Experiments conducted in the PMA have investigated the effect on water gap peaking of gap width, flux suppressors, rod extensions, and zoning of burnable poison. Both plane gaps and cross gaps have been studied. The gap widths investigated were 0.200-, 0.400-, and 0.800-inches. To reduce peaking, flux suppressors of cadmium, hafnium, and boron, and rod extensions of zirconium and aluminum were used separately and in combinations. The experiments were carried out in an aluminum water-tight box installed in the reactor. Polyethylene wag usually used as a moderator, but the aluminum box permitted the use of water for comparison. Structural materials used were aluminum and zirconium. Stainless steel was used to simulate burnable poison. Calculations of the water gap peaking using the IBM-704 CURE code were performed for several of the various core conditions mentioned in order to investigate the accuracy of multigroup calculations in predicting peaking. (auth)
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission depository collection.
Note:
DOE contract number: W-31-109-ENG-52 NSA number: NSA-13-017058 OSTI Identifier 4246593 Research organization: Knolls Atomic Power Lab., Schenectady, N.Y.
