PRE Quarterly Progress Report: January-March 1957

Technical Report · Sun Jun 30 04:00:00 EDT 1957

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4362887· OSTI ID:4362887

Sinizer, D. I. ^[1]; Foltz, J. R. ^[1]; Mattern, K. L. ^[1]; Motta, E. E. ^[1]

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1. North American Aviation, Inc., Canoga Park, CA (United States). Atomics International Div.

A site was selected for the PRE west of the SRE at Santa Susana based on operational considerations and relative cost. Preliminary tests indicate the feasibility of prewrapping fuel rods and eliminating in-cell wire-wrapping of sealed fuel rods. A mock-up oxide-drossing furnace was ordered and auxiliary equipment such as gas hood and ingot grapples is being designed. A prototype of the remotely-operated slug dimension inspection device is nearly ready for construction. Devices for other inspection requirements are being studied. A pneumatic crane and rectilinear manipulator was ordered for use in the mock-up. A rotating shielded plug valve was designed and will be tested in the mock-up for transfer of fuel rods between the SRE and the PRE. A pilot gas-handling system is being built for further testing in the Vanowen hot caves. An electrostatic precipitator for collecting cesium, a canned pump, and a cold trap for adsorption of xenon and krypton are part of the gas-handling system. Reactive metal gettering to scavenge oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen from the process cell inert atmosphere is being investigated. Preliminary tests revealed that inflatable seals hold vacuum well enough to contain the process cell atmosphere. Further tests of a half-scale door mock-up have been initiated. Radiation intensity during transfer of fuel from the SRE to the transfer casket was calculated to provide certain design criteria. Equilibrium temperatures inside the transfer coffin were calculated.

• Research Organization: North American Aviation, Inc., Canoga Park, CA (United States). Atomics International Div.
• Sponsoring Organization: US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
• DOE Contract Number: AT(11-1)-GEN-8
• NSA Number: NSA-11-012702
• OSTI ID: 4362887
• Report Number(s): NAA-SR--1922
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
ENVIRONMENT
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
PREPARATION
TESTING