Engineering Considerations for Remote Refabrication of EBR-II Fuel Elements

Journal Article · Sat May 13 00:00:00 EDT 2017 · Nuclear Science and Engineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.13182/nse62-a28090· OSTI ID:4797556

Shuck, A. B. ^[1]; Ayer, J. E. ^[1]

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1. Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

The development of remote controlled methods for manufacturing EBR-II fuel elements was influenced by many interacting factors. Radiation levels within the process cell have been predicted to range from 10³ to 10⁷ rad per hour. Radiation damage to organic lubricant, electrical insulations, elastic seals, and protective coatings precludes the use of many standard machine components. Heat generated in the fuel by absorbed radiation makes forced cooling necessary in many operations. Oxygen must be exluded from all operations where the fuel is exposed. Equipment must be designed for remote maintenance and component replacement within the limitation of available manipulators. The EBR-II fuel consisted of fissium alloy pins sodium bonded in stainless steel tubes. Precision casting was chosen as the basis for refabricating the fuel pins. Remote controlled equipment was developed to cast, assemble, and inspect the EBR-II fuel elements. Radiation resistant, plug-in machine components were developed to give reasonable life expectancy and to allow remote maintenance and replacement.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
• Grant/Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• NSA Number: NSA-16-012685
• OSTI ID: 4797556
• Report Number(s): ANL-FGF--272
• Journal Information: Nuclear Science and Engineering, Journal Name: Nuclear Science and Engineering Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 12; ISSN 0029-5639
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
ABSORPTION
BONDING
CABLES
CASTING
COATING
COOLING
CURRENTS
EBR-2
EFFICIENCY
ELASTICITY
ELECTRICITY
FABRICATION
FAILURES
FUEL CANS
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUELS
GAMMA RADIATION
HEAT TRANSFER
INERT GASES
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
LUBRICATION
MACHINE PARTS
MAINTENANCE
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
OXYGEN
PLANNING
POWER PLANTS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION PROTECTION
REMOTE CONTROL
REMOTE HANDLING
REPROCESSING
RESEARCH REACTORS
RODS
SEALS
SERVOMECHANISMS
SHIELDING
SODIUM
STAINLESS STEELS
TESTING
TOOLS
TUBES
URANIUM ALLOYS