Safety aspects of modular high temperature gas cooled reactors
Abstract
Modular high temperature gas cooled reactors (MHTGRs) are being developed which have a high degree of passive safety. The advantageous safety characteristics are due to: the high heat capacity of the graphite core; the high temperature capability of the core components; the chemical stability and inertness of the fuel, coolant, and moderator; the high retention of fission products by the fuel coating; the single-phase characteristics of helium coolant; the inherent negative temperature coefficient of reactivity of the core; the defense in depth against air and water ingress events; and the ability to cool the reactor by passive heat transfer mechanisms following postulated accidents. Even for a number of accidents having very low probabilities of occurrence, the cumulative fission product release at the site boundary is estimated to be below those acceptable under the Protective Action Guidelines.
- Authors:
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 5592853
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/OR/21400-T270
ON: DE86013496
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- Resource Type:
- Technical Report
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Testimony of Fred R. Mynatt, Associate Director for Nuclear and Engineering Technologies, Oak Ridge National laboratory before the Subcommittee on Energy Research and Production of the Committee on Science and Technology, US House of Representatives
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS; 21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS; HTGR TYPE REACTORS; REACTOR SAFETY; GRAPHITE; MODULAR STRUCTURES; REACTOR COMPONENTS; REACTOR CORES; CARBON; ELEMENTAL MINERALS; ELEMENTS; GAS COOLED REACTORS; GRAPHITE MODERATED REACTORS; MINERALS; NONMETALS; REACTORS; SAFETY; 220900* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Reactor Safety; 210300 - Power Reactors, Nonbreeding, Graphite Moderated
Citation Formats
Kasten, P R. Safety aspects of modular high temperature gas cooled reactors. United States: N. p., 1986.
Web.
Kasten, P R. Safety aspects of modular high temperature gas cooled reactors. United States.
Kasten, P R. 1986.
"Safety aspects of modular high temperature gas cooled reactors". United States.
@article{osti_5592853,
title = {Safety aspects of modular high temperature gas cooled reactors},
author = {Kasten, P R},
abstractNote = {Modular high temperature gas cooled reactors (MHTGRs) are being developed which have a high degree of passive safety. The advantageous safety characteristics are due to: the high heat capacity of the graphite core; the high temperature capability of the core components; the chemical stability and inertness of the fuel, coolant, and moderator; the high retention of fission products by the fuel coating; the single-phase characteristics of helium coolant; the inherent negative temperature coefficient of reactivity of the core; the defense in depth against air and water ingress events; and the ability to cool the reactor by passive heat transfer mechanisms following postulated accidents. Even for a number of accidents having very low probabilities of occurrence, the cumulative fission product release at the site boundary is estimated to be below those acceptable under the Protective Action Guidelines.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5592853},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed May 14 00:00:00 EDT 1986},
month = {Wed May 14 00:00:00 EDT 1986}
}