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Conference Article: Predictions on an HTR coolant composition after operational experience with experimental reactors

Nieder, R. (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Versuchs-Reaktor G.m.b.H., Juelich (Germany, F.R.))

Abstract

Long-term operational experience of the HTR experimental reactors Dragon (1966 - 1975), Peach Bottom (1967 - 1974) and AVR (since 1967) has yielded a large number of common quantitative and qualitative results about the sources and behaviour of helium impurities in the primary circuits. Additional information has also been obtained from experiments made at the three reactors. The results at the AVR are particularly interesting because the gas outlet temperature can be varied from 7700C to 9500C when the reactor power is kept constant. Hence they can be studied according to the temperature dependence of all chemical reactions. It should be possible to apply the results from the operating measurements and experiments made at the reactors, in particular the interrelation of the impurity concentrations, to future reactors. The absolute values of these impurity concentrations are obtained first and foremost by the corresponding helium purification constants.

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key words: adsorption; avr reactor; carbon dioxide; dragon reactor; graphite; helium; hydrogen; impurities; methane; nitrogen; peach bottom-1 reactor; primary coolant circuits; water; cooling systems; enriched uranium reactors; experimental reactors; gas cooled reactors; graphite moderated reactors; helium cooled reactors; homogeneous reactors; htgr type reactors; pebble bed reactors; power reactors; rare gases; reactor components; reactor cooling systems; reactors; research and test reactors; solid homogeneous reactors; thermal reactors; thorium reactors
Reference:
Specialists meeting on coolant chemistry, plate-out and decontamination in gas-cooled reactors Juelich, Federal Republic of Germany 2-4 December 1980
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)
IWGGCR--2, pp:144-152