Graphite reactor

Herein reactors are described in their most prominent appHcation, that of electric power. Eive distinctly different reactors, ie, pressurized water reactors, boiling water reactors, heavy water reactors, graphite reactors, and fast breeder reactors, are emphasized. A variety of other appHcations and types of reactors also exist. Whereas space does not permit identification of all of the reactors that have been built over the years, each contributed experience of processes and knowledge about the performance of materials, components, and systems. 

C. Starr and R. W. Dickinson, Sodium Graphite Reactors, Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Inc., Reading, Mass., 1958. 

Eichelberger, R. L., US Atomic Energy Commission Publication No. BNL-489 Proceedings of the French-American Conference on Graphite Reactors, 168-173, Nov. 12-13 (1957)t... 

Sodium graphite reactor, 17 571 Sodium halides, 22 763, 765, 822-829. See also Sodium chloride Sodium heat exchangers, 22 763 Sodium hemiphosphate, 18 833 Sodium heptagermanate, 12 553 Sodium hexacyanoferrate decahydrate (YPS), 22 810... 

Seranin older Swed AN dynamite SGR sodium graphite reactor... 

Four cal. 30 percussion primers (the No 26 and No 72M production types and the X40 and X41 exptl types) were irradiated both by Co60 gamma rays in the Brookhaven graphite reactor and were then tested for impact sensitivity, A large increase in impact sensitivity occurred, usually followed at 10s R or 10lB nvt with a 107 R gamma component by a drastic decrease. Reactor-irradiated production primers showed a second sensitization trend. The No 72M primers were considerably more radiation resistant than the No 26 at high dose but considerably less at low dose. The compns used in the primers are listed in Table 6. 

In 1942, Enrico Fermi demonstrated the first controlled chain reaction in the Fermi reactor, and that was shortly followed in 1945 by the start-up of the Soviet uranium-graphite reactor in Moscow. The enthusiasm for nuclear energy in 1950s was so great that scientists would say that nuclear is too cheap to meter . 

Neutron energy (thermal vs. fast) The sodium-moderated reactor operates with fast neutrons to breed using the uranium cycle. The water and graphite reactors operate with thermalized neutrons to more effectively burn the fissile material. 

The LWR, CANDU, and graphite reactors are the major producers of electricity from nuclear energy. When compared on the basis of cost, reliability, and safety, they are competitive. The PWR is the most widely used LWR, but there are also many BWRs in use. In 1990, there were 16 CANDUs operating in Canada where they were developed, with several in other countries as well. 

When PWRs and CANDUs are compared on the basis of uranium utilization, the CANDU requires 19 percent less uranium from ore on a per kWhr basis (see Table 21.18). As there is now an abundance of low-cost uranium from ore and enrichment service, the electric utilities continue to favor the PWR and BWR types. Operating experience with graphite reactors in England, France, and Russia also has been generally satisfactory. However, the graphite moderator represents a large inventory of combustible material, which contributed significantly to the severity... 

Compacted UO2 was used in the assembly of the first nuclear exponential lattice in July 1941. The first self-sustaining controlled nuclear chain reaction was achieved in the CP-1 uranium-graphite reactor on December 2, 1942, using 32,652 kg (36 tons) of uranium oxide (both UO2 and UsOs), as well as uranium metal. 

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