Passive safety testing at the Fast Flux Test Facility

Conference · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987

DOI:https://doi.org/10.13182/NT89-A34333· OSTI ID:6193000

Lucoff, D. M.

The design and licensing of a passively safe LMR, requires that reactor feedback mechanisms be thoroughly understood over the entire range of core conditions relevant to any transient event. While experience with LMRs has provided a solid basis for understanding core reactivity feedback coefficients over the normal range of core conditions, few experiments have been conducted to explore the full range of thermal-hydraulic conditions associated with unprotected transients or so-called ATWS (Anticipated Transients Without Scram) events. Testing is being performed at the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF). The FFTF is a full size core operating at a power of 400 MWt with provisions for in-bundle temperature measurements. The FFTF is operated for the Department of Energy by the Westinghouse Hanford Company. The FFTF Passive Safety Testing Program began two years ago. The program has two near-term objectives: (1) to extending passive safety testing experience to a large size LMR to improve design analysis computer codes, e.g., SASSYS, and (2) to develop and test passive safety enhancements that could be used for future LMRs. In addition, the FFTF program has a third, follow-on, objective to develop Technical Specification Surveillance to confirm that actual core reactivity feedback behavior assures predicted performance in the event of an off-normal transient. 1 ref., 6 figs.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Hanford Co., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-87RL10930
• OSTI ID: 6193000
• Report Number(s): WHC-SA-0046; CONF-870917-11; ON: DE89010116
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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