SPERT IV HAZARDS SUMMARY REPORT

Technical Report · Sat Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1961

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4768935· OSTI ID:4768935

Bentzen, F L; Crocker, J G

Spert IV is a large pool-type experimental facility for reactor kinetic studies. These studies will include power excursion and instability tests for a variety of reactor designs. Since the Spert IV experimental program requires the performance of tests which will approach, and may exceed the threshold of reactor destruction, the probability of occurrence of the maximum possible accident is not negligible compared with that of other possible accidents. The maximum possible accident for this facility is considered to be a severe nuclear excursion which results in the destruction of the reactor building and the release of 100% of the accumulated fission product inventory of the atmosphere in a steam cloud. The fission product source assumed in the analysis of this accident is an upper limit in view of the nature of the tests to be performed and the heat removal capacity of the system. This postulated accident is independent of the details of core and control system design and is valid for all cores anticipated for use in the experimental program. The major hazards present in the operation of this facility, the precautions to be taken to reduce the probability of an accident, and the consequences of the maximum possible accident are discussed. It is concluded that the proposed method of operation will minimize the hazard to operating personnel, and that the site location will make possible the operation of the Spent IV facility without hazard to the general public. (auth)

• Research Organization: Phillips Petroleum Co. Atomic Energy Div., Idaho Falls, Idaho
• Sponsoring Organization: US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
• DOE Contract Number: AT(10-1)-205
• NSA Number: NSA-17-001009
• OSTI ID: 4768935
• Report Number(s): IDO-16689
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

REACTOR TECHNOLOGY