Preface status of metallic materials development for application in advanced high-temperature gas-cooled reactors

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Nucl. Technol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6477768

Nickel, H; Kondo, T; Rittenhouse, P L

The first gas-cooled reactor power station was built at Calder Hall in the United Kingdom and began operation in 1956. In this Magnox reactor type, CO/sub 2/ was used as the coolant and natural metallic uranium as the fuel. Magnox power plants with a combined electrical rating in excess of 8000 MW are now running and have achieved over 500 reactor-yr of operation. The advanced gas-cooled reactor (AGR) was developed in the United Kingdom as an extension of the Magnox line, retaining CO/sub 2/ as the primary coolant, using enriched UO/sub 2/ fuel to allow an increase in coolant temperatures from 360 to 650/sup 0/C. At the present time, AGR systems with a combined electrical rating of almost 9000 MW are in operation or under construction. The high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) represents a further development to increase coolant temperatures. The higher operating temperatures (<750/sup 0/C) require changes in the fuel/core design and the substitution of helium for CO/sub 2/ as the primary coolant. This leads to a more economical plant with a higher power density core and a low radioactive environment within the primary loop. The technological development of the system has proceeded steadily with regard to: 1. development of fuel particles, which are coated with layers of ceramics to retain fission products 2. use of an all-graphite core construction 3. use of helium gas as a coolant.

• Research Organization: Nuclear Research Centre (KFA), Julich, Institute for Reactor Materials, P.O. Box 1913, D-5170 Julich, Federal Republic of Germany
• OSTI ID: 6477768
• Journal Information: Nucl. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Nucl. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 66:1; ISSN NUTYB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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