance method; the helium gas system for primary circuit pressurization, reactor atmosphere and moderator lovel; and the supplementary mechanical shim controls are described. Emphasis is given to the underlying reasons for the selection of the design features on the bases of the flexibiiity criteria and the requirements of the parent research and development program. (auth)

• Research Organization: General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
• NSA Number: NSA-12-015001
• OSTI ID: 4307187
• Report Number(s): A/CONF.15/P/447
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BREEDING
BUILDINGS
COMPRESSORS
CONFERENCE
CONFIGURATION
CONTROL ELEMENTS
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ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ENRICHMENT
GASES
HELIUM
IMPURITIES
IRRADIATION
ISOTOPES
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
METALLURGY
MODERATORS
OPERATION
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PRESSURE
PRESSURE VESSELS
REACTOR CORE
REACTOR SAFETY
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REMOTE HANDLING
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TUBES
ZONES