Current and prospective safety issues at the HFBR

Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society

OSTI ID:436944

Tichler, P R ^[1]

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1. Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY (United States)

The Brookhaven high-flux beam reactor (HFBR) was designed primarily to produce external neutron beams for experimental research. It is cooled, moderated, and reflected by heavy water and uses materials test reactor and engineering test reactor type of fuel elements containing enriched uranium. The reactor power when operation began in 1965 was 40 MW, was raised to 60 MW in 1982 after a number of plant modifications, and operated at that level until 1989. Since that time, safety questions have been raised that resulted in extended shutdowns and a reduction in operating power to 30 MW. This paper discusses the principal safety issues and plans for their resolution and return to 60-MW operation. In addition, radiation embrittlement of the reactor vessel and thermal shield and its effect on the life of the facility are briefly discussed.

• OSTI ID: 436944
• Report Number(s): CONF-9606116--
• Journal Information: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Vol. 74; ISSN TANSAO; ISSN 0003-018X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
FUEL ELEMENTS
HFBR REACTOR
HYDRAULICS
NEUTRON BEAMS
REACTOR OPERATION
REACTOR SAFETY