Reactor vessel sectioning demonstration

Technical Report · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6078309· OSTI ID:6078309

Lundgren, R A

A technical demonstration was successfully completed of simulated reactor vessel sectioning using the combined techniques of air arc gouging and flame cutting. A 4-ft x 3-ft x 9-in. thick sample was fabricated of A36 carbon steel to simulate a reactor vessel wall. A 1/4-in. layer of stainless steel (SS) was tungsten inert gas (TIG)-welded to the carbon steel. Several techniques were considered to section the simulated reactor vessel; air arc gouging was selected to penetrate the stainless steel, and flame cutting was selected to sever the carbon steel. Three sectioning operations were demonstrated. For all three, the operating parameters were the same; but the position of the sample was varied. For the first cut, the sample was placed in a horizontal position, and it was successfully severed from the SS side. For the second cut, the sample was turned over and cut from the carbon steel side. Cutting from the carbon steel side has the advantages of cost reduction

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6078309
• Report Number(s): PNL-3687-Rev.1; ON: DE82001893
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210801* -- Nuclear Power Plants-- Economics-- Construction & Operation-- (-1987)
ALLOYS
CARBON STEELS
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
CONTAINERS
CORROSION RESISTANT ALLOYS
CUTTING
DECOMMISSIONING
DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
MACHINING
MOCKUP
REACTOR DECOMMISSIONING
REACTOR VESSELS
SIMULATION
STAINLESS STEELS
STEELS
STRUCTURAL MODELS