Experimental Studies of GCFR Safety Physics Parameters in the ZPR-9 Critical Assemblies

Conference · Tue Oct 05 04:00:00 EDT 1976

OSTI ID:7085003

Bhattacharyya, S. K. ^[1]; Bohn, E. M. ^[1]; LeSage, L. G. ^[1]; Pond, R. B. ^[1]

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1. Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

Physics parameters related to the safety analysis of the Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (GCFR) have been measured in a series of critical assemblies constructed on ZPR-9. These measurements represent the first full-scale experimental study of GCFR physics. The critical assemblies were modeled after the 300 MWe GCFR Demonstration Plant designed by General Atomic Company. The specific integral parameters studied were the coolant (helium) depressurization worth, the ²³⁸U Doppler effect, control rod worths and the reactivity worth of materials of importance to GCFR safety. An extensive study was made of the effects of steam entry in a GCFR core. The results showed that the helium depressurization worth is small and considerably over predicted (by ~35%) by standard methods, and that the GCFR spectrum was harder than corresponding LMFBR spectra as evidenced by the decreased ²³⁸U Doppler effect and control rod worths and central reactivity worths. Steam entry in the critical assembly was shown to result in a positive reactivity insertion and cause a large change in the magnitudes of the safety related physics parameters. The results provide a basis for validating the methods used for GCFR safety analyses.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP); US Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 7085003
• Report Number(s): CONF-761001-P2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210500 -- Power Reactors
Breeding
220900* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS
ABSTRACTS
ACCIDENTS
BREEDER REACTORS
Control Rod Worths
Critical Assemblies
DOCUMENT TYPES
Doppler Effect
EPITHERMAL REACTORS
FAST REACTORS
FBR TYPE REACTORS
GAS COOLED REACTORS
GCFR TYPE REACTORS
Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (GCFR)
Helium Depressurization
LEADING ABSTRACT
LICENSING
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
LMFBR TYPE REACTORS
Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor (LMFBR)
MEETINGS
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
REACTOR LICENSING
REACTOR SAFETY
REACTORS
SAFETY
Safety Analysis