Open AccessNatural convection reactor
Author(s) -
D.F. Babcock,
L. Bernath,
R.L. Menegus,
Haim Ring
Publication year - 1956
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/94023
Subject(s) - natural uranium , environmental science , waste management , nuclear engineering , uranium , light water reactor , plutonium , enriched uranium , nuclear power , natural convection , nuclear reactor , convection , meteorology , engineering , nuclear chemistry , chemistry , nuclear physics , physics
A previous report described the conceptual design of a plutonium producing reactor that may be characterized as follows: Power output (2000 MW); cooling - (natural convection of light water through the reactor, up through a draft tube to an evaporative cooling pond, then back to the reactor, and fuel (400 to 500 tons of uranium enriched to 1.2% U-235). Because this reactor would be cooled by the natural convection of light water, it is believed that the construction costs would be significantly less than for a Savannah or Hanford type reactor. Such expensive items as water treatment and water pumping facilities would be eliminated entirely. The inventory of 500 tons of slightly enriched uranium, however, is an unattractive feature. It represents not only a large dollar investment but also makes the reactor less attractive for construction during periods of national emergency because of the almost certain scarcity of even slightly enriched uranium at that time. The Atomic Energy Commission asked that the design be reviewed with the objective of reducing the inventory of uranium, The results of this review are given in this report