GAS COOLED POWER REACTOR COOLANT CHOICE
The current status of helium and carbon dioxide technology is described in the light of the Gas Cooled Reactor Program requiremoents. The problem of containing high-pressure helium at high temperature is discussed, and it is concluded that, by proper attention to the design, construction and maintenance of a plant, a high degree of helium leak-tightness can be achieved at small additional cost when compared with a carbon dioxide system. What is more, the cost of making up helium losses in a practically achievable system is estimated to be small compared with other fixed and operating costs. Graphite-carbon dioxide reaction data are reviewed. It is shown that carbon dioxide at atmospheric pressure and low flow rates should be compatible with a graphite mooderator up to 525 C. No data are available at the high pressures and fiow rates that would be encountered in power reactors. Significantiy higher oxidation rates may result, however, perhaps limiting bulk moderator temperatures to 450 to 500 C. Improved carbon materials, protective coatings and inhibitors, and/or operating practices may be developed that will allow significant future increases in these limiting temperatures. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- General Electric Co. Hanford Atomic Products Operation, Richland, Wash.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31-109-ENG-52
- NSA Number:
- NSA-13-002584
- OSTI ID:
- 4293337
- Report Number(s):
- HW-56362(Rev.)
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-59
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ACCELERATORS
BEAMS
CANNING
CARBON DIOXIDE
CHARGED PARTICLES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COOLANT LOOPS
COOLANTS
COPPER
CORROSION PROTECTION
DEUTERON BEAMS
DISTRIBUTION
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY RANGE
EXCITATION
FABRICATION
GAS COOLANT
GAS FLOW
GRAPHITE
GRAPHITE MODERATOR
HELIUM
HIGH TEMPERATURE
INERT GASES
INTERACTIONS
ION BEAMS
IRRADIATION
LEAKS
LOSSES
MAINTENANCE
MATERIALS TESTING
MEASURED VALUES
NUCLEAR MODELS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEI
NUCLEONS
OXIDATION
PIPES
PLANNING
POWER PLANTS
PRESSURE
PRESSURE VESSELS
PRODUCTION
REACTION KINETICS
REACTOR CORE
SCATTERING
STABILITY
TARGETS
TUBES