Hazards Report for the SM-1 Core II Without Special Components (open access)

Hazards Report for the SM-1 Core II Without Special Components

Abstract: This technical report describes the changes incurred in the SM-1 by the insertion of the SM-1 Core II without special components. The SM-1 Core II components were made to specifications very nearly identical to those of SM-1 Core I. The differences consist of europium absorber sections, internal europium flux suppressors in the control rod fuel elements, and low impurity cladding. Each of the SM-1 Core II components with the exception of the five absorber sections new in SM-1 Core I were subjected to a Zero Power Experiment at the Alco Critical Facility. The results of this experiment indicate that the SM-1 Core II will have nuclear characteristics very similar to that of the SM-1 Core I. Since SM-1 Core II will be operated with the same mode of rod control, in the same core support structure, and with the same primary coolant flow conditions, the thermal characteristics should be essentially identical to that of SM-1 Core I. Also, all kinetic characteristics of SM-1 Core II should be identical to those of SM-1 Core I. This report demonstrates that there is no increase in potential for a hazardous situation at SM-1 due to the replacement of SM-1 Core I by …
Date: April 19, 1961
Creator: Gallagher, J. G.
System: The UNT Digital Library