HTGR Knowledge Base
Conference Article: A detailed study of the steam entry effect of a GCFR
Heer, W.; Stiller, P.; Wenger, H.U.; Wydler, P. (Eidgenoessisches Inst. fuer Reaktorforschung, Wuerenlingen (Switzerland))Abstract
The results of detailed steam entry calculations for a realistic reactor model are reported. The calculations predict that the effect of steam entry into a 300 MWe GCFR fueled with normal Pu mixed oxide fuel is negative in the whole range of interest. The effect is very sensitive to the method used for compensating the excess reactivity to obtain criticality before steam ingress occurs. Steam entry reactivity is sensitive to fuel enrichment and boron control. Changes in the isotopic compositions of Pu can give raise to important changes of the steam entry effect. A small amount of 237Np added to the fuel can considerably improve steam entry reactivity without noticeably deteriorating breeding ratio or affecting reactor operation.
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key words: burnup; fuels; gcfr type reactors; leaks; mathematical models; perturbation theory; reactivity; reactor accidents; reactor safety; simulation; steam generators; accidents; boilers; breeder reactors; epithermal reactors; fast reactors; fbr type reactors; gas cooled reactors; reactors; safety; vapor generators
- Reference:
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria). International Working Group on Gas-Cooled Reactors. Specialists meeting on gas-cooled reactor safety and licensing aspects, Lausanne, Switzerland, 1-3 September 1980. Summary report. Jan 1981
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria). International Working Group on High-Temperature Reactors.
- IWGGCR--1, pp:132-137
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria). International Working Group on High-Temperature Reactors.