The licensing experinece of the Modular High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (MHTGR)

Conference · Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:7064625

Silady, F A; Cunliffe, J C; Walker, L P

The MHTGR is an advanced reactor concept being developed under a cooperative program involving the US Government, the nuclear industry, and the utilities. The design utilizes the basic HTGR features of ceramic fuel, helium coolant, and a graphite moderator. However, the specific size and configuration are selected to utilize the inherent characteristics of these materials to develop passive safety features that provide a significantly higher margin of safety than current generation reactors. The design meets the US Environmental Protection Agency's Protective Action Guidelines at the site boundary, hence precluding the need for sheltering or vacation of the public during any licensing basis event. This safe behavior is not dependent upon operator action and is insensitive to operator error. The MHTGR Licensing Plan agreed to with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is discussed with particular attention to the framework of the preapplication review. The objective and scope of each key document prepared for the NRC review is presented. A summary is provided of the safety response to events challenging the functions relied on to retain radionuclides within the coated fuel particles. The regulatory interaction process and results are discussed through the NRC staff, NRC contractor, and ACRS reviews. 11 refs., 3 figs.

• Research Organization: General Atomics Co., San Diego, CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-88SF17367
• OSTI ID: 7064625
• Report Number(s): GA-A19455; CONF-8809150-2; ON: DE88017341
• Resource Relation: Conference: IAEA technical committee meeting on design requirements, operation and maintenance of gas-cooled reactors, San Diego, CA, USA, 21 Sep 1988; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
HTGR TYPE REACTORS
REACTOR LICENSING
DESIGN
EMERGENCY PLANS
ENGINEERED SAFETY SYSTEMS
REACTOR SAFETY
REGULATIONS
RISK ASSESSMENT
US NRC
GAS COOLED REACTORS
GRAPHITE MODERATED REACTORS
LICENSING
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
REACTORS
SAFETY
US ORGANIZATIONS
220900* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Reactor Safety
210300 - Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
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