Design improvements to the high flux isotope reactor for safety enhancement

Journal Article · · Nuclear Safety (Bimonthly Technical Progress Review); (United States)

OSTI ID:6148195

Cook, D H; Cheverton, R D ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)

The High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) was shut down in late 1986 for a reevaluation of the integrity of the pressure vessel because the radiation damage rate appeared to be greater than expected. The US Department of Energy (DOE) reviewed the reevaluation and a subsequent ORNL proposal for a 10-yr life extension of the vessel as well as the overall design and safety of the HFIR. In response to recommendations by the DOE-appointed review committees. ORNL performed a probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) to help identify and prioritize plant safety upgrades. Related studies performed before reactor restart included the internal-events PRA, the potential for and consequences of loss-of-coolant accidents (LOCAs), seismic upgrades, and decay heat removal. Ongoing programs to ensure that the level of safety continues to improve include an update of the internal-events PRA, an external-events PRA, additional LOCA studies, and implementation of an environmental qualification program. HFIR was restarted in April 1989 and is expected to be operational for an additional 10 effective full-power years.

• OSTI ID: 6148195
• Journal Information: Nuclear Safety (Bimonthly Technical Progress Review); (United States), Journal Name: Nuclear Safety (Bimonthly Technical Progress Review); (United States) Vol. 31:4; ISSN 0029-5604; ISSN NUSAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ACCIDENTS
AFTER-HEAT REMOVAL
CONTAINERS
CUMULATIVE RADIATION EFFECTS
EMBRITTLEMENT
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ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
HFIR REACTOR
IRRADIATION REACTORS
ISOTOPE PRODUCTION REACTORS
LOSS OF COOLANT
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
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PRESSURE VESSELS
RADIATION EFFECTS
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
REACTOR SAFETY
REACTORS
REMOVAL
RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS
RESEARCH REACTORS
RETROFITTING
RISK ASSESSMENT
SAFETY
SAFETY ENGINEERING
SERVICE LIFE
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THERMAL REACTORS
US AEC
US DOE
US ERDA
US ORGANIZATIONS
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WATER MODERATED REACTORS