Nozomu Fujimoto

Evaluation of core thermal and hydraulic characteristics of HTTR

Abstract Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute has started the development of the high temperature engineering test reactor (HTTR), a graphite-moderated, helium gas-cooled reactor with 30 MW thermal power and maximum outlet coolant temperature of 950 °C. This paper describes the core thermal and hydraulic (T/H) design procedure, including the validation of the computer code system, design criteria pertaining to the fuel design limit and the evaluated core T/H charateristics. The core T/H design of the HTTR has been carried out considering the specific characteristics of the core structure and the fuel based on R&D results. The coolant flow rate and temperature distribution are evaluated by the flow network analysis code flownet . The fuel temperature distribution is evaluated by the fuel temperature analysis code temdim with multi-cylindrical model using hot spot factors. Fuel design limit for anticipated operational occurrences and fuel temperature limit for normal operation are specified at 1600°C and 1495°C, respectively based on experimental results. Several design considerations are also adopted to realize a high reactor outlet coolant temperature of 950°C. As a result of core T/H design, the effective core flow rate and maximum fuel temperature during the high temperature test operation are 88% and 1492°C, respectively.

Safety shutdown of the high temperature engineering test reactor during loss of off-site electric power simulation test

The high temperature engineering test reactor (HTTR) is a graphite-moderated and helium-gas-cooled reactor, which is the first high temperature gas-cooled reactor in Japan. The HTTR achieved its first full power of 30 MW at rated operation on December 7 in 2001. In the rise-to-power test of the HTTR, simulation test of anticipated operational occurrence with scram was carried out by manual shutdown of off-site electric power from 30 MW operation. Because helium circulators and water pumps coasted down immediately after the loss of off-site electric power, mass flow rates of helium and water decreased to the scram points. Sixteen pairs of control rods were inserted at two-steps into the core by gravity within the design criterion of 12 s. In 51 s after the loss of off-site electric power, the auxiliary cooling system started up by supplying electricity from emergency power feeders. In 40 min after the startup of the auxiliary cooling system, one of two auxiliary helium circulators stopped for reducing thermal stresses of core graphite components such as fuel blocks. Temperature of hot plenum block among core graphite structures decreased continuously after the startup of the auxiliary cooling system. Blackout sequences of the HTTR dynamic components were in accordance with the design. As a result of the loss of off-site electric power simulation test, it was confirmed that the HTTR shuts down safely after the scram.