ML20210B303
| ML20210B303 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/08/1958 |
| From: | Mccullough C Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards |
| To: | Strauss L US ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION (AEC) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20210B278 | List: |
| References | |
| FOIA-86-346 ACRS-GENERAL, NUDOCS 8609180035 | |
| Download: ML20210B303 (2) | |
Text
~~ - - - - - - _ _ _ _ _ - _
g
/
March 8, 1958 ,
( ,
CLASSIFI;ATION CANCELI,ED f OR CHAN. C 70 BY AUTH;..LTk
'BY _ M ;,y h g ge7f_fg
_ p373 h M
' Honorable Lewis L. Strauss Chairman, U. S. Atenic Energy Cammission Washington 25, D. C.
Subject:
REVIN OF NEW PIODUCTION REACTIOR AND OTHER HANFORD CONSIDERATIONS e-
Dear Mr. Strauss:
l At the fifth meeting of the Advisory Committee on anactor Safeguszds, {
I on March 7,1958, representatives of General Electric (Hanford) and the Hazards Evaluation Branch of the Atonnic Energy Commission described to the Cemittee the conceptual design of a new production reactor which has been developed by General Electric. asport 15(-54492, Pr*14 =i a=7 Hazards Evaluation, New Production anactor, gives more detail regarding the concept for this reactor.
The Committee appreciated the opportunity it has been afforded to
-ant on the safety features of the proposed concept. N Countittee r
f
(
- is especially pleased to note the importance which has been attached to safaty considerations in establishing design criteria for the new reactor. /
l Five major improtements in the safety of the proposed new design een- l empt compared with the present Hanford reactors ares
- 1) Ioss of water Amuses deezwase in remotivity.
- 2) 'Ibe control system has sufficient worth to prevent at+=i emnt of criticality under all conditions in which criticality would materially increase hazard.
i
- 3) h speed of response of the control system is adequate to prevent melting of any component during a reactivity excursion in an intact reactor.
- 4) Use of a eluster of rods in large, 2 7-inch Mamater, coolant dannal s reduces significantly the ina14hard of a blocked ahann=1
- 5) h buf1Mns confinement concept proposed greatly reduces the probability of fisalon product, release in the ease of failure of a few fuel ehannels. '
{
l ( .
( B609180035 860913 PDR FOIA T AYLCR 86-346,, PDR e t v 8 -3%
- \
!W- .. . . _. ._ ~ ~^ ~ ~ ~~-----n- e_n
.. ~ ~ _ _ , _ -
March 8, 1958 ,
2 Honorable Ievis L. Strauss On the other hand, the new design has two elements of increasei 3000-4000 megawatts, the 1)
At the pmposed power level of fission product inventozr vouhi be greater than fbr any present reactor.
- 2) Operation of the pmposed reactor with water pressures of 538 psigh or hi6 er increases the difficulty a in the case of a major break in the coolin6 system.
At the high power level proposed, the Connaittee believes that pro.
ft vision of a bui144ng adequate to contain The fission features integrity ofof thecooling the. new reactor and itsbereunote system cannot guazunteed location absolutely at H Escape fmst the butiding of a large fraction of.the ld be all precautions.
fission products accuszulated in the reactor of this power level wou so catastrophic that adequate con +=f == ant must be provided.
the but1 Ming ht=_'ains this reactor to l t h possibility of designin6 pezicit escapo of the burst of steam that would scenany loss of e and then to be sealed againct subsequent escape of fission produ h Casmittee
( an interesting idea worthy of further encineerin6 v study.
is not very hopeful, however, that therequirovfortthi's pri:Sciple3 pb,e found mvide the degree of depardah411ty of con +^4=="t e Consequently, 'it de eanMed that future design studies'for reactors consider alternatively the use of bvf1 A1"5s strong In enou6h withstand without rapture the builanp of pressure frtxa the zwactor. f studies of the optimum reactor size and coolant pressure, the cost o pmviding adequate cont =i==
Consideration of theant costabould be included of con +=4=aant with cost may move the of reactor' itself.
opt 4=n=t desi6n toward lower power levels, lover pressure, an reactors.
Sincerely yours, A
C. Rogers McC"11* gh, Chai21 san Mvisory Cennittee on Beactor Safeguards