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Title: SDR PROJECT QUARTERLY TECHNICAL PROGRESS REPORT FOR THE PERIOD AUGUST 1, 1957 THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 1957

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4310452· OSTI ID:4310452

Engineering design and experimental studies have been continued, with the objective of demonstrating the feasibility of separating Na and D/sub 2/O in the Sodium Deuterium Reactor (SDR). Fabrication methods for manufacturing SDR fuel-coolant tubes were examined; there is every indication that the design is feasible, and a good possibility that the tube can be formed in one piece, without welds. D/sub 2/O calandria design was backed up by visits to Chalk River and Savanaah River. A modified barrier arrangement has been studied and will be evaluated further. A Na leak detection system has heen outlined. Detailed design is proceeding on both static and fatigue rigs for testing the mechanical integrity of fuel-coolant tube and header joints. Screening tests on barrier materials were essentially completed, using the single-failure test apparatus at the NDA Pawling Laboratory. Results on Al were especially encouraging; two samples of 0.060-in- . thick Al were exposed to a jet of 950 deg F Na for more than 16 hr, and both survived. Design work has been completed, and fabrication is now proceeding, on the multiple-failure test apparatus, in which both H/sub 2/ O and Na system failures can be simulated at the same time. Detailed design is progressing on the mock-up test, which consists of three fuel-coolant tubes and associated barriers in a tank of water; this test will be used to demonstrate the reliability of integrated Na and H/sub 2/ O circulating systems under simulated reactor operating conditions. Additional analysis was done on the straight- through configuration, for two types of fuel elements-a U-Mo alloy, and UO/sub 2/. An alternative design concept, based on a slab configuration, was also studied; the slab design has some potential maintenance and safety advantages as compared with the calandria (or laffice) configuration. Shielding studies continued to concentrate on after-shutdown radiation levels in the header rooms. (For preceding period see NDA84-2.) (auth)

Research Organization:
Nuclear Development Corp. of America, White Plains, NY (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AT(30-3)-256
NSA Number:
NSA-12-006192
OSTI ID:
4310452
Report Number(s):
NDA-084-3
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-58
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English