PLUTO. HARWELL'S SECOND HIGH-FLUX REACTOR

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1957 · Nuclear Eng.

OSTI ID:4342586

Pluto is the second of Britain's three high-flux testing reactors. All three are intended for high-intensity irradiation, utilize highly enriched uranium fuel, and are moderated with heavy water. The differences of these three reactors are found in the arrangements for experimental facilities. The core of Pluto consists of a lattice of 26 elements arranged in rows of 4-6-6-6-4. Each of the fuel elements is made up of 10 curved plates of uranium-aluminum alloy clad in aluminum, with end fittings for forced circulation of heavy water. Control plates are of cadmium sheathed in stainless steel. The control plates provide coarse control. Fine control is provided by a Vernier rod moving vertically. Seram rods are provided which move vertically for emergency use. There is also a layer of heavy water above the core which acts as a reflector. The reactor is enclosed in an aluminum tank around which is a graphite reflector. The whole is enclosed in a double-skinned steel tank. The 4 in. space between the two skins is filled with lead with a cast-in cooling coil. Around this is the concrete biological shield. The entire reactor system operates in an inert atmosphere of helium. The building in which the reactor is housed is designed as a pressure shell. Pressure is normally kept slightly below atmospheric pressure to insure that any leak occurs inward. Pluto is intended for the irradiation of large loops and the production of Co/sup 60/ at high activity levels. (A.C.)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-12-003289
• OSTI ID: 4342586
• Journal Information: Nuclear Eng., Journal Name: Nuclear Eng. Vol. Vol: 2
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALUMINUM
ALUMINUM ALLOYS
BUILDINGS
CADMIUM
COBALT 60
CONCRETES
CONFIGURATION
CONTROL ELEMENTS
COOLING
FUEL ELEMENTS
GRAPHITE
HEAVY WATER MODERATOR
HELIUM
IN PILE LOOPS
INTERMETALLIC COMPOUNDS
IRRADIATION
LEAD
LEAKS
MATERIALS TESTING
NEUTRON FLUX
PHYSICS
PLATES
PLUTO
PRESSURE VESSELS
PRODUCTION
REACTOR CORE
REACTORS
REFLECTORS
SHIELDING
SHUTDOWN
STAINLESS STEELS
STEELS
URANIUM
URANIUM ALLOYS
VESSELS