PRTR MECHANICAL SEAL PUMP OPERATING EXPERIENCE, AUGUST 1960 THROUGH NOVEMBER 1962

Technical Report · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1963

OSTI ID:4728253

Scott, P A

The operation of the primary pump of the Plutonium Recycle Test Reactor (PRTR) during the two years following the initial testing period is described. The final test run of the reactor pump in the Primary Loop Mockup was discontinued after 7197 hr although the primary seal faces had not failed. The final test run of the small pump with the prototype of a self-adjusting mechanical seal assembly, interchangeable with the reactor pumps, completed 10,897 hr without primary seal failure. A total of 20 operating runs for the 4 available pump units were completed. Fifteen of these runs were terminated because of failure of the high-pressure mechanical seals after an average operating time of 1250 hr. The last completed run of each pump averaged 2050 hr with the longest period being 7 months with 4094 hr total operation. Seal life was increased from an overall average life of 1000 hr to an average life longer than 2000 hr. The final test runs indicated that operating periods of 1 to 2 yr are feasible. (M.C.G.)

• Research Organization: General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
• DOE Contract Number: AT(45-1)-1350
• NSA Number: NSA-17-021359
• OSTI ID: 4728253
• Report Number(s): HW-76646
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

COOLANT LOOPS
FAILURES
MOCKUP
OPERATION
PLUTONIUM
PRESSURE
PRTR
PUMPS
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
REPROCESSING
RESEARCH REACTORS
SEALS
STABILITY
TESTING