Analysis of the conceptual shielding design for the upflow Gas-Cooled Fast Breeder Reactor

Technical Report · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6743404· OSTI ID:6743404

Slater, C O; Reed, D A; Cramer, S N; Emmett, M B; Tomlinson, E T

Conceptual Shielding Configuration III for the Gas-Cooled Fast Breeder Reactor (GCFR) was analyzed by performing global calculations of neutron and gamma-ray fluences and correcting the results as appropriate with bias factors from localized calculations. Included among the localized calculations were the radial and axial cell streaming calculations, plus extensive preliminary calculations and three final confirmation calculations of the plenum flow-through shields. The global calculations were performed on the GCFR mid-level and the lower and upper plenum regions. Calculated activities were examined with respect to the design constraint, if any, imposed on the particular activity. The spatial distributions of several activities of interest were examined with the aid of isoplots (i.e., symbols are used to describe a surface on which the activity level is everywhere the same). In general the results showed that most activities were below the respective design constraints. Only the total neutron fluence in the core barrel appeared to be marginal with the present reactor design. Since similar results were obtained for an earlier design, it has been proposed that the core barrel be cooled with inlet plenum gas to maintain it at a temperature low enough that it can withstand a higher fluence limit. Radiation levels in the prestressed concrete reactor vessel (PCRV) and liner appeared to be sufficiently below the design constraint that expected results from the Radial Shield Heterogeneity Experiment should not force any levels above the design constraint. A list was also made of a number of issues which should be examined before completion of the final shielding design.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 6743404
• Report Number(s): ORNL-5669
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210500* -- Power Reactors
Breeding
BREEDER REACTORS
CONTAINERS
DESIGN
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
FAST REACTORS
FBR TYPE REACTORS
GAMMA RADIATION
GAS COOLED REACTORS
GCFR REACTOR
GCFR TYPE REACTORS
HELIUM COOLED REACTORS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
NEUTRON FLUENCE
RADIATION STREAMING
RADIATIONS
REACTOR VESSELS
REACTORS
SHIELDING