High Temperature Reactor Experiment
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High Temperature Reactor Experiment (HTRE) was an experimental aircraft nuclear engine by Idaho National labs. Three units were made HTRE-1, HTRE-2, and HTRE-3. During operations on November 18, 1958, a power excursion and fuel element meltdown occurred in HTRE-3.
HTRE-3 Accident
ATWS connection
- The concern about discussions of the staff, and reactor USNRC Technical Training Center ATWS originated in ACRS, the regulatory manufacturers about potential interactions between reactor control and protection systems. This concern was based on a classic accident that occurred at the High Temperature Reactor Experiment (HTRE-3), an experimental reactor in Idaho.3 Both the control system and protection system for this reactor took inputs from the same neutron flux instruments. A design defect in these instruments prevented an increase in current when the reactor power increased. The unchanging current caused the reactor control system to withdraw the control rods and simultaneously blinded the reactor protection system to the resulting power increase. The core was destroyed.