Ornl TM 728 Molten Salt Reactor. Design and Operations Report, PT 1

DISCLAIMER
This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an

agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States
Government nor any agency Thereof, nor any of their employees,
makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal
liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or
usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process
disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately
owned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product,
process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or
otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement,
recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any
agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein
do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States
Government or any agency thereof.
DISCLAIMER
Portions of this document may be illegible in

electronic image products. Images are produced
from the best available original document.
. G,
iii
Reactor Vessel i n Transport J i g P r i o r t o I n s t a l l a t i o n .

iv
PREFACE
The r e p o r t on t h e Molten-Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) has been

arranged i n t o twelve major p a r t s a s shown i n t h e General Index. Each
of these covers a p a r t i c u l a r phase of t h e p r o j e c t , such as t h e design,
s a f e t y analysis, operating procedures, e t c . An attempt has thus been
made t o avoid much of t h e duplication of material that would r e s u l t i f
separate and independent r e p o r t s were prepared on each of these major
aspects.
Detailed references t o supporting documents, working drawings,
3
and other information sources have been made throughout t h e r e p o r t t o
make it o f maximum value t o ORNL personnel. Each of t h e major d i v i -
sions of t h e r e p o r t contains t h e bibliographical and other appendix
information necessary f o r t h a t p a r t .
The f i n a l volumes of t h e report, P a r t XII, contain t h e r a t h e r ex-
t e n s i v e l i s t i n g s o f working drawings, specifications, schedules, tab-
bulations, e t c . These have been given a more limited d i s t r i b u t i o n .
Most o f t h e reference material i s a v a i l a b l e through t h e Division
of Technical Information Extension, Atonic Energy Commission, P. 0.
Box 62, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. For material not a v a i l a b l e through t h i s
source, such an inter-laboratory correspondence, etc., s p e c i a l arrange-
ments can be made for those having a p a r t i c u l a r i n t e r e s t .
None of t h e information contained i n t h i s report i s of a c l a s s i -
f i e d nature.
i
t
vii
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The list of biographical references provides an indication of ORNL

personnel contributing most valuably to the MSRE literature, and thus
to this report.
Either directly, or indirectly, all of the forty to fifty engineers
and scientists in the Reactor Division assigned to the MSRFi project
helped to prepare this material. Personnel in the Chemistry, Metallurgy,
Physics, Engineering and Maintenance, and Instrumentation and Controls
Divisions of the Laboratory also made extensive contributions. In this
broad-based team effort it is impossible to single out individuals more
deserving to be mentioned here than others.
-=+
A
c
L
. \I
ix
GENERAL INDEX
This r e p o r t i s one of a s e r i e s t h a t describes t h e design and opera-

t i o n of t h e Molten-Salt Reactor Experiment. A l l t h e r e p o r t s a r e l i s t e d
below.
ORNL-TM-~~~" MSRE Design and Operations Report, P a r t I,
Description of Reactor Design by
.
R . C Robertson
OWL-'151-729 MSRE Design and Operations Report, P a r t 11,

Nuclear and Process Instrumentation, by
J . R . Tallackson
ORNL-TM-730* MSRE Design and Operations Report, P a r t 111,

Nuclear Analysis, by P. N . Haubenreich and
J. R . Engel, B. E. Prince, and H. C . Claiborne
ORNL-TM-731 MSRE Design and Operations Report, P a r t N,

Chemistry and Materials, by F. F. Blankenship
and A . Taboada
ORNL-TM-73P MSRE Design and Operations Report, P a r t V,

Reactor Safety Analysis Report, by S. E. Beall,
P . N . Haubenreich, R . B. Lindauer, and
J . R . Tallackson
ORNL-TM-733 MSRE Design and Operations Report, P a r t V I ,

Operating L i m i t s , by S. E . Beall and
R. H. Guymon
MSRE Design and Operations Report, P a r t V I I ,
Fuel Handling and Processing P l a n t , by
R. B. Lindauer
MSRE Design and Operations Report, P a r t V I I I ,

Operating Procedures, by R. H. Guymon
MSRE Design and Operations Report, P a r t M,

Safety Procedures and Ehergency Plans, by
R . H. Guymon
om-TM-910" MSRE Design and Operations Report, P a r t X,

Maintenanee Fquipment and Procedures, by
E. C . Hise and R. Blumberg
*Is sued.
**These r e p o r t s w i l l be t h e l a s t i n t h e s e r i e s t o be published
omL-TM-gll** MSRE Design and Operations Report, P a r t X I ,
Test Program, by R . H. Guymon and
P . N. Haubenreich
** MSRE Design and Operations Report, P a r t X I I ,
L i s t s : Drawings, Specifications, Line
Schedules, Instrument Tabulations ( V o l 1 .
and 2 )
xi
f Ld CONTENTS
PREFACE ...................................................... V
A C I C N O W I E E ~ ................................................ vii
GEWRAL INDEX ................................................. ix
LIST OF FIGURES ............................................... xxiii
LIST OF TABLES ................................................ xxix
1. INTRODUCTION .............................................. 3
2 . G E " J IIESCRIPTION .......................................
r)
7
2.1 Type ................................................. 7
2.2 Location ............................................ 7
2.3 Fuel and Coolant Salts .............................. 7
i, 2.4 E q u i p e n t and Processes ............................. 9
2.4.1 Reactor ...................................... 9
2.4.2 Fuel Pump ................................... 12
2.4.3 Heat Exchanger .............................. 14
2.4.4 Coolant Pump ................................ 14
2.4.5 Radiator .................................... 14
2.4.6 Drain Tank Systems .......................... 17
2.4.7 Piping and Flanges .......................... 17
2.4.8 Heaters ..................................... 19
2.4.9 Materials ................................... 19
2.4.10 Cover- and Off-Gas System ................... 19
2.4.11 I n s t m n t a t i o n and Control Systems ......... 21
2.5 Fuel Processing ..................................... 23
-a 2.6 Plant Arrangement ................................... 24
3 . SITE ...................................................... 27
4 . PLANT ..................................................... 35
!'f 4.1 General ............................................. 35
4.2 Offices ............................................. 38
4.3 Building ............................................ 38
4.3.1 Reactor Cell ................................ 43
4.3.2 Drain Tank C e l l ............................. 47
4.3.3 Coolant Cell and Coolant Drain Tank C e l l .... 51
4.3.4 Special Equipment Room ...................... 53
4.3.5 Pump Room ...................;............... 54
4.3.6 Service Tunnel .............................. 54
4.3.7 Transmitter Room and E l e c t r i c Service Areas . 55
4.3.8 Auxiliary Cells ............................. 55
4.3.9 High-Bay Containment Enclosure .............. 56
w 4.3.10 Maintenance Control Room .................... 58
I
3
xii
Page
4.4 .Of f-Gas Area ........................................ 58

4.5 Stack Area .......................................... 60
4.6 Vapor-Condensing Tanks .............................. 60
4.7 .Blower House ........................................ 60
4.8 Store Room and Cooling Tower ........................ 61
4.9 Diesel House ........................................ 61
4.10 Switch House and Motor Generator House .............. 62
..............................
4.11 I n l e t A i r F i l t e r House 62
5 . FUEL CIRCULATING SYSTEM ................................... 63
5.1 ;L&yOUt.............................................. 63
5.2 Flowsheet ........................................... 66
5.3 Reactor Vessel and Core ............................. 75
5.3.1 Description ................................. 75
5.3.2 Graphite .................................... 86
5.3.3 Fluid Dynamics. Temperature D i s t r i b u t i o n
and Solids Deposition ...................... 90
5.3.3.1 General ........................... 90
5.3.3.2 Model Studies ..................... 91
5.3.3.3 Overall Pressure Drop Across
Reactor .......................... 91
5.3.3.4 Flow D i s t r i b u t o r .................. 93
5.3.3.5 Cooling Annulus ................... 93
5.3.3.6 Lower Head ........................ 96
5.3.3.7 core .............................. 98
5.3.3.8 Upper Head ........................ 103
5;3:4 Reactor Access Nozzle. Plug. and S t r a i n e r ... 104
5.3.5 Control Rods ................................ 106
5.3.5.1 Introduction ...................... 106
5.3.5.2 Description ....................... 107
5.3.5.3 Control Rod Worth ................. 112
5.3.6 Graphite Sampler ............................ 113
5.3.7 Mechanical Design of Reactor Vessel ......... 118
5.3.8 Tubes f o r Neutron Source and Special De-
tectors .................................... 121
5.3.9 support ..................................... 122
5.3.10 Thermal Shield .............................. 125
5.3.10.1 Structural ........................ 127
5.3.10.2 Cooling ........................... 129
5.3.10.3 Mechanical Design ................. 130
5.3.10.4 Shielding Considerations .......... 130
5.3.11 Heaters..................................... 131
5.4 Fuel Circulating Pump ............................... 133 I
b-
ctl
I
xiii
Page
--
5.4.1 3 Description .......... . ..................... 136
5.4.1.1 Rotary-Element Assembly ........... 137
5.4.1.2 .........................
Pump Bowl 139
5.4.1.3 .......................
Drive Motor 143
5.4.1.4 Lubricating-Oil System ............ 14.4
5.4.1.5 ....................
O i l Catch Tank 147
5.4.2 Hydraulics .................................. 149
5.4.3 Mechanical Design Considerations ............ 151
5.4.3.1 Volute and Impellers ... ....... . . .. 151
5.4.3.2 Shaf’t ............................. 151
5.4.3.3 Bearings .......................... 152
5.4.3.4 Pump Bowl and Nozzles . ........ .... 152
5.4.4 Thermal-Stress Design Considerations ........ 154
5.4.5 m p supports .,...... .. ........ ..... ....... 155
Heaters .....................................
0
5.4.6 155
5.4.7 Fuel-Pump Overflow Tank ........... .. ..... ... 158
5.4.7.1 Overflow Pipe ..................... 158
5.4.7.2 Overflow Tank ..................... 158
t
5.4.7.3 Tank Support ...................... 160
5!5 Fuel Heat Exchanger ................................. 162
5.5.1 Description ................................. 162
5.5.2 Design Considerations ....................... 168
5.5.2.1 Heat Transfer ..................... 168
5.5.2.2 Pressure Drops .................... 164
5.5.2.3 S t r e s s e s .......................... 170
5.5.2.4 Vibration ......................... 171
a 5.5.3 Supports .................................... 171
5.5.4 Heaters ..................................... 172
5.6 Primary C i r c u l a t i n g System Piping, Supports,
Heaters, I n s u l a t i o n , Freeze Flanges ana Freeze
f,
Valves ............................................. 173
5.6.1 Piping ......................................
Piping S t r e s s e s and F l e x i b i l i t y A n d y s i s ....
173
5.6.2 174
5.6.3 Supports ..................................... 175
. 5.6.4 Freeze Flanges ............................... 178
5.6.4.1 Flanges ........................... 180
5.6.4.2 R i n g Gasket ....................... 181
S a l t Screen .......................
’
5.6.4.3 182
Clamps ............................
Clanping Frame ... .................
183
184
5.6.4.6 Gas leak Rates During Thermal
Cycling .......................... 187
5.6.4.7 Loading and S t r e s s e s .............. 188
xiv
.
Page
.
5.6.5 Freeze Valves ............................... 190
5.6.5.1 General Description ............... 190
5.6.5.2 Definitions of "Deep Frozen,
Frozen, Thawed" .................. 193
5.6.5.3 Thermocouples ..................... 193
5.6.5.4 Freeze Valve 103 .................. 194
5.6.5.5 Freeze Valves 104, 105 and 106 .... 196
5.6.5.6 Freeze Valves 107, 108, 109,
110, 111 and 112 ................. 198
5.6.5.7 Freeze Valves 205 and 206 ......... 201
5.6.6 Pipe I n s u l a t i o n and Heaters .................
.
205 .
i-
5.6.6.1 General Description and Design

Considerations ................... 205
......................
5.6.6.2
5.6.6.3
5.6.6.4
.
Pipe Heaters
Pipe Line Thermocouples

................
Thermal I n s u l a t i o n
...........
208
215
218
6 . FUEZ DRAIN TANK SYSTFM .................................... 220
6.1 General Description and Layout ...................... 220
6.2 Flowsheet ........................................... 222
6.3 Drain Tanks Nos . 1 and 2 ............................ 226
6.3.1 Descrtption .................................. 226
6.3.2 Design ...................................... 234
6.3.3 Decay Heat Removal System ................... 234
6.3.4 Drain Tank E l e c t r i c Heaters and I n s u l a t i o n .. 237
6.3.5 Supports f o r Drain Tanks .................... 238
6.4 Fuel Flush Tank ..................................... 240
6.5 Salt-Transfer Pipe Line Supports .................... 242 R
7. SAMPLE3-ENRICHER SYSTEN ................................... 244
7.1 Brief Description of Operation ...................... 244
7.2 Design Criteria ..................................... 245
7.2.1 Sampling .................................... 245
7.2.2 Enriching ................................... 246
7.2.3 Poisoning ................................... 246
7.2.4 Addition of Contaminants .................... 246
7.2.5 "Containment ................................. 246
7.2.6 S t r e s s e s .................................... 247
7.3 Description of Equipment ............................ 247
7.3.1 Capsules .................................... 247
7.3.1.1 Sampling Capsules ................. 247
7.3.1.2 Enriching Capsule ................. 249
.
'r .
xv
Page
.
7.3.2 Capsule Latch and Latchkey ................... 249
7.3.2.1 Latchkey ........................... 250
7.3.2.2. Latch .............................. 250
7.3.3 -Cable ........................................ 250
7.3.4 Pump Bowl Equipment .......................... 250
7.3.4.1 Capsule Guide Cage ................. 250
7.3.4.2 Lower Latch Stop ................... 252
7.3.4.3 Baffle ............................. 252
7.3.5 Transfer Tube ................................ 252
Expansion J o i n t ....................
i
7.3.5.1 252
7.3.5.2 Sleeve ............................. 254
7.3.5.3 Upper Terminus ..................... 254
Operational and Maintenance Valve Box ........
s
lr
7.3.6 254
7.3.6.1 Valve Box .......................... 255
7.3.6.2 Valves ............................. 256
7.3.7 Transfer Box ................................. 256
7.3.7.1 Capsule Access Chamber ............. 258
7.3.7.2 Capsule Drive Unit &d Box ......... 259
'7.3.7.3 Transfer Box Layout and Con-
t r u c t i o n .......................... 260
7.3.7.4 Manipulator ........................ 260
7.3.7.5 Viewing P o r t s and Periscope ........ 261
7.3.7.6 Capsule Removal Valve .............. 262
7.3.7.7 Capsule Removal Tube Assembly ...... 262
7.3.8 Capsule Transporting Equipment ............... 263
7.3.8.1 Sample Transport Container ......... 263
7.3.8.2 Transport Container Removal Tool ... 263
7.3.8.3 Transport Cask ..................... 264
7.4 Containment .......................................... 264
'7.5 Shielding ............................................ 267
7.6 S t r e s s e s ............................................. 267
7.7 Cover-Gas and Leak-Detection System .................. 269
7.8 Off-Gas System ....................................... 271
7,8.1 System No . 1 ................................. 271
7.8.2 System No . 2 ................................. 273
7.8.3 Exhaust Hood .................................. 273
7.9 Electrical ........................................... 274
7.10 Coolant-Salt Sampler-Enricher System ................. 274
8 . COOLANT-SALT CIRCULATING SYSTESI ............................ 2'77
8.1 Layout and General Description ....................... 277
8.2 Flowsheet ............................................ 279
mi
Page
.
8.3 Coolant-Salt Circulating Pump ....................... 285
8.3.1 Description ................................. 285
8.3.2 Hydraulics .................................. 289
8.3.3 Stresses .................................... 289
8.3.4 Pump Supports ............................... 289
8.3.5 Heaters ..................................... 291
8.3.6 ..........................
Thermal I n s u l a t i o n 291
8.4 Radiator ............................................ 291
8.4.1 Description ................................. 292
8.4.1.1 Coil .............................. 292
8.4.1.2 Ehclosure and I n s u l a t i o n .......... 297
8.4.1.3 Doors and Door Mechanism .......... 29'7
8.4.1.4 Cooling A i r Blowers, Ducting and
Dampers .......................... 299
8.4.2 S t r e s s ...................................... 300
8.4.3 Performance ................................. 300
8.4.4 Heaters ..................................... 308
8.5 C e l l W a l l Penetrations f o r Lines 200 and 201 ........ 309
8.5.1 Reactor C e l l Sleeve ......................... 309
8.5.2 Anchor Sleeve ............................... 309
8.5.3 Shielding ................................... 310
8.5.4 Heaters and I n s u l a t i o n...................... 310
8.6 Secondary Circulating System Piping and Supports .... 311
8.6.1 Piping Stresses and F l e x i b i l i t y Analysis .... 312
8.6.2 Coolant-Salt Piping Supports ................ 312
9 . COOLANT-SALT STORAGE SYSTEM ............................... 315 .t
9.1 Layout and General Description ...................... 315

9.2 Flowsheet ........................................... 316
9.3 Coolant-Salt Drain Tank ............................. 318
9.3.1 Tank ........................................ 318
9.3.2 Supports and Weigh Cells .................... 319
9.3.3 E l e c t r i c Heaters and I n s u l a t i o n ............. 321
9.3.4 Thermocouples ............................... 322
9.4 Coolant-Salt Transfer Line 203 ...................... 323
9.4.1 Upper Flange on Line 203 .................... 323
9.4.2 Lower Flange on Line 203 .................... 323
LO . C O W - G A S SYsllEM .......................................... 325
10.1 Layout and General Description ...................... 325
10.2 System Requirements .................................
10.3 Flowsheet ...........................................
325
327
..
~
.
mii
- w
4 Page
.
.
10.4 Helium Supply ...................................... 332
10.5 Dryers ............................................. 332
10.6 Preheaters ......................................... 333
10.7 Oxygen Removal Units ............................... 334
10.8 Treated-Helium Storage Tank ........................ 336
10.9 Bubblers f o r Indicating the S a l t Levels i n t h e
Fuel and Coolant Pump Bowls Overflow Tank ......... 337
10.9.1 Layout and General Description ............. 337
10.9.2 Containment Tank ........................... 338
. 10.10 Piping, Valves, and A p p u r t e w c e s .................. 339

11 . LEAK DETECTOR SYSTEM ...................................... 344
11.1 Layout and General Description ..................... 344
11.2 Flowsheet .......................................... 349
11.3 Headers ............................................ 352
11.4 Valves ............................................. 353
ll.5 Disconnects ........................................ 353
11.6 Local Leak Detectors ............................... 355
12 . OFF'-GAS DISPOSAL S Y S " ..................................... 356
12.2 Flowsheet ........................................... 361
12.3 Holdup Volumes ..................................... 368
12.4 O f f - G a s Charcoal Beds .............................. 369
12.4.1 Main Charcoal Beds ......................... 369
12.4.2 Auxiliary Charcoal Beds .................... 374
12.5 Piping. Valves and F i l t e r s ......................... 376
12.5.1 Piping ..................................... 376
..r
12.5.2 .....................................
Valves 376
12.5.3 ....................................
Filters 377
12.5.3.1 Porous Metal F i l t e r i n Line 522 .. 377
'< 12.5.3.2 Porous Metal F i l t e r i n Lines
524, 526, 528, and-569 .......... 377
13 . CONTAINMENT VENTILATION SYSTEM ............................ 383
13.2 Flowsheet .......................................... 387
13.3 Description of Equipment ........................... 391
13.3.1 Inlet-Air F i l t e r House ..................... 391
13.3.1.1 House ............................ 391
13.3.1.2 Heating Coils .................... 392
13.3.1.3 Air-Supply F i l t e r s ............... 392
13.3.1.4 Louvers .......................... 392
*W 13.3.1.5 Dampers and Ducts ................ 392
xviii
13.3.2 Liquid-Waste Tank Blower .................. 393

13.3.3 Vent House ................................ 393
13.3.4 Filter Pit ................................ 393
13.3.4.1 Roughing F i l t e r ................ 393
13.3.4.2 Absolute F i l t e r s ............... 394
13.3.5 Stack Fans ................................ 394
13.3.6 Stack ..................................... 394
13.4 Criteria ........................................... 396
14. LIQUID WASTE EXslTEM ....................................... 397
14.1.1 Liquid Waste C e l l ......................... 397
14.1.2 Decontamination C e l l ...................... 397
14.1.3 Remote Maintenance Practice C e l l ........... 398 .
14.1.4 Sump Roon ................................. 398 -1
14.2 Flowsheet .......................................... 398
14.3.1 Liquid Waste Storage Tank ................. 404
14.3.2 Waste F i l t e r .............................. 404
14.3.3 Waste Punrp ................................ 405
14.3.4 Sump Pumps ................................ 405
14.3.5 P i t Pump .................................. 405
14.3.6 J e t Pumps ................................. 405
14.4 Design C r i t e r i a .................................... 405
15 . COOLING W m R S Y S " ...................................... 408
15.2 Flowsheet .......................................... 410
15.2.1 Potable and Process Water ................. 410
15.2.2 Cooling Tower Water System ................ 412
15.2.3 Treated Water System ...................... 413
15.2.4 Condensate System ......................... 416
15.3.1 Condensate Storage Tank No . 1 .............
Condensate Storage Tank No . 2 .............
416
15.3.2 417
15.3.3 Treated Water Surge Tank .................. 417
15.3.4
15.3.5
Cooling Tower ..............................
Treated Water Cooler ...................... 417
418
15.3.6 Treated Water Circulating Pumps ........... 418
15.3.7 Cooling Tower Pumps ....................... 420
15.3.8
15.3.9 Space Coolers ...................................
Steam Condenser for Condensate System 420
420 .
b$
I,
xix
Tw Page
7
15.3.9.1 Coolant C e l l Coolers ........... 420

15.3.9.2 ReacBor and Drain Tank C e l l
Space Coolers ................. 423
15.3.10 Piping. Valves and Appurtenances .......... 423
15.3.10.1 Piping ......................... 423
15.3.10.2 Valves ......................... 423
15.3.10.3 Backflow Preventers ............ 424
15.3.10.4 S t r a i n e r ....................... 424
15.3.11 Treated Water F i l t e r ...................... 427
16 . COMPONENT COOLING SYSTEMS ................................. 428
16.1 General Description and Layout ..................... 428
16.1.1 Circulating G a s System .................... 428
Cooling Air Supply ........................
1 .
16.1.2 430
It
16.2 Flowsheet ........................................... 430
16.3.1 G a s Blowers CCP-1 and CCP-2 and Con-
tainment Tanks ........................... 434
16.3.2 Air Blower, CCP-3 ......................... 436
16.3.3 Gas Cooler, GC ............................. 436
16.3.4 Valves .................................... 436
16.3.5 Piping .................................... 438
1 7. CONTAINMEXT ............................................... 439
1 7 . 1 General Design Considerations ...................... 439
17.2 Reactor and Drain Tank C e l l s ....................... 440
17.2.1 C e l l Leak Rate ............................ 441
17.2.2 C e l l Atmosphere ........................... 441
17.2.3 Penetrations and Methods of Sealing ....... 442
17.3 Vapor Condensing System ............................ 444
1 8 . BIOIQGICAL SHIELDING ...................................... 449
18.1 General Description ................................ 450
1 9. ELECTRICAL-mVICES ....................................... 453
19.1 General Description ................................. 454
19.2 Transmission Lines and Substation .................. 459
19.3 Emergency Diesel-Generators ........................ 460
19.3.1 Diesel-Generator Units No . 3 and N o . 4 .... 460
19.3.2 Diesel-Generator Unit No . 5 ............... 461
19.4 Process E l e c t r i c a l C i r c u i t s ........................ 462
19.4.1 Switchgear Equipment ...................... 462
Page
-
19.4.1.1 TVA Switchgear Bus and Current-
...............
Limiting Reactor 462
19.4.1.2 3 ............
Switchgear Bus No. 465
19.4.1.3 4 ............
19.4.1.4 5 ............
19.4.2 Motor-Control Centers ...................... 467
19.4.2.1 TVA Motor Control Centers ....... 467
19.4.2.2 Generator No. 3 Motor-Control
Center ......................... 467
Center ......................... 467
Center ......................... 471
19.5 Building Service C i r c u i t s ........................... 471
19.5.1 Building Service Panel No. 1 *.............. 471
19.5.2 Building Service Panel No. 2 ............... 471
19.6 Direct-Current E l e c t r i c a l Systems ................... 476
19.6.1 Battery, M - G Set and D i s t r i b u t i o n Panel
f o r 250-v DC System ....................... 476
19.6.1.1 AC-DC, 125-kw, 250-v Motor-
Generator Set E-1 ............. 476
19.6.1.2 Battery ......................... 476
19.6.1.3 D i s t r i b u t i o n Panel .............. 477
19.6.2 Battery, M-G Set and Control Panel f o r
4%-vDC System ............................ 477
19.6.2.1 AC -E, 3-kw, Motor-Generator
Sets ........................... 477
19.6.2.2 Battery f o r 48-v System ......... 477
19.6.2.3 Control Panel f o r 48-v System ... 477
19.6.3 E - A C 25-kw Motor-Generator Set &E-4 and
Connected Load ............................ 477
19.7 Heater Control C i r c u i t s ............................. 479
19.7.1 C i r c u i t Breaker Panels G5-l.A, G5-1C,
G5-U), T2-V and T2-W ...................... 479
19.7.1.1 Transformers G 5 - l A and G5-1C,
1 1 2 . 5 - k n ...................... 479
19.7.1.2 Transformers G5-U), T2-V and
T2-W, 75-kva ................... 479
19.7.1.3 ................
C i r c u i t Breakers 480
19.7.2 C i r c u i t Breaker Panels G5-BB, TI-A, T1-B,
T1-C, T2-Y andG5-2Y ...................... 480
xxi
Page
.
19.7.3 C i r c u i t Breaker Panels GT-2X and Drain
Line 103 Heater Circuit .................. 480
19.7.3.1 Saturable Reactdr .............. 480
19.7.3.2 Special 25-kva High-Current
Transformer ................... 481
19.7.4 Heater Control Panels and Equipment ....... 481
19.7.4.1 Type 136 "Powerstat" ........... 481
19.7.4.2 Type 1256 "Powerstat" .......... 490
19.7.4.3 Motor-Operated Type 1256-1035
"Powerstat" ................... 490
19.7.4.4 Induction Regulator ............ 490
19.7.4,5 Three-phase 30-kva Transformer . 493
19,7.4.6 Single-Phase LO-kva Trans-
formers ....................... 493
19.7.4.7 Heater Breaker Panels .......... 493
19.7.5 Heater Leads .............................. 494
19.8 C e l l Wall Penetrations f o r Electrical. Leads ........ 502
19.8.1 Sheathed Cables ........................... 502
19.8.2 Cable Sleeves ............................. 502
19.8.3 Reactor C e l l Penetration Plug and Sleeve .. 504
20 . BUILDING SEZLVICES ......................................... 506
20.1 Potable Water ...................................... 506
20.2 Process Water ...................................... 506
20.3 Building Lighting .................................. 50%
20.4 Fencing ............................................ 508
20.5 S t e m Supply ....................................... 508
20.6 Rod, Fozmdation and Floor Drains .................. 509
20.7 S a n i t a r y Disposal .................................. 509
20.8 Air Conaitioners ................................... 509
20.9 F i r e Protection System ............................. 509
APPENDIX .......................................................
2
c 513
L i s t of References Used i n P a r t I .........................
/
515
Abbreviations ............................................. 526
Equipment and Location Abbreviations ...................... 529
Symbols Used o n ,EIISRE Process Flowsheets ................... 532
Symbols Used i n MSRE Drawing I d e n t i f i c a t i o n Number ........ 534
c
b,
xxiii
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
--
Reactor Vessel i n Transport J i g P r i o r t o I n s t a l - iii
lation
Construction Photograph MSRE Reactor C e l l iv
Fig. 2-1 MSRE Flow Diagram 10
Fig. 2.2 React o r Ve sse1 ll
Fig. 2.3 ?BRE Fuel Pump 13
Fig. 2.4 Primary Heat Exchanger 15
Fig. 2.5 Radiator Coil and Enclosure 16
Fig. 2-6 Fuel-Salt Drain Tank 18
Fig. 3.1 ORNL Area Map 28
Fig. 3.2 P l o t Plan Molten S a l t Reactor Experiment Building 7503 29
Fig. 3.3 Potable Water Supply t o MSRE 31
Fig. 3.4 E l e c t r i c a l Distribution System t o MSRE 33
Fig. 3.5 Steam Supply t o MSRE 34
Fig. 4.1 Front View of Building 7503 36
Fig. 4.2 Rear View of Building 7503 During MSRE: Construction 37
Fig. 4.3 Plan a t 852-ft Elevation 39
Fig. 4.4 Plan a t &$O-Pt Elevation 40
Fig. 4.5 Elevation Building 7503 , 41
Fig. 4.6 Shield Block Arrangement a t Top of Reactor C e l l 45
Fig. 4.7 Block Arrangement on Top of Drain Tank C e l l 50
Fig. 5.1 Reactor C e l l Plan 64
Fig. 5.2 Reactor C e l l Elevation 65
Fig. 5.3 Fuel-Salt System Process Flowsheet 67
Fig. 5.4 Cross Section MSRE Reactor Vessel and Access 76
Nozzle
Fig. 5;5 Elevation of Control Rod Drive Housings 77
Fig. 5.6 Typical Graphite S t r i n g e r Arrangement 80
Fig. 5.7 L a t t i c e Arrangement a t Control Rods 82
Fig. 5.8 Graphite-INOR-8 Sample Assembly 83
Fig. 5.9 Full-scale Model of Reactor Vessel 92
xxiv
Page
-
Fig. 5.10 Pressure Drop Through Reactor Core 94
Fig. 5.11 Centerline Velocity Distribution in Volute of MSRE 95
Full-scale Model of Core
Fig. 5.12 Flow Distribution in Reactor Core Fuel Passages at 99
Total Flow Rate of 1200 gpm in Full-Scale Model
Fig. 5.13 Control Rod Poison Element 108
Fig. 5.14 Control Rod and Drive Assembly 109
Fig. 5.15 Diagram of Control Rod Drive 111
Fig. 5.16 Schematic of Reactor Access Shown Ready for Re- 115
moval of Specimen Assembly
Fig. 5.17 Work Shield for Graphite Sampler 117
Fig. 5.18 Criteria for Establishing Static Design Stresses 120
in INOR-8
Fig. 5.19 Reactor Vessel H a n g e r Rods 123
Fig. 5.20 Thermal Shield Prior to Installation 126
Fig. 5.21 Exterior View of Fuel Pump Showing Flange Bolt 134
Extensions
Fig. 5.22 Fuel-Salt PLmrp Bridge and Impeller Seal Clearances 140
Fig. 5.23 Lubricating Oil System Flowsheet 145
Fig. 5.24 Hydraulic Performnce of Fuel hurrp 150
Fig. 5.25 Fuel hurrp Support 156
Fig. 5.26 Fuel Pump Overflow Tank 159
Fig. 5.27 h-imary Heat Exchanger Subassemblies 163
Fig. 5.28 Tube to Tube-Sheet Joint in MSRE Primary Heat 167
Exchanger
Fig. 5.29 Freeze Flange and Clamp 179
Fig. 5.30 Freeze Flange Clamping Frame Showing Assembly and 185
Disassembly
Fig. 5.31 Freeze Valve and Line 103 195
Fig. 5.32 Freeze Valve and Lines 107, 108, 109, 110 199
Fig. 5.33 Freeze Valve and Lines 111 and 112 200
Fig. 5.34 Freeze Valve and Lines 204 and 206 202
Fig. 5.35 Remonble Heater for %in. Pipe 204
Fig. 6.1 Fuel Drain Tank System Process Flowsheet 223
Fig. 6.2 Fuel Processing System Flowsheet 227
Page
-
Fig. 6.3: Fuel Drain Tank Steam Dome Bayonet Assembly 231
Fig, 6.4 Bayonet Cooling Thimble for Fuel Drain Tank 232
Fig. 7.1 Sampling (left) and Enriching (right) Capsules 248
Fig. 7.2 Sampling Capsule Cable Latch 251
Fig. 7.3 Schematic Representation Fuel-Salt Sarrrpler- 253
Enricher Dry Box
Fig. 7.4 Capsule Access Chamber 257
Fig. 7.5 Transfer Cask for Sampler-Enricher Transport 265
Container
Fig. 7.6 Effect of Thickness on Effectiveness of Sampler 268
Shielding
Fig. 7.7 Flow Diagram of Cover-Gas, Off-Gas and Leak 270
Detection Systems for Sanrpler-Enricher
Fig. 8.1 Coolant-Salt System Process Flowsheet 280
Fig. 8.2 Performance Curves for Coolant-Salt Pump 290
Fig. 8.3 Radiator Coil Configuration 293
Fig. 8.4 Radiator Tube Matrix 294
Fig. 8.5 Radiator Tube Supports 295
Fig. 8.6 Characteristics of Radiator Duct Annulus Fans 301
Fig. 8.7 Radiator Air Flow Characteristics 303
Fig. 8.8 Radiator Air Flow Characteristics at Various 304
Steps in Load Regulation
Fig. 8.9 Est-ted Performance of Both Wdiator Supply 306
Air Fans Operating in Parallel
Fig. 10.1 Flow Diagram of Cover-Gas System 326
Fig. 10.2 Cover-Gas System Process Flowsheet 328
Fig. 10.3 Oxygen Removal Unit Cover-Gas System 335
Fig. ll.1 General Routing of Leak Detector Lines 346
Fig. 11.2 Schematic Diagram of Leak-Detected Flange Closure 347
Fig. 11.3 Method 09 Utilizing One Leak Detector Line to Serve 348
Two Flanges in Series
Fig. 11.4 Leak Detector System Process Flowsheet 350
Fig. 11.5 Leak Detector System Block Disconnects with Yoke 354
Fig. 12.1 Schematic Diagram of Off-Gas System 360
P
I
u Fig. 12.2 Off-Gas System Process Flowsheet 363
Page
-
Fig. 12.3 Activity of Fission-Product Isotopes of Xenon and 370
Krypton In hunp Bowl Off-Gas
Fig. 12.4 Estimated Charcoal Bed Temperatures as Function of 371
Flow Rate Through the Bed
Fig. 12.5 Concentration of Xenon and -ton at Off-Gas 372
Stack Outlet
Fig. 12,6 Maximum Estimated Temperature in First Section of 375
Charcoal Bed vs Pipe Diameter
Fig. 12.7 Porous Metal Filter in Off-Gas Line 522 381.
Fig. 13.1 Schematic of Air Flow Diagram Containment Ventila- 385
tion System
Fig. 13.2 Stack Fan Performance Curves 395
Fig. 14.1 Liquid Waste System Process Flowsheet 399
Fig. 15.1 Cooling Water System Process Flowsheet 411
Fig. 15.2 -
Characteristic Curves Treated Water Circulating 419
pumps
Fig. 15.3 Characteristic Curves - Cooling Tower Water Circu- 421
lating Pumps
Fig. 15.4 Cross Section Backflow Preventers in Water Lines 425
819 and 890
Fig. 15.5 Capacity of Backflow. Preventers in Water System 426
Fig. 17.1 Diagram of MSRE Vapor-Condensing System 445
Fig. 19.1 Simplified One-Line Diagram of Electrical Supply 455
System
Fig. 19.2 Process Equipment Electrical Distribution System 456
Fig. 19.3 Building Services Electrical Distribution System 458
Fig. 19.4 Location of Equipment in Switch House 463
Fig. 19.5 Typical Schematic Diagram for Type 136 Powerstat 482
Fig. 19.6 Typical Schematic Diagram for Type 1256-1035 491
Powerstat Motor-Operated
Fig. 19.7 Motor-Operated Induction Regulator 492
Fig. 19.8 Male and Female Electrical Disconnects for Heater 495
Leads Inside Cells
Fig. 19.9 Typical Electrical Lead Penetration of Reactor 505
Cell Wall
Fig. 20.1 Water Services to Building 7503 507
@
xxvii
r 4,
-
Page
Fig. 20.2 Schematic Diagram Building 7503 Drainage System 510

Fig. A . 1 Symbols Used on MSRE Process Flowsheets 532
Fig. A.2 Symbols Used on MSRE Process Flowsheets 533
W
'L
!
UST OF TABUS
Page
--
Table 2.1 Composition and Physical P r o p e r t i e s of t h e Fuel,
Flush, and Coolant S a l t s 8
Table 2.2 Composition and P r o p e r t i e s of INOR-8 20
Table 2.3 R e a c t i v i t y Requiremnts 22
Table 4.1 Reactor C e l l Penetrations 48
. Table
Table
4.2
4.3
Drain Tank C e l l Penetrations
Auxiliary C e l l Dimensions
52
57
Table 5.1 D i s t r i b u t i o n of H e l i u m Supply t o Fuel Pump 70
Table 5.2 Reactor Vessel and Core Design Data and Dimensions 78
Table 5.3 P r o p e r t i e s of MSRF: Core Graphite - CGB 87
Table 5.4 Summary of Reactor Physics Data 101
Table 5.5 Fuel-Salt Circulation Pump Design Data 135
Table 5.6 Lubricating-Oil System Design Data 146
Table 5.7 Lubricating O i l P r o p e r t i e s 148
Table 5.8 Estimated S t r e s s e s i n MSRE Fuel-Pump Shaft ( p s i ) 153
Table 5.9 Design Data f o r Primary Heat Exchanger 164
Table 5.10 Variable Spring Supports f o r Fuel and Coolant-Salt
Piping I n s i d e Reactor Cell 177
Table 5.11 MSRE Freeze Valves 191
Table 5.12 MSRE Pipe Line Heaters 209
Table 5.13 Thermal I n s 7 d a t i o n on Major MSRF: Salt Piping 216
Table 6.1 Design Data f o r Drain Tanks No. 1 and 2 229
Table 6.2 Design Data f o r Condensers i n Drain Tank Heat Re-
moval Systems 236
Table 6.3 Design D a t a f o r Fuel System Flush S a l t Tank 241
Table 6.4 Salt Transfer Pipe Line Supports 243
Table 7.1 3elim Supply Lines and R e s t r i c t o r s i n Fuel-Salt
Sampler-Enriche r System 272
Table 8.1 Coolant-Salt C i r c u l a t i n g Pump 286
Table 8.2 Radiator Design Data 296
Table 8.3 Possible Steps f o r Controlling Heat Removal Rate
from t h e Radiator 307
Page
-
Table 8.4 Coolant C e l l S a l t Piping Supports 314
Table 9.1 Design Data f o r Coolant-Salt Drain Tank 320
Table 1 0 . 1 Cover G a s System Hand Valves 340
Table 10.2 Cover G a s System Check Valves 341
Table 10.3 Cover Gas System Control Valves and Regulators 342
Table ll.l Leak Detector System Headers 351
Table 12.1 Design Data O f f - G a s Disposal System 357
Table 12.2 Atom Flow Rate Emerging from Fuel Pump Bowl 373
Table 12.3 Off-Gas System Air-Dperated Valves 378
Table 12.4 Off-Gas System Check Valves 379
Table 12.5 O f f -Gas System Hand Valves 380
Table 13.1 Estimated Containment Ventilation System A i r Flow
Rates During Normal Reactor Opemtions (cf’m) 384
Table 1 4 . 1 Lines Emptying i n t o Sump i n Room 403
Table 14.2 Sump Ejector C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s 406
Table 1 5 . 1 Equipment Cooled by Cooling Tower Water 409
Table 15.2 Equipment Cooled by Treated Water 409
Table 15.3 Design Data Beactor and Drain TakiK C e l l Space Coolers 422
Table 16.1 Gas-Cooled Components 429
Table 16.2 A i r -Cooled Component s 431
Table 16.3 Component Cooling System Valves 437
Table 19.1 Switchgear Bus and Breaker Data 464
Table 19.2 Connections t o Switchgear Bus No. 3 466
Table 19.3 Equipment Connections t o TVA Motor Control Centers 468
Table 19.4 Equipment Connections t o Motor Control Center G-3 469
Table 19.5 Equipment Connections t o Motor Control Center G-4 470
Table 19.6 Equipment Connections t o Motor Control Centers
G-5-1 and G-5-2 472
Table 19.7 Connections t o Building Service Panel No. 1 473
Table 19.8 Connections t o Lighting Distribution Panels IA <
and I A l 474
Table 19.9 Connections t o Building Service Panel No. 2 475
Table 19.10 Heater Control Panels 483
Table 19.11 Heater E l e c t r i c a l Lead C e l l W a l l Penetrations 496
Table 19.12 Summary of E l e c t r i c a l Lead Penetrations i n Reactor
Cell 503
Table 19.13 Summary of E l e c t r i c a l Lead Penetrations i n Drain
Tank C e l l 503
Table 19.14 General Cable Company MI Cable Numbers 503
b
w),
MOLTEN-SALT REACTOR EXPERIMENT
PART I
DESCRIPTION OF REACTOR DESIGN
Volume I
3
1. INTRODUCTION
The Molten-Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) was undertaken by the

Oak Ridge National Laboratory t o demonstrate t h a t t h e desirable f e a t u r e s
of t h e molten-salt concept could be embodied i n a p r a c t i c a l r e a c t o r t h a t
could be constructed and maintained without undue d i f f i c u l t y and one t h a t
could be operated s a f e l y and r e l i a b l y . Additional important objectives
were t o provide t h e f i r s t large-scale, long-term, high-temperature t e s t s
i n a r e a c t o r environment of t h e f u e l s a l t , graphite, moderator, and high-
nickel-base a l l o y (INOR-8). Operating data from t h e MSRF: should provide
important information regarding t h e f e a s i b i l i t y of large-scale molten-
s a l t reactors .
Molten-salt r e a c t o r s were f i r s t investigated a s a means of providing
a compact high-temperature power plant f o r nuclear-powered a i r c r a f t . In
1954 an A i r c r a f t Reactor Experiment (ARE) was constructed a t ORNL which
demonstrated t h e nuclear f e a s i b i l i t y of operating a molten-salt-fueled
r e a c t o r a t high temperature. Fuel entered t h e ARE core a t 120OoF and
l e f t a t 15OO0F when t h e r e a c t o r power l e v e l was 2.5 Mw.
Immediately a f t e r the successful operation of t h e ARE, t h e A i r c r a f t
Reactor Test (ART) was s t a r t e d a t ORNL a s p a r t of t h e A i r c r a f t Nuclear
Propulsion Program (ANP). This t e s t was discontinued i n 1957 when t h e
ANP Program was revised, but t h e high promise of t h e molten-salt r e a c t o r
type f o r achieving low e l e c t r i c power generating c o s t s i n c e n t r a l power
s t a t i o n s l e d ORNL t o continue p a r t s of t h e b a s i c study programs. Features
of t h e molten-salt concept which deserve s p e c i a l mention w i t h regard t o
i t s f u t u r e propects are:
1. The f u e l i s f l u i d a t r e a c t o r temperatures, thus eliminating t h e
e x t r a c o s t s associated w i t h t h e f a b r i c a t i o n , handling, and reprocessing
of s o l i d f u e l elements. Burnup i n t h e f u e l i s not l i m i t e d by r a d i a t i o n
damage o r r e a c t i v i t y loss. The f u e l can be reprocessed continuously i n
a s i d e stream f o r removal of f i s s i o n products, and new f i s s i o n a b l e ma-
t e r i a l can be added while t h e r e a c t o r i s i n operation.
2. Molten-salt r e a c t o r s can operate a t high temperatures and pro-
duce high-pressure superheated steam t o achieve thermal e f f i c i e n c i e s i n
t h e heat-power cycle equal t o t h e b e s t f o s s i l - f u e l - f i r e d p l a n t s . The
r e l a t i v e l y low vapor pressure of t h e s a l t permits use of low pressure
containers and piping .
3. The negative temperature c o e f f i c i e n t of t h e r e a c t o r and t h e
low excess r e a c t i v i t y a r e such t h a t t h e nuclear s a f e t y i s not primarily
dependent upon fast-acting control rods.
4. The fuel s a l t has a low cross section f o r t h e p a r a s i t i c ab-
sorption of neutrons, and when used w i t h bare graphite as t h e moderator,
very good neutron economies can be achieved. Molten-salt r e a c t o r s a r e
thus a t t r a c t i v e as highly e f f i c i e n t converters and breeders on t h e Th-.?34J
cycle.
5 . The fluoride salts used as t h e f l u i d f u e l mixture have good
thermal and r a d i a t i o n s t a b i l i t y and do not undergo v i o l e n t chemical r e -
actions w i t h water o r a i r . They a r e compatible w i t h t h e graphite moder-
a t o r and can be contained s a t i s f a c t o r i l y i n a s p e c i a l l y developed high-
n i c k e l alloy, INOR-8. The volumetric heat capacity, viscosity, thermal
conductivity, and other physical properties are a l s o within desirable
ranges.
6. U s e of r e l a t i v e l y high c i r c u l a t i o n rates and temperature d i f -
ferences r e s u l t s i n high mean power density, high s p e c i f i c power, and
low f u e l inventory.
These a t t r a c t i v e features of t h e molten-salt r e a c t o r concept are
p a r t i a l l y o f f s e t by t h e disadvantages that:
1. The f u e l salt mixture melts a t about 840°F, so means must be
provided f o r maintaining a l l salt-containing portions o f t h e system
above t h i s temperature.
2. The f l u o r i d e salts r e a c t with oxygen t o p r e c i p i t a t e f u e l con-
s t i t u e n t s as oxides. Although zirconium t e t r a f l u o r i d e i s included i n
t h e salt mixture so that ZrO w i l l p r e c i p i t a t e i n preference t o U02, care
2
must be taken t o prevent t h e f u e l from being contaminated with a i r , water,
o r other oxygen-containing materials.
3. The r a d i o a c t i v i t y i n any f l u i d - f u e l system i s i n a mobile form,
and s p e c i a l provisions must be taken f o r containment and maintenance.
5
During the period 195”(-60, investigations were carried out at OWL

on the fuel salt chemistry, metallurgy of containment materials, the de-
sign of salt-circulating pumps, and on remote maintenance techniques. The
results ofthis work lent additional encouragement, and in 1959 studies
2
-,
were made by H. G. MacF’herson’ and L. G. Alexander et al. pertaining
to the applicability of the molten-salt concept to central power station
reactors. The studies resulted in a proposal3 to the AEC for construction
of a molten-salt experiment to investigate remaining areas of uncertainty
that could be resolved only by actually building and operating a molten-
salt reactor. In April, 1961, ORNL received a directive4 from the AEC to
design, construct, and operate the Molten-Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE ),
the subject of this report.
Early in the design phases it was decided that the MSRE was to have
as its primary purpose the investigation of the practicality of the molten-
salt concept for central power station applications. As such, the MSRE
was envisioned as a straightforward-type of installation, uncomplicated
by the inclusion of experimental apparatus which might jeopardize reliable,
long-term operation. It was a l s o necessary that the MSRE be of a large-
enough capacity for the experimental findings to be meaningfully extrapo-
lated to the full-scale plants. It was decided that a reactor of 10 MW
thermal output would satisfy the criterion.
Conversion of the 10 Mw of heat to useful electricity was not con-
sidered t o be n e c e s s a r y t o demonstrate the concept, so e x i s t i n g blowers
and stack were used to dissipate the heat to the atmosphere. Containment
requirements dictated a double barrier between the highly radioactive fuel
salt and the environment, and a salt very similar to the fie1 salt in com-
position and physical properties was chosen to transport the heat from the
fuel salt to air-cooled surfaces.
An expanded plant layout was adopted in order to provide access to
equipment and to facilitate maintenance operations, The MSRE was installed
in an existing building in the 7503 Area at ORNLthat was constructed spe-
cifically for the AFU3 and ART. This arrangement provided some savings and
expedited construction in that the building included a containment vessel
which, with modification, was suitable for the ERE. A significant amount
of usable auxiliary equipment was also on hand, including air blowers and
-.
a s t a c k f o r d i s s i p a t i o n o f heat t o t h e atmosphere, emergency d i e s e l -

e l e c t r i c power supply, heavy-duty cranes, e t c . Shop, office, washroom,
and control room spaces were a l s o available, and some o f t h e heavy con-
c r e t e shielding was adaptable t o t h e MSRE. F i t t i n g t h e MSRE design t o
t h e e x i s t i n g f a c i l i t i e s required numerous design compromises, but no ex-
treme d i f f i c u l t i e s were encountered.
Construction of t h e MSRE o f f i c i a l l y s t a r t e d i n July, 1961, although
much of t h e advance thinking and preliminary design work were well under
way by that time. Major building modifications were s t a r t e d i n 1961 and
were completed by t h e end of 1962. Iack of funds and l a t e d e l i v e r y of L
t h e graphite moderator delayed i n s t a l l a t i o n of major equipment u n t i l e a r l y

1964. The i n s t a l l a t i o n was scheduled f o r completion i n t h e e a r l y summer
of 1964, and t h e t a r g e t date t o achieve c r i t i c a l i t y was s e t f o r t h e end *
o f t h a t year.
c
- w 2. GEKERAL DESCRIPTION
2.1 Type
The Molten-Salt Reactor Experiment ( E R E ) i s a single-region, un-

clad, graphite-moderated, f l u i d - f u e l type of r e a c t o r w i t h a design.heat
generation r a t e of 10 Mw. The c i r c u l a t i n g f u e l i s a mixture of lithium,
beryllium, and zirconium f l u o r i d e salts t h a t contains uranium o r thorium
and uranium f l u o r i d e s . Reactor heat i s t r a n s f e r r e d from t h e f u e l s a l t
t o a s i m i l a r coolant s a l t and i s then dissipated t o t h e atmosphere.
2.2. Location .,.
The Ekperiment i s located i n t h e 7503 Area of t h e Oak Ridge

National Iaboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The s i t e i s about one-half
mile south of t h e main Laboratory buildings, i n a wooded, secluded bend
of t h e Clinch River t h a t i s reserved f o r s p e c i a l r e a c t o r i n s t a l l a t i o n s .
2.3 Fuel and Coolant S a l t s
The composition and physical properties o f various f u e l and coolant

salts a r e given i n Table 2.1. Favorable neutron absorption and chemical
and physical properties were important requirements f o r t h e compositions
selected. Beryllium f l u o r i d e i s used t o obtain a low melting p o i n t .
L i t h i u m f l u o r i d e (99.99% Li7 i n both f u e l and coolant s a l t s ) imparts
good f l u i d flow properties t o t h e mixture. Zirconium fluoride p r o t e c t s
t h e f u e l s a l t against p r e c i p i t a t i o n of U02 *om contamination by a i r and
moisture. Fuel salts containing throium a r e o f i n t e r e s t for future l a r g e -
s c a l e thorium breeder r e a c t o r s . The first experiments i n t h e MS- will
be run with p a r t i a l l y enriched uranium because t h e r e a r e fewer uncer-
t a i n t i e s concerning t h e chemical behavior of t h a t f u e l . Later t h e
r e a c t o r w i l l be operated with t h e highly enriched uranium f u e l and then
with t h e thorium-uranium f u e l .
w
Table 2.1 Composition and Physical Properties of the Fuel, Flush, and Coolant S a l t s 5
Fuel S a l t
Thorim Highly En- P a r t i a l l y En- Flush and
Uranium riched Uranium riched Uranium Coolant S a l t
Composition, mole
LiF (99.994 L i 7 ) 70 66.8 65 66

BeF2 23.6 29 29.1 34
ZrF4 5 4 5 -- 03
Tm4 1 0 0
m4 0.4 0.2 0.9

Physical Properties, a t 1200"F 1200"F 1200"F 1060"F
Density, l b / f t 3 , a t 1200°F 140 130 134 120

Viscosity, l b / f t - h r 18 17 20 24
Heat Capacity, Btu/lb- "F 0.45 0.48 0.47 0.53
( a t 1200 "F ) ( a t 1200"F )
Thermal Conductivity,
Btu/hr2 ("F/ft) 3.21 3- 2 3.2 3.5
Liquidus Temperature, "F 840 840 840 850
c v. P 1
9
2.4 Equipment and Process
The major items of equipment i n t h e MSRE a r e shown on a simplified

flowsheet i n Fig. 2.1. The f'uel-salt-circulating system i s t h e r e a c t o r
primary system. It c o n s i s t s of t h e r e a c t o r v e s s e l where t h e nuclear
heat i s generated, t h e f u e l heat exchanger i n which heat i s t r a n s f e r r e d
from f u e l t o coolant, t h e f u e l c i r c u l a t i n g pump, and t h e interconnect-
ing piping. The coolant system i s t h e r e a c t o r secondary system. It
c o n s i s t s of t h e coolant pump, a r a d i a t o r i n which heat i s t r a n s f e r r e d
from coolant s a l t t o a i r , and t h e piping between t h e pump, t h e r a d i a t o r ,
and t h e f u e l heat exchanger. There a r e a l s o drain-tank systems f o r con-
t a i n i n g t h e f u e l and coolant s a l t s when t h e c i r c u l a t i n g systems a r e not
i n operat i o n .
2.4.1 Reactor
The r e a c t o r v e s s e l i s a 5-f't-diam by 8-f't-high tank t h a t contains
a 33-in.-diam by 64-in.-high graphite core s t r u c t u r e . A cutaway draw-
ing o f t h e r e a c t o r i s shown i n Fig. 2.2. Under design conditions of
10 Mw of r e a c t o r heat, t h e f'uel s a l t e n t e r s t h e flow d i s t r i b u t o r a t t h e
top of t h e v e s s e l a t 1175OF and 20 p s i g . The f u e l i s d i s t r i b u t e d evenly
around t h e circumference of t h e v e s s e l and then flows t u r b u l e n t l y down-
ward i n a s p i r a l path through a l - i n . annulus between t h e v e s s e l w a l l
and t h e core can. The wall o f t h e v e s s e l i s thus cooled t o within about
5 O F o f t h e bulk temperature o f t h e entering s a l t . The salt loses i t s
r o t a t i o n a l motion i n t h e straightening vanes i n t h e lower plenun and
turns and flows upward through t h e graphite matrix i n t h e core can.
The graphite matrix i s an assembly of v e r t i c a l bars, 2 i n . by 2
i n . by about 67 i n . long. Fissioning of 23% i n t h e f u e l occurs a s it
flows i n 0.4-in. by 1.2-in. channels that a r e formed by grooves i n t h e
s i d e s o f t h e bars. There are about 1140 of t h e s e passages.
The nominal core volume within t h e ??-in.-diam by @-in.-high core
3 , of which 20 f% 3 i s f'uel and 70 f't 3 i s graphite.
s t r u c t u r e i s 9 f't
A t 10 Mw, and with no f u e l absorbed by t h e graphite, 1.4 Mw of heat i s
generated i n t h e f u e l outside t h e nominal core, 0.6 Mw i s generated i n
t h e graphite, and 8.0 Mw i s generated i n t h e f u e l within t h e core. This
-'w
4
10
UNCLASSIFIED
OWL-Dwc 634209R
F i g . 2.1. MSRE Flow Diagram.

11
UNCLASSIFIED
ORNL-LR-DW 6109711
FLEXIBLE CONDUIT TO
CONTROL ROD DRIVES
SAMPLE ACCESS POR
COOLING AIR LINES
ACCESS PORT COOLING JAC KETS
FUEL OUTLET REACTOR ACCESS PORT
CONTROL ROD THIMBLES
CENTERING GRI
FLOW DISTRIBUTOR
REACTOR CORE CA
REACTOR VESSE
ANTI-SWIRL VANES
VESSEL DRAIN L I N E
Fig. 2.2. Reactor Vessel.

corresponds t o an average f u e l power d e n s i t y of 14 kw/liter i n t h e nominal L u
core. The maximum f u e l power d e n s i t y i s 31 kw/liter.

Flow i n t h e coolant channels i s l a m i n a r , but both t h e graphite and
t h e f u e l have good thermal conductivities, so t h e maximum temperature of
t h e graphite i s only about 60°F above t h e mixed mean temperature of t h e
adjacent f u e l . The nuclear average and t h e maximum temperatures, respec-
t i v e l y , of t h e graphite are estimated t o be about l255'F and 1300°F. The
temperature of t h e f i e 1 leaving t h e h o t t e s t channel i n t h e core i s about
1260'F.
Fuel leaves t h e top o f t h e r e a c t o r a t 1225'F and 7 p s i g through t h e
c
s i d e o u t l e t of a s p e c i a l f i t t i n g designed as an access p o r t f o r i n s e r t i o n
of graphite and metal samples and f o r t h r e e 2-in.-diam control rod thimbles.
The poison elements i n t h e c o n t r o l rods a r e short hollow cylinders of
gadolinium oxide 1 i n . i n diameter, clad with Inconel and arranged on a
f l e x i b l e Inconel hose t o permit passage through two bends t h a t form an
o f f s e t i n each thimble. The c o n t r o l rods and drives a r e cooled by c i r c u -
l a t i o n of c e l l atmosphere through t h e f l e x i b l e hoses and thimbles.
A 1-1/2-in.-diam o u t l e t l i n e i s provided a t t h e bottom of t h e r e a c t o r
vessel f o r discharging salt t o t h e d r a i n tanks.
2.4.2 Fuel Pump

The f u e l s a l t f r o m t h e r e a c t o r flows d i r e c t l y t o t h e c e n t r i f u g a l
sump-type pump shown i n Fig. 2.3. The pump has a v e r t i c a l shaft and
overhung impeller and operates a t a speed of 1160 rpm t o d e l i v e r 1200
gpm a t a discharge head of 49 f't. The pump bowl i s about 36 i n . i n d i -
amter, and t h e purrrp and 75-hp motor assembly i s about 8 ft high.
Devices are provided i n t h e pump bowl t o measure t h e l i q u i d l e v e l
as a means of determining t h e inventory of s a l t i n t h e system. Small
capsules can be lowered i n t o t h e bowl t o take a 10-g sample of s a l t f o r
a n a l y s i s o r t o add 120 g of m e l t 0 t h e system. About 65 gpm of t h e
pump out-put i s c i r c u l a t e d i n t e r n a l l y t o t h e pump bowl f o r r e l e a s e o f en-
t r a i n e d o r dissolved gases f r o m t h e s a l t .
Helium flows through t h e gas space i n t h e bowl a t a r a t e of about
200 f't 3/day ( S T P ) t o sweep t h e highly radioactive xenon and krypton t o
t h e off-gas disposal system. The helium a l s o a c t s as a cover gas t o ex-
clude a i r and water vapor. u-
\ I
UNCLASSIFIED
ORNL-LR-DWG-56043-BR
FIG. 2.3. MSRE FUEL PUMP

4
14
The pump i s equipped with b a l l bearings t h a t a r e lubricated and

cooled with o i l circulated by an e x t e r n a l pumping system. The o i l i s
L L
confined t o t h e bearing housing by mechanical s h a f t s e a l s . A helium

purge enters below t h e lower s e a l . A small p a r t of t h i s helium flows up-
ward along t h e s h a f t and leaves j u s t below t h e lower s e a l , carrying with
it any o i l vapors t h a t l e a k through t h e seal. The remainder flows down-
ward along t h e s h a f t t o t h e pump bowl and subsequently t o t h e off-gas
system. This prevents radioactive gases from reaching t h e o i l .
Cooling o i l i s a l s o c i r c u l a t e d through a metal block above t h e
pump bowl which s h i e l d s t h e l u b r i c a t i n g o i l and the pwlrp motor.
',
The motor and t h e bearing s h a f t and impeller assembly a r e remova-
b l e separately t o f a c i l i t a t e maintenance.
An overflow tank of 5.5-f't 3 volume i s i n s t a l l e d below t h e pump t o
-4
provide s u f f i c i e n t volume for f r e e expansion of s a l t under a l l foreseen
conditions .
2.4.3 Heat &changer
S a l t discharged by t h e f u e l pump flows through t h e s h e l l s i d e of
t h e horizontal shell-and-tube heat exchanger shown i n Fig. 2.4, where
it i s cooled from l225'F t o ll75OF. The exchanger i s about 16 i n . i n
diameter and 8 ft long and contains one hundred sixty-three 1/2-in.-OD
U-tubes with an e f f e c t i v e surface of 259 f t2 .
The coolant s a l t circu-
l a t e s through t h e tubes a t a r a t e of 8% gpm, entering a t 1025'F and
leaving a t UOOOF.
2.4.4 Coolant Pump

The coolant s a l t i s c i r c u l a t e d by a c e n t r i f i g a l pump i d e n t i c a l i n
most respects t o t h e f u e l pump. The pump has a 75-hp, l75O-rpm motor
and d e l i v e r s 850 g p m against a head of 78 ft.
2.4.5 Radiator
The r a d i a t o r i s shown i n Fig. 2.5. Seven hundred square feet of
cooling surface i s provided by 120 tubes 0.75 i n . i n diameter by 30 t'f
long. Cooling a i r i s supplied t o t h e r a d i a t o r by two 2%-hp a x i a l
blowers with a combined capacity of 200,000 cf'm. S a l t enters the radi-
a t o r a t llOO°F and leaves a t 1025'F. The temperature r i s e of t h e a i r
is 200°F a t design power. To guard against freezing t h e s a l t i n t h e
15
UNCLASSIFIED
ORNL-LR-WG 5203612
FUEL INLET
1/2-in.-OD TUBES
'd
c
CROSS BAFFl.ES
THERMAL-BARRIER PLATE
46.4-in. OD II 0.2-in. WALL x 8 - f t LONG
COOLANT OUTLET
COOLANT-STREAM
SEPARll,XING BAFFLE
FUEL OUTLET
Fig. 2.4. Primary Heat Exchanger.

16
UNCLASSIFIED
ORNL-LR-DWG 55841R2
Fig. 2.5. Radiator Coil and Enclosure.

17
r a d i a t o r tubes on sudden reduction of r e a c t o r power, quick-closing doors

a r e provided t o shut o f f t h e a i r flow, and t h e r a d i a t o r i s heated by
e l e c t r i c a l heaters inside t h e enclosure. The opening of t h e doors can
be adjusted, and some of t h e a i r can be bypassed around t h e r a d i a t o r t o
regulate t h e heat removal r a t e .
2.4.6 Drain Tank Systems

Four tanks a r e provided f o r s a f e storage of t h e s a l t mixtures when
they a r e not i n use i n t h e f u e l - and coolant-salt c i r c u l a t i n g systems.
Two f u e l - s a l t d r a i n tanks and a f l u s h - s a l t tank a r e connected t o the
r e a c t o r by means of t h e fill and drain l i n e . One drain tank i s provided
f o r t h e coolant s a l t .
A f u e l drain tank i s shown i n Fig. 2.6. The tank i s in. in
diameter by 86 i n . high and has a volume of about 80 f t 3, s u f f i c i e n t
t o hold i n a n o n - c r i t i c a l geometry a l l t h e s a l t that can be contained
i n t h e f u e l c i r c u l a t i n g system. The tank i s provided with a cooling
system capable of removing 100 kw of fission-product decay heat, t h e
cooling being accomplished by b o i l i n g water i n 32 bayonet tubes t h a t
a r e i n s e r t e d i n thimbles i n t h e tank.
The f l u s h - s a l t tank i s s i m i l a r t o t h e f u e l - s a l t tank except t h a t
it has no thimbles or cooling system. New f l u s h s a l t i s l i k e f u e l s a l t
but without f i s s i l e or f e r t i l e material. It i s used t o wash t h e f u e l
c i r c u l a t i n g system before f u e l i s added and a f t e r f u e l i s drained, and
t h e only decay heating i s by t h e small q u a n t i t y o f f i s s i o n products t h a t
it removes from t h e equipment.
The coolant-salt tank resembles t h e f l u s h - s a l t tank, but it i s
40 i n . i n diameter by 78 i n . high and t h e volume i s 9 f% 3 .
The tanks are provided with devices t o i n d i c a t e high and low
l i q u i d l e v e l s and with weigh c e l l s t o i n d i c a t e t h e weight of t h e tanks
and t h e i r contents.
2.4.7 Piping and Flanges

The major components i n t h e s a l t c i r c u l a t i n g systems a r e i n t e r -
connected by 5-in. sched-40 piping. Flanged j o i n t s between u n i t s i n
t h e primary system f a c i l i t a t e removal and replacement of components by
remotely operated t o o l s . These flanges, c a l l e d freeze flanges, u t i l i z e
c
18
WUASSIFIED
OWL-LR-DWG 617t9
/- INSPECTION, SAMPLER, AND

LEVEL PROBE ACCESS
FUELSALTSYSTEM
FILL AND DRAIN UM TANK FILL LINE
,-
Fig. 2.6. Fuel-Salt Drain Tank.

a frozen salt s e a l between t h e flange faces a s well as a conventional
0-ring-type j o i n t t o form a helium-buffered, leak-detected type of
closure.
The f i l l and drain l i n e s are 1-1/2-in. sched-40 piping and contain
t h e only "valves" t h a t come i n contact with salt. The valves, c a l l e d
freeze valves, have no moving p a r t s , unmodulated flow control being
achieved by freezing or thawing salt i n a short, p a r t i a l l y f l a t t e n e d
section of pipe t h a t can be heated and cooled.
2.4.8 Heaters
A l l p a r t s of t h e salt-containing systems are heated e l e c t r i c a l l y
t o maintain t h e s a l t s above the liquidus temperature of 840 t o 85OoF.
The equipment i s preheated before salt i s added and t h e heaters a r e
energized continuously during r e a c t o r operation t o make sure t h a t t h e r e
i s no uncontrolled freezing i n any of t h e piping and t h a t t h e salt can
be drained when necessary. The t o t a l capacity of t h e h e a t e r s i s about
1930 kw, but t h e a c t u a l power consumption i s somewhat l e s s than h a l f
of t h i s . About 300 kw of heat can be provided by t h e d i e s e l e l e c t r i c
emergency power supply.
2.4.9 Materials
The salt-containing piping and equipment a r e made of INOR--a
s p e c i a l high-nickel and molybdenum a l l o y having a good r e s i s t a n c e t o
t a t t a c k by f u e l and coolant s a l t s at temperatures a t l e a s t as high as
1500%. The mechanical p r o p e r t i e s a r e superior t o those of many austen-
i t i c stainless s t e e l s , and t h e a l l o y i s weldable by established pro-
cedures. The chemical composition and some of t h e physical p r o p e r t i e s
w e given i n Table 2.2. Most of t h e INOR equipment was designed f o r
13OO0F and 50 psig, w i t h an allowable s t r e s s of 2750 p s i ,
S t a i n l e s s s t e e l piping and valves were used i n t h e helium supply
and i n t h e off-gas systems.
2.4.10 Cover- and O f f - G a s Systems

A helium cover-gas system p r o t e c t s t h e oxygen-sensitive f u e l from
contact with a i r o r moisture. Commerical helium i s suppled i n a tank
truck and i s passed through a p u r i f i c a t i o n system t o reduce t h e oxygen
b,
??
and water content below 1 ppm before it i s admitted t o t h e reactor.
i
20
Table 2.2. Compos tion and Properties of LNOR-~
Chemical Properties:
Ni
Mo
66-71$
15-18
k,
Si, max
- 1.0%
1.0
Cr
Fe, m8x
6-8
5
Cu, max
B, - 0.35
06010
s, -
Ti + A l , max
0.Ob0 -08
0.50
0.02
p,
co, max
-
W, m a x 0.50
0.015
0.20
Physical Properties:
Density, lb/in.3 0.317
Melting point, OF 2470-2555
Thermal conductivity, Btu/hr-ft2(F/ft) at l3OO'F 12.7
Modulus of elasticity at -1300°F, psi 24.8 x 10
6
Specific heat, Btu/lb-"F at l3OO'F 0.138

Mean coefficient of thermal expansion,
70-1300'F range, in./in.-'F 8.0 x io6
Mechanical Properties:
a
Maximum allowable stress, psi: at lOOO'F 17,ooo
1100°F 13,000
L200"F 6,ooo
1300'~ 3,500
a
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Case 1315.
21
systems. A flow of 200 f t 3/day (STP) i s passed continuously through t h e

f u e l pump bowl t o transport the f i s s i o n product gases t o activated charcoal
adsorber beds. The radioactive xenon i s retained on t h e charcoal f o r a
minimum of 90 days, and t h e krypton f o r 7-l/Z' days, which i s s u f f i c i e n t
f o r all but t h e 85Kr t o decay t o i n s i g n i f i c a n t l e v e l s . The 85Kr i s main-
tained well within tolerance, t h e e f f l u e n t gas being d i l u t e d w i t h 21,000
cfm of a i r , f i l t e r e d , monitored, and dispersed from a 3-ft-dim by 100-ft
steel-cont ainment v e n t i l a t i o n stack.
The cover-gas system i s a l s o used t o pressurize t h e drain tanks t o
move molten s a l t s i n t o t h e f u e l and coolant c i r c u l a t i n g systems. Gas
from these operations i s passed through charcoal beds and f i l t e r s before
it i s discharged through t h e off-gas stack.
L
x
2.4.11 Instrumentation and Control Systems
Nuclear and process control are both important t o t h e operation of

t h e MSRE. The reactor has a negative temperature coefficient of 6.4 t o
9.9 x (Ak/k)/OF, depending on t h e type of f u e l t h a t i s being used.
The excess r e a c t i v i t y requirements are l i s t e d i n Table 2.3, and they
a r e not expected t o exceed 4 x lom2Ak/k at the normal operating temper-
ature. The t h r e e control rods have a combined worth of 5.6 t o 7.6 % Ak/k,
depending upon the f u e l composition. Their major functions a r e t o elimi-
nate t h e w i d e temperature v a r i a t i o n s t h a t would otherwise accompany
changes i n power and xenon poison l e v e l and t o make it possible t o hold
t h e r e a c t o r s u b c r i t i c a l t o a temperature 200 t o 300°F below t h e normal
operating temperature. They have some s a f e t y functions, most of which
a r e concerned with t h e s t a r t u p of t h e reactor. Rapid action i s not re-
quired of t h e control rods; however, a magnetic clutch i s provided i n
t h e drive t r a i n t o permit t h e rods t o drop i n t o t h e thimbles w i t h an ac-
c e l e r a t i o n of 0.5 g as a convenient way of providing i n s e r t i o n r a t e s
t h a t are more rapid than t h e removal r a t e s . Burnup and growth of long-
l i v e d f i s s i o n product poisons i s compensated by adding f u e l through t h e
sampler enricher. Complete shutdown of t h e reactor i s accomplished by
draining t h e fuel.
When t h e reactor i s operated a t power l e v e l s above a few hundred
kilowatts, t h e power i s controlled by regulating t h e a i r flow, and
t
3
22
b 1
Table 2.3. Reactivity Requirements
Reactivity,
% &/k
Loss of delayed neutrons by c i r c u l a t i n g f i e 1 -0. 3
Entrained gas -0.2
Power coefficient (from r i s e i n graphite temperature) -0.1
Xenon poisoning (steady s t a t e at 10MW) -0.7

S amarium-149 t r a n s i e n t -0.1
Burnup (120 g of f'uel) -0.1
Margin f o r operation of control rods 4.4

Total -1.9
Uncertainty i n estimates (primarily xenon) (+)-LO to (-)-0.4
Total -2.9 t o -1.5
i
23
thereby t h e r a t e of heat removal, at t h e radiator. The power l e v e l i s

determined by measuring t h e flow r a t e and temperature difference i n t h e
coolant s a l t system. The control rods operate t o hold t h e f u e l o u t l e t
temperature from t h e reactor constant, and t h e i n l e t temperature i s per-
mitted t o vary with power level. A t low power t h e control rods operate
t o hold t h e neutron flux constant, and t h e heat w i t h d r a w a l a t t h e radi-
a t o r o r t h e input t o t h e heaters on piping and equipment i s adjusted t o
keep t h e temperature within a specified range.
Preventing t h e salts from freezing, except at freeze flanges and
valves, and protecting t h e equipment from overheating, a r e among t h e
most important control functions. Over one thousand thermocouples a r e
i n s t a l l e d throughout t h e f u e l and coolant s a l t systems, and about three-
fourths of these serve indication, a l a r m , or control functions. The
heating and cooling equipment i s controlled t o maintain temperatures
(throughout t h e systems) within specified ranges.
D i g i t a l computer and data handling equipment a r e included i n t h e
instrumentation t o provide r a p i d compilation and analysis of t h e process
data. This equipment has no control function but gives current infor-
mation about a l l important variables and warns of abnormal conditions.
2.5 Fuel Processing
Batches of f u e l or f l u s h salt which have been removed from t h e

r e a c t o r c i r c u l a t i n g system can be processed i n separate equipment t o per-
m i t t h e i r reuse o r t o recover t h e uranium.
S a l t s t h a t have been contaminated with oxygen t o t h e s a t u r a t i o n point
(about 80 ppm of %), and t h u s tend t o p r e c i p i t a t e t h e f u e l constituents
as oxides, can be t r e a t e d with a hydrogen-hydrogen f l u o r i d e gas mixture t o
remove t h e oxygen as water vapor. These salts can then be reused.
A salt batch unacceptably contaminated w i t h f i s s i o n products, or one
i n which it i s desirable t o d r a s t i c a l l y change t h e uranium content, can
be t r e a t e d w i t h f l u o r i n e gas t o separate t h e uranium fram t h e c a r r i e r
salt by v o l a t i l i z a t i o n of UF6. I n some instances t h e c a r r i e r salt w i l l
be discarded; i n others uranium of a d i f f e r e n t enrichment, thorium, o r
other constituents w i l l be added t o give t h e desired composition.
24
The processing system c o n s i s t s of a salt storage and processing hi?J

L
tank, supply tanks f o r t h e H2, HF, and F t r e a t i n g gases, a high temper-

2
a t u r e (750OF) sodium f l u o r i d e adsorber f o r decontaminating t h e UF6’
several low-temperature portable adsorbers f o r Ul? a caustic scrubber,
6’
and associated piping and instrumentation. A l l except t h e UF6 adsorbers
a r e located i n t h e f’ue1,processing c e l l below t h e operating f l o o r o f
Bldg. 7503, as shown i n Fig. 4.4
After t h e uranium has been t r a n s f e r r e d t o t h e UF6 adsorbers, they
a r e transported t o t h e ORNL V o l a t i l i t y P i l o t Plant a t X-10, where t h e
UF
6 is t r a n s f e r r e d t o product cylinders f o r r e t u r n t o the‘&C. , pToduction
plants.
2.6 Plant Arrangement
The general arrangement of Building 7503 i s shown i n Fig. 4 . 3 . The

main entrance i s a t t h e north end. Reactor equipment and major a u x i l -
i a r y f a c i l i t i e s occupy t h e west half of t h e building i n t h e high-bay
area. The e a s t half of t h e building contains t h e c o n t r o l room, o f f i c e s ,
change rooms, instrument and general maintenance shops, and storage
areas. Additional o f f i c e s a r e provided i n a separate building t o t h e
e a s t of t h e main building.
Equipment f o r v e n t i l a t i n g t h e operating and experimental areas i s
located south of t h e main building. A small cooling tower and small 8
buildings t o house s t o r e s and t h e d i e s e l - e l e c t r i c emergency power equip-

ment a r e located west of t h e main building.
The r e a c t o r primary system and t h e d r a i n tank system are i n s t a l l e d
i n shielded, pressure-tight r e a c t o r and d r a i n tank c e l l s , which occupy
most of t h e south half of t h e high-bay a r e a . These c e l l s a r e connected
by an open 3-ft-diam duct and a r e thus both constructed t o withstand
t h e same design pressure of 40 psig, with a leakage r a t e of less than
1 vol % per day. A vapor-condensing system, buried i n the ground south
of t h e building, i s provided t o keep t h e pressure below 40 psig‘during
t h e maximum c r e d i b l e accident by condensing t h e steam i n vapors t h a t
a r e discharged from t h e r e a c t o r c e l l . When t h e r e a c t o r i s operating,
t h e r e a c t o r and d r a i n tank c e l l s are sealed, purged w i t h nitrogen t o
4
25
obtain an a t d p h e r e that i s l e s s than 5% oxygen, and maintained a t about

2 p s i below atmospheric pressure.
The r e a c t o r c e l l i s a carbon s t e e l containment v e s s e l 24 f% in d i -
ameter alzd 33 f t i n o v e r a l l height. The t o p i s f l a t and c o n s i s t s of two
l a y e r s of removable concrete plugs and beams, f o r a t o t a l thickness of
7 ft. A t h i n stainless s t e e l membrane i s i n s t a l l e d between t h e two l a y e r s
o f plugs and welded t o t h e w a l l of t h e s t e e l v e s s e l t o provide a t i g h t s e a l
during operat ion.
The r e a c t o r c e l l v e s s e l i s located within a 30-ft-diam s t e e l tank.
The annular space i s f i l l e d with a magnetite sand and water mixture,
and t h e r e i s ‘a minimum of 2 f t of concrete shielding around t h e outer
tank. I n addition t o t h i s shielding t h e r e a c t o r v e s s e l i s surrounded
by a 14-in.-thick steel-and-water thermal s h i e l d .
The drain tank c e l l adjoins t h e r e a c t o r c e l l on t h e north. It i s
a 17-1/2-f% by 21-1/2-ft by 29-ft-high rectangular tank made of r e i n -
forced concrete and l i n e d w i t h s t a i n l e s s s t e e l . The roof s t r u c t u r e , i n -
cluding t h e membrane, i s s i m i l a r t o that o f t h e r e a c t o r c e l l .
The coolant c e l l abuts t h e r e a c t o r c e l l on t h e south. It i s a
shielded area with controlled v e n t i l a t i o n but i s not sealed.
The blowers t h a t supply cooling a i r t o t h e r a d i a t o r are i n s t a l l e d
i n an e x i s t i n g blower house along t h e west w a l l of t h e coolant c e l l .
Rooms containing a u x i l i a r y and s e r v i c e equipment, instrument t r a n s -
mitters, and e l e c t r i c a l equipment a r e located along t h e east wall of t h e
reactor, d r a i n tank and coolant c e l l s , Ventilation of t h e s e rooms is
controlled, and some are provided w i t h shielding.
The north half of t h e building contains s e v e r a l small shielded c e l l s
i n which t h e v e n t i l a t i o n i s controlled, but which a r e not g a s - t i g h t .
These c e l l s are used for s t o r i n g and processing t h e f u e l , handling and
s t o r i n g l l q u i d wastes, and s t o r i n g and decontaminating r e a c t o r equip-
ment.
The high-bay a r e a of t h e building over t h e c e l l s mentioned above i s
l i n e d with metal, has a l l b u t t h e smaller openings sealed, and i s pro-
vided with a i r locks. Ventilation i s controlled and t h e area i s normally
operated a t s l i g h t l y below atmospheric pressure. The e f f l u e n t a i r from
-W
w
26
t h i s area and from a l l other controlled-ventilation areas i s f i l t e r e d , cc%i

and monitored before it i s discharged t o t h e atmosphere. The contain-
ment v e n t i l a t i o n equipment consists of a f i l t e r p i t , two fans, and a
100-ft-high f i e 1 stack. They a r e located south of t h e main building
and a r e connected t o it by a v e n t i l a t i o n duct t o t h e bottom of t h e r e -
a c t o r c e l l and another along t h e east s i d e of t h e high bay.
The vent house and charcoal beds f o r handling t h e gaseous f i s s i o n
products from t h e r e a c t o r systems a r e near t h e southwest corner of t h e
main building. The carbon beds a r e i n s t a l l e d i n an e x i s t i n g p i t that
i s f i l l e d with water and covered with concrete slabs. The vent house
and p i t are a l s o controlled-ventilation a r e a s . Gases fYom t h e carbon
beds a r e discharged i n t o t h e v e n t i l a t i o n system upstream of t h e f i l t e r .
Maintenance of equipment i n t h e fuel c i r c u l a t i n g and d r a i n tank
systems w i l l be by removal of one o r more of t h e concrete roof plugs
and use of remote handling and viewing equipment. A heavily shielded
maintenance c o n t r o l room w i t h viewing windows i s located above t h e
operating f l o o r f o r operation of t h e cranes and other remotely con-
t r o l l e d equipment. This room w i l l be used primarily when a l a r g e num-
ber of t h e roof plugs a r e removed and a piece of highly radioactive
equipment i s t o be t r a n s f e r r e d t o a storage c e l l .
EQuipment i n t h e coolant c e l l cannot be approached when t h e rep
a c t o r i s operating, but since t h e induced a c t i v i t y i n t h e coolant salts
i s short l i v e d , t h e coolant c e l l can be entered f o r d i r e c t maintenance
s h o r t l y a f t e r r e a c t o r shutdown.
27
3. SITE
The Molten-Salt Reactor Ekperiment is located i n Melton Valley about

one-half mile southeast of t h e main X-10 area of t h e Oak Ridge National
Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The s i t e can be approached from e i t h e r
t h e northeast o r southwest on t h e asphalt-surfaced 7 9 0 Road. A location
map i s shown i n Fig. 3.1.
It may be noted t h a t i n t h e p l o t plan, Fig. 3.2, and on a l l con-
s t r u c t i o n drawings, t h a t t h e long a x i s of t h e building has been taken as
c
t h e reference, o r p l a n t , north. The t r u e north l i e s about 30° e a s t of
this .*
The b r i e f d e s c r i p t i v e remarks made here regarding t h e MSRE s i t e a r e
s u f f i c i e n t only t o o u t l i n e some o f t h e f a c t o r s influencing design of t h e
experiment. The meteorology, climatology, geology, hydrology, seismology,
and t h e general s u i t a b i l i t y of t h e location from a s a f e t y standpoint a r e
discussed i n d e t a i l i n t h e Safety Analysis Report, P a r t V, o f t h i s r e p o r t .
m e location i s a s a f e one6,7,8 f o r construction of r e a c t o r equipment, a s
i s evidenced by t h e s e v e r a l other r e a c t o r s i n s t a l l e d i n t h e a r e a and t h e
f a c t t h a t t h e ARE and t h e 60-Mw(thermal) ART experiments were approved
f o r t h e same s i t e .
The t e r r a i n consists of wooded h i l l s and v a l l e y s . The elevation of
t h e MSRE s i t e i s about 8 9 f't above sea l e v e l . Haw Ridge, which l i e s
between t h e MSRF: and t h e main X-10 area, has an average elevation along
t h e top of about 980 f't . The Clinch River (Melton H i l l Reservoir) l i e s
two o r more miles t o t h e e a s t and south and marks t h e boundary of t h e
ORNL reservation. The e i g h t or t e n square miles included i n t h i s bend
o f t h e r i v e r are a l s o occupied by s i x other ORNL r e a c t o r i n s t a l l a t i o n s .
These are, i n most instances, separated from each other by intervening
h i l l s and distances of one-half mile o r more. The i n s t a l l a t i o n s include
t h e Tower Shielding F a c i l i t y , t h e Health Physics Research Reactor (HPRR),
*In most instances t h i s r e p o r t gives compass d i r e c t i o n s only t o in-

d i c a t e a general relationship, and t h e d i s t i n c t i o n between p l a n t north
and t r u e north i s not important. I n general, unless otherwise s t a t e d ,
t h e d i r e c t i o n s given a r e r e f e r r e d t o p l a n t north. Should t h e reader
have need f o r exact compass bearings, care should be taken t o i d e n t i f y
t h e north used i n a p a r t i c u l a r reference o r drawing.
I
28
I
UNCLASSIFIED
OR N L-LR- DWG 4406 R .
!
F i g . 3.1. ORNL Area Map.

7
29
WI
MELTON VALLEY DRIVE -18,900
48.800i
UTILITY
BUILDING
i
i
f I
18 700
7
18.600
QOO
FIG. 3.2
P L O T PLAN
OLTEN SALT REACTOR E X P E R I M E N T
BUILDING 7503
!%LOO
30 r
t h e High-Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), and t h e associated Trans-Uranium

F a c i l i t y (TRUF), t h e Experimental Gas-Cooled Reactor (EGCR), and t h e now
dismantled Homogeneous Reactor Experiment (HRE-2, o r HRT) .
The d i r e c t i o n of t h e prevailing wind i s from t h e southwest, but
close t o t h e ground i n Melton Valley during t h e night, o r i n s t a b l e con-
d i t i o n s , t h e wind tends t o be from t h e northeast regardless of t h e d i -
r e c t i o n of t h e gradient wind. Very strong winds a l o f t , however, do con-
t r o l t h e d i r e c t i o n and v e l o c i t y of t h e v a l l e y wind. A frequently en-
countered condition i s f o r up-valley l i g h t a i r movement from t h e south-
west during t h e day followed by a down-valley movement a t night. 9,10
The s o i l i s l a r g e l y Conasauga shale, and t h e r e a r e no p e r s i s t e n t .
limestone beds i n t h e area t o cause rapid movement of underground water
through solution channels o r caverns. The shale i s r e l a t i v e l y imper-
meable t o water, and such ground flow as might e x i s t i s probably limited
t o a few f e e t per week. Surface water has a n a t u r a l drainage t o t h e
south i n t o a small spring-fed t r i b u t a r y of Melton Branch, which i n t u r n ,
empties i n t o Whiteoak Creek. 9 , l O
Only one o r two very s l i g h t earthquakes occur per year i n t h e
Tennessee Valley, and it has been judged highly improbable t h a t a major
shock w i l l occur i n t h e Oak Ridge area f o r s e v e r a l thousand years. 9 , l O
The MSRE i s supplied with potable water *om t h e X-10 d i s t r i b u t i o n
system. The source of t h e water i s t h e Clinch River. After treatment
t h e water i s stored i n a 7-million-gal r e s e r v o i r located near t h e Y - 1 2
Plant. This supply serves t h e main laboratory complex and a l s o f’urnishes
water t o a 16-in. l i n e which makes a complete loop t o t h e south of X-10
t o supply t h e several r e a c t o r s i t e s , a s shown i n Fig. 3.3.* Two 1.7-
million-gal tanks, with maximum water l e v e l of 1055 f t elevation, a r e c.
located a t t h e top o f Haw Ridge as p a r t o f t h i s loop system. The MSRE

normally receives water through a 12-in. main l a i d along 7 9 0 Road t o
t h e e a s t of t h e MSRE r e a c t o r Building 7503 and joining t h e 16-in. loop
where it crosses t h e road. An e x i s t i n g 6-in. l i n e along t h e same road
t o t h e west o f Bldg. 7503 serves as an a l t e r n a t i v e supply l i n e . The
t o t a l a v a i l a b l e capacity probably exceeds 4000 gpm. Building services
*See ORNL Dwg F-4692 for complete layout of t h e X-10 water supply
system.
ii L r
Unclassified
ORNL-DWG 64-8806
c
4
E T H E L CHURCH
i
i w
i
P
i
BUILDING 7500 Y E L T O N VALLEV ACCESS R O A D
HEALTH WYSICS
RESEARCH REACTOR ACCESS R O L D
/+
I
GI4 FLUX ISOTOPE REACTOR
,-*-.-
AEC-TVA FENCE
Figure 3.3. Potable Water Supply t o MSRE

>
32
and t h e f i r e protection system d r a w d i r e c t l y from t h e potable supply. b

Process w a t e r a l s o comes f'rom t h e same supply, but a backflow preventer
i s i n s t a l l e d i n t h e process water l i n e t o p r o t e c t t h e potable water
system.
The MSRE i s supplied with e l e c t r i c power f'romthe 19-kTVA system
through a substation located j u s t north of t h e main X-10 area, a s shown
i n Fig. 3.4. The 13.8-kv transmission l i n e from t h e substation t o t h e
MSRE ( O m Circuit 234) s k i r t s t h e western side of X-10 along F i r s t
Street. A 13.8-kv feeder l i n e from another 1% t o 13.8-kv transformer
a t t h e same substation (ORNL Circuit 294) passes t o t h e e a s t of X-10
t o supply t h e HFIR a r e a . This l i n e passes close t o t h e MSRE, and t h e
two c i r c u i t s are connected together through automatic t r a n s f e r switches
on poles a t t h e MSRE s o t h a t each can serve as an a l t e r n a t i v e t o t h e
other. The MSRE i s normally supplied through C i r c u i t 234.
The l3.8-kv, 3-phase, @-cycle input t o t h e MSRE serves process
equipment through a new lpo-kva, 13.8 kv t o 480 v, transformer located
on t h e west s i d e of Bldg. 7503. An e x i s t i n g bank of t h r e e 250-kva,
13.8 kv t o 480 v, transformers on t h e e a s t s i d e of t h e building supplies
t h e building l i g h t i n g , a i r conditioning, and other general purpose loads.
Diesel-driven generators serve as a n a d d i t i o n a l source of emergency
power. These were o r i g i n a l l y i n s t a l l e d f o r t h e ARE and t h e ART. There
are two 1200-rpm engine-generator s e t s of 300-kw capacity and one s e t
with a generator name-plate r a t i n g of 1200-kw but having a continuous
duty, limited by t h e s i z e of t h e d i e s e l engine, of 300 kw. The t o t a l
emergency generating capacity f o r t h e MSRE i s thus 9 0 kw. "hese u n i t s ,
together with t h e a i r compressors and compressed a i r tanks used f o r
s t a r t i n g t h e l a r g e engine and t h e b a t t e r i e s f o r s t a r t i n g t h e two smaller
units are housed i n a generator house j u s t w e s t o f Bldg. 7503.
Saturated steam a t about 250 p s i g i s supplied t o t h e MSRE through a
6-in. main fYom t h e X-10 power p l a n t as shown i n Fig. 3.5. There i s no
condensate r e t u r n . The chief uses f o r t h e steam a r e building heat and
a f e w d i s t i l l a t i o n processes.
Sanitary disposal f a c i l i t i e s consist of a s e p t i c tank and a drain-
age f i e l d west of t h e building.
. J‘
c
Unclassified
ORNL-DWG 64-8807
IS.0 KV -
+
II
234
‘....
;I
I ‘9ql I
I
Figure 3.4. ELectricsJ Distribution System to MSHB

Unclassified
ORNL DWG 64-8808
Wwe 3.5. Stem Supply to MSRE

35
4. PLANT
4.1 General
General views of Bldg. 7503 a r e shown i n Figs. 4.1 and 4.2.
Since some of t h e building spaces serve no functions which a r e
c l e a r l y r e l a t e d t o t h e requirements of t h e MSRE, a t t e n t i o n i s again
c a l l e d t o t h e f a c t that t h e 7503 Area w a s o r i g i n a l l y constructed f o r
t h e ARE and l a t e r modified f o r t h e AH?. It was not occupied between
cancellation of t h e AF€ll i n 1957 and t h e present usage. Although some
accommodations i n t h e MSHE design were necessary t o f i t t h e experiment
i n t o t h e e x i s t i n g s t r u c t u r e s , considerable savings i n time and expense
were gained by t h e i r use.
Office, control room, shop and washroom spaces could be used almost
without change, and t h e heat r e j e c t i o n equipment, which included a x i a l
blowers, ducting and stack, were a valuable a s s e t . The e x i s t i n g con-
tainment vessel height was increased by about 8-1/2 f t , and t h e shield-
ing w a l l s , roof plugs, c e l l w a l l penetrations, supports, and other
s t r u c t u r a l f e a t u r e s were extensively modified. Considerable excavation
w a s needed within t h e high bay t o make room f o r t h e drain tank c e l l .
I n modifying t h e e x i s t i n g buildings f o r t h e MSRE, t h e areas were
divided i n t o f i v e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s (see Ref. 11 f o r d e t a i l e d description):
Class I . These areas have high r a d i a t i o n l e v e l s a t a l l times
once t h e r e a c t o r has operated a t power and highly radioactive f u e l or
wastes have been handled i n t h e equipment. They include t h e r e a c t o r
c e l l , d r a i n tank c e l l , f u e l processing c e l l , l i q u i d waste c e l l , charcoal
bed p i t , e t c . The equipment i n these areas must withstand r e l a t i v e l y
high r a d i a t i o n l e v e l s and i n most cases must be maintained by remote
maintenance methods. Direct maintenance w i l l be possible i n t h e f u e l
processing and l i q u i d waste c e l l s , but t h e equipment must first be
decontaminated.
Class 11. Areas i n t h i s c l a s s i f i c a t i o n a r e not accessible when
f u e l salt i s i n t h e primary c i r c u l a t i n g system but can be entered with-
i n a short time a f t e r t h e salt has been drained. The coolant s a l t area,
which includes t h e r a d i a t o r , coolant pump, and coolant-salt d r a i n tank,
a r e i n t h i s category. The west tunnel and t h e unshielded areas of t h e
36
i
cr\
0
In
cc
rl
4 .
bo
*a
k
T
37
u
-
I 38
blower house a r e other examples. Equipment i n these areas can be re- bpf t
paired by d i r e c t approach.
Class 111. These a r e areas t h a t are accessible during periods of
low-power operation of t h e reactor, such as t h e s p e c i a l equipment room
and south e l e c t r i c service area, but cannot be entered i f t h e power i s
above 1 M w . The equipment i n these areas can be inspected and repaired
without draining t h e r e a c t o r .
Class IV. These are areas that a r e accessible o r habitable a t a l l
times except under t h e conditions described i n Class V, below. These
areas include o f f i c e spaces, control rooms, e t c .
Class V. The maintenance control room w i l l be t h e only habitable
areas during maintenance operations when large, radioactive components
a r e being removed from t h e r e a c t o r c e l l . The rest of t h e E R E s i t e
must be evacuated. This shielded room contains remote control u n i t s
f o r t h e cranes and TV cameras.
4.2 Offices
Offices f o r t h e operational personnel a r e located i n Bldg. 7503
(see Section 4.3). Administrative and supporting personnel are located
i n Bldg. 7509, which adjoins Bldg. 7503 on t h e e a s t s i d e . Bldg. 7509
i s a new one-story, 43-ft x 87-ft concrete-block building equipped w i t h
c e n t r a l a i r conditioning. The main entrance f o r v i s i t o r s t o t h e MSRE
i s a t t h e e a s t end of t h i s building.
4.3 Building
Above grade, Building 7503 i s constructed of s t e e l framing and
asbestos cement type of corrugated siding with a sheet metal i n t e r i o r
finish. Reinforced concrete i s used i n almost a l l cases below t h e
850-ft elevation.
Floor plans a t t h e 852- and 840-ft l e v e l s a r e shown i n Figs. 4.3
and 4.4. The general location of equipment i s a l s o shown i n Fig. 4.3.
An elevation view i s shown i n Fig. 4.5.
The w e s t half of t h e building above t h e 852-ft elevation i s about
42 f t wide, 157 f t long, and 33 f t high. This high, o r crane, bay a r e a
houses t h e r e a c t o r c e l l , d r a i n tank c e l l , coolant salt penthouse, and
most of t h e a u x i l i a r y c e l l s (see Section 4.3.9).
I # i
UNCLASSIFIED
ORNL-DWG 64-8726
BUILDING 7509
1 2 3 4 5
UNCLASSIFIED
ORNL DWB. 65-4547
Fig. 4 . 4 . Plan a t 8404%Elevation.
I
, h'
UNCLASSIFIED
ORNL DWG 64-597
Fig. 4.5. Elevation Building 7503.

-
42
The e a s t e r n half of t h e building above t h e 852-ft elevation i s 38 id

f t wide, 157 f t long, and about 1 2 f t high. Offices f o r operational
personnel a r e located along t h e e a s t w a l l of t h e north end. The main
control room, a u x i l i a r y control room, and a room used f o r t h e logger,
computer, and f o r t h e s h i f t supervisor on duty a r e located across t h e
h a l l on t h e western s i d e . The l a r g e h a l l provides ample space f o r an
observation gallery. Windows behind t h e control panel enable t h e
operating personnel t o view t h e t o p of t h e r e a c t o r c e l l and other
operating areas of the high bay. The change rooms a r e located near
t h e center of t h e building. The southeastern corner i s used f o r an
z
instrument shop, instrument s t o r e s and o f f i c e s f o r instrument depart-
ment supervisory personnel.
Most of t h e western half of t h e building a t t h e 840 l e v e l i s
4
occupied by t h e reactor c e l l , d r a i n tank c e l l , and a u x i l i a r y c e l l s .
The emergency nitrogen-cylinder s t a t i o n i s located against t h e west
w a l l i n t h e northwest corner of t h i s l e v e l . Switch boxes used i n t h e
heater c i r c u i t s a r e located across t h e aisle between columns A and C
(see F i g . 4.3). Behind these switch boxes i s an 8-ft x 40-1/2-ft pit
with a f l o o r elevation of 831-1/2 f t . This p i t contains heater c i r c u i t
induction regulators with some heater transformers mounted above. It
i s accessible from t h e 840-ft l e v e l by stairs located a t t h e e a s t end.
Additional induction regulators and r h e o s t a t s a r e located a t column
l i n e C between columns 2 and 3.
The heater control panels and thermocouple scanner panels a r e
located along column l i n e C between columns 3 and 4.
The b a t t e r i e s f o r t h e 48- and 250-volt DC emergency power supply
a r e i n an 18-ft x 18-ft b a t t e r y room i n t h e northeast corner. The motor
generators and control panels for t h e 48-v system a r e i n an area west
of t h e b a t t e r y room. The main valves and controls f o r t h e f i r e pro-
t e c t i o n s p r i n k l e r system a r e i n s t a l l e d along t h e north w a l l .
A maintenance shop area i s provided between columns 2 and 4. The
process water backflow preventer i s i n s t a l l e d on t h e east w a l l between
columns 2 and 3.
The area between column l i n e s 4 and 6 houses t h e main l i g h t i n g
breakers, switch boxes and transformers, t h e intercom control panel, 6:- I
43
water h e a t e r and a i r conditioners f o r t h e main control room and

t r a n s m i t t e r room, as well a s a lunch room and meeting room f o r main-
tenance personnel. The t r a n s m i t t e r room located between column l i n e s
5 and 6 i s described i n Section 4.3.7.
The service room, a 16-ft by 27-ft room, located a t t h e northeast
corner of t h e 840-ft l e v e l , serves as a small chemistry laboratory and
access t o t h e service tunnel (Section 4.3.6). The instrument panels
f o r the f u e l and coolant lube o i l systems a r e located i n t h i s a r e a .
4.3.1 Reactor C e l l
The r e a c t o r c e l l , shown i n Fig. 4.5, i s a c y l i n d r i c a l carbon steel
v e s s e l 24 f t i n diameter and 33 f t i n o v e r a l l height (extending from t h e
819 t o 852-ft elevation), with a hemispherical bottom and a f l a t top.
The lower 24-1/2 f t (819 t o 843-1/2-ft elevation) was b u i l t f o r t h e ARI
i n 1956. It was designed f o r 195 p s i g a t 565°F and was t e s t e d hydro-
s t a t i c a l l y a t 300 pig.’:! The hemispherical bottom i s 1 t o 1-1/4 i n .
thick. The c y l i n d r i c a l portion i s 2 i n . t h i c k except f o r t h e s e c t i o n
that contains t h e l a r g e penetrations, where it i s 4 i n . thick.
This vessel was modified f o r t h e MSRE i n 1962 by lenghtening t h e
c y l i n d r i c a l s e c t i o n 8-1/2 f t (843-1/2 t o 852-ft elevation) Several.
new penetrations were i n s t a l l e d , and a 12-in. s e c t i o n of 8-in. sched-80
pipe closed by a pipe cap was welded i n t o t h e bottom of t h e vessel t o
form a sump. The extension t o t h e vessel was 2 i n . t h i c k except f o r t h e
top seceion, which was made as a 7-1/4-in. by 14-in. flange f o r b o l t i n g
t h e t o p s h i e l d beams i n place. The flange and t o p s h i e l d s t r u c t u r e
were designed f o r 40 psig, measured a t t h e t o p of t h e c e l l . Both t h e
o r i g i n a l v e s s e l and t h e extension were made of ASTM A201, Grade B, f i r e -
box q u a l i t y steel. Material f o r t h e extension was purchased t o speci-
f i c a t i o n ASTM A300 t o obtain steel with good impact properties a t low
temperature. S t e e l f o r t h e o r i g i n a l vessel was purchased t o s p e c i f i -
c a t i o n ASTM A201.
All the welds on t h e r e a c t o r c e l l vessel were inspected by mag-
n e t i c particle methods if they were i n carbon s t e e l , o r by l i q u i d
penetrant methods if they were i n s t a i n l e s s s t e e l . All b u t t welds and
penetration welds were radiographed. A f t e r a l l t h e welding w a s completed,
t h e v e s s e l w a s s t r e s s relieved by heating t o 1150 t o 1200V f o r 7-l/2 h r .
Calculated s t r e s s e s i n t h e vessel were well below those
permitted by ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Case 1272N-3. (49)
Allowable s t r e s s e s f o r ASTM A-201 Grade B s t e e l were taken as
16,500 p s i f o r general membrane s t r e s s e s , 24,750 f o r general membrane
plus general bending plus l o c a l membrane s t r e s s e s , and 45,000 p s i
f o r combined primary and secondary s t r e s s e s . (13)
The t o p of t h e c e l l i s constructed of two lqyers of 3-1/2-fhthick,
reinforced concrete blocks, with a s t a i n l e s s s t e e l membrane between, as
shown i n Figure 4.6. The t o p l a y e r i s ordinary concrete with a d e n s i t y
of 150 lb/ft3, and t h e bottom l a y e r i s magnetite concrete with a d e n s i t y
of 220 l b / f t 3 . Blocks i n both l a y e r s run east and west. To a i d i n
remote maintenance, the bottom l a y e r i s divided i n t o t h r e e rows of
blocks. Blocks i n t h e outer rows a r e supported on one end by a l 3 - i n .
by 4-in.-channel i r o n r i n g w e l d e d t o t h e i n s i d e of t h e c e l l w a l l . The
c a v i t y i n t h e channel i s f i l l e d w i t h s t e e l shot t o provide shielding f o r
t h e . c r a c k s betwken edges of t h e blocks and t h e c e l l w a l l . One-half-inch
s t e e l p l a t e s t i f f e n e r s a r e i n s t a l l e d a t 9" i n t e r v a l s . The t o p of t h e
channel i s at t h e 848-1/2-ft elevation.
Two beams provide t h e rest of t h e support f o r t h e bottom l a y e r of
blocks. These beams were b u i l t of 36-in. WF l5O-lb I-beams w i t h angle
i r o n and s t e e l p l a t e s t i f f e n e r s . The c a v i t i e s were f i l l e d w i t h con-
c r e t e f o r shielding. The beams rest on a b u i l t - u p support plant
assembly, which i s welded t o t h e s i d e of t h e c e l l a t t h e 847-ft-7-in.
elevation. Offsets 6-1/4-in. by 26 i n . are provided i n t h e ends of t h e
bottom blocks t o f i t over t h e support beams. Guides formed by angle
i r o n assure proper alignment. Several of t h e bottom blocks have stepped
plugs f o r access t o selected parts of t h e c e l l f o r remote maintenance.
These a r e described i n P a r t X.
The s i d e s of t h e blocks a r e recessed 1/2 i n . f o r 14 i n , down from
t h e top. With blocks s e t s i d e by side and with a 1/2-in. gap between,
a 1-1/2-in. s l o t i s formed a t t h e top. One-inch-thick s t e e l p l a t e 12 i n .
high i s placed i n t h e s l o t s f o r shielding. The 11-gage, ASTM-A240 304
s t a i n l e s s s t e e l membrane i s placed on t o p of t h e bottom l a y e r of blocks
and i s seal-welded t o t h e s i d e s of t h e c e l l . Cover p l a t e s a r e provided
over each access plug. These a r e bolted t o t h e membrane and a r e sealed
c
-LJ
* UNCLASSIFIED
ORNL DWG. 64-598
-ourruni uLn
!\CELL WALL X X"

" ANNu LUs-'
S E C T I ON
Fig. 4 . 6 . Shield Block Arraagement at Top of Reactor Cell.

c
W
-
46
by neoprene O-rings. A 1/8-in. l a y e r of masonite i s placed on t o p of ICJ c
the membrane t o protect it from damage by t h e t o p l a y e r of blocks.

The t o p blocks a r e beams that reach from one s i d e of t h e c e l l t o
the other. The ends of these blocks a r e bolted t o t h e t o p r i n g of t h e
c e l l by use of f i f t y 2-1/2-in. No. 4 NC-2 studs, 57-1/4 i n . long, made
from ASTM-A32O, Grade L7, b o l t i n g s t e e l . These studs pass through holes
i
that were formed by c a s t i n g 3-in. sched-40 pipes i n t h e ends of t h e
blocks. Cold-rolled s t e e l washers, 9 i n . by 9 i n . by 1 i n . thick, and
standard 2-1/2-in. No. 4 NC-2 nuts a r e used on each stud.
A removable structural steel platform (elevation 823-1/2 f t a t top)
forms a f l o o r i n t h e reactor c e l l vessel and a base f o r supporting
major pieces of equipment.
The reactor c e l l vessel i s i n s t a l l e d i n another c y l i n d r i c a l s t e e l
tank that i s referred t o here as t h e s h i e l d tank. This tank i s 30 f t
i n diameter by 35-1/2 f t high (elevation 816-1/2 t o 852 f t ) . The
f l a t bottom i s 3/4 i n . thick, and t h e c y l i n d r i c a l s e c t i o n i s 3/8 i n .
thick. The s h i e l d tank s i t s on a reinforced concrete foundation t h a t
i s 34-1/2 f t i n diameter by 2-1/2 f t t h i c k . The r e a c t o r vessel c e l l
i s centered i n t h e s h i e l d tank and supported by a 15-ft-dim by 5-ft-
high c y l i n d r i c a l s k i r t made on 1-in.-thick steel plate reinforced by
appropriate rings and s t i f f e n e r s . The skirt i s joined t o t h e hemispheri-
c a l bottom of t h e reactor c e l l i n a manner t h a t provides f o r some f l e x i -
b i l i t y and d i f f e r e n t i a l expansion and i s anchored t o t h e concrete
foundation with eighteen 2-in.-diam b o l t s .
From elevation 816-1/2 t o 846 f t , the annulus between t h e s h i e l d
tank and t h e reactor c e l l vessel and skirt i s f i l l e d with magnetite
sand and water f o r shxelding. The water contains about 200 ppm of a
chromate-type r u s t inhiWtor, Nalco-360. A b-in.-diam overflow l i n e
t o the coolant c e l l controls t h e water l e v e l i n t h e annulus.
The region beneath the reactor c e l l vessel i n s i d e the s k i r t con-
t a i n s o n l y water, and steam will be produced t h e r e i f a l a r g e quantity
of salt i s s p i l l e d i n t o t h e bottom of t h e r e a c t o r c e l l . An 8-in.-diam
vent pipe i s provided t o permit t h e steam t o escape a t low pressure. (14)
This pipe connects i n t o t h e skirt a t t h e junction with t h e r e a c t o r c e l l
and extends t o elevation 846 f t where it passes through t h e wall of
t h e s h i e l d tank and terminates as an open pipe i n t h e coolant c e l l .
_ _ _ . .. . .. .. . .__
. .. . ... _. ~
__ __ _._" . . , ., . , . ,. , , ,... ., . .".". . .. - _,__
L
I
47
b, c From elevation 846 t o 852 f t , the annulus between t h e reactor c e l l

and shield tank i s f i l l e d w i t h a ring of magnetite concrete. The con-
~~
c r e t e ring improves t h e shielding a t t h e operating f l o o r l e v e l and
MSRE provides some s t i f f e n i n g f o r the top of the reactor c e l l vessel. The
!eactor Cell
Penetration Former concrete r i n g i s supported off t h e w a l l of the shield tank, and the
Ntrber Nmiber Identification reactor c e l l w a l l i s f r e e t o move through the r i n g and t o expand and
contract r e l a t i v e t o t h e shield tank.
I R-4 Reactor Leak Detector
Numerous penetrations a r e required through t h e w a l l s of t h e reactor
11 R-3 Electrical
c e l l and shield tank t o provide f o r process and service piping, e l e c t r i c a l
I11 R-2 Electrical
and instrument leads, and f o r other accesses. The penetrations a r e 4-
Iv R-1 Thermocouples I.
t o 36-in.-diam pipe sleeves welded i n t o the walls of t h e reactor c e l l

V R Instrumentation
and t h e shield tank. Since t h e reactor c e l l w i l l be near 1 5 0 9 when
V I Sampler Offgas (918,
the reactor i s operating, and t h e temperature of t h e shield tank may
VI1 Sampler (999) ;
a t t i m e s be as low as 609, bellows were incorporated i n most; of t h e
VI11 s-1 (590, 7033 704, 70
sleeves t o permit radial and axial movement of one tank r e l a t i v e t o the
Ix Neutron Instrument fi
other without- p 've--stress. The bellows are covered
X Fp Level ( 5 9 2 3 ' 593, 5
with partial sleeves t o prevent t h e sand from packing t i g h t l y around
XI s-3 FP (516, 519, 524, 60
them.
XI1 s-4 Component Coolant Air
Several other l i n e s a r e i n s t a l l e d i n the penetrations d i r e c t l y
XI11 Coolant Salt t o HX ( 2
w i t h welded s e a l s a t one o r both ends, o r they are grouped i n plugs
XTV Water Lines (830, 831
which a r e f i l l e d with concrete and inserted i n the penetrations.
xv Spare
The major openings a r e the 36-in.-diam neutron instrument tube and
XVI Water Lines (844, 845
drain tank interconnection and t h e 30-in.-diam duct f o r ventilating
XVII Water Lines (838, 846 'I
the c e l l when maintenance i s i n progress. The original tank contained

XVIII Water Lines (840, 841 *
several other 8-in. -and 24-in. -diam penetrations, and they were e i t h e r
XIX Coolant Salt t o Radia
*. removed o r closed and f i l l e d with shielding. The penetrations, t h e i r
xx Offgas (522)
s i z e s and functions are l i s t e d i n Table 4.1.
XXI Offgas (561)
4.3.2 Drain Tank Cell
lMII CeU Exhaust Duct (93
The drain tank c e l l shown i n Fig. 4.3 i s 17 f t , 7 i n . by 21 f t ,
XXIII R-7 Themcouple
2-1/2 in., with t h e corners beveled a t 45" angles f o r 2-1/2 f t .
Drain Tank Cell I n t e r
connection (103, 33 The f l a t f l o o r i s a t t h e 814-ft elevation, and the s t a i n l e s s s t e e l
521, 561, 920) membrane between t h e two layers of top blocks i s a t t h e 838-ft-6-in.
elevation. The open p i t extends t o the 852-ft elevation.
The c e l l w a s designed f o r 40 psig and when completed i n 1962, it
i c was hydrostatically t e s t e d a t 48 psig (measured a t the elevation of
t h e membrane at 838-1/2 f t ) .
e.,
n
J
48
Table 4.1. Reactor Cell Penetrations
MSRE Approximate Location

ieactor Cell i n t h e I lactor Cell Penetration
Former Reference Drawings
Penetration Arc Size, ID
Number Number Identification (N = 0" Ref.) Access Area (in.) Shielding (General References : EGGD-40704, 41487, 41489, 41490)
~~
I R-4 Reactor Leak Detectors 836 15 S. Elec. Serv. Area 24 Magnetite grout
I1 R-3 Electrical 834 30 S. Elec. Serv. Area 24 Magnetite grout
I11 R-2 Electrical 836 45 S. Elec. S e n . Area 24 Magnetite grout
N R-1 Thermocouples 834 60 S. Elec. Sam. Area 24 Magnetite grout
V R Instrumentation 836 75 S. Elec. Sew. Area 24 Magnetite grout
VI Sampler Offgas (918, 542) 847 110 High Bay 4 Fuel Sampler
VI1 Sampler (999) 847 115 High Bay 6 Steel plates
VI11 s-1 FP (590, 703, 704, 706) 836-9" 125 Service Tunnel 18 Sand and water from annulus
Tx Neutron Instrument Tube 834-5" 145 High Bay 36 Water i n penetration
X FP Level (592, 593, 596) 844-6" 155 SER 4 Tube f i l l e d with magnetite grout
XI s-3 FP (516, 519, 524, 606) 836-9" 160 SER 18 Tube f i l l e d with sand and water from annulus
XI1 s-4 Component Coolant A i r (917) 829-10'' 165 SER 6 Lead i n annulus
XI11 Coolant S a l t t o HX (200) 840-10" 170 Coolant Cell 24 S t e e l except f o r pipe and heaters
m Water Lines (830, 831) 839-9" 185 Coolant Cell 8 S t e e l shot except f o r straight-through pipes
XV Spare 839-9" 200 Coolant Cell 8 Steel shot except f o r straight-through pipes
XVI Water Lines (844, 845) 839-9" 205 Coolant Cell 8 S t e e l shot except f o r straight-through pipes
XVII Water Lines (838, 846) 839-9" 210 Coolant Cell 8 S t e e l shot except f o r straight-through pipes
XVIII Water Lines (840, 841) 839-9" 220 Coolant C e l l 8 S t e e l shot except f o r straight-through pipes
XIX Coolant S a l t t o Radiator (201) 837 220 Coolant C e l l 24 S t e e l except f o r pipe and heaters
xx Offgas (522) 839-9" 225 Coolant C e l l 6 S t e e l shot except for straight-through pipes
XXI Offgas (561) 839-9" 230 Coolant C e l l 6 S t e e l shot except f o r straight-through pipes
XXII C e l l Exhaust Duct (930) 824-10" 245 CMf Cell 30 S t e e l p l a t e i n reactor c e l l
XXIII R-7 Thermocouple 836 325 West Tunnel 24 Magnetite grout
xxrv Drain Tank C e l l I n t e r - 825-2" 330 Drain Tank Cell 36 None needed
connection (103, 333,
521, 561, 920)
49
The bottom and s i d e s have a 3/16-in.-thick stainless s t e e l l i n e r

backed up by heavily reinforced concrete, magnetite concrete being used
where required f o r b i o l o g i c a l shielding. The l i n e r i s welded t o an
angle-iron g r i d work a t approximately 8-in. spacing, with 1/2-in. plug
welds. The angle i r o n s a r e welded t o reinforcement rods embedded i n
t h e concrete.
Vertical columns i n t h e north and south w a l l s a r e welded t o
horizontal beams embedded i n t h e concrete of t h e c e l l f l o o r . The tops
of t h e columns a r e welded t o horizontal 36-in. WF 160 I-beams a t
elevation 842 f t 1 i n . t o 842 f t 4-3/8 i n . by welding a 1-1/4-in.
p l a t e t o t h e web of t h e beam. Eighty-two 3-1/4-in. by 4-1/2-in. by
10-in. s t e e l keys a r e wedged i n t o t h i s s l o t t o hold down t h e t o p blocks.
The t o p of t h e c e l l i s constructed using two l a y e r s of reinforced
concrete blocks with an 11-gauge (A-204, 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l ) membrane
between. Both l a y e r s of blocks a r e ordinary concrete (density 150
lb/ft3). The bottom l a y e r i s 4 f t t h i c k and t h e t o p l a y e r i s 3-1/2 f t
thick.
The block arrangement shown i n Fig. 4.7 w a s selected t o f a c i l i t a t e
remote maintenance. One s i d e of t h e lower blocks, which run e a s t and
west, i s supported by a ledge a t an elevation of 834-1/2 f t . The
other s i d e of these and t h e ends of t h e north-south blocks are sup-
ported by beams that extend from the e a s t t o t h e west side of t h e c e l l .
These beams a r e b u i l t up of 24-in., lo5 .g-lb I-beams w i t h angle i r o n
and steel p l a t e stiffeners. ‘The c a v i t i e s are poured f u l l of concrete
f o r shielding. These rest on a b u i l t - u p support p l a t e assembly, which
i s welded t o the s i d e of t h e s t a i n l e s s s t e e l l i n e r and i s anchored
i n t o t h e concrete w a l l s . Offsets, 4-1/4 i n . by 25-l/2 in., a r e pro-
vided i n t h e ends of the bottom blocks t o f i t over t h e support beams.
1f
V 11 grooves formed by angle i r o n s assure proper alignment. The s i d e s
of t h e bottom blocks a r e recessed 1/2 i n . f o r 14 i n . down from t h e top.
With two blocks side by side, with a 1/2-in. gap between t h e s i d e s
a t t h e bottom, a 1-1/2-in. s l o t is formed a t t h e top. One-inch s t e e l
p l a t e s , 12-in, high a r e put i n t o the s l o t s t o provide biological
shielding.
t
50
Unclassified
ORNL-DWG 64-881
“X r
t 9’
J
I
SECTION “XX”
Fig. 4.7. Block Arrangement on Top of Drain Tank Cell.

.-. - . ..._...."".. .,. - .- , . " ., , . ,__._i . ~ .. . ., , .. , . . I .. .. I. .. .
!
51
i, c The 11-gauge (ASTM A-240, 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l ) s e a l pan i s placed

on t o p of the bottom blocks (elevation 838 f t 6 i n . ) , and i s seal-
welded t o t h e sides of t h e c e l l . A 1/8-in. layer of Masonite i s placed
on t o p of the s e a l pan t o protect it from damage during i n s t a l l a t i o n
of t h e t o p blocks. The t o p blocks a r e beams that reach from t h e north
t o the south s i d e of t h e c e l l . They are held down by t h e eighty-two
3-1/4-in. by 4-1/2-in. by 10-in. s t e e l keys discussed previously.
These
a r e inserted i n t o s l o t s i n the top beams of t h e north and south s i d e s
of the c e l l and a r e driven i n approximately 4 i n . , leaving approximately
5 i n . bearing on-the ends of the blocks. There a r e approximately four
c,
keys f o r each end of each block. A 1-1/2-in., 6 NC square nut i s
welded t o t h e t o p of each key t o a i d i n removing t h e keys f o r handling.
The f l o o r elevation i s 814 f t a t t h e highest point along the west
w a l l and slopes 1/8 i n . / f t t o a trench along t h e e a s t wall. The trench
slopes 1/8 i n . / f t toward the south and terminates i n a sump located i n
t h e southeast corner. The sump consists of a 10-in.-long section of
b i n . sched-40 pipe and a b i n . butt-welded cap (347 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l ) .
Numerous l i n e s a r e required through t h e walls of t h e drain tank
c e l l t o 'provide f o r process and service piping, e l e c t r i c a l and i n s t r u -
ment leads, and f o r other accesses. These enter through 3/4- t o 6-in.
pipe o r pipe sleeve penetrations t h a t a r e welded t o the s t a i n l e s s
s t e e l l i n e r and c a s t i n t o t h e concrete walls. Lines a r e i n s t a l l e d
i n these individually o r grouped i n plugs that a r e f i l l e d w i t h con-
c r e t e and inserted. The penetrations, t h e i r sizes, and functions a r e
given i n Table 4.2.
4 . 3 . 3 Coolant Cell and Coolant Drain Tank Cell
Expect f o r l i n e 200 and 201 i n the reactor c e l l , a l l coolant s a l t
piping i s located i n t h e coolant and coolant drain tank c e l l , shown i n
Fig. 4.3. The t o p section of the coolant c e l l i s a concrete enclosure
(penthouse) which r i s e s from the southwest corner of the high bay t o
an elevation of 863 f t 3 i n . The walls a r e ordinary reinforced, 24-in.-
t h i c k concrete except f o r t h e south corner, which i s l5-l/2 i n . t h i c k .
Additional shielding f o r t h i s corner i s provided by the 2-ft-thick
base f o r t h e stack, which goes t o the 859-ft elevation. A b i n . ledge
a t elevation 861 f t 9 i n . on the southeast and northeast sides of the
Table 4.2. Drain Tank Cell Penetrations
MSRE Drain
Xknk Cell Location References
Penetration in Draw Penetration (Oeneral References: EXD-40708
Number Identification Tank Cell Access Area Size, I. D. W W , 40882, 415329 41513;
1 Steam (804) south wall buth m c . DKKDJcog48, mD-55425

iam. +a
2 Steam (805) n n n n
n n n n n n
3 Condensate (806)
-
n n n n n n
4 Condensate (807)
n n n n
!i Water (837) na~n-40948,DKKB-41253
n n ll n
6 Water (836) m-40948
n n n n n n
n n n n n
8 11
n n n n n n
9
n n n n 11 n
10
n n
u W n n n
n n n n n n
I2
n n n n 11 n
13
14 n n n n 11 n
n n n n n n
15
n n n I n
l6 (I
n
17 11
faste Cell m-40948, ~ ~ ~ - 4 1 2 8mu3-41281
0,
18 n n n n n n n
19 West Wall w. of Blag. DKKD-40948, DKKB-41280

n n n n n n
20
21 North Wall I. Proc. Cell Dm-9
22 n n n n
n n n I1
23
24 n n n n
-- 25 --
a----n-- ,- __ n - - n -- - - - - -
26 n I) n n
n n n n
27
n n n
28 (I
n n n n
29
30 n n n *
A-1 to 36 East wall I.mc.
em. Age6
B-1 to 36 Instrumentation n n
c-i to 36 Thermocouples n n n
D-1 t o 36 Thermocouples 4 n n
E-1 to 36 Themcouples n n n
n n n
A-37 to 60 Electrical
B-37 to 60 Electrical n n n
c.-37 to 60 n n n
Electrical
n n n
D-37 to 60 Electrical
n n n
E-37 to 60 Electrical
n n n
F-37 to 60 Electrical
n n n
0 spare
n n
H spare
11
n I1 n
I Cover Oas (572, 574, 576)
n n n
J Spare
K n n n
spare
n n n
L spare
M Component Coolant Air n n n
(9U, 912, 913)

19 Component Coolant Air East Wall . Elec.
em. Area
6"
n n n
0 Component Coolant Air 6"
(920)
n n n
P DP Cell (UI 806 and 807) 6'
Q Leak Detector n n
. Elec.
em. Area
6"
n n n
R Leak Detector 6"
_-
53
penthouse supports t h e bottom l a y e r of t h e t o p s h i e l d blocks. These

a r e constructed of 12-in.-thick reinforced regular concrete. The 12-
i n . - t h i c k t o p shielding blocks rest on t h e bottom blocks. The 1/2-in.
gaps between plugs i n each l a y e r a r e staggered f o r b e t t e r shielding.
Ledges a t t h e 862-ft-+in. elevation on t h e northeast side and a t t h e
861-ft-9-in. elevation on t h e other s i d e s a r e provided f o r shielding.
The bottom of t h e coolant r a d i a t o r i s a t elevation 836 f t 1-3/4 i n .
The f l o o r of t h e coolant s t a c k enclosure, located south of t h e r a d i a t o r ,
i s a t elevation 835 f t 5 i n . , and t h e 2 - f t - t h i c k reinforced regular
concrete walls extend t o t h e 859-ft elevation.
A 1-1/4-in. s t e e l g r a t i n g and/or ll-gauge sheet metal pan a t
elevation 834 f t 11 i n . separates t h e coolant c e l l from t h e coolant
d r a i n tank c e l l . Thus, t h e coolant d r a i n tank c e l l i s below ground
l e v e l on a l l s i d e s . The elevation of t h e concrete f l o o r i s 820 f t .
It i s bounded by t h e r e a c t o r c e l l annulus on t h e northeast and by t h e
s p e c i a l equipment room on t h e e a s t .
Penetrations No. X I I I t o XXII from t h e r e a c t o r c e l l terminate i n
t h e coolant c e l l o r coolant d r a i n tank c e l l . The w a l l between t h e
coolant and coolant d r a i n tank c e l l s and t h e s p e c i a l equipment room i s
16-in. t h i c k t o t h e 835-ft-5-in. elevation and 12 i n . t h i c k above t h i s .
Existing openings between t h e c e l l s (2 f t by 2 fti; 3 f t by 4 f t 6 i n . ;
9 f t by 5 ft 5 in.; and 5 f t by 3 f t ) a r e closed by stacked magnetite
concrete blocks t o enable proper v e n t i l a t i o n of both areas and t o
provide adequpte shielding. A 6-ftdwide concrete ramp with 2 - f t stairs
i n t h e center (slope 7 i n 12) extends from t h e northwest corner of t h e
coolant d r a i n tank c e l l (west northwest t o t h e blower house a t t h e
840-ft elevation. This i s closed o f f by stacked magnetite blocks.
Shielding from t h e coolant pump and piping i s provided by 8 f t
of barytes blocks stacked above t h e 835-ft elevation between t h e radi-
a t o r housing and r e a c t o r shield.
4.3.4 Special Equipment Room
The major items of equipment located i n t h e s p e c i a l equipment room
a r e t h e component coolant blowers, t h e containment boxes f o r the f u e l pump,
cover gas and babbler l i n e s , t h e W-in.-diam c e l l v e n t i l a t i o n l i n e and
t h e rupture d i s c s and l i n e s t o t h e vapor-condensing system. This c e l l i s
54
(i
located southeast of t h e r e a c t o r c e l l and, as discussed previously, has c
a comon w a l l with coolant c e l l and coolant drain tank c e l l . The other

w a l l s are 12-in.-thick reinforced concrete below ground l e v e l . The
c e l l i s 1 5 f t 11 i n . by 17 f t . The f l o o r elevation i s 828 f t 7 i n .
except f o r a 5-ft by 1 5 - f t - l l - i n . by 3-ft-deep p i t which runs e a s t
and west 2 f t 3 i n . f r o m t h e south w a l l .
The t o p c o n s i s t s of 2 rows of removable concrete s h i e l d plugs
w i t h staggered j o i n t s . Each row of blocks i s one f o o t t h i c k . The
bottom row i s supported by a b i n . ledge a t t h e 850-ft elevation.
Containment i s provided by v e n t i l a t i o n from the s t a c k fans.
Penetrations No. X, XI, and XI1 from t h e reactor c e l l terminate
i n t h e s p e c i a l equipment room. A t y p i c a l e l e c t r i c a l lead penetration
i s shown i n Fig. 19.10.
4.3.5 ,Pump Room

The p i t pump and sump pumps a r e located i n t h e pump room. This
room i s located under t h e north end of t h e s p e c i a l equipment room.
It i s 7-l/2 f t by 1 5 f t 3 i n . by 6 f t 7 i n . high, w i t h a f l o o r
elevation of 820 f t . 3-ft by 3-ft sump located near center of
A
t h e north w a l l extends t o t h e 811-ft elevation. Access t o t h e pump
room i s through a 3-ft by 4 - f t hatch located near column C-8.
4.3.6 Service Tunnel

The f u e l and coolant lube o i l systems and t h e r e a c t o r c e l l v e n t i l a -
t i o n block valves (HCV 930 A and B) a r e located i n t h e service tunnel.
This tunnel i s 7 f t wide by 11 f t high by approximately 67 f t long.
It i s located under t h e southeast corner of t h e 7503 building and
extends south and west outside t h e building. The f l o o r elevation i s
833 f t 3 i n . Normal access i s from t h e service room on t h e 840-ft
level;. however, a 3 - f t by 3 - f t hatch located near t h e west end provides
access from outside t h e building. This hatch i s normally closed by
a sheet-metal-covered wood l i d . Containment i s by v e n t i l a t i o n from t h e
stgck fans.
Penetration V I 1 1 from t h e reactor c e l l terminates in t h e service
tunnel.
55
4.3.7 Transmitter Room and E l e c t r i c Service Areas

The area north and west of t h e reactor c e l l annulus a t elevation
831 f t (west tunnel) connects by a narrow passage t o a similar a r e a
north and e a s t of t h e reactor c e l l annulus ( e a s t tunnel). These extend
eastward under t h e 840-ft f l o o r t o a 24-in.-thick concrete w a l l 12 f t
north of column l i n e 6. This e n t i r e area i s c a l l e d t h e south e l e c t r i c
service area. S i x penetrations (No. I, 11, 111, IV, V, and XXIII)
frim t h e r e a c t o r c e l l and eighteen (No. Q and R and 1 t o 16) from t h e
d r a i n tank c e l l terminate i n t h i s a r e a . The walls, except f o r those
joining t h e r e a c t o r o r drain tank c e l l s , a r e located below ground
level. The c e i l i n g , which connects w i t h the t r a n s m i t t e r room, i s 24-
i n . -thhck reinforced concrete w i t h a 3-ft-7-1/2-in. by 6-ft-7-1/2 i n . by
24-in.-thick concrete plug f o r access t o t h e a r e a . This plug has a
b i n . by 12-in. o f f s e t on a l l s i d e s f o r shielding.
The north e l e c t r i c service area i s located north of t h e 24-in.-
t h i c k concrete w a l l mentioned above. The f l o o r of t h i s room i s a t t h e
824-ft elevation. Most of t h e remaining drain tank c e l l penetrations
terminate i n t h i s area (see Table 4.2) as well as some from the spare
cell. The c e i l i n g of t h i s a r e a and t h e f l o o r of t h e t r a n s m i t t e r room
above i s 2- t o &-in.-thick reinforced concrete poured on "Q" decking
No. 3-16. Containment i s by v e n t i l a t i o n from t h e s t a c k fans. A 2-ft
by 3-ft manhole with hinged s t e e l door provides access from t h e t r a n s -
m i t t e r room.
The f l o o r of t h e t r a n s m i t t e r room i s ,at t h e 840-ft elevation.
The 5-in. f l o o r of t h e high-bay, 852-ft elevation i s t h e c e i l i n g of t h e
t r a n s m i t t e r room. A 5-ft by 9-ft-3-1/2-ine plug can be removed from
t h e high-bay f l o o r s o that t h e high-bay crane can be used t o remove
t h e shielding plug on t h e 840-ft l e v e l between t h e t r a n s m i t t e r room
and t h e south e l e c t r i c service a r e a . This room i s approximately 16 f t
by 20 f t and contains t h e l e a k d e t e c t o r system and instrumentation f o r
t h e d r a i n tank weigh c e l l s , pump l e v e l and speed, sump l e v e l , component
cooling air, e t c .
4.3.8 A a d l i a r y Cells
S i x smaller c e l l s a r e located between columns 2-5 and A-C. Removable
concrete blocks provide access from t h e high bay area a t t h e 852-ft e l e -
56
vation. General information regarding these c e l l s a r e given i n Table 4.3.

kid *
Containment of each i s by v e n t i l a t i o n from t h e s t a c k fans. Descriptions

of t h e i r projected uses a r e given below.
Fuel Processing C e l l . The f u e l storage tank and other i n c e l l equip-
ment f o r hydrofluorinating o r f l u o r i n a t i n g t h e f u e l o r f l u s h salt a r e
located i n t h i s c e l l . The absorber cubicle i s located e a s t of t h i s c e l l
at t h e 852-ft l e v e l .
Decontamination Cell. T h i s c e l l contains a decontamination tank.
Both tank and c e l l a r e used f o r underwater maintenance and storage of
contaminated equipment.
Liquid Waste C e l l . The l i q u i d waste tank, sand f i l t e r , and c e l l
sump j e t block valves a r e located i n t h i s c e l l .
Remote Maintenance C e l l . The l i q u i d waste pump and waste tank
exhaust blower a r e located i n t h i s c e l l . It w i l l a l s o be used as a
remote maintenance p r a c t i c e c e l l .
Hot Storage C e l l . This c e l l w i l l be used t o s t o r e contaminated
e q u i p e n t removed from t h e reactor or d r a i n tank c e l l .
Spare C e l l . The absolute f i l t e r i n t h e chemical processing c e l l
a i r exhaust l i n e and t h e flame a r r e s t e r i n t h e chemical processing o f f -
gas l i n e i s located i n t h i s c e l l .
4.3.9 High-Bay Containment Enclosure

The high-bay containment enclosure between columns 2-8 and A-C i s
42 f t by 136 f t w i t h a c e i l i n g elevation of 885 f t 4 in. The containment
extends e a s t near column 8 t o include t h e neutron instrument tube and
provide room f o r t h e f u e l salt sampler.
.
A f a l s e c e i l i n g and containment s e a l i s i n s t a l l e d 1 5 ft above t h e
f l o o r between columns 8-9 and B-C. The containment walls extend from
t h i s elevation t o 885 f t 4 i n . along column l i n e C from columns 8 t o 9,
then west along calumn l i n e 9 t o column A, then north along column A
t o column 8. Thus t h e coolant c e l l penthouse i s included i n t h e high
bay a r e a and t h e high-bay crane can be used f o r handling equipment and
shielding blocks i n t h i s c e l l . A 1 0 - f t by 1 2 - f t loading hatch and Bilco
door i n t h e f a l s e c e i l i n g of t h e area between columns 8-9 and B-C i s used
for moving small equipment i n t o or out of t h e containment enclosure -LJ
1
Table 4.3. Auxiliary Cell Dimensions

~ ~ ~~~~ ~
Inside
Location Dimensions Concrete Wall Thickness Thickness
Floor
Name of Cell N - S E - W N - S xE - W Elevation N S E W of Top
Blocks
Columns Columns ( ft-in.) ( ft-in.) (in.) (in.) (in.) (in.) (in.)
Fuel Processing Cell 4- 5 A - B 12~-10"x14'-3" 83i1-0" 18 44 18* 12* 48
Decontamination Cell 3 - 4 A - B 15'-O"x1k1-3" 832' -6" 18 18 18 12 30
Liquid Waste Cell 2 - 3 A - B 131-o"x2ii -0" 8281-0" 18 18 18 18 30
Remote Maintenance Cell 2 - 3 C - D 13' - 0 ~ ~ ~-0"2 1 831 1 -0" 18 18 18 18 30
Hot Storage Cell** 3 - 4 C - D 15 1 - 0 ~ ~ 1~-3"

14 832 -6" 18 18 12* 18 30
Spare Cell 4 - 5 C - D 131- 6 1 i ~ 1 -3"
4 831 -0" 18 12 12 18* 30
*Plus additional stacked blocks as required.
*Whe hot storage cell is lined with 11 gauge SS to the elevation of 8361-6".
a
58
and f o r removal of fuel and coolant s a l t samples. A 12-ft by 1 2 - f t

door located a t column l i n e 2 i s used f o r l a r g e r equipment removal.
The framework of t h e high bay i s Stran S t e e l construction w i t h a 16-
gage mild i r o n sheet m e t a l skin skip-welded t o it. The cracks were
sealed with f i b e r g l a s s tape and Carboline paint t o f a c i l i t a t e decon-
tamination.
Emergency e x i t s are provided a t t h e southeast corner and near t h e
center of t h e east w a l l . Since t h i s area i s considered as a contami-
nated zone, normal entrance and e x i t i s through t h e hot change house
located east of t h e high bay between columns 5 and 7 and through t h e
regular change room.
4.3.10 Maintenance Control Room

A lg-ft-8-in. by 14-ft-9-in. maintenance control room i s located
along t h e w e s t s i d e of t h e high-bay containment between t h e reactor
and d r a i n tank c e l l s . The floor elevation i s 862 f t and t h e c e i l i n g
870-1/2 f t . The west side i s corrugated asbestos t o match t h e building.
The roof i s 12-in.-thick concrete, t h e south s i d e 2-ft-thick concrete,
and t h e north and south s i d e s 3- t o 3-1/2-ft-thick concrete for shielding.
A zinc-bromide-filled viewing window i s located on t h e w e s t s i d e near
t h e south end and another on t h e northwest corner of t h e room f o r use
during remote maintenance. Access t o t h e maintenance control room i s
v i a stairs which terminate a t ground l e v e l w e s t of t h e building.
A 6-ft by lg-ft-8-in. e l e c t r i c equipment room' located below t h e
maintenance room has a f l o o r elevation of 852 f t . This i s accessible
through a hatch i n t h e southeast corner of t h e maintenance control room.
4.4 O f f - G a s Area
The off-gas area consisting of a vent house and absorber p i t i s
shown i n Fig. 4.4.
The vent house i s 12 f t by 1 5 f t with an operating f l o o r l e v e l of
848 f t . The sloping roof attaches t o t h e south end of t h e 7503 building
a t t h e 857-1/2-ft elevation.
A 5-ft by 9-ft by 3-ft-deep containment enclosure i s located along
t h e east s i d e of t h e venthouse. This contains t h e reactor and d r a i n
f
59
-t u- tank off-gas l i n e s , instruments, valves, e t c . The bottom of t h i s en-

closure i s a t t h e 839-1/2-ft elevation. The e a s t and w e s t sides a r e
reinforced concrete, t h e north and south ends and t o p a t t h e 842-1/2-ft
elevation a r e constructed of m i l d s t e e l angle i r o n s and 1/8-in. p l a t e
(ASTM A - 7 ) . The j o i n t s are caulked t o prevent leakage. Hand valves
have shielded extension handles which permit them t o be operated from
t h e venthouse f l o o r . Pipe caps a r e i n s t a l l e d f o r containment when t h e
valves a r e not being operated. Five f e e t of barytes blocks a r e
stacked on t o p of t h e containment enclosure. A lT-in.-diam removable
plug i s i n s t a l l e d above t h e control valves and check valves t o f a c i l i -
t a t e remote maintenance.
The west s i d e of t h e venthouse has a f l o o r elevation of 844-1/2 f t
and i s used f o r off-gas l i n e s not requiring shielding and f o r stacked
block shielding f o r t h e r e a c t o r and d r a i n tank off-gas l i n e s .
A 5-ft by l 5 - f t valve p i t w i t h t h e bottom a t an elevation of 841
f t i s located south of t h e venthouse. The off-gas l i n e s pass through
t h i s p i t before e n t e r i n g t h e absorber beds. The o u t l e t l i n e s a r e also
located i n t h i s p i t . The i n l e t valves a r e contained i n a 2-1/2-ft by
4 - f t by 2-ft-high containment box which has a t o p elevation of 845-3/4
ft. Seventeen inches of s t e e l p l a t e i s used above t h i s box f o r shielding.
Shielded extension handles permit operation of t h e valves from t h e oper-
a t i n g f l o o r a t an elevation of 848 f t . Pipe caps a r e i n s t a l l e d for
containment when t h e valves are not being operated. The l i n e r between
t h e charcoal beds and t h e p i t go through a 9-in. by 18-in. penetration
where they a r e grouted i n place using Embeco Expansion Grout.
The charcoal bed p i t i s 10 f t i n s i d e diameter with lb-in.-thick
concrete walls. The bottom of t h e p i t i s a t an elevation of 823 f t 9 i n .
The p i t i s f i l l e d with water t o an e l e v a t i o n of 846 f t f o r shielding.
Two l0-1/2-ft-diam by 18-in.-thick bar>%esconcrete blocks a r e sup-
ported by a ledge a t t h e 846-1/2-ft elevation. The t o p block i s
caulked t o obtain a n a i r t i g h t s e a l . Additional barytes concrete blocks
are stacked on t o p of these t o give a minimum of 5-l/2-ft of shielding.
A 4 - f t annulus around t h e outside of t h e charcoal bed p i t i s f i l l e d
with s t a b i l i z e d aggregate from t h e 848-ft t o t h e 849-ft-5-in. elevation.
60
The off-gas from t h e charcoal bed goes through t h e valve p i t

mentioned previously, where unshielded extension handles permit
operation from t h e 848-ft elevation.
4.5 Stack Area

The stack a r e a i s located south of Building 7503. A l l off-gas
and containment v e n t i l a t i o n a i r passes through roughing and absolute
f i l t e r s before being discharged up t h e containment stack.
These containment s t a c k f i l t e r s a r e located i n a p i t 60 f t south
of Building 7503. The p i t i s 26-1/2 f t by 18-3/4 f t w i t h a sloping
floor. The f l o o r elevation a t t h e north end i s 850 f t and t h e south
end i s 848 f t . The w a l l s a r e 1 - f t - t h i c k concrete. The roof plugs
a r e 18-in.-thick concrete w i t h a 3-in. o f f s e t a t t h e center. This
o f f s e t r e s t s on a ledge 9 i n . down from t h e t o p of t h e p i t . The
elevation of t h e t o p of t h e p i t i s 857 f t . The roof blocks a r e caulked
t o prevent leakage.
A 3-ft-3-in. by 5-ft-6-in. valve p i t i s attached t o t h e f i l t e r p i t
on t h e southeast corner. This houses t h e f i l t e r p i t d r a i n valves and
water l e v e l i n d i c a t o r s . The w a l l s and removable roof plug a r e 8-in.-
t h i c k concrete. The f l o o r and roof a r e a t 845 and 857-ft elevations.
The two 21,000-cfm containment v e n t i l a t i o n s t a c k fans and t h e
associated 3-ft-dim by 100-ft-high s t e e l s t a c k a r e located south of
the f i l t e r pit.
4.6 Vapor-Condensing Tanks

The vapor-condensing system water tank, expansion tank, and associ-
a t e d piping, a r e located west of t h e s t a c k a r e a . As mentioned previously,
t h e rupture d i s c s and connections t o t h e reactor c e l l exhaust duct are
located i n t h e s p e c i a l e q u i p e n t room.
4.7 Blower House

The blower house i s 36 f t by 43 f t w i t h f l o o r and c e i l i n g elevations
of 838 and 856 f t , respectively. The north, south, and west w a l l s a r e
louvered t o provide a i r i n l e t t o t h e two coolant blowers and two annulus
blowers located i n t h e south half of t h e room. The a i r from t h e blowers
passes through t h e r a d i a t o r a r e a of t h e coolant c e l l and out t h e 10-ft-
diam by 70-ft-high s t e e l stack located j u s t north of t h e venthouse.
Top elevation of t h i s stack i s 930 f t .
61
Gas coolant pump No. 3, which supplies a r t o f r e e z e valves i n t h e

coolant drain tank c e l l and f u e l processing c e l l , i s located between
cohmn l i n e s 7 and 8.
A ramp leading t o t h e coolant drain tank c e l l begins a t t h e north-
west corner of t h e blower house.
The cooling water equipment room housing t h e cooling water control
panel, storage tanks, flow meters, and t r e a t e d water c i r c u l a t i o n pumps
i s located i n t h e southwest corner of t h e blower house.
The stairs leading t o t h e maintenance control room a r e located
j u s t west of t h e blower house. The area under t h e stairs i s used f o r
t h e f l u o r i n e gas trailer, hydrogen and hydrogen f l u o r i d e gas cylinders,
e t c . , which are used i n processing t h e f u e l salt.
4.8 Store Room and Cooling Tower

A 32-ft by 74-ft corrugated asbestos building located west of t h e
blower house i s used as an ORNL substores. Some of t h e switch gear
f o r t h e blowers i n t h e blower house a r e located i n t h i s building.
The cooling tower and cooling tower pumps are located north of
t h e s t o r e room. The base f o r t h e cooling tower i s at t h e 845-1/2-ft
elevation, and t h e fans a r e a t 854 f t .
4.9 Diesel House

The 3 O - f t by 72-ft d i e s e l house i s located 36 f t west of Building
7503 between column lines 3 and 5 and adjoins t h e switch house on t h e
east. It has corrugated asbestos s i d i n g and a pitched roof with an
e l e v a t i o n of 858 f t a t t h e c e n t e r and 852 f t a t t h e sides.
The t h r e e d i e s e l generator u n i t s and t h e i r auxiliaries a r e located
a t t h e east end of the north half of t h e building. The 5000-gal d i e s e l
f u e l storage tank i s located approximately 100 f t north of t h e diesel
house.
The helium cover-gas treatment equipment and emergency helium
supply cylinders a r e located j u s t west of t h e d i e s e l s . The helium
supply t r a i l e r i s located outside t h e west end of t h e building.
The tower-water-to-treated-water heat exchanger i s located along
t h e west end i n s i d e t h e building.
The instrument a i r compressors and a u x i l i a r y a i r compressor a r e
along t h e south s i d e .
2
62
4.10 Switch House and Motor Generator House %

t
The switch house, which i s 30 f t by 36 f t , adjoins t h e d i e s e l

house on t h e west and Building 7503 on t h e e a s t . It has corrugated
asbestos s i d i n g w i t h a f l a t roof a t t h e 852-ft elevation. The f l o o r
elevation i s 840 f t .
The main switch gear f o r t h e 480-v feeder l i n e s and t h e d i e s e l
generator controls a r e located i n t h i s area.
A l 5 - f t by 16-ft motor generator room, located north of t h e e a s t
end of t h e switch house and accessible from t h e switch house, contains
two motor generators (MG1 and 4) and t h e i r control panels.
The process power substation i s located west of t h e motor generator
room.
4.11 I n l e t Air F i l t e r House

The high-bay i n l e t a i r f i l t e r and steam-heating u n i t s a r e located
i n t h e i n l e t f i l t e r house. T h i s 1 2 - f t by 20-ft concrete block building
i s located j u s t north of t h e 7503 Building between column l i n e s 2 and 3 .
The f l o o r elevation i s 840 f t 6 i n . , and t h e f l a t roof i s a t an e l e -
vation of 850 f t 11 i n .
... . . .I_-
* _. . . . . ___ " ~" . . . .. _. .....
.I_._ ~.. ~ .- .,... .. .. ,
".~ "I , . .
63
*.
c 5. FUEL CIRCULATING SYSTEM
5.1 Layout
The f u e l c i r c u l a t i n g system consists of t h e reactor vessel, t h e
f u e l pump, t h e heat exchanger, interconnecting piping, and a u x i l i a r i e s
and services. The major components of t h i s system are contained within
t h e reactor c e l l , as indicated i n Fig. 5.1 and Fig. 5.2, and shown on
ORNL Dwgs . E-GG-A-40700 (plan) and E-GG-B-40701 (elev, ) .
The f u e l pump bowl i s a t the highest elevation i n the primary circu-
c.
l a t i n g system and serves a s an expansion volume f o r the s a l t . The l e v e l
A of t h e molten-salt i n t e r f a c e i n the bowl i s an indication of t h e inven-
t o r y of t h e salt i n t h e system.
The heat exchanger and a l l piping i n the c i r c u l a t i o n system p i t c h
downward a t about 3" with the horizontal t o promote drainage of t h e
s a l t t o the reactor vessel. A drain l i n e from t h e bottom of t h e reactor
a l s o pitches downward a t 3" and leads t h e salt t o the drain tanks i n
the adjoining c e l l ,
The l e v e l of radioactivity i n t h e reactor and drain tank c e l l s
prevents d i r e c t approach f o r maintenance of equipnent. The items most
l i k e l y t o require servicing a r e therefore arranged t o be accessible from
above when using remotely operated tooling. I n many cases t h e flanges,
e l e c t r i c a l disconnects, e t c . , are provided with special bolting, clamps,
and l i f t i n g bails t o f a c i l i t a t e remote manipulation.
Five frozen-seal
type flanges ("freeze flanges") a r e provided i n t h e main f u e l and coolant
s a l t c i r c u i t s t o allow removal and replacement of major components. The
d r a i n l i n e from t h e reactor vessel can be cut and rejoined by brazing,
using specially developed, remotely operated t o o l s and viewing equipment.
The procedures used i n maintenance operations a r e f u l l y described i n P a r t X.
I n general, the thermal expansion i n the primary c i r c u l a t i n g loop
i s accommodated by allowing t h e pump and heat exchanger t o move. The
coolant s a l t piping and the drain l i n e a r e s u f f i c i e n t l y f l e x i b l e i n
themselves t o absorb t h e displacements. The e f f e c t of temperature changes
on piping and equipment movements and s t r e s s e s i s discussed subsequently
i n Sec. 5.6.2.
c
f-- -.
i:
.
w
if
66
5.2 Flowsheet
A detailed process flowsheet of the f u e l c i r c u l a t i n g system i s shown

i n Fig. 5.3 (ORNL Dwg. AA-A-40880) .15 An explanation of t h e symbols
used on the flowsheet i s given i n the Appendix. The data sheets,16 t h e
l i n e schedule," and the instrument application diagrams supply t h e
supplemental information needed f o r detailed study of t h e flowsheet.
Thermocouple information i s tabulated on ORNL Dwg. A-AA-B-40511 (51
sheets).
I n t h e following discussion of the process flowsheet shown i n Fig. 5.3,
detailed descriptions of t h e reactor, heat exchanger, and pump a r e re- t.
.i
served f o r Secs. 5.3, 5.4, and 5.5. The instrumentation and controls
a r e mentioned i n t h i s section only t o t h e extent necessary t o explain
t h e flowsheet. A detailed description of the instrumentation, including c
t h e interlocking controls, e t c . , i s given i n Part 11,

During operation of the reactor, f u e l salt i s circulated through
t h e f u e l system a t a r a t e of 1200 gpm. The base pressure i n the system
i s 5 psig--the pressure of the helium cover gas a t t h e surface of t h e
s a l t i n the pump bowl. A t design conditions of 10 Mw power l e v e l , f u e l
e n t e r s the reactor a t 1175°F and 35 psig, flows through the reactor vessel
h
and t h e reactor core, and leaves a t l225'F and 7 psig. It flows through
l i n e 100 t o t h e suction of the f u e l pump and i s discharged by the pump
through l i n e 1 0 1 t o the heat exchanger. The f u e l enters t h e s h e l l side
of the heat exchanger at l225OF and 55 psig and leaves a t 1175'F and
35 psig. Coolant s a l t i s circulated through t h e tubes, entering at 1025°F
and 77 psig and leaving a t llOOOF and 47 psig. Fuel from the heat ex-
c.
changer i s returned t o t h e reactor vessel through l i n e 102. The pipe
l i n e s i n the c i r c u l a t i n g system a r e a l l 5-in. sched-40 INOR-8
pipe, and
t h e flow velocity i s about 20 f t / s e c . The t o t a l volume of salt i n piping
and primary c i r c u l a t i n g system equipment under normal operating conditions
i s about 73 f t3 .
Line lo3 i s provided t o drain t h e coqtents of t h e f u e l salt through
freeze valve lo3 i n t o t h e f u e l drain tank system. An overflow tank under
t h e pump bowl, and connected t o t h e bowl through l i n e 520, provides 5.5
f t3 of additional volume f o r expansion of salt and f o r protection against
*
c
'
-
P
9
T V
i- S ' P +. a T i
.___ll_l_..__..___ ~ ,
.
, ... .. __ ,. .. , ~ ..,, ",. *' ..
7
_.
. .. _.
. . . . .... ... --.. -.-.-. .- ---....--*---..
-I
68
o v e r f i l l i n g of the system. The drain and overflow l i n e s are 1-1/2-in.

sched-40 INOR-8pipe.
The reactor vessel i s i n s t a l l e d i n a s t a i n l e s s steel thermal shield
that supports t h e reactor vessel and forms t h e outer w a l l of t h e reactor
furnace. The thermal shield i s 16 i n . t h i c k and contains about 50$ s t e e l
and 5 6 water, which absorbs most of t h e neutron and gama ray leakage
from t h e reactor. Water c i r c u l a t e s through t h e shield a t a r a t e of 100 gpm
and removes 180 kw of heat. It enters through l i n e 844 and leaves through
l i n e 845, with an estimated maximum temperature rise of 12'F. The
t r e a t e d water supply i s described i n Sec. 15. I-
A nuclear instrument thimble penetrates t h e w a l l of the reactor c e l l ./'
vessel, the outer w a l l of t h e thermal shield, and terminates a t t h e inner

wall. This thimble i s f i l l e d w i t h water and contains two compensated ion c.
chambers, two f i s s i o n chambers, and t h r e e s a f e t y chambers f o r monitoring

t h e nuclear performance of the reactor.
The inside of t h e thermal shield i s l i n e d with 6 i n . of high tempera-
t u r e insulation, and the annulus between t h e reactor vessel and t h e i n -
s u l a t i o n contains 126 v e r t i c a l tubular heaters. The heaters a r e divided
between three c i r c u i t s w i t h a t o t a l capacity of 60 kw.
Temperatures a r e monitored a t 48 locations on t h e reactor vessel and
t o p head assembly, most of which have spares, giving a t o t a l of 80 thermo-
couples (see ORNL Dwg. D-HE-B 40528) .
Temperatures a t 25 of these locations
'hl
a r e scanned continuously and a r e used as a guide t o control the operation T
of t h e heaters, U
A flanged nozzle on the t o p of t h e reactor vessel passes through t h e

t o p of the thermal shield and provides access t o the core f o r the control
rod thimbies and f o r i n s e r t i o n of graphite and metal specimens f o r i r r a d i -
ation. The access nozzle and plug a r e cooled by gas t o provide frozen
salt s e a l s i n the annulus between them and i n t h e sample port annulus.
G a s coolant i s supplied through l i n e s 961, 962, and 963 a t a r a t e of 10
scfm through each and i s discharged d i r e c t l y t o the c e l l atmosphere. Gas
coolant f o r the t h r e e control rods i s supplied a t a r a t e of 1 5 scfm through
l i n e 915 and i s discharged t o the c e l l atmosphere through l i n e 956.
Valves are provided i n t h e i n l e t and o u t l e t l i n e s t o block the flow and
prevent f u e l s a l t from being discharged i n t o t h e c e l l i f a thimble
develops a leak.
. . . ~. . . . . . .
F
69
;5;
b."
The system f o r c i r c u l a t i n g t h e cooling gas, which i s ~ 9 5 %
nitrogen
and e$oxygen (and i s a l s o t h e atmosphere i n t h e reactor and d r a i n tank
c e l l s ) , i s described i n Sec. 16.
The sample port i n t h e access nozzle opens i n t o t h e graphite sampler
housing. This i s a s t e e l tank i n which t h e atmosphere can be controlled
t o prevent the r e a c t o r and t h e samples from being contaminated by oxygen
and moisture as the samples a r e t r a n s f e r r e d i n t o and out of t h e core.
The t r a n s f e r must be done with t h e r e a c t o r shut down and drained. Line
918 v e n t i l a t e s t h e sampler housing t o t h e reactor offgas system. Dry
E? helium o r nitrogen i s supplied t o t h e housing through t h e s e a l s on $he
-
V
cover.
Line 100 connects t h e o u t l e t of t h e r e a c t o r vessel t o t h e suction of
c t h e f u e l pump. Thermocouples near t h e entrance t o l i n e 100 a r e used f o r
alarm and control c i r c u i t s and t o sense t h e r e a c t o r o u t l e t temperature,
which i s recorded and logged on t h e data logger. Line 100 has a f r e e z e
flange j o i n t (FF-100). The buffer zone of t h e r i n g j o i n t s e a l i s supplied
w i t h helium and monitored f o r leakage through l i n e 410. Three pairs of
thermocouples are i n s t a l l e d on t h e flanges with one thermocouple of each
pair serving as a spare. Thermocouples a t two locations a r e connected
t o temperature switches t o annunciate an alarm i f t h e temperature f a l l s
below a preset value (see Instrument Application Diagram, P a r t 11, o r
ORNL Dwg. D-AA-B-40500). The l e a k detector and thermocouple i n s t a l l a t i o n s
c
on FF-100 are duplicated on all other freeze flanges i n the r e a c t o r
"
system.
A pipeline h e a t e r of 4-kw capacity and a spare are i n s t a l l e d between
1
t h e r e a c t o r v e s s e l and FF-100. A similar h e a t e r of 4-kw capacity i s
i n s t a l l e d on t h e horizontal s e c t i o n of t h e pipe between FF-100 and the
pump bowl. The v e r t i c a l s e c t i o n of pipe beneath t h e pump bowl i s i n t h e
pump furnace. The pipeline heaters, described i n d e t a i l i n Sec. 5.6.4,
are small furnaces t h a t a r e assembled from ceramic heaters and r e f l e c t i v e
i n s u l a t i o n and are made t o be e a s i l y removable f o r maintenance. Thermo-
couples a r e attached t o t h e pipe under each h e a t e r u n i t t o monitor t h e
temperature and a r e used a s a guide t o control t h e heaters.
The f u e l pump i s a v e r t i c a l sump-type pump t h a t c i r c u l a t e s 1200 g p m
of s a l t against a head of 49 f t when operated a t a speed of 1150 rpm.
70
About 65 gpm i s recirculated i n t e r n a l l y i n t o t h e pump bowl, 1 5 gpm along

-=%Id
--1
t h e shaft and 50 gpm i n a spray i n t o t h e gas space, f o r removing krypton
and xenon. The l i q u i d l e v e l i n t h e pump bowl i s determined by means of
two bubblers. H e l i u m i s introduced near t h e bottom of t h e pump bowl
through l i n e s 593 and 596. Line 592 i s a reference l i n e t h a t connects t o
t h e expansion volume i n t h e pump bowl near t h e t o p and i s purged with
helium t o prevent back diffusion of radioactive gases. Signals from t h e
l e v e l indicators a r e monitored continuously, logged on t h e data logger,
and used f o r alarm and control c i r c u i t s .
The main purge of helium through t h e pump bowl e n t e r s through l i n e
516 j u s t below t h e lower shaft s e a l i n t h e bearing housing. Most of t h e
gas flows downward through t h e labyrinth between t h e s h a f t and t h e s h i e l d
block i n t h e neck of t h e bowl t o prevent l a r g e amounts of radioactive
gas from reaching t h e s e a l . This helium combines with t h e helium from
t h e bubblers and c a r r i e s t h e radioactive gases out of t h e pump house
through l i n e 522. Line 522 i s enlarged from 1/2-in. pipe t o b i n . pipe
t o provide a holdup volume of 6 f t 3 and one hour of delay f o r t h e decay
of t h e short-lived radioactive isotopes before t h e gas leaves t h e reactor
c e l l and enters t h e offgas disposal system. The helium supply system
i s described i n Sec. 10.4. The offgas system i s described i n Sec. 1 2 .
The d i s t r i b u t i o n of helium t o t h e pump i s l i s t e d i n Table 5.1, below.
Table 5.1. Distribution of Helium Supply t o Fuel Pump

5
Pum@bowl bubblers
L
Line 593 0.37 l i t e r / m i n

Line 596 0.37 l i t e r / m i n 1300 l i t e r l d a y
Line 592 0.15 l i t e r / m i n
Pump bowl purge - Line 516
Down shaft annulus
Out l i n e 524
*0.1
’ liter/min 3400 l i t e r / d a y
Overflow tank bubblers

Line 599 0.37 l i t e r / m i n
Line 600 0.37 l i t e r / m i n 1300 l i t e r / d a y
Line 589 0.15 liter/min
Total 6000 l i t e r / d a y
c
71
Line 521 connects t h e pump offgas l i n e t o t h e gas l i n e s i n t h e d r a i n

tank system t o equalize t h e gas pressures i n t h e d r a i n tanks during normal
operation and f a c i l i t a t e t h e t r a n s f e r of gas between systems during a
r e a c t o r drain.
A small amount of helium t h a t e n t e r s t h e pump bowl through l i n e 516
flows upward through t h e labyrinth, combines w i t h a small amount of o i l
that leaks through t h e lower shaft s e a l , and t h e mixture passes out of
t h e r e a c t o r c e l l through t h e lead-shielded (1-1/2) l i n e 524 t o the oil
catch tank located i n t h e s p e c i a l equipment room. After leaving the o i l
catch tank, t h e gas flows on t o t h e offgas system through l i n e 524, which
i s f i t t e d with a pressure reducing c a p i l l a r y , a f i l t e r , and a flow i n d i -
cating instrument. Signals from t h i s instrument i n i t i a t e an alarm i f t h e
c flow i s outside a specified range.
The maximum height of t h e l i q u i d l e v e l i n t h e pump bowl i s l i m i t e d by
overflow i n t o l i n e 520, which connects t o a 5.5-ft 3 tank beneath t h e pump.
T h i s tank i s provided with helium bubblers that operate through l i n e s 599
and 600 and reference l i n e 589. Indication of high l e v e l i n t h e overflow
tank causes t h e r e a c t o r system t o be drained. Helium leaves t h e over-
flow tank through l i n e 523, which connects t o l i n e 522. Valves HCV-523
and HV-523 a r e used t o block t h e vent l i n e so t h a t t h e overflow tank can
be pressurized through t h e bubbler l i n e s and salt can be discharged t o
t h e pump bowl.
-*. Line 999 connects t h e pump b o w l t o t h e sampler enricher. Capsules
4
are used t o remove samples of f u e l f r o m t h e pump bowl through t h i s 1-1/2-in.
l i n e , and small slugs of fuel may a l s o be added through it. The sampler
enricher is described i n d e t a i l i n Sec. 7.0.
The lower two-thirds of t h e pump bowl, t h e overflow l i n e and tank, and
t h e v e r t i c a l s e c t i o n of t h e suction l i n e t o t h e pump are i n s t a l l e d i n t h e
pump furnace. The furnace i s divided i n t o an upper zone around t h e pump
bowl and a lower zone around the overflow tank. The upper zone has nine
v e r t i c a l t u b u l a r heaters with a t o t a l of 22.5-kw capacity, and t h e lower
zone has f i v e similar, but longer, heaters with a t o t a l of 22.5-kw capacity.
There a r e 22 thermocouples and spares on t h e pump, eight thermocouples
on t h e overflow tank, and two thermocouples on l i n e 100 i n s i d e t h e
furnace, f o r use i n monitoring t h e temperatures and c o n t r o l l i n g t h e heaters.
E
72
The upper part of t h e pump bowl i s not cooled by t h e c i r c u l a t i n g

rJ t
f u e l salt and must therefore be cooled by gas c i r c u l a t e d over t h e outer
surface of t h e pump bowl t o remove the heat generated by absorption of
beta and gamma radiation. The cooling gas i s supplied through 3-in.
l i n e 903 a t a maximum flow rate of 400 scfm. The gas flow i s confined
by a shroud around t h e bowl and i s discharged t o t h e c e l l atmosphere.
Temperatures of t h e t o p of t h e pump bowl and t h e flanged neck a r e used
i n controlling t h e flow of coolant.
O i l i s used t o cool and l u b r i c a t e t h e pump bearings and t o cool t h e
s h i e l d block i n the neck of t h e pump bowl. Lubricating o i l f o r t h e
bearings enters t h e t o p of the bearing housing through l i n e 703 a t a
r a t e of 4 gpm, and coolant f o r t h e s h i e l d block e n t e r s through l i n e 704
at a rate of 8 gpm. O i l leaves t h e s h i e l d block through l i n e 707 and
passes through an eJector where it induces flow of o i l from t h e bearings
through l i n e 705. The combined flow leaves t h e pump through l i n e 706.
The temperature of t h e o i l supply i s 150°F and t h e r e t u r n temperature i s
160OF. Line 590 i s a breather pipe that connects t h e t o p of t h e l u b r i -
cating o i l supply tank t o t h e topmost passages i n t h e bearing housing t o
equalize t h e pressure between t h e two points. Details of t h e l u b r i c a t i n g
o i l system a r e discussed i n See. 5.4.1.4. Temperatures i n t h e o i l
system on t h e pump a r e monitored by two thermocouples on t h e o u t l e t o i l
lines.
The f u e l pump i s driven by a 75-hp, 1150-rpm, 440-v, three-phase
e l e c t r i c motor. The motor i s i n s t a l l e d i n a s t e e l housing that w i l l con-
t a i n o i l and radioactive gases i f e i t h e r o r both were t o leak through t h e
upper s e a l i n t h e bearing housing. The motor i s cooled by 5 gpm of process
water t h a t i s c i r c u l a t e d through a c o i l on t h e outside of t h e housing.
Water e n t e r s t h e c o i l through l i n e 830 and leaves through l i n e 831. A
microphone, XdbS, permits pump noises t o be monitored i n t h e control room.
The e l e c t r i c a l input t o t h e pump motor i s instrumented f o r voltage,
current, and power readings. The motor speed i s monitored and motor tem-
peratures a r e measured by a thermocouple ( w i t h spare).
A l l t h e l i n e s t o t h e pump bowl have flanged j o i n t s , and t h e pump i s
assembled by means of two large flanged j o i n t s . The r i n g - j o i n t s e a l s on
t h e flanges are connected t o t h e l e a k detector system (see Sec. 11.0).
73
3-
h- Fuel salt flows from the pump t o t h e heat exchanger through l i n e 101.
The l i n e i s provided with a freeze flange j o i n t FF-101. There a r e two
pipeline heaters, one of 4-kw and t h e other of 5-kw capacity, on t h e
s e c t i o n of l i n e between t h e pump and t h e flange, and one 4-kw heater be-
tween t h e freeze flange and t h e heat exchanger. Thermocouples a r e
attached t o t h e pipe under each heater t o monitor t h e temperature and a r e
used as a guide t o control t h e heaters.
The f u e l heat exchanger i s of t h e horizontal shell-and-tube type
with t h e f u e l salt i n t h e shell and t h e coolant salt i n t h e tubes. The
J exchanger has t h r e e e l e c t r i c a l heater u n i t s that a r e similar i n construe-
t i o n t o those used on t h e pipelines but a r e considepably l a r g e r . The
t o t a l heater capacity i s 30 kw. Sixteen thermocouples a r e d i s t r i b u t e d
T between t e n locations on t h e heat exchanger s h e l l and nozzles. Fuel s a l t
leaves t h e heat exchanger and returns t o t h e reactor i n l e t through l i n e
102. Coolant salt e n t e r s through l i n e 200 and leaves through l i n e 201.
Freeze-flange disconnects FF-200 and FF-201 a r e i n s t a l l e d i n those l i n e s
close t o t h e exchanger.
Line 102 contains FF-102 t o j o i n t h e heat exchanger and r e a c t o r
vessel. The v e r t i c a l section of l i n e 102, d i r e c t l y below t h e heat
exchanger, i s heated by t h r e e calrod heaters that a r e attached perma-
nently and have a capacity of 6 kw. Three spare heaters with an addition-
a l 6 kw capacity a r e i n s t a l l e d on t h i s section of l i n e . The horizontal
s e c t i o n of t h e l i n e t o t h e freeze flange has three removable p i p e l i n e
heaters with a t o t a l of 16 kw capacity. One pipeline heater of 4 kw
capacity i s provided between FF-102 and t h e thermal Shield.
The temperatures on l i n e 102 a r e monitored by eleven thermocouples
d i s t r i b u t e d between f i v e locations. Four of t h e thermocouples a r e in-
stalled near t h e l o c a t i o n where t h e l i n e e n t e r s t h e thermal s h i e l d and
serve t o i n d i c a t e t h e f u e l temperature a t t h e i n l e t t o t h e r e a c t o r f o r
a l l control and s a f e t y purposes.
S a l t i s introduced i n t o t h e primary c i r c u l a t i n g system o r drained
from it through l i n e 103, which runs from t h e bottom of t h e reactor
4.
vessel i n t h e r e a c t o r c e l l t o t h e d r a i n tanks i n t h e d r a i n tank c e l l .
The l i n e has a freeze valve, FV-103, t o provide "on-off" control of t h e
32
a, salt flow. The valve i s located within t h e reactor furnace so t h a t i n
1 74
t h e emergency s i t u a t i o n of l o s s of e l e c t r i c a l power, t h e residual heat

%J
#I
i n t h e furnace w i l l be s u f f i c i e n t t o m e l t t h e salt i n t h e valve and cause I
t h e system t o drain. A cooling gas stream of 25 t o 75 scfm i s supplied
through l i n e 919 and d i r e c t e d against t h e valve t o maintain a frozen plug
of s a l t . A l.5-kw e l e c t r i c a l heater i s i n s t a l l e d on t h e valve t o e f f e c t
a quick t h a w under normal circumstances.
The freeze valve has t h r e e thermocouples, each w i t h a spare, t o
monitor and control t h e operation of t h e cooling gas and t h e heater.
Line lo3 i s insulated and heated by passing an e l e c t r i c current through
t h e pipe w a l l . The heating capacity i s 0 . 3 kw/ft, r e s u l t i n g i n a t o t a l
load of 17 kw. The l i n e temperatures a r e monitored by twelve thermocouples.
c
COOLING GAS Unclassified
ORNL IlwG 64-8812
+
COOLING GAS
*a
GRAPHITE SAMPLE
ACCESS NOZZLE (1)
COOLING GAS INLETS
OOLlNG GAS OUT
.-
f
' I L i b
n'
0 0 c P 0 Y D
Y Y (D m Y P- (D vl
m 0 0
ct m P- m B ct w
P (D ct P.
(D r
B u1
0 8r
d k-
m
P
m Y
5m
(D P s
r P 0 a io
P tr * *
(D a u m
P-
3 m u1 0
\. Y
P D ct
EJ 0
iit %
w 5 ct
8 5 2. P P-
m
(D
gm ?i m
(D u1
ct m P-
(D P 0 tr Y.
7 r 03
4 \.
m P- Y I Y
Y (D cttd ct D P
P d- Y
0
g Y P z kw.
(D m 2 0
d Y (D
r" 0 - r 0 P 5il m IJ 2P 4
m
(D 3 d - 0 0 I m
0 ct-r ct P 0 0
ct (D
P 0 0
2 r" P ?I 0 r
ct (D 5il
.'
dtr s 4
d n, N Y
0 a P N P
ct S m P c
m ( D P. (D (D g
ct 0 v m
Y ct m c1
0 'd. 0
8 I Y P (D 0
P $ 3 r
(D SJ P
2
P - P 0
3 s tr
0 a
d- w P 4
m ct I 0
I 0 0 0 0 Y S S 2
2a d- 0 - r 0 r m m \o r c 03 0 P 0
*
P d- 0 o r m z 1 (D P P-
(D m P 2
2 Y 5 2 P
8ct P * ( D r %
v w.
mP
(D 0
za (D r cn m mz 2
m E. (D (D (D (D 2 0 P-
% . * :c t o ct
P S P m
ct 0 09 O Y r
P ct 0 0 ct
P I;" z
m s
Y P 0 (D m
Y \. P P.
(D P
\. P- m r c
2 0 2
Y (D m m r r
I ct 0 (D P
B P
a, 3
(D
wr"
% 4
0
I.8 :
3.
N
r * vl
tr
2
b Y (D (D 3
r a a r Iu
iD (D
a it-
I
76
w
c
3
0
v)
4
(3
w
J
N
a
0
c
Y
W
a
W
ti a
v)
z
G
a
W
I
t.
Unclassified
ORNL DWG 64-8813
COOLANT GAS LREACTOR

w1
I CELL
INLETS ROOF PLUGS
ELECTRICAL
-LEADS PLUG
I
CONTROL ROD DRIVE I
MOTOR HOUSING I I
ii
1
DRIVE HOUSl NG
I
v
1
SUPPORT BOX I I
I
I I
I
I
4
I
I
I
I I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
II '
GRAPHITE SAMPLER- rl I
I
CONTROL ROD D R I V E
I
STAND PIPE NO. I I I [HOUSING NO. I
I I
I I
I I
I I
I
I I
I
II I
I
I I
I I
I I
CONTROL ROD 'I I

I
I
I
CONTROL ROD DRIVE
DRIVE HOUSINGd I I
NO. 3 I I
P O U S i N G No*
!I I
I
I
I
I I
I
I
I
/ I
I
I
I
I I
I 1
I I OUTLINE OF STAND PIPE
I I( NO. 2 WHEN I N PLACE
I I
I
I ,
I I
! I
I I
I I
I I
I
I
I
I
I I
I
I
I
1I
I I
I I
I
I I
I I
I I /
I _..-
I
I
/--
I
I I
I I
I
I I
I I
I
I
I I
I I
I
I I
I I
I I
I
I I
I
I I
I
1
I
I r 1 r
I I
t'
I
I 1
CONTROL ROO
T H I M B L E NO. 3\
7 -r I-'
CONTROL ROD
CONTROL ROD THIMBLE NO. 1
THIMBLE NO. 2
COOLANT GAS I THERMOCOUPLE

+DISCONNECTS
REACTOR ACCES
P L U G FLANG
.&, I . . I.9.S.
F1g. 5.5. Elevation of Control Rod Drive Housings.

i
! i
78
.
'y
Table 5.2. Reactor Vessel and Core Design Data and Dimensions -3 j{
Construction material INOR-8

I n l e t nozzle, sched-40, i n . , IPS 5
Outlet nozzle, sched-40, i n . , IPS
Core vessel
OD, i n . 59-1/8 (60 i n . max)

ID, in. 58
Wall thickness, i n . 9/16
Overall height, i n . ( t o L of 5-in. nozzle) 100- 314
Head thickness i n . 1 u i .
m
Design pressure, p s i 50 .c
Design temperature, OF 1300
Fuel i n l e t temperature, O F 1.175
Fuel o u t l e t temperature, OF 1225
Inlet Constant area
distributor
Cooling annulus I D , i n . 56
Cooling annulus OD, i n . 58
c
C
Graphite core 0
Diameter, i n . 5544
Number of f u e l channels (equivalent) 1140
Fuel channel s i z e , i n . 1 . 2 x 0.4
(rounded corners)
Core container
Id, i n . 5542
OD, i n . 56
Wall thickness, i n . 1/4
Height, i n . 68 c;,
L
IL
w
a
c
79
3ld
i- The reactor vessel 1-1/2-in. sched-40 drain l i n e extends about
2-3/4 i n . i n t o t h e inside of t h e vessel at t h e c e n t e r l i n e and i s
covered with a protective hood t o prevent debris on t h e bottom of t h e
vessel from dropping i n t o t h e opening. A 1/2-in.-dim tube i s
mounted through t h e w a l l of t h e portion of t h e d r a i n l i n e protruding
inside t h e vessel t o allow t h e s a l t t o d r a i n completely (see ORNL
Dwg. D-BB-B-40405). This tube extends through t h e d r a i n l i n e (103)
and t h e freeze valve, FV-103.
-: The core can, or s h e l l , i s 55-1/2 i n . I D and 67-15/16 i n . high
1
and w a s r o l l e d from l/k-in.-thick INOR-8p l a t e (see ORNL Dwg. D-BB-B-
40410). The can i s supported, and a l s o held down when s a l t i s i n t h e
reactor, by a r i n g a t t h e t o p of t h e can which i s bolted t o 36 lugs
welded t o t h e inside w a l l of t h e reactor vessel. The can, i n turn,
supports t h e graphite used as a moderator material i n t h e reactor.
The properties of t h e graphite a r e discussed i n Section 5.3.2.
The reactor core i s formed of 513 graphite core blocks, or s t r i n g e r s ,
each 2 x 2 i n . i n cross section and about 67 i n . long, overall, mounted
i n a v e r t i c a l close-packed array, as shown i n Figure 5.6 and ORNL Dwg
D-BB-B-40416. I n addition t h e r e a r e 104 fractional-sized blocks a t t h e
periphery. Half-channels are machined i n t h e four faces of each s t r i n g e r
t o form flow passages i n t h e assembly about 0.4 by 1 . 2 i n . i n cross
section. There are 1108 f u l l - s i z e d passages and, counting f r a c t i o n a l
s i z e s , t h e equivalent t o t a l of 1140 f u l l - s i z e d passages. The dimensions
of these flow channels were chosen t o provide a passage t h a t would not
be blocked by small pieces of graphite and a l s o t o obtain a nearly
optimum r a t i o of f u e l t o graphite i n t h e core. The volume f r a c t i o n of
f u e l i s 0.225; t h e mass of fissionable material i n t h e reactor i s near
t h e minimum, and t h e e f f e c t of t h e f u e l soaking i n t o t h e pores i n t h e
20
graphite i s small.
When not buoyed up by being immersed i n t h e fuel s a l t , t h e
v e r t i c a l graphite s t r i n g e r s rest on a l a t t i c e of graphite blocks,
about 1 by 1-5/8 i n . i n cross section, l a i d horizontally i n two l a y e r s
a t r i g h t angles t o each other (see ORNL Dwg. D-BB-B-40420). Holes i n
t h e l a t t i c e blocks, with k8-30' t a p e r and 1.040 i n . i n smallest diam-
eter, accept t h e 1.000-in.-dim doweled section a t t h e lower end of
c
80
UNCLASSIFIED
ORNL-LR-DWG 56874R
MODERATOR STRINGERS
SAMPLE PIECE
- I
FIG. 5.6.
TYPICAL GRAPHITE STRINGER
ARRANGEMENT
h, each s t r i n g e r with s u f f i c i e n t clearance t o allow both angular and
2
l a t e r a l displacement. The upper horizontal surfaces of t h e graphite
l a t t i c e bars and s t r i n g e r s a r e tapered s o t h a t salt w i l l not stand on
them a f t e r a reactor drain.
The l a t t i c e blocks a r e supported by a g r i d of 1/2-in. t h i c k
INOR-8p l a t e s , s e t on edge v e r t i c a l l y , and varying i n height from about
1-5/8 i n . a t t h e core periphery t o about 5-9/16 i n . a t the center. (See
ORNL Dwg D-BB-B-40413). This supporting g r i d i s fastened t o t h e
rc
bottom of t h e core can and moves downward as t h e can elongates on a
temperature r i s e .
The regular pattern of t h e graphite s t r i n g e r s i n t h e core i s
disrupted a t t h e center where the control rod thimbles and the graphite
and INOR-8samples a r e located, see Figure 5.7. The control rod thimbles
a r e supported from above and t h e samples a r e supported from below when
no s a l t i s i n t h e reactor.
The INOR-8 and graphite samples a r e contained i n t h r e e baskets i n
t h e l a t t i c e position shown i n Figure 5.7. Each basket can be withdrawn
independently of t h e others. A basket must be i n place a t each of t h e
t h r e e locations during reactor operation, however.
Each basket i s formed of 1/32-in. -thick INOR-8plate, perforated
w i t h 3/32-in.-diam holes. The t o p f i t t i n g i s d r i l l e d with 1/8-in.-diam
holes on 1/4-in. centers f o r c i r c u l a t i o n of t h e s a l t and i s provided w i t h
a T-shaped l i f t i n g b a i l . This b a i l permits t h e sample removing t o o l t o
r o t a t e as well as l i f t t h e basket f o r b e t t e r maneuverability. The upper
portion of t h e basket assembly extends from 1/2 t o 1-in. i n t o t h e f u e l -
salt o u t l e t s t r a i n e r and i s held i n position by it. The lower end of t h e
basket i s provided with an INOR-8
f i t t i n g , a l s o d r i l l e d with 1/8-in. diam
holes, which, i n conjunction with t h e other two baskets, forms a dowel
t o fit i n t o t h e lower graphite l a t t i c blocks i n t h e same manner as t h e
graphite s t r i n g e r s previously described.
Each basket contains four 0.250-in. - d i m x 5-1/2-ft long samples of
INOR-8and f i v e graphite sample bars, 0.250 i n . x 0.470 i n . , as shown i n
Figure 5.8. The graphite bars are divided i n t o samples of varying length
(up t o about 12 i n . ) , which l a i d end t o end t o t a l about 5-l/2 f t . The
*
82
-I 1.2 -4 Unclassified
64-8814
I-**
TYPICAL FUEL PASSAGE
Nom STRINGERS NOS. 7.60 AND 61 (FIVE) ARE

REMOVABLE
Unclassified
ORNL W G 64-8815
I
i
, 4-
Fig. 5.8. Graphite-INOR-8 Sample Assembly.

"
84 , 3
arrangement of the baskets and contents i s experimental i n nature and
w i l l be varied during operation of t h e MSRE. r"
The sample baskets a r e held down by a cup mounted on a 5/16-in. diam
rod which i s an extension of the nozzle access plug, as shown i n Figure 5.4.
The cup r e s t s on the T-shaped l i f t i n g b a i l s . A thermocouple i s i n s t a l l e d
on the hold-down rod t o indicate t h e s a l t temperature leaving the reactor.
I n addition t o the graphite samples i n t h e baskets, t h e f i v e
graphite s t r i n g e r s a t the center of t h e core can be removed, although
w i t h considerable more d i f f i c u l t y . The location of these s t r i n g e r s i s
indicated i n Figure 5.7. The f i v e s t r i n g e r s a r e of a special design
(Types 7, 60 and 61 on ORNL Dwgs D-BB-B-40416, 40418 and 40581). They
5.
a r e 2-in. x 2-in. i n cross section but a r e 64-1/2 i n . long rather t h a n
the 62-1/8 i n . of the average s t r i n g e r . They do not have the dowel
section a t t h e bottom and t h e hole f o r t h e hold-down rods and they r e s t '?
d i r e c t l y on t h e INOR-8supporting grid rather than on t h e graphite

l a t t i c e blocks. The l a t t i c e blocks do not extend across t h e f i v e
s t r i n g e r locations, t h e opening thus provided through t h e blocks per- E
mitting i n s e r t i o n of a viewing device through t h e core to permit obser-
vation of the lower head should this.prove desirable.
Each of t h e f i v e s t r i n g e r s i s d r i l l e d and tapped with a 3/4-in.
6 Acme thread on t h e upper end f o r an INOR-8l i f t i n g knob, o r stud,
which can engage a Snaptite quick-disconnect coupling. They a r e pre- c*
vented from f l o a t i n g i n t h e f u e l s a l t by 1/8 i n . x 1/2 i n . hold-down

lh 00
bars welded t o the s t r a i n e r assembly at a l e v e l even with t h e t o p of I
t h e graphite core. (See ORNL Dwg E-BB-B-40598).

I\*
a
The graphite core matrix i s s u f f i c i e n t l y unrestrained so that on 9
a temperature rise t h e induced s t r e s s e s due t o expansion of t h e graphite

w i l l be minimized. The coefficient of expansion f o r t h e graphite i s 1.3
-6
t o 1 . 7 x 10 in./in.-OF, whereas f o r INOR-8 it i s 7.8 x in./in.-v
( i n the 70-1200°F range). This difference causes t h e core can t o move
3/16 i n . r a d i a l l y away from the graphite core blocks on heatup of t h e
reactor. To prevent an excessive amount of salt flow i n t h e annuluar
space thus created, an INOR-8r e s t r i c t o r ring, 1 / 2 x 1/2 x 54-1/2 i n .
I D , surrounds the bundle of graphite s t r i n g e r s a t the bottom (see cjr
ii
ORNL Dwg. D-BB-B-40427). The s t r i n g e r s a r e restrained from excessive
.
P
85
movement a t t h e t o p by a graphite r e t a i n e r ring, 1 x 2 x 53-1/4 i n .

ID. This ring, i n turn, i s held i n place by an INOR-8r e t a i n e r ring,
3/4 x 3/4 x 53-1/4 i n . I D (see ORNL Dwg. D-BB-B-40428 f o r both r i n g s ) .
A t t h e t o p of t h e graphite blocks a centering bridge holds a row of
s t r i n g e r s i n p o s i t i o n on two diameters a t r i g h t angles t o each other.
T h i s bridge helps t o prevent s h i f t i n g of t h e e n t i r e s t r i n g e r assembly
(see ORNL Dwg. D-BB-B-40424) .
A 5/16-in. - d i m INOR-8rod passes through a 0.010-in. -wall-thickness
I 4 bushing placed i n a 0.375-in.-diam hole i n t h e dowel s e c t i o n a t t h e
bottom of each graphite s t r i n g e r . These rods a l s o pass through t h e
INOR-8
grid-supporting s t r u c t u r e and prevent each graphite s t r i n g e r
from f l o a t i n g i n t h e f u e l s a l t . If a graphite s t r i n g e r were t o break
L
i n two, t h e t o p portion would tend t o f l o a t away and leave a r e l a t i v e l y
stagnant pocket of f u e l s a l t which might reach a higher temperature
than desired. The e f f e c t of t h i s on t h e r e a c t i v i t y and on t h e tempera-
t u r e s i n t h e r e a c t o r has been studied.* To guard against t h i s eventu-
a l i t y , a 1/16-in.-diam INOR-8 wire i s passed through a l/8-in.-diam
INOR-8i n s e r t about 1 i n . from t h e t o p of each graphite s t r i n g e r ,
f a s t e n i n g t h e tops together and t o t h e core can.
To prevent possible overheating i n a region that might otherwise
have been stagnant, about 24 gpm of t h e salt entering t h e r e a c t o r i s
diverted i n t o t h e region j u s t above t h e core-can support flange i n t h e
annulus between t h e pressure vessel ami t h e core can. This i s accom-
plished through 18 s l o t s o r channels, 0.2 by 0.2 i n . , cut i n t h e core-
can flange. These s l o t s a r e machined at an angle of 30" t o promote
b e t t e r miximg i n the region. I n addition, a by-pass flow of 3-22 gpm
of salt w i l l pass through t h e annular clearances a t t h e core can support
ring. 39
The salt leaves t h e r e a c t o r core and flows through t h e upper
head t o t h e 10-in. nozzle opening. It i s diverted through a 5-in.
*If a graphite s t r i n g e r were t o break i n two near khe center of

t h e core and t h e upper half f l o a t e d away, t h e r e a c t i v i t y increase would
be 0.004$ 6k/k for each 1 i n , of s t r i n g e r replaced by t h e f u e l . If
t h e e n t i r e c e n t r a l s t r i n g e r were replaced by f u e l , t h e r e a c t i v i t y i n -
crease would be only 0.1% 6k/k and no power o r temperature excursion
of consequence should r e s u l t .
86
opening i n t h e s i d e of the nozzle t o flow t o the f u e l c i r c u l a t i n g

uF
pump. The 10-in. nozzle a l s o serves as an access port and support f o r
t h e t h r e e control rods and f o r taking and placing of t h e four graphite-
sample rods i n t h e core matrix. A s t r a i n e r made from 16-gage INOR-8
p l a t e , with a staggered p a t t e r n of 3/32-in.-diam holes on 9/64-in.
centers, i s b u i l t i n t o t h e t o p head and access plug assembly t o
prevent l a r g e chips of graphite from c i r c u l a t i n g w i t h the f u e l s a l t .
The control rods a r e discussed subsequently i n Section 5.3.5
and t h e graphite sampler i n Section 5.3.6.
5.3.2 Graphite
A moderator i s d e s i r a b l e i n a molten-salt type r e a c t o r t o achieve
good neutron economy and low inventory of f i s s i l e material. It i s
p a r t i c u l a r l y desirable that t h e moderator be used without cladding
i n order t o obtain high breeding o r conversion ratios. Graphite
i s compatible with molten s a l t , making it possible t o design t h e
MSRE with a heterogeneous type core, using unclad graphite a s t h e
moderator.
A 2 by 2-in. cross s e c t i o n w a s adopted f o r t h e graphite core
s t r i n g e r s i n t h e MSRE l a r g e l y because it was believed that t h i s w a s
about t h e l a r g e s t s i z e of high-density low-permeability graphite of
reactor grade t h a t could be made a v a i l a b l e within a reasonable
20
amount of development time.
The graphite f o r t h e MSRE w a s ordered from t h e National Carbon
Company (New York),21 t h e only bidder, t o ORNL Specification MET-HM-1.
I
The graphite i s a special grade, given t h e designation "CGB" by t h e
National Carbon Company, and new techniques and f a c i l i t i e s were re-
quired t o produce it. The graphite manufactured f o r t h e MSRE s a t i s f i e d
a l l t h e requirements of t h e s p e c i f i c a t i o n s except f o r freedom from
cracks and spalls. Some of t h i s graphite was examined and t e s t e d ,
and the a c t u a l requirements of the MSRE were c a r e f u l l y restudied,
w i t h t h e r e s u l t that material with some cracks and spalls w a s accepted
22
f o r use i n t h e reactor.
The physical and mechanical properties of t h e MSRE graphite are
summarized i n Table 5.3. The graphite i s discussed i n d e t a i l i n
P a r t I V , but some of t h e features, p a r t i c u l a r l y those r e l a t i n g t o
t h e design, a r e b r i e f l y mentioned here.
.- 87
Table 5.3. Properties of MSRE Core Graphite - CGB

Physical Properties:
BU density, g/m3
Porosity
Accessible ( t o kerosene), $ 7*9
Inaccessible, $ 9.8
Total, 4 17.7
Them& conductivity, Btu/ft -hr-OF
With grain at 68°F (calculated) 116
Normal t o grain at 68°F (calculated) 63
9
Temp. coefficient of expansion, i n . / i n . OF
-
r
With grain at 68°F 0.56 x 1%-6
.
L Normal t o grain at 68°F 1.7 x io
Specific heat, Btu/lb-"F
0°F 0.14
200°F 0.22
600°F 0.33
1000°F 0.39
1200°F 0.42
Matrix coefficient of ermeability t o 3
helium at 70°F, cm2$ec
S a l t absorption a t 150 psig, vol $ 0.20
Mechanical Strength (at 68°F) :
T e n s i l e strength, psi
With g r a i n
Normal t o grain
Flexural strength, p s i
With grain
Normal t o grain
Modulus of e l a s t i c i t y , p s i
With grain
Normal t o grain
Compressive strength, p s i
chemical Purity:
Ash, w t $ 0.0005 .
Boron, w t 4 0 .oooo8
Vanadium, w t 6 0 .000g
Sulfur, w t 4 0.0005
Oxygen, cc of cd/100 cc graphite
-- 6 .o
Irradiation Data: (Exposure: 1.65 x 10" nvt, 0.1 MeV)
Shrinkage, $ With grain Across g r a i n
c
-
650 700"c
lO€?O"C
-0.34
-0 .og
-0.24
+o.io t o -0.07
88
Use of unclad graphite i n t h e MSRE required t h a t t h e graphite uc

be compatible with t h e f u e l salt, f i s s i o n products, and INOR-8.
The graphite must not introduce prohibitive amounts of contaminants,
such as oxygen, i n t o t h e system. Further, t h e graphite must not
d i s i n t e g r a t e o r undergo excessive dimensional changes and d i s t o r t i o n .
I t s thermal conductivity should not decrease t o o much with time. A
most important c h a r a c t e r i s t i c i s t h a t t h e penetration of s a l t i n t o
t h e voids i n t h e graphite be a minimum, since t h i s degree of salt
permeation determines t h e graphite temperature both during operation
and a f t e r shutdown. The extent of absorption of fission-product
gases i s of concern i n t h a t t h e 135Xe contributes s i g n i f i c a n t l y t o
t h e poison fraction. 23
Both in-pile and out-of-pile loop and capsule t e s t s demonstrated
t h a t t h e r e need be no concern f o r solution of t h e graphite by the s a l t ,
and t h a t t h e r e are no apparent corrosion problems. 24 Other t e s t s
demonstrated t h a t the d i s i n t e g r a t i o n of the graphite does not occur
w i t h o r without chemical additions of f i s s i o n products, e i t h e r i n or
out of a radioactive e n ~ i r o n m e n t . ~Although
~ t h e temperatures are not
thought high enough t o cause t h e graphite t o carburize t h e INOR-8,where
t h e two a r e i n d i r e c t contact and there i s any likelihood of f a i l u r e of
the INOR-8due t o embrittlemerit, an INOR-8i n s e r t has been placed be-
tween t h e load carrying piece and t h e graphite.
The graphite w i l l be c a r e f u l l y heated i n dry helium t o desorb
water vapor a f t e r i n s t a l l a t i o n i n t h e reactor. A purge s a l t w i l l be
thoroughly c i r c u l a t e d through t h e primary system t o remove a l l but
t r a c e amounts of oxygen before any f u e l s a l t i s introduced. It i s
estimated t h a t the oxygen i n compounds i n the CGB graphite and i n
the oxide f i l m on the INOR-8surfaces, does not exceed about l3O ppm
of t h e purge salt, by weight. The purge s a l t , on an as-received basis,
i s estimated t o contain no more than 200 ppm of oxide ion; thus, t h e
s a l t , with i t s oxide s a t u r a t i o n l i m i t of about 1000 ppm, can reduce t h e
oxygen i n t h e primary system t o s a t i s f a c t o r y l e v e l s before t h e uranium-
bearing s a l t i s added. 25, 26, 27
The thermal conductivity of t h e graphite w i l l probably decrease
by about a f a c t o r of three, based on data taken i n high-temperature
89
5r
b- irradiation tests. This loss was taken i n t o account i n t h e reactor
design and an even g r e a t e r reduction could be t o l e r a t e d without
encountering undue d i f f i c u l t i e s . 23
Shrinkage i n t h e graphite w i l l occur i n proportion t o t h e i n t e -
grated fast neutron flux. The radial f l u x gradient i n t h e core w i l l
cause t h e inner s t r i n g e r s t o shorten at a g r e a t e r r a t e , r e s u l t i n g i n
t h e t o p of t h e graphite core matrix gradually becoming s l i g h t l y dished.
Based on data taken on similar graphite, t h e a x i a l shrinkage r a t e of a
z s t r i n g e r located a t t h e point of maximum f l u x i n t h e MSRE f o r one year
of operation a t t h e 10-Mw r e a c t o r power l e v e l w a s estimated t o be 0.14
in./yr. The radial shrinkage was estimated t o be roughly one-half of
that i n t h e axial d i r e c t i o n . The radial f l u x gradient i n t h e core w i l l
A
cause uneven shrinkage i n each s t r i n g e r , and t h e r e s u l t i n g unsymmetrical
d i s t r i b u t i o n of s t r e s s e s w i l l tend t o bow t h e s t r i n g e r s outward t o give
a s l i g h t b a r r e l shape t o t h e core. The maximum bowing e f f e c t w a s e s t i -
mated t o be about 0.1 in./yr f o r a s t r i n g e r a t t h e point of maximum
f l u x and with continuous operation a t 10 Mw. The widening of t h e f u e l
passages, and o t h e r r e l a t e d e f f e c t s of graphite shrinkage, were studied
from t h e nuclear standpoint and found t o amount t o changes i n t h e reac-
t i v i t y e f f e c t of l e s s than 0.e Ak/k per year of full-power operation,
and a r e not of consequence. 28, 29 The nuclear aspects of graphite
7
shrinkage a r e discussed i n d e t a i l i n Section 14.2 of P a d 111.
I n designing t h e graphite s t r i n g e r s f o r s t r e s s e s induced by t e m -
perature gradients, it was decided t o l i m i t t h e r a t e of temperature rise
t o about 60OF/hr. Preheating i s accomplished by c i r c u l a t i o n of helium
i n t h e primary system, using t h e f u e l pump as a n i n e f f i c i e n t blower.
Heat i s introduced through use of t h e e l e c t r i c resistance heaters
i n s t a l l e d throughout t h e primary and secondary systems. 30
Even though t h e MSRE grgrphite has a density of about 1.87, it con-
t a i n s about 1% by volume of t o t a l voids and @ by volume of voids t h a t
are interconnected and accessible from t h e surface. The graphite, as
produced f o r t h e MSRE, however, has pore openings that average less than
0.3 p in diamter. Since t h e salt does not wet t h e graphite, t h e surface
tension and contact angle a r e such as t o l i m i t t h e salt penetration t o
l e s s than t h e permitted amount of 0.5$ by volume of t h e graphite a t 165
C
90 r
,-
$Id
psia. The heat produced i n t h e graphite by t h i s quantity of f u e l salt r
under full-power conditions of 10 Mw increases t h e average graphite tem-
perature by about 1”F.31 Fission products entrapped i n t h e graphite
with the salt w i l l continue t o generate heat a f t e r t h e remainder of
t h e f u e l salt has been drained from t h e reactor. With t h e cooling
medium thus withdrawn, and with no other means of heat removal e f f e c t i v e ,
it has been estimated that t h e temperature r i s e of t h e graphite would
be l e s s than 100°F i n 48 hr.
32
Despite t h e considerable amount of preliminary t e s t i n g expended i ;
i n development of a graphite f o r use i n t h e MSRE, it i s recognized

that some uncertainties e x i s t that can be resolved only by operation
of t h e reactor.33 The behavior of t h e graphite w i l l be monitored by
periodic removal and examination of samples placed near t h e center
of t h e core. Full-sized pieces located i n t h e core adjacent t o t h e
samples can be examined i n place by means of a periscope, or can be
withdrawn infrequently f o r hot-cell examination by removing t h e
reactor vessel access nozzle plug and control rod thimble assembly.
5.3.3 Fluid Dynamics, Temperature Distribution, and Solids Deposition

5.3.3.1 General. A general description of t h e flow through t h e
reactor vessel and core i s given i n Section 5.3.1.
Models were used t o investigate t h e f l u i d dynamics and heat t r a n s -
f e r within t h e reactor vessel, but p r i o r t o these studies, several
decisions were made e a r l y i n t h e project t o i n i t i a t e t h e design e f f o r t .
One of these w a s t o choose a r i g h t c y l i n d r i c a l shape f o r t h e vessel,
mainly because of t h e ease of manufacture and because t h e flow p a t t e r n
could be f a i r l y w e l l predicted, Preliminary studies of t h e vessel
s i z e as a function of the c r i t i c a l mass required indicated an accept-
able diameter range of 4 t o 5 ft. A r e l a t i v e l y large mass flow r a t e
w a s decided upon i n order t o obtain hydraulic c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s more
nearly approximating those t h a t would e x i s t i n a f u l l - s c a l e reactor.
Early studies, subsequently confirmed, indicated a reasonable -tempera-
t u r e r i s e f o r t h e salt passing through t h e reactor i f t h e flow rate
20
were 1200 gpm.
Another e a r l y decision was t h a t t h e flow should be upwards through
t h e core i n order t o f a c i l i t a t e removal of gases from t h e core passages
91
and upper plenum. Preliminary estimates of t h e heat generation rate

i n t h e reactor vessel w a l l indicated that cooling would be necessary.
It appeared b e s t t o cool t h e w a l l with t h e incoming f u e l , by c i r c u l a t -
i n g t h e salt between t h e vessel wall and t h e reactor core container
can.34 Because of t h e heat generation within t h e salt i.n t h i s annulus,
t h e so-called Poppendiek e f f e c t , 35 flow r a t e s well within t h e turbulent
range were needed. T h i s l e d t o adoption of t h e s p i r a l flow p a t t e r n i n
t h e annulus and t h e annulus width, somewhat a r b i t r a r i l y taken, of 1 i n . 34
j z Regularly shaped, f l a t passages through t h e graphite were selected
as being b e t t e r than c i r c u l a r ones i n reducing r a d i a l temperature gradi-
L
P
ents. This geometry a l s o reduces t h e tendency of t h e salt, with a
Reynolds number i n t h e t r a n s i t i o n region, t o f l u c t u a t e between laminar
and turbulent flow a s t h e Reynolds number increases w i t h temperature
i-
during passage through t h e core. 36
5.3.3.2 Model Studies. One-fifth and f u l l - s c a l e model s t u d i e s were
made, t o i n v e s t i g a t e t h e flow d i s t r i b u t i o n i n t h e reactor, t o v e r i f y the
pressure drop estimates, and t o study t h e s e t t l i n g of s o l i d s o r sludge
and t h e efficacy of i t s removal through the reactor drain l i n e . Heat
t r a n s f e r studies were a l s o made through use of a heat meter. 37
The small model w a s made of c l e a r p l a s t i c and used water as t h e c i r -
c u l a t i n g f l u i d . The f u l l - s c a l e model, Fig. 5.9, was made of carbon s t e e l
with aluminum core blocks. Water was used as t h e c i r c u l a t i n g f l u i d i n
s
t h e f i r s t t e s t runs of t h e f u l l - s c a l e model; l a t e r , a g e l w a s added t o
t t h e water t o duplicate t h e v i s c o s i t y (but not t h e density) of t h e f u e l
s a l t a t operating temperature. A l l t e s t i n g w a s at room temperature
with e s s e n t i a l l y no heat t r a n s f e r t o o r from t h e c i r c u l a t i n g l i q u i d .
Both models were f l u i d dynamically similar t o t h e reactor system, operated
a t t h e same Reynolds number as t h e salt, and could be r e l a t e d with simple
proportionality constants. The f u l l - s c a l e model served t o r e f i n e t h e data
taken from t h e one-fifth-scale i n s t a l l a t i o n . There were no major differen-
ces between t h e findings from t h e two models, most variations being due t o
t h e d i f f i c u l t y of obtaining good geometric s i m i l a r i t y i n t h e small model.
5.3.3.3 Overall Pressure Drop Across Reactor. The o v e r a l l pres-
sure drop from t h e reactor vessel i n l e t t o t h e o u t l e t was measured
on t h e f u l l - s c a l e model and found t o be about 9.2 f t o r f l u i d a t a
e-
-
92
Fig. 5.9. Full-scale Model of Reactor Vessel.

-
93
sU flow r a t e of 1200 a m . The overall pressure drop varied a s t h e square

of t h e flow r a t e , a s shown graphically i n Fig. 5.10. An o v e r a l l pressure
drop very nearly proportional t o t h e velocity squared implies t h a t t h e
controlling pressure l o s s ( i n t h e flow d i s t r i b u t o r ) i s almost independent
of t h e Reynolds number over t h e range of flows t h a t a r e of i n t e r e s t . 38
5.3.3.4 Flow Distributor. The flow d i s t r i b u t o r was described
i n Section 5.3.1. Full-scale model studies showed t h a t t h e centerline
v e l o c i t y i n t h e d i s t r i b u t o r varied from 9 t o 23 fps, a s shown graphically
.I
i n Fig. 5.11. The increase i n v e l o c i t y immediately following t h e i n l e t
opening i s due t o t h e r e c i r c u l a t i o n of l i q u i d around t h e d i s t r i b u t o r .
.
1
.. Within t h e limits of experimental error, t h e velocity decreased l i n e a r l y

with distance from t h e i n l e t , indicating t h a t t h e flow was being dis-
t r i b u t e d uniformly t o t h e cooling annulus around t h e circumference of
t h e vessel.
Based on an equivalent diameter of 5 . 1 i n . f o r t h e d i s t r i b u t o r , t h e
4
Reynolds number i s e s s e n t i a l l y equal t o 1.29 x 10 per f t / s e c of velocity.
The residence time of t h e f u e l i n t h e d i s t r i b u t o r i s -1.1 sec, and t h e
average temperature increase i s estimated t o be only 0.004OF a t r a t e d
conditions ( s e e Chapter 11, Ref. 18).
The 3/4-in.-diam holes through which t h e f u e l s a l t flows from t h e
d i s t r i b u t o r t o t h e annular space i n t h e v e s s e l are d r i l l e d a t an angle
of 30' with a tangent t o t h e v e s s e l t o conserve much of t h e circum-
f e r e n t i a l v e l o c i t y developed i n t h e d i s t r i b u t o r . The v e r t i c a l rows of
holes a r e spaced 5' apart at t h e upstream end, but t h e spacing i s in-
creased t o 22 1/2' a t t h e downstream end because t h e f l u i d s t a t i c
pressure i s greater. A t r a t e d flow of 1200 gpm, t h e v e l o c i t y through
t h e upstream holes i s estimated t o be -3.7 fps, and a t t h e downstream
holes i s -18.5 fps, giving Reynolds numbers of 7050 and 35,250, re-
spectively. (See Chapter I1 of Ref. 18.)
5.3.3.5 Cooling Annulus. A s t h e f l u i d moves downward i n t h e wall-
cooling annulus, t h e s w i r l component of t h e v e l o c i t y decreases and
t h e t o t a l v e l o c i t y becomes l e s s . (The t o t a l v e l o c i t y i s t h e vector
sum of t h e axial and circumferential components.) The midplane
velocity of 5 . 1 fps gives a Reynolds number of 25,800 and an e s t i -
mated heat t r a n s f e r coefficient of 2090 Btu/hr-ft2-?. A t design
94
bi c
UNCLASSIFlED
ORNL- LR- DWG 78809
20 1 1 1 1 1 I I 1 I
0 MEASURED WITH HIGH-RANGE
DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE CELL
\ MEASURED WITH LOW-RANGE
DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE CELL
40
-._
0 5
-
3
r
L
-
c
r
*
W
LL
0
W 2
LL
v)
H
L
n
0
u
0 4
W
LL
3
v)
W
v)
LL
a
0.5
a
I
LL
W
>
0
c
0.2 1
-.r.
n
2000 4000 500 200 4 00
FLOW RATE (gpm)
Fig. 5.10. Pressure Drop Through Reactor Core.
Y
95
28
24
20
-
W
0
5 16
>
t
0
s
W
> 12
P
3
LL
0
0 45 90 4 35 (80 225 270 315 360
8. ANGLE FROM INLET TANGENT (deg)
Fig. 5.11. Center-Line Velocity Distribution i n Volute of MSRE F u l l -

Scale Core Model.
96
power of 10 Mw t h e average heat generation i n t h e vessel w a l l i s

estimated t o be 0.054 w/cc. The temperature difference between t h e
inside w a l l surface and t h e bulk f u e l temperature i s thus only
about 0.12oF (Chapt. 11, Ref. 18).
The lowest t o t a l v e l o c i t y i s a t t h e bottom of t h e annulus and
i s estimated t o b e d 4 . 2 f p s , a value t h a t i s e s s e n t i a l l y constant
around t h e circumference.
The residence t i m e i n t h e annulus i s estimated t o be 2.43 sec
and t h e temperature increase t o b e ~ 1 , 1 3 " Fa t r a t e d power and flow
rate (see Chapt . I1 of Ref. 18). A conservative estimate i s t h a t
t h e pressure-vessel w a l l i s cooled t o an average temperature of no
more than 5'F above t h e bulk temperature of t h e entering s a l t (1175°F).
5.3.3.6 Lower Head. After leaving t h e cooling annulus t h e
c '
fuel salt e n t e r s t h e lower head of t h e vessel, which serves as a
plenum i n which t h e s a l t i s d i s t r i b u t e d t o t h e reactor core passages.
The 48 vanes i n t h e head have a r a d i a l length of about 11 i n . , or
about 3@ of t h e vessel radius. The vanes check t h e s w i r l developed
i n t h e annulus t o reduce t h e r a d i a l f l u i d pressure gradient i n t h e
lower head t o l e s s than 2 i n . of f l u i d . This small gradient i s
judged t o have a negligible e f f e c t on t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n of t h e f u e l
t o t h e core passages (Chapt. 11, R e f . 18).
Fluid age measurements were made throughout t h e lower head on .
t h e one-fifth-scale model by use of s a l t conductivity techniques.
A salt solution w a s added suddenly t o t h e c i r c u l a t i n g f l u i d j u s t up-
stream of t h e model i n l e t and changes of conductivity were measured
by numeruus probes i n t h e lower head. Although these values were c
taken from t h e s m a l l model i n which good hydrodynamic s i m i l a r i t y w a s

d i f f i c u l t t o obtain, they lead substance t o t h e q u a l i t a t i v e conclusion
t h a t t h e region of t h e lower head with t h e highest combination of
f u e l - s a l t residence t i m e , power density, and nuclear importance, i s
a t t h e centerline.
The i n t e g r a l residence time of t h e fuel s a l t i n t h e lower head
i s estimated t o be about 4.2 sec, and t h e i n t e g r a l average temperature
increase i s about O.5"F a t rated flow and power.
97
Heat t r a n s f e r measurements were made i n t h e lower head of both

t h e small and f u l l scale models. The l a t t e r appeared t o give t h e
most r e l i a b l e r e s u l t s and indicate a heat t r a n s f e r coefficient of about
1500 Btu/hr-ft2-'F a t a point about 17 in. r a d i a l distance from t h e
outer circumference. This value i s based on both heat meter measure-
and~ on
m e n t ~ ~ calculations which make use of t h e measured v e l o c i t y
profiles. The heat t r a n s f e r coefficient, based only on heat meter
measurements, a t a radius of 4 in. from the center of t h e head was
indicated t o be about 900 Btu/hr-ft2-OF. (See Chapter I1 of Ref. 18.)
The average heat generation within the w a l l of t h e lower head
was estimated t o be 0.61 w/cc. If t h e walls were so insulated t h a t
a l l i n t e r n a l l y generated heat must be dissipated t o t h e f u e l solution,
t h e inner w a l l surface temperature would be about 119J°F, or 1 6 ' ~
above the bulk f l u i d temperature of ll77OF. The outside surface of
t h e lower head a t a point 4 in. from the centerline would be about
14'F h o t t e r than t h e inside surface and would be at 1207OF. The
highest temperature associated with t h e cap over the drain l i n e i n
t h e lower head would be about 1202'F, or 25OF above t h e temperature
of t h e surrounding s a l t . A l l t h e estimated values mentioned above
assume no deposition of s o l i d s on t h e lower head.
If s o l i d p a r t i c l e s of Zr02 were fornied i n the MSRE by oxidation
of the f u e l s a l t , these p a r t i c l e s would probably s e t t l e on t h e lower
head. T h e presence of t h i s sludge would increase t h e temperature of
t h e w a l l of t h e lower head by increasing t h e heat source a t t h e
w a l l and a l s o by reducing t h e heat t r a n s f e r c o e f f i c i e n t from t h e
w a l l t o t h e salt. I f a t h e r m h conductivity of 2 Btu/hr-ft ,2
and a
porosity of 30$, are assumed f o r t h e Zr02 sludge, t h e heat generation
r a t e i s estimated t o be about 40,620 Btu/hr-ft 3 , of which go$ may be
due t o gamma heating and t h e remainder due t o f i s s i o n i n g i n t h e f u e l
i n t h e sludge voids. I f t h e sludge accumulation were 0.1 in. thick,
t h e added temperature difference between t h e w a l l and t h e s a l t would
be about 2loF, giving a temperature of l228OF on t h e outside surface.
If t h e sludge were 0.5 in. thick, t h e difference would be about
120°F (see Ref. 18, Part 11, p 19)I) Thermocouples are i n s t a l l e d on
t h e lower head of t h e v e s s e l t o a s s i s t i n detecting the accumulation
98
of s o l i d s and t o provide assurance that t h e temperature of t h e head c% 4

does not exceed t h e design temperature of 1300°F f o r long periods.
The behavior of s o l i d p a r t i c l e s on t h e lower head was studied
by introducing i r o n f i l i n g s i n t o t h e c i r c u l a t i n g stream i n t h e f u l l -
scale model. After c i r c u l a t i o n f o r several hours, t h e core was
drained and t h e placement of t h e sediment i n t h e bottom head w a s
examined. Fine p a r t i c l e s appeared t o have been swept out by t h e
draining f l u i d . Larger p a r t i c l e s accumulated near t h e drain l i n e
opening, but t h e r e were no indications of a tendency f o r t h e opening c
40
t o plug, and t h e design appeared t o be adequate i n t h i s respect. 4
5.3.3.7 Core. The 1/2-in.-thick INOR-8

g r i d p l a t e s that support *
t h e graphite core, as shown i n Fig. 5.3 and described i n Section 5.3.1,
a r e exposed t o t h e flow of s a l t on both s i d e s . The average v e l o c i t y
of t h e salt a t t h e g r i d i s estimated t o be about 0.16 f p s , t h e Reynolds
.
number i s 1400, and t h e heat t r a n s f e r c o e f f i c i e n t i s @200 Btu/hr-ft2-”F.
With an assumed heat generation r a t e of 1.7 w/cc i n t h e l i q u i d , t h e
temperature difference between t h e surface of t h e INOR-8 and t h e c i r c u l a t -
i n g s a l t i s estimated t o be about 17V (Chapt. 11, Ref .I8).
The s a l t flows i n a tortuous path through t h e graphite l a t t i c e above
t h e INOR grid, and t h e pressure drop through t h e l a t t i c e i s g r e a t e r than
t h e pressure l o s s through t h e core passage. Since t h e r e s t r i c t i o n
c
due t o t h e l a t t i c e blocks i s absent a t t h e f i v e s t r i n g e r positions
a t t h e center of t h e core, t h e v e l o c i t i e s through t h e c e n t r a l
passages a r e about t h r e e times higher than the average core v e l o c i t i e s .
The flow r a t e through a t y p i c a l core passage i s roughly 1 gpm,
w i t h about 2 6 more flowing through t h e passages toward t h e center
than those near t h e periphery of t h e core. The v a r i a t i o n of t h e
flow r a t e with distance from t h e center of t h e core, as shown graphic-
a l l y i n Fig. 5.12, i s due t o t h e pressure gradient i n t h e lower head. 39
The point s c a t t e r on t h i s graph i s l a r g e l y d u e - t a t h e g r e a t e r tolerances
i n t h e model than e x i s t i n t h e a c t i v e core.
I
Flow s t u d i e s made on t h e fuel-scale model showed that t h e flow
through t h e north-south f u e l passages was about 1 6 l e s s than that
through t h e east-west passages because t h e upper l a t t i c e blocks s l i g h t l y -
obstructed t h e entrance. To equalize t h e flow d i s t r i b u t i o n , 0.104-in.- b
99
UNCLASSIFIED
-
OANL- LR DWG 78808
,
Figure 5.12. Flaw Distribution i n Reactor Core Fuel Passages at
Total Flat Rate of 1200 gpm in Full-scale Model.
100
diam holes were bored i n t h e t o p l a y e r of l a t t i c e blocks under each

north-south flow passage.41 These holes w i l l bring t h e two banks
of points, shown i n Fig. 5.12, much c l o s e r together.
The temperature d i s t r i b u t i o n i n t h e graphite and i n t h e f u e l
salt within t h e reactor core i s a function of t h e heat production
r a t e and the heat t r a n s f e r . Heat production follows t h e o v e r a l l
shape of t h e neutron flux, which i s discussed i n d e t a i l i n P a r t 111.
The heat t r a n s f e r i s a function of t h e v e l o c i t i e s , which were determined
l a r g e l y through t h e model s t u d i e s .
Bulk mean temperatures were obtained by i n t e g r a t i n g t h e l o c a l
temperatures over t h e core volume, These bulk temperatures a r e use-
f u l i n estimating t h e mean density of t h e f u e l and graphite t o a r r i v e
a t t h e inventory of f u e l i n t h e core. Nuclear mean temperatures
consider t h e l o c a l nuclear importances as well as t h e temperatures.
Overall f u e l and graphite temperatures were calculated f o r a
core that was divided r a d i a l l y and a x i a l l y i n t o regions having
s i m i l a r hydraulic or nuclear c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , giving a t o t a l of
twenty regions. A t t h e design power l e v e l of 10 Mw, with t h e r e a c t o r
i n l e t at 1175°F and t h e o u t l e t a t l22!5OF, t h e nuclear mean tempera-
t u r e of the f u e l w a s 1211’F and t h e graphite w a s l255’F. The
bulk mean f u e l temperature, including a l l f u e l i n the r e a c t o r
vessel except t h a t i n t h e flow d i s t r i b u t o r , w a s IlggOF, and t h e
bulk mean temperature of t h e graphite w a s 122g°F, assuming no s a l t
were absorbed i n it. With 0.5$ f u e l permeation, t h e nuclear mean
temperature of t h e graphite w a s 1258O~and t h e bulk mean temperature
w a s l227OF. The c e n t r a l portion of t h e core, which i s defined as
that portion inside t h e core can and between t h e bottom of t h e
lower l a y e r of l a t t i c e blocks t o t h e t o p of t h e uniform f u e l passages
through the core, produces about 8746 of t h e t o t a l power. Peripheral
regions, where t h e f u e l t o graphite r a t i o i s much higher, such as
a t t h e t o p of t h e graphite matrix, account f o r t h e remaining 1%. 31
A summary of t h e nuclear data f o r t h e reactor i s shown i n
Table 5.4. Values a r e given f o r t h r e e kinds of f u e l s a l t : (1) f u l l y
enriched uranium with thorium, (2) f u l l y enriched uranium, and (3) 4
p a r t i a l l y enriched uranium. Thorium-containing salts are of i n t e r e s t 6.’

-
101
44 Table 5.4. Suarmary of Reactor Physics Data

E
Core Parameters
Nw~inalcore dimensions
Mameter, in. 55-1/4
H e i g h t , in. 64
Fuel volume A. tion 0.224
Fuel volume, ft Y 20
Graphite volume, ft3 69
Effective core dimensions (based on
extrapolation of thermal neutron flw)
Dismeter, in. 59
Eelght, in. 78
Effective delayed neutron fractions
Static 0.0067
Circulating 0 .my3
Fuel type:a Th-235, 93% 235, 35% 235u
I n i t i a l c r i t i c a l concentration
235~,mole % 0.291 0.176 0.291
U, mole $ 0.313 0.189 0.831
b
Operating concentration
235~,mole 0 337 0.1% 0.346
U, mole $ 0.562 0.2l.4 0.890
Tanperature coefficient of
reactivity, OF-^ x 10-5
Fuel 3 -03 -4.97 -3.28
Graphite -3.36 -4.91 -3.68
Totsl -6.39 9.88 -6 .%
neutron lifetime, sec x IO& 2.29 3.47 2.40
Thermal neutron flux
n/& -Sec x lolf
Peak 3.4 5.7 3.4
Average 1-5 2.5 1.5
Peak/mera@;e 2.32 2.29 2.32
power density, w/cc
Peak 31
Average (EO ft3 of fuel)a 14
L
Graphite power density, w/cc
‘r
Peak 0.98
Average (70 ft3 of graphite)c 0.34
Gamma heating of INOR-8, w/cc
Control rod thimble at midplane 2.5
Core can, midplane 0.2
Reactor vessel, midplane 0.2
Upper head at vessel outlet 0.12
Fast neutron exposure, mrt per 10 Mwyr: 1 - 10 M ~ v
Reactor vessel midplane 5 10~9
Reactor vessel upper head at outlet 5 1019
Reactor vessel lower head at centerline 1.3 x 1019
Control Rod Constants
F U s ~ a t typea ’ 93%235u
Control rod worth, $ &/k

One rod 3.1
Two rods 5.5
W Three rods 7.4
”
102
Table 5.4. (Continued)
Fuel salt type8 Th-2gyuana 93% 235u

35%
MSX. rate of withdrawal (one rod at a
time at 0.5 in./sec) $ (&/k)/sec 0.04 0.04
Rate of insertion (simultaneous insertion
of 3 rods a t 0.5 in./sec) $ (&/k)/sec 0.og 0.10
Actuation one of three rods on servo; the
remaining two on manual switches
Length of rod travel, in. 51
Poison elements:
Poison
Poison density, p / c c
Ceramic cyunder (3 per element), in. O.&-ID x 1.08 OD x 0.4383 long
Element cladding 0.020-in. thick Inconel
Rement dimensions, in. 0.790 ID x 1.140 OD x 1.562 long i
mer elements per rod 38

Length of poison section, i n . 59.36 d
Weight -3 per rod, kg 1.2

Rod a t t e e n t Megnetic release
Rod drive Flexible hose
Drive motor Instantly reversible, single #
Power generation in rod (max), w 2725
Cooling Cell atmosphere, forced convection
Fuel Loop Parmeters
Volumes and residence times ( a t 1200"F, 1200 gp): v, ft3 Time, sec
Cored 25 -0 9.4
Upper head m.5 3.9
Reactor vessel t o pump 2.1 0.8
Pwnp bowl
Main stream 0-9 0.3
Outside main stream 3.2 -
Pump t o heat exchanger 0.8 0.3
Heat exchanger 6.1 2.3
Heat exchanger t o reactor vessel 2.2 0.8
Vessel inlet (nozzle, volute and downcooler) 9.7 3.6
Lower head 10.o 3.8
Total 7 0 ~ 5 ~ 25.2
System fuel inventory
volume fuel saltf, ft3 at -OF
Weights of uranium f o r fiel-salt typesa:
Uranium, initial critical, kg 85 52 218
" operating, kg 98 59 233
2354 initial critical, kg 79 48 77
" operating, kg 91 55 92
a. See Table 2.1 for fuel canposition. d. Between horizontal planes a t extreme top
b. Allowing for -4% Akb in rods, poisons, etc. and bottau of graphite.
c. Assumes 1.4 Mw of heat generated outside of e. Graphitecontraction for One full-pwer
ncuninal core. has been calculated t o be 0.3 f t 3 (Ref 43).
f . Includes fuel loop, drain line, and drain
tank heel.
103
i n f u t u r e large-scale breeder reactors. The salt w i t h t h e high en-

richment of 235U i s representative of the core f u e l f o r a two-region
breeder reactor. A higher concentration of uranium was used i n t h e
t h i r d salt t o give increased tolerance f o r f l u o r i d e loss. This was
accomplished through use of p a r t i a l l y enriched uranium and a r e l a t i v e l y
l a r g e amount of 23$. The t h i r d salt w i l l be used i n i n i t i a l oper-
a t i o n s o r t h e E R E (see P a r t I V f o r d e t a i l e d discussion of t h e chem-
i s t r y of t h e f u e l s a l t ) .
The difference between t h e mean f u e l temperature and t h e tempera-
t u r e of t h e center of t h e graphite i s the sum of t h e differences
between t h e center and edge of t h e f u e l including t h e Poppendiek e f f e c t , 35
and t h e temperature difference i n t h e graphite caused by i t s own i n -
ternal heat generation. These values have been calculated and t h e
maximum graphite temperature i n t h e reactor i s estimated t o be 1296O~
a t r a t e d flow and power, This maximum occurs about 50 i n . from t h e
bottom of t h e &-in.-high core matrix and about 7 i n . from t h e center-
l i n e . 31
The average f u e l residence time i n t h e core i s 7.5 sec, and t h e
average f u e l - s a l t temperature increase as it passes through t h e core
i s about 50°F a t 10 Mw of reactor power and with a flow r a t e of 1200
gpm, providing nominal temperatures f o r t h e entering salt of 1175OF
and f o r t h e leaving s a l t of l225OF. It i s calculated t h a t t h e f u e l
s a l t leaves t h e h o t t e s t flow channel through t h e core a t about
1262OF 31 .
5.3.3.8 Upper Head. On leaving t h e r e a c t o r core, t h e f u e l
salt passes i n t o t h e r e a c t o r vessel upper head. Flow i n t h e head
w a s observed i n t h e models t o be turbulent and t h e heat t r a n s f e r
more than adequate; therefore, f e w d e t a i l e d s t u d i e s were made of t h i s
region of t h e r e a c t o r vessel.
The region j u s t above t h e core-can flange, described i n Section
5.3.1, w a s given some study. Although more than 24 gpm i s introduced
i n t o t h e region through s l o t s and clearances, estimates of temperature
were made on t h e b a s i s t h a t t h e s l o t s were plugged. The method of heat
transport was considered t o be t r a n s f e r down t h e pressure vessel w a l l
and through the core-can flange t o t h e wall-cooling annulus, and radial
104
t r a n s p o r t of t h e heat t o t h e f u e l i n t h e gap between t h e core can and bi

’..
t h e graphite core. It was assumed that t h e reactor w a s insulated and
that gamma heatinq i n t h e metal walls was 0.1 w/cc. With these
assumptions, t h e temperature was calculated t o be about 30°F above
t h e r e a c t o r i n l e t temperature of 1175°F and occurred a t a point about
3 i n . above t h e flow d i s t r i b u t o r . With t h e f l o w - r e s t r i c t o r r i n g
gap plugged so that no salt flowed upward between t h e graphite core
and t h e core can, t h e temperature a t t h e same point was estimated t o
be about 40OF above t h e r e a c t o r i n l e t temperature.
c
The upper head a l s o contains t h e discharge s t r a i n e r assembly,
which w i l l be described subsequently.
5.3.4 Reactor Access Nozzle, Plug, and S t r a i n e r

The 10-in. nozzle through which t h e s a l t leaves t h e upper head
of t h e reactor vessel has a kO-in.-long extension welded above it.
This extension has a 5-in. s i d e o u t l e t f o r t h e leaving salt. The
extension serves as a housing f o r t h e nozzle plug, which i s a removable
support f o r the t h r e e 2-in. control rod thimbles, t h e 2-1/2-in.
graphite sample access pipe, and f o r t h e discharge screen, as shown
i n Fig. 5.4.
Thermal s t r e s s e s induced by t h e temperature gradient across
t h e nozzle extension w a l l were investigated and found t o be well
within t h e allowable limits.
44
The removable nozzle plug i s about 20-1/2 i n . long and i s 9.770
i n . OD a t t h e t o p and 9.520 i n . OD a t t h e bottom t o provide a t a p e r
t o assist i n f r e e i n g the plug f o r removal. The r a d i a l clearance i s
1/8 i n . a t t h e t o p and 1/4 i n . a t t h e bottom. Fuel salt i s frozen
i n the annular space between t h e plug and t h e nozzle, t o e f f e c t a
salt s e a l . The salt i s maintained below t h e freezing temperature
by cooling t h e outside of t h e nozzle extension and t h e i n s i d e of t h e
plug with a flow of c e l l atmosphere gas. About 10 cfm of t h i s g a s
i s supplied t o t h e outside of the nozzle extension and t h e i n s i d e of’the
plug with a flow of c e l l atmosphere g a s . About 10 cfm of t h i s gas
i s supplied t o t h e outside cooling jacket through a 1/2-in. pipe,
l i n e 962, and about 10 cfm i s supplied through l i n e 963 t o t h e inner
cooling jacket. The discharge of both jackets i s t o t h e c e l l atmos-
Q
105
bi phere. The salt s e a l prevents t h e s a l t from coming i n contact with

s
and corroding t h e ring-joint gas seal on t h e upper flange.
The nozzle plug i s hollow and i s f i l l e d w i t h i n s u l a t i o n . The
upper end of t h e plug i s welded t o t h e mating flange f o r t h e 10-in.
closure. This flange i s provided with an O-ring s e a l t o make t h e
j o i n t gas t i g h t . The b o l t i n g f o r t h e flange i s arranged f o r manipu-
l a t i o n with remotely operated tooling. It may be noted that when t h e
flange i s unbolted, t h e plug can be withdrawn, carr33ng t h e control
* rod thimbles, t h e graphite-sample guide tube, and t h e discharge
%
screen assembly w i t h it.
d The upper head of t h e reactor vessel has an 18-in.-diam s t r a i n e r
r i n g mounted just below t h e discharge nozzle opening, as shown i n
* Fig. 5.4. This r i n g i s welded t o s i x equally spaced lugs and t o a

strengthening ring. The s t r a i n e r i s f a b r i c a t e d of 16-gage INOR-8
p l a t e with staggered 3/32-in. -diam holes on 9/64-in. centers, and
w i l l s t o p l a r g e graphite chips. The center of t h e s t r a i n e r r i n g i s
cut away t o permit t h e 9.52-in.-OD strainer-basket assembly on t h e
nozzle plug t o pass through it. An INOR-8s e a l ring, 1/4 i n . by 3/4 i n .
wide, 9583 i n . I D and 11.083 i n . OD, i s loosely mounted with t h e
s t r a i n e r r i n g and makes a n acceptably close f i t with t h e s t r a i n e r basket.
The lower end of t h e nozzle plug i s contoured t o d i r e c t t h e
f u e l salt stream toward t h e 5-in. s i d e o u t l e t . Projecting below
t t h i s i s a 9.520-in. -dim by 12-17/32-in. -long cylinder of 1/8-in. -
7 t h i c k p l a t e f o r supporting t h e s t r a i n e r basket. The basket is
welded t o t h e bottom of t h e cylinder, i s 9.520 i n . OD a t t h e t o p
c
and about 8-1/2-in. OD a t t h e bottom and i s about 7 i n . deep. The
holes i n t h e basket s t r a i n e r a r e of t h e same s i z e and configuration
as those i n t h e s t r a i n e r ring, mentioned above. The t h r e e IN OR-^-
graphite sampler baskets, described previously i n Section 5.3.1, pass
through a 2-3/8 i n . d i m opening i n t h e s t r a i n e r basket. The t h r e e
2-in.-diam control rod thimbles a l s o pass through t h e s t r a i n e r basket.
A cross-shaped extension of t h e basket assembly projects beneath t h e
basket about 2-1/2 i n . to act as a hold-down f o r t h e f i v e f u l l - s i z e d
*
graphite s t r i n g e r samples a t t h e center of t h e r e a c t o r core.
106
A l l clearances between t h e s t r a i n e r basket and t h e s t r a i n e r ring, 6,

c
thimbles, e t c . , a r e l e s s than 1/16 i n . s o t h a t graphite chips w i l l
be retained.
5.3.5 Control Rods

5.3.5.1 Introduction. Excess r e a c t i v i t y must be provided over
that required f o r t h e reactor t o be c r i t i c a l while clean and noncircu-
l a t i n g a t 12OOV, i n order t o compensate f o r xenon poisoning, loss of
delayed neutrons f r o m t h e reactor via t h e leaving f u e l salt, t h e
negative power coefficient, and f o r some burnup i n t h e f u e l . Variations
i n t h e pump speed and possible differences i n t h e degree of f u e l pene- - 1
t r a t i o n i n t o t h e graphite may a l s o require some shim control of reac- tl
tivity. It i s a l s o desirable t o hold t h e reactor s u b c r i t i c a l during

s t a r t u p operations when charging f u e l salt i n t o t h e system by pro-
cedures other than heating t h e system t o high temperatures. The
adjustment of r e a c t i v i t y i s provided f o r i n t h e MSRE by t h r e e i d e n t i c a l
control rods located near t h e center of t h e MSRE core.
While control rods are employed f o r the above-mentioned reasons,
t h e nuclear s a f e t y of t h e reactor i s not primarily dependent upon
them. The rods a r e , therefore, not a f a s t - a c t i n g type, designed f o r
extreme r e l i a b i l i t y . Simultaneous withdrawal of a l l t h r e e rods would,
however, c r e a t e an undesirable s i t u a t i o n under c e r t a i n conditions,
necessitating c e r t a i n interlocks and controls. The control philosophy
i s covered i n P a r t 11.
The need f o r a graphite-sampling arrangement a t t h e center of t h e
reactor complicated design of t h e control rod system i n that it w a s
a l s o necessary that t h e control rods be i n a region of high nuclear
importance. The graphite-sampling equipment i n t e r f e r e d dimensionally
with t h e use of s t r a i g h t control rods and d i c t a t e d that t h e rods be
f l e x i b l e and used i n thimbles having o f f s e t t i n g bends. This type of
rod was used successfully i n t h e A i r c r a f t Reactor Experiment.
10
Early plans f o r use of natural boron carbide ( 1 9 B ) as t h e
poison material were abandoned i n favor of gadolinium oxide i n that
t h e l a t t e r increased t h e control rod worth as well as eliminated t h e
problem associated with t h e boron of helium pressure buildup i n t h e
sealed cans containing t h e poison. The s e l e c t i o n of t h e control rod
poison material i s discussed i n detail i n P a r t 111.
107
7
bd 5.3.5.2 Description. Three control rod thimbles a r e arranged
r
equidistant from t h e center of t h e core matrix a t t h e graphite
s t r i n g e r locations shown i n Fig. 5.7. The centers of t h e control
rods a r e 2-53/64 i n . from the reactor c e n t e r l i n e .
The thimbles a r e f a b r i c a t e d of 2-in. sched-40 INOR-8pipe t h a t
i s reduced t o 2-in.-OD by 0.065-in. w a l l tubing i n t h e bottom 5 f t
of length that i s i n s e r t e d i n the graphite core. They a r e supported
by t h e removable plug i n t h e reactor access nozzle, and have two
. 16-in.-radius 3-" o f f s e t t i n g bends j u s t above t h e nozzle extension
closure flange t o permit t h e control rods t o c l e a r t h e graphite-
sampler equipment. The thimbles extend through t h e core matrix t o
about 1/2 i n . above t h e graphite l a t t i c e blocks. Four INOR-8spacer
sleeves, about 1-1/2 i n . long and with eight f i n s , a r e welded t o
each thimble t o position it equidistant from adjoining graphite
s t r i n g e r s , as indicated i n Fig. 5.4 (see ORNL Dwg. E-BB-B-40598).
The control rods a r e segmented t o provide t h e f l e x i b i l i t y
needed t o pass through t h e bends i n t h e control rod thimbles. The
poison material i s i n t h e form of thin-walled cylinders, as shown
i n F i g . 5.13. The ceramic cylinder i s a mixture of 70 w t $ gadolinium
oxide and 30 wt $ aluminum oxide, 1.08 i n . OD x 0.84 i n . I D x 0.438
i n . long. Three cylinders a r e canned i n a 0.020-in.-thick welded
Inconel s h e l l 1.140 i n . OD x 0.790 i n . I D x 1.562 i n . long (see ORNL
Dwg. E-BB-B-56347 and ORNL Specification JS-81-183). The properties
and f a b r i c a t i o n requirements of t h e poison elements a r e discussed i n
Part IV.
i - Thirty-eight elements a r e used f o r each control rod, providing
a poison s e c t i o n 59.4 i n . long. A s indicated i n Fig. 5.14, t h e
segments a r e threaded, bead-like, on a 3/4-in.-OD by 5/8-in.-ID
h e l i c a l l y wound, f l e x i b l e s t a i n l e s s s t e e l . Two 1/8-in. -diam braided
Inconel cables run through t h i s hose t o r e s t r a i n it from s t r e t c h i n g
when dropped i n f r e e f a l l a t operating temperature of 1200-1400°F.
A t t h e t o p of t h e poison section a r e t a i n e r r i n g holds t h e elements
i n place and an adapter changes t h e hose t o a s t a i n l e s s s t e e l con-
voluted type with a s i n g l e wire-mesh sheath. This hose passes upward
-U through t h e thimble t o t h e positioning chain on t h e control-rod drive
e
108
.
Unclassified
ORNL DUG 64-8816 ..
I
t
POISON MATERIAL-
0% Gd2O3
r
I
1.08'' O.D.. 0.84" 1.D)
-B
L 'SEAL RING
_- I
.
I
SECTION "A-A"
INCONEL SHELL
Fig. 5.13. Control Rod Poison Element.

109
UNCLASSIFIED
ORNL-LR-DWG 67511
REVERSIBLE DRIVE M O T O R 7
COOLANT TO DRIVE
SOLENOID ACTUATED
RELEASE
MECHANICAL CLUTCH
GEAR AND ARM
FIXED DRIVE SUPPORT AND

3in. CONTAINMENT TUBE
SPRING LOADED ANTIBACKLASH

HEAD AND IDLER GEAR
16 in. RADIUS x 30° BEND
COOLANT EXHAUST
GUIDE BARS,
4 AT SOo
BEADED POISON ELEME
2in CONTAINMENT THIMBL
Fig. 5.14. Control Rod and Drive Assembly

-
110
mechanism. The t o t a l length of a control rod assembly from t h e bottom

.c
of t h e poison elements t o t h e drive chain connector i s about 14 f t .
See ORNL Dwg. E-BB-B-56334.
Each control rod i s provided w i t h an individual rod drive mechan-
i s m housed i n a box located adjacent t o t h e graphite-sampler stand-
pipe. The drive mechanism i s accessible using remote t o o l i n g operated
through t h e standpipe workshield (see Section 5.3.6) .
Each rod i s moved by a l/3O-hp servo-motor driving through a
brake, gear reducer, clutches, and a sprocket chain, as shown dia-
grammatically i n Fig. 5.15. Two small synchros, driven from a bevel
gear on the main sprocket drive shaft, i n d i c a t e rod motion, one a t
5" per inch of movement and t h e other a t 60" per inch of movement.
A l i n e a r potentiometer i s a l s o actuated by t h e drive shaft t o pro-
vide a position signal which i s used i n t h e s a f e t y c i r c u i t s . The
method of c a l i b r a t i o n of those instruments w i l l be discussed sub-
sequently.
The control rod drive i s self-locking i n that, w i t h t h e magnetic
clutch engaged and t h e drive motor exerting no torque, t h e rods w i l l
not descend by t h e i r own weight (6 t o 8 l b ) . An over-running clutch
provides a positive drive connection between t h e motor and t h e chain
sprocket t o assure rod i n s e r t i o n . When t h e electromagnetic c l u t c h
i s disengaged, t h e over-running c l u t c h a l s o allows t h e rod t o f a l l
freely. The drive u n i t i s capable of exerting a downward t h r u s t of
about 20 l b , and an upward p u l l of roughly 25 l b . The t o t a l stroke
is 60 i n . a t a maximum speed of 0.5 in./sec. The direction of movement
of t h e rods can be reversed i n less than 0.5 sec. Motion can be
stopped i n less than 0.25 sec. The clutch release time i s not more
than 0.05 sec, and t h e rod acceleration during a scram i s a t l e a s t
.
12 f t / s e c
2
L i m i t switches a r e provided a t each end of the stroke.
The drive u n i t s were designed t o operate i n a r a d i a t i o n f i e l d
of 105 rad/hr. The bearings a r e of t h e nonlubricated type and t h e
u n i t i s arranged f o r remote maintenance, o r replacement, by t o o l i n g
operated from above. The control rod drives were designed and f a b r i -
cated by t h e Vard Corporation (Pasadena, Calif .) . (See ORNL
Specification JS-80-144)
.
111
UNCLASSIFIED
ORNL-LR-DWG 78806
SYNCHRO N0.2
60° PER INCH OF ROD MOTION
POTENTIOMETER
GEAR REDUCER NO. 2
INPUT SPROCKET
GEAR
REDUCER NO. 1 SPROCKET CHAIN
OVERRUNNING CLUTCH
FLEXIBLE
TUBULAR ROD SUPPORT^ 1;l
REACTOR VESSEL
CELL
I
POISON ELEMENTS
POSITION INDICATOR AIR

FLOW RESTRICTOR
AIR DISCHARGE - RADIAL
PORTS
Fig. 5.15. Diagram of Control Rod Drive.

112
The control rods a r e heated p r i n c i p a l l y by t h e absorption of

f i s s i o n capture and fission-product decay gamma rays and t h e absorp-
t i o n of r e c o i l k i n e t i c energy of t h e products of reaction.45 The
poison elements a r e cooled by 1 5 scfm of c e l l atmosphere gas (954 N2,
5% 0 2 ) supplied a t 150°F through l i n e 915 t o t h e f l e x i b l e positioning
hose of each rod c35 scfm per rod), t h e gas returning upwards around
t h e canned poison sections t o be exhausted t o t h e reactor containment
c e l l atmosphere. The gas discharge temperature i s estimated t o be
about l l O O o F and t h e poison elements may operate a t a maximum tempera- .
t u r e of about 1350oF. Complete l o s s of cooling a i r with t h e reactor
at f u l l power would cause t h e maximum temperature i n t h e control rod
t o r i s e t o about l 5 O O o F .
A positive-position i n d i c a t o r i s provided f o r t h e lower end of
t h e rod which permits r e c a l i b r a t i o n of t h e position-indicating de-
vices, which a r e r e l a t e d t o t h e upper end of t h e rod, should t h e r e
be variations i n t h e length. The accuracy of rod position indication
46
needed f o r s a f e reactor operation w a s established as k0.2 i n .
Development t e s t s indicated that variations i n length g r e a t e r than
t h i s could be expected when dropping t h e rods i n simulated scram
conditions a t operating temperatures. P o s i t i v e indication of position
of t h e lower end i s provided by t h e cooling gas flow down t h e center
of t h e f l e x i b l e hose. A nozzle with r a d i a l ports i s attached t o t h e
bottom end and a r e s t r i c t o r , o r t h r o a t , i s welded t o t h e guide bar
cage a t a known point near t h e bottom of t h e thimble. When t h e nozzle
passes through t h e t h r o a t , t h e change i n pressure drop i n t h e gas flow
through t h e rod assembly i s r e a d i l y apparent and gives a position
indication t o within l e s s than 0.1 i n . t h e position-indicating
instruments can be c a l i b r a t e d against t h i s known p o s i t i o n of t h e
lower end of t h e rod. (See Figure 2.2, P 49, Ref 122. )
5.3.5.3 Control Rod Worth. Each of t h e t h r e e rods, when f u l l y
i n s e r t e d and t h e other two completely withdrawn, has a worth of
2.w Ak/k.* When a l l t h r e e rods are completely inserted, t h e t o t a l
worth i s 6.B Ak/k.* A t t h e maximum withdrawal r a t e of 0.5 in./sec,
normally limited t o one rod a t a time, t h e change i n r e a c t i v i t y i s
O.Ok$ (Ak/k)/sec.* Simultaneous i n s e r t i o n of a l l t h r e e rods a t a iJ
1
113
r a t e of 0.5 in./sec causes a change i n r e a c t i v i t y of O.O$ (Ak/k)/sec.*

These and other control rod constants a r e summarized i n Table 5.4.
A discussion of t h e nuclear aspects of the rods i s given i n P a r t 111.
Instrumentation i s described i n P a r t 11.
5.3.6 Graphite Sampler

One of t h e objectives of t h e MSRE i s t o i n v e s t i g a t e t h e behavior
of t h e unclad graphite moderator i n t h e r e a c t o r environment. Thus,
t h e reactor w a s designed f o r periodic removal of graphite specimens
from near t h e center of t h e core. The samples a r e exposed t o much
t h e same salt velocity, temperature, and nuclear f l u x as t h e graphite
s t r i n g e r s which make up t h e core matrix. The specimens can be w i t h -
drawn only when t h e reactor i s inoperative and t h e f u e l s a l t i s drained
from t h e primary c i r c u l a t i n g system. When a sample i s removed f o r
analysis, it must be replaced by another sample i n order t o maintain
t h e same flow p a t t e r n through t h e core.
The t h r e e graphite sample baskets mounted v e r t i c a l l y within a
s t r i n g e r p o s i t i o n and t h e f i v e removable s t r i n g e r s a t t h e center of
t h e core have been described i n Section 5.3.1. The small baskets
can be removed o r replaced more o r l e s s routinely through t h e sample
access nozzle ( t o be described subsequently), Access t o t h e f i v e
s t r i n g e r s i s obtained through removal of t h e e n t i r e reactor-vessel-
access-nozzle plug assembly. While t h i s i s accomplished through a
s p e c i a l work s h i e l d provided f o r t h e purpose, it i s not a routine
procedure.
A s shown i n Figs. 5.4, t h e graphite-sample access plug f i t s i n t o
c
t h e sample access nozzle. The INOR-8plug i s 1.610 i n . I D x 2.375
i n . OD x 46-13/32 i n . long and terminates a t t h e t o p i n a 7-in. flange.
The flange i s f i t t e d with a bin.-diam O-ring closure. The bottom of
t h e plug i s contoured t o help d i r e c t t h e flow of f u e l s a l t t o t h e
s i d e o u t l e t of t h e 10-in. reactor-vessel nozzle. The plug i s cooled
by c e l l atmosphere gas (954 N2, 546 0 ) introduced a t t h e center
2
through a 1/2-in. sched-40 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l pipe (see Fig. 5.4 ) . (This
*For thorium-containing and p a r t i a l l y enriched f u e l s a l t . For

b/ control rod data with highly enriched f u e l , see Table 5.4.
.
-.
114
cooling tube has a two-bolt flange at the top to permit it to be with-

drawn fromthe graphite sample access nozzle during maintenance or
sampling procedures and temporarily replaced with a metal-sheathed
heater of the "Firerod" type. This arrangement assures melting of any
residual salt to permit withdrawal of the sample access nozzle and its
attached hold-down rod and cup.) The cooling-gas flow is adjusted during
reactor operation to freeze fuel salt in the 1/8- to 1/4-in. tapered
annulus between the plug and the nozzle to obtain a seal. The O-ring
closure is buffered and leak-detected with helium. .
The INOR-8 graphite-sample access nozzle is 2.421 in. ID x 2.875 in.
*
OD x 39-17/32 in. long, and is welded to the closure for the 10-in.
reactor-vessel access nozzle, as shown in Fig. 5.4. A flange at the
upper end bolts to the mating flange on the sample access plug with an
O-ring joint (previously mentioned) and also bolts to the graphite-
sampler standpipe. The standpipe connections is through a 10-in.-diam
by 8-in.-long stainless steel bellows, which permits relative movement
of the standpipe and the reactor vessel.
Two different graphite-sampler standpipes are available for
joining the reactor access nozzle to the opening in the reactor-contain-
ment roof plug. The one left in place, and designated "No. 1," is used
when taking one of the small graphite-sample assemblies. Standpipe
No. 2, which will be described subsequently, is used when removing
and replacing the 2 by 2-in. graphite stringers.
Standpipe No. 1 is fabricated of stainless steel and is 19-3.4 in.
ID x 20 in. OD x 8 ft 10-1/8in. high. A l l joints and connections are
gas-tight, and the standpipe is provided with purge and off-gas con-
nections. A s indicated in Figs. 5.4, 5.5, and 5.16 the upper end of
the standpipe is bolted to a 40-in.-dim stainless steel liner set into
the lower magnetite concrete roof plug. The lower end of the standpipe
is fitted with the bellows extension which is bolted to the graphite-
sample access nozzle.
During nonnal power operation the liner opening is closed with
a magnetite-concrete plug 35-1/2 in. thick, 41-1/2in. OD, and weigh-
ing about 6000 lb. A 6-in.-diam inspection port in this plug can be
opened by removing a stainless-steel-canned magnetite-concrete plug,
Unclassified
ORNL DWG 64-8817
Rev. 848 f t 6 i n .
C e l l Roof Plugs
Control Rod
Access Flange
\ Graphite-Sempler Hold-Down
Assembly on Hanger
- Reactor Access
Standpipe
Cooling Gas Inlet and

Outlet Connections
Specimen Holder i n
-
Place Ready t o Receive
Fxposed Sample (Another
specimen holder w i t h
c w e r plate and un-
exposed specimen
assembly i s not shown)
Bellows
- Elm. 838 ft ll-3/8 in.

2-1/2-in. Reactor Access Flange
fl 10-in. Reactor Access

Nozzle Flange
Elev. 837 f't 11 i n .
FYgure 5.16. Schematic of Reactor Access Shown Ready f o r Removal

of Specimen Assembly.
,
++
C'
116
which i s 35-1/2 i n . long, and i n s e r t i n g a lead-glass plug. The 3-1/2-

f t - t h i c k ordinary concrete shield block, or roof plug, would cover
these openings during reactor operation.
When taking a graphite sample, w i t h the reactor shut down and
drained of f u e l salt, t h e upper shield block i s taken away, t h e mag-
n e t i t e concrete plug i s removed from t h e t o p of t h e l i n e r , and a 3-ft-
high working s h i e l d i s i n s t a l l e d by placing it on t h e lower shield
block above t h e opening. This working shield (see Fig. 5.17) has
w a l l s of 4-in.-thick lead, i s canned i n s t a i n l e s s s t e e l , and weighs h
about 8250 l b . A gas-tight s e a l i s made by i t s weight bearing on two

c
Teflon O-ring s e a l s on the bottom periphery (see ORNL Dwg. D-BB-C-

I'
40657). A work plug inserted i n the t o p of t h e working shield i s 12 i n .

t h i c k and contains a 3-in.-diam, heavy plate-glass viewing port,
t o o l openings, illuminating l i g h t , and purge and off-gas connections.
The work plug s i t s on Teflon gaskets t o make a gas-tight seal. The
plug can be rotated by a gear and pinion arrangement (see ORNL Dwg.
E-BB-C-40646).
The 4O-in.-diam l i n e r i n t h e lower roof plug and the 2O-in.-diam
graphite-sampler standpipe No. 1 a r e not concentric but have circum-
ferences which a r e almost tangent. The crescent-shaped opening thus
provided t o one side of the standpipe gives access t o t h e control-rod-
drive mechanisms. Maintenance of t h i s equipment can be accomplished
through the work shield. The shield can a l s o be used t o c l e a r t h e
equipment from t h e 10-in. reactor-vessel access nozzle t o remove t h e
f i v e graphite s t r i n g e r s a t t h e center of t h e core o r t o view the lower
head of t h e vessel.
I n b r i e f , t h e procedure f o r taking a graphite sample i s as follows.
F i r s t , the upper concrete shield block i s removed and t h e bO-in.-dim
concrete plug i s taken out of t h e lower s h i e l d block. The work s h i e l d
i s then placed over the standpipe opening, a specimen assembly i n an
unexposed sample holder with a t o p cover, an empty specimen holder with
no t o p cover are placed i n t h e standpipe i n t h e wells provided. The h
?!
standpipe i s then carefully purged with nitrogen o r helium gas u n t i l
t h e atmosphere i s acceptable f o r entry i n t o t h e reactor c i r c u l a t i n g
system. Working w i t h remotely operated tooling through t h e work plug,
P i I
UNCLASSIFIED
ORNL-DWG. 64-6745
L E A D GLASS V I E W I N G WINDOWS
A-
PLUG D R I V E
GEARS
I-‘
TOOL BUSH I NG I-‘
4
PLUG
PURGE VENTS-
SH I E L D
WORK SHIELD FOR GRAPHITE SAMPLER

FIG. 5.17
”
4
118
t h e sample access plug i s unbolted from t h e sample access nozzle flange 6-i
t
i n t h e bellows extension a t the bottom of t h e standpipe. The 1/2-in.
cooling-gas l i n e s a r e disconnected from t h e access plug by use of t h e
quick-disconnect couplings. The access plug, w i t h i t s attached hold-
down rod, i s then withdrawn and s e t a s i d e i n t h e rack provided i n t h e
standpipe. A s p e c i a l t o o l can then be i n s e r t e d through t h e graphite-
sample access nozzle t o t h e t o p of t h e core t o engage and withdraw
one of t h e exposed graphite-sample assemblies. This i s placed i n t h e
empty specimen holder and t h e t o p cover f r o n t t h e unexposed specimen
- 1
holder i n s t a l l e d on it. The unexposed specimen assembly i s then
i n s e r t e d i n t o t h e core, and t h e access plug i s replaced.
pipe i s purged of radioactive gases t o t h e off-gas system.
The stand-
After a
-I
z
s u i t a b l e decay period t h e graphite sample i s t r a n s f e r r e d t o a s p e c i a l

c a r r i e r f o r t r a n s p o r t t o t h e a n a l y t i c a l laboratory i n t h e X-10 area.
Should it be necessary t o remove and replace any of t h e f i v e
2 by 2-in. s t r i n g e r s from t h e center of t h e core, t h e r e a c t o r would
be shut down and drained, the upper roof block would be removed,
t h e round plug i n t h e lower roof block would be l i f t e d and s e t aside,
and t h e work shield, with i t s work plug, would be s e t i n place. Stand-
pipe No. 1 would then be disconnected, which a l s o n e c e s s i t a t e s discon-
nection and removal of t h e control-rod-drive assemblies. After s e t t i n g
t h e working s h i e l d aside, t h e overhead crane would be used t o l i f t
standpipe No. 1 and t o s e t standpipe No. 2 i n place. This standpipe i s
34-1/2 i n . OD and i s f a b r i c a t e d of 11-gage s t a i n l e s s s t e e l . The t o p
flange of t h e standpipe attaches t o t h e lower roof block i n t h e same
manner as standpipe No. 1. The lower end attaches t o t h e 10-in.
access nozzle flange. Then, by working with s p e c i a l t o o l i n g through
t h e work plug, t h e plug i n t h e 10-in. access nozzle would be removed
and t h e 2 by 2-in. graphite s t r i n g e r s would be withdrawn from t h e core
matrix.
5.3.7 Mechanical Design of Reactor Vessel

The reactor-vessel-shell and head thickness requirements were
determined by t h e r u l e s of t h e ASME Unfired Pressure Vessel Code,
Section V I I I . 47
119
The vessel design conditions were taken as 50 psig and 13OO?F.

The allowable s t r e s s used i n t h e various computations w a s 2750 p s i .
The allowable s t r e s s f o r INOR-8
changes with temperature as shown
i n Fig. 5.18. The s t r e s s values shown i n t h i s f i g u r e a r e f o r wrought
and annealed sheet, p l a t e , piping and tubing, and do not apply t o weld
o r c a s t metal. However, t e s t s have shown welds t o have properties as
good as t h e parent metal. The allowable s t r e s s e s used i n t h e design of
t h e reactor were based on t h e lowest value obtained from any of t h e
following c r i t e r i a : 53
1. One-fourth of t h e minimum specified t e n s i l e strength, adjusted
f o r temperature v a r i a t i o n . A s shown i n Fig. 5.18 t h i s c r i t e r i o n was
controlling i n the 0 - 200°F range.
2. Two-thirds of t h e minimum specified y i e l d strength, adjusted
f o r temperature v a r i a t i o n . T h i s c r i t e r i o n established t h e allowable
s t r e s s i n t h e 200 - 9OOOF range.
3. Four-fifths of t h e s t r e s s t o produce rupture i n 100,000 hr.
I n t h e temperature range of 900 -
l O 3 O o F t h i s f a c t o r was controlling.
4. Two-thirds of t h e stress t o produce a creep r a t e of O.l$ i n
10,000 h r . This c r i t e r i o n established t h e allowable s t r e s s above lO3Ov,
which i s t h e range f o r which t h e pressure vessel must be designed.
The f i r s t three of t h e above c r i t e r i a correspond t o standard
practices (see Ref 47, Appendix Q, p 174). A s a f e t y f a c t o r of two-
t h i r d s w a s applied i n t h e f o u r t h c r i t e r i o n t o allow for v a r i a t i o n
t
between batches of material and other u n c e r t a i n t i e s .
4
I n 1962 t h e ASME code committees accepted INOR-8(Hastelloy N)
as a material of construction f o r unfired pressure vessels. The
allowable s t r e s s e s under t h e code exceed those used i n t h e MSRE
design by about 20$.
The curves of Fig. 5.18 show t h a t t h e allowable s t r e s s e s drop from
6000 p s i a t 1200°F t o 1900 p s i a t 1400OF and emphasize t h e need t o
maintain e f f e c t i v e cooling of t h e pressure-stressed portions of t h e
system. Under normal operating conditions t h e w a l l of t h e pressure
vessel i s estimated t o be no h o t t e r than 1180?1?, t h e lower head 119OOF,
and t h e upper head 1230°F. A design temperature of 1300°F was taken
i n order t o provide some additional margin. The low allowable s t r e s s
.
120
Unclassified
ORNL IlwG 64-8818
60
40
30
x)
15
z
f j 10
2 8
rl
E 6 ----
a ------ 4/5 Rupture Strength (lo5 hrs) (RS)
g 4
c1
m
----- 2/3 0.1 Creep Rate U n i t (CRU)
Max- Allowable Stress
3
1
0 200 400 600 800 looQ 1200 1400
Temperature - OF
Figure 5.18. Criteria for Establishing Static Design

Stresses in INOR-8.
121
of 2750 p s i used f o r design i s based on the long-term creep properties

of t h e m a t e r i a l a t 1300°F, but it i s t o be noted t h a t even a t 180OoF
t h e t e n s i l e strength and y i e l d strength of the m a t e r i a l are s t i l l above
30,000 and 20,000 p s i , respectively. This implies t h a t short exposures
t o abnormally high temperatures would not produce complete f a i l u r e of
t h e equipment.
Estimates of t h e thicknesses of t h e material required were based
on standard formulae.18 I n a l l cases t h e a c t u a l thicknesses used were
X
g r e a t e r than those calculated t o be required. Estimates of t h e s t r e s s e s
at t h e nozzles were based on e a r l y predictions of t h e forces and moments
imposed by t h e piping system.18 Since t h e calculated s t r e s s e s were
well within t h e acceptable range,53 t h e values were not revised t o
correspond w i t h t h e nozzle reactions obtained by more refined analyses
of t h e piping systems.
The portions of the reactor pressure v e s s e l receiving s p e c i a l
study were t h e upper and lower heads, t h e s h e l l , the i n l e t nozzle
and f l a w d i s t r i b u t o r , and t h e o u t l e t nozzle. The INOR-8core g r i d
support b a r s were a l s o investigated. Stresses induced by possible
thermal gradients were considered i n a l l cases.
The s t r e s s e s imposed on t h e reactor support lug by t h e support
1
rod were found t o be l e s s than two-thirds of t h e y i e l d s t r e s s but
higher than t h e allowable two-thirds of t h e 0.1% CRU (Creep Rate Unit).
h A s a r e s u l t , it can be a n t i c i p a t e d that a small amount of creep could
c
occur, increasing t h e contact a r e a and r a p i d l y lowering t h e contact
s t r e s s t o w i t h i n an acceptable range (see page 48, Ref. 18).
The graphite l a t t i c e blocks were designed on t h e basis of bending
stress estimates a t p o i n t s of maximum moment. The calculated s t r e s s e s
were less than 100 p s i (see page 38, Ref. 18).
5.3.8 Tubes f o r Neutron Source and Special Detectors
Thimbles a r e provided i n t h e thermal s h i e l d f o r a neutron source

and for two s p e c i a l neutron detectors f o r use primarily during t h e
c r i t i c a l experiments. The inherent source of neutrons i n t h e unirradi-
ated f u e l from reactions between t h e alpha p a r t i c l e s emitted by t h e
uranium, primarily 234U, and t h e beryllium, fluorine, and lithium
nuclei w i l l be 3 t o 5 x 105 neutrons per second. This i s adequate f o r
122
-.
s a f e t y purposes; but a stronger source i s desirable f o r following t h e Li
,z
approach t o c r i t i c a l i t y , and an antimony beryllium o r polonium beryllium
neutron source of about 109 neutrons per second w i l l be provided f o r
t h i s purpose.
The source w i l l be i n s e r t e d i n a thimble made from a 1-1/2-in.
sched-40 pipe, 9-l/2 f t long, located i n plug No. 1 i n t h e west-
northwest s e c t o r of t h e thermal s h i e l d (see ORNL Drawing E-DD-B-40726) .
The source pipe i s protected from damage by t h e 1-in.-diam steel balls
f i l l i n g t h e thermal s h i e l d by a surrounding half-section of 8-in.
sched-40 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l pipe. The l o c a t i o n i n t h e thermal s h i e l d
was chosen because t h e temperature w i l l be low, so any standard
source can be used without concern f o r i t s thermal properties. The
source i s on t h e opposite s i d e from t h e nuclear instrument thimble
and near t h e inner w a l l of the thermal s h i e l d . The source w i l l be
placed i n a cage and w i l l be lowered o r r a i s e d by a simple arrangement
of a small, braided, wire cable fastened t o t h e cage and extended t o
t h e operating f l o o r l e v e l .
The two tubes f o r t h e s p e c i a l neutron detectors a r e similar t o
t h e source tube but are 2-in. sched-10 pipe and a r e located i n t h e
northeast and southeast s e c t o r s of t h e thermal s h i e l d . The chambers
i n these tubes are intended f o r use only during t h e c r i t i c a l experi-
ments and t h e e a r l y power experiments.
Use of t h e neutron source during s t a r t u p of t h e r e a c t o r i s d i s -
cussed i n d e t a i l i n P a r t I11 and P a r t VIII. The f i s s i o n chamber
instrumentation i s described under Instrumentation, P a r t 11.
5.3.9 support
The r e a c t o r vessel i s supported from t h e t o p removable cover of
t h e thermal s h i e l d by twelve hanger-rod assemblies. As shown i n F i g .
5.19, t h e bottoms of these assemblies a r e pinned t o lugs welded t o
t h e r e a c t o r vessel j u s t above the flow d i s t r i b u t o r .
The tops of t h e
assemblies a r e pinned t o t h e support p l a t e s i n t h e cover. The cover
i s supported by t h e thermal shield assembly, which, i n t u r n , rests
on t h e I-beams of t h e major support s t r u c t u r e i n t h e containment
vessel. The thermal s h i e l d w i l l be described subsequently i n Section
5 3-11 t
123
Unclassified
bi ORNL DWG 64-8819
5
Thenaal Shield cmer
i' 1-1/4 i n . M a Pin
6 NC Threads (Right Hand)

T-
I!d/ 1-1/4 i n . Ma INOR-8

Hanger R a d s (12)
6 NC Threads
I I
Ill 1 / Reactor
Vessel
1-1/4 in. Ma INOR-8 Pln
Lug Welded t o
Vessel
T
Figure 5.19. Reactor Vessel Hanger Rods
124
Since t h e reactor vessel i s not accessible when i n position i n s i d e b/

I
t h e thermal shield, t h e vessel w i l l be attached t o t h e thermal shield
cover i n a job outside t h e r e a c t o r c e l l . All adjustments, attachment
of thermocouples, e t c . , including f i n a l inspection, w i l l be completed
before t h e reactor and cover assembly i s lowered i n t o position. Maint-
enance on t h e reactor, other than that which can be accomplished
through t h e reactor access nozzle, requires l i f t i n g of t h e cover and
t h e attached reactor from the r e a c t o r c e l l .
The twelve hanger rods a r e 1-1/4 i n . i n diameter and about 24 i n . e
long. They a r e threaded f o r 3 i n . on each end (opposite hands) w i t h
1-1/2-in. 6-NC threads, and a r e f a b r i c a t e d of INOR-8. A hex section
i n t h e center i s f o r applying a wrench i n t h e turnbuckle arrangement
t o l e v e l t h e reactor and t o d i s t r i b u t e t h e load evenly between t h e
hanger rods.
The support brackets, o r lugs, welded t o t h e r e a c t o r vessel,
a r e f a b r i c a t e d of INOR-8and are, f o r the most part, of 3/4-in.
plate. The c e n t e r l i n e of t h e pin hole i s about 1-3/8 i n . from t h e
w a l l of t h e vessel. The pin i s 1-1/4 i n . i n diameter and i s made of
INOR-8(see ORNL Drawing D-BB-B-40407) .
The support arrangement i s such that t h e r e a c t o r vessel can be
considered t o be anchored a t t h e support lugs. The portion of t h e
vessel below t h i s elevation i s f r e e t o expand downward on a temperature
r i s e w i t h e s s e n t i a l l y no r e s t r a i n t . Expansion of t h e portion above
t h e elevation of the support lugs c r e a t e s forces and moments on t h e
connecting piping which are considered i n t h e f l e x i b i l i t y analysis
of t h e piping, as discussed i n Section 5.6.2, following.
The temperature and stress d i s t r i b u t i o n s i n t h e hanger rods were
estimated using derived equations and analog computer solutions. 54,55
The reactor vessel and contents weigh about’ 30,000 l b , giving a static
stress of about 2000 p s i per rod. The t o p end of t h e rods a r e cooled
by conduction t o t h e water-cooled thermal-shield cover and a r e assumed
t o be a t about 200oF. Assuming t h e lower end of t h e rods t o be a t a
maximum of 1250°F, and t h e gamma heating t o be a m a x i m u m of 0.23 w/cc,
t h e combination of t h e thermal s t r e s s due t o t h e temperature gradient
and t h e s t a t i c load i s a maximum a t t h e cool end This value i s 7350
125
p s i and i s well within t h e allowable s t r e s s of 24,000 psi f o r INOR-8

a t 200'F. A t t h e hot end t h e estimated combined s t r e s s is,~27OOpsi,
which i s within t h e allowable s t r e s s of 3500 p s i a t 13009F. The
maximum temperature occurs about 1/2 i n . from t h e reactor vessel and i s
estimated t o be about 1 2 8 0 ~ ~
t h;e combined s t r e s s a t t h i s point w a s
determined t o be 2500 p s i .
5.3.10 Thermal Shield

The primary functions of t h e thermal shield, which might be more
properly c a l l e d t h e " i n t e r n a l shield," a r e t o reduce t h e r a d i a t i o n
damage t o t h e reactor containment vessel and t o c e l l equipment, t o
serve as p a r t of t h e biological shielding, and t o provide a support for
t h e r e a c t o r vessel. It i s estimated t h a t t h e thermal s h i e l d reduces
t h e t o t a l neutron dosage inside t h e containment vessel by a f a c t o r of
4
about 10 and attenuates t h e gamma i r r a d i a t i o n by a f a c t o r of about 10
3.
The s h i e l d i s a water-cooled, s t e e l - and w a t e r - f i l l e d container
completely surrounding t h e r e a c t o r vessel. A general e x t e r i o r view of
t h e thermal s h i e l d before i n s t a l l a t i o n i s shown i n F i g . 5.20.
The s h i e l d i s about 10.4 f t OD by 7.8 f t I D and 12.5 f t high o v e r a l l .
The lk-in.-wide annular space i s f i l l e d with 1-in.-diam carbon s t e e l
balls. The s h i e l d cooling water c i r c u l a t e s through t h e i n t e r s t i t i a l
spaces. Including t h e 1-in.-thick p l a t e , of which t h e thermal s h i e l d
i s primarily constructed, t h e s h i e l d i s 16 i n . thick, 5@ of which i s
i r o n and 5os& i s w a t e r . Type 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l i s used as t h e con-
s t r u c t i o n material because f a s t neutron i r r a d i a t i o n of t h e inner w a l l
could r a i s e t h e n i l d u c t i l i t y temperature ("2)of carbon steel above
t h e operating temperature i n less than one year of full-power operation.
The support s t r u c t u r e , however, i s constructed of carbon s t e e l . The
weight of t h e complete thermal shield, Including t h e water, i s e s t i -
mated t o be about 125 tons. The cooling-water system i s designed t o
remove about 600 kw of heat, but the a c t u a l cooling load i s estimated
t o be considerably less than t h i s .
S i x separate pieces make up t h e thermal s h i e l d assembly: t h e base,
t h e c y l i n d r i c a l section, three removable sections, o r plugs, and t h e
removable t o p cover. The plugs fill t h e s l o t s i n t h e c y l i n d r i c a l s e c t i o n
through which t h e reactor f i l l and drain l i n e , t h e f u e l - s a l t i n l e t l i n e
%
126
Fig. 5.20. Thermal Shield P r i o r t o I n s t a l l a t i o n .

127
b,
% t o t h e reactor, and t h e f u e l - s a l t o u t l e t l i n e must pass as t h e reactor
i s lowered i n t o position. The base and c y l i n d r i c a l section a r e per-
manently i n s t a l l e d i n t h e r e a c t o r c e l l . [See ORNL DWgs E-BB-D-40729
(elev) , E-BB-D-40730 (plan), and E-BB-D-40724 (assembly and s e c t i o n s 1
5.3.10.1 Structural. The base i s e s s e n t i a l l y a f l a t , rectangular
tank about 18 i n . deep which rests on a g r i d of radial beams a t t h e
bottom of the r e a c t o r c e l l (see O€UiL Dwg. E-KK-D-40723). The base
supports the e n t i r e thermal s h i e l d and t h e reactor vessel and i s t h e
anchor point i n t h e f u e l piping system. The base i s welded t o t h e
I
I radial support beams t o prevent s h i f t i n g . The base contains f i f t e e n
T
8-in., 20-lb/ft, wide-flange, carbon s t e e l I-beams (Asm A-36) arranged
i n two l a y e r s , with t h e s i x beams i n t h e bottom l a y e r a t r i g h t angles
t o t h e nine beams i n t h e t o p l a y e r . The beams are welded t o each other
a t a l l i n t e r s e c t i o n s and t o t h e 3/4-in.-thick 304 stainless s t e e l t o p
and bottom p l a t e s , t h e former being accomplished by 2-in.-diam plug
welds on about l 5 - i n . centers. The 3/&-in.-thick 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l
s i d e p l a t e s a r e welded t o t h e ends of t h e support g r i d beams.
Attached t o , and part of, t h e base i s a v e r t i c a l section formed t o
f i t t h e i n s i d e curvature of t h e bottom hemispherical head of t h e r e a c t o r
c e l l vessel. The outer hemispherical p l a t e , t h e inner semicircular
p l a t e , and t h e i n n e r conical-shaped "skirt" p l a t e of t h i s v e r t i c a l pro-
j e c t i o n a r e 1-in.-thick 304 s t a i n l e s s steel. The projection i s i n t e r n a l l y
L
reinforced with six 3 / b i n . - t h i c k radial web p l a t e s .
-1-
The c y l i n d r i c a l s e c t i o n i s f a b r i c a t e d of 1 - i n . - t h i c k 304 s t a i n l e s s
s t e e l and i s 151 i n . high, 125 i n . OD, and 93 i n . I D . The lk-in.-wide
d
annulus i s divided i n t o 30" segments by twelve 1-in.-thick radial
r e i n f o r c i n g web p l a t e s . The p l a t e s a r e perforated with 2-in.-diam
holes i n a p a t t e r n t o promote e f f i c i e n t c i r c u l a t i o n of t h e cooling
water. The annulus i s f i l l e d with approximately 70 tons (475 f t 3) of
1-in.-diam carbon s t e e l balls, around which t h e cooling water c i r c u l a t e s .
A l a r g e cutout i n t h e bottom of t h e cyl'inder f i t s over the v e r t i c a l
projection on t h e base, mentioned above. The cylinder i s s l o t t e d i n
t h r e e places t o accommodate t h e r e a c t o r f u e l - s a l t i n l e t (line 102),
t h e f u e l - s a l t o u t l e t ( l i n e loo), and t h e r e a c t o r f i l l and d r a i n l i n e
( l i n e 103). A 37-1/4-in.-ID pocket i s provided i n t h e s i d e of t h e
r;
128
cylinder f o r t h e neutron instrument tube. A t two points near t h e

8$
t
inner surface of the thermal shield, a t about t h e northeast and south-
e a s t positions, 2-in. sched-10 pipes about 10 f t long a r e mounted
v e r t i c a l l y t o serve as thimbles f o r the s p e c i a l neutron d e t e c t o r i n s t r u -
mentation. These tubes extend about 8 i n . above t h e t o p of t h e thermal
shield. The portion of t h e thimble i n s i d e t h e s h i e l d i s separated
from the 1-in. steel balls by a semicircular s e c t i o n of 8-in. pipe.
A similar arrangement a t t h e west-northwest position, but using a
1-1/2-in. sched-40 pipe, serves as t h e neutron source tube (see .
Section 5.3.8).
The t h r e e plugs that s l i p v e r t i c a l l y i n t o t h e s l o t s i n t h e
c y l i n d r i c a l portion a r e primarily constructed of 1 - i n . - t h i c k 304
stainless s t e e l plate. The portions that f i t over t h e f u e l i n l e t and
o u t l e t l i n e s include semicircular sections of 20-in. pipe. The plugs
a r e a l s o f i l l e d with 1 - i n . - d i m carbon s t e e l balls. Each plug i s pro-
vided w i t h 1/2-in. sched-40 cooling-water connections a t t h e top,
t h e i n l e t pipe dipping on the i n s i d e t o near t h e bottom of t h e plug.
The thermal s h i e l d cover i s f a b r i c a t e d of 1 - i n . - t h i c k 304 s t a i n -
l e s s s t e e l p l a t e and i s about 79-3/4 i n . OD by 16 i n . t h i c k . A
22-5/8-in.-dim hole through t h e center i s provided by a 22-in.-long
s e c t i o n of 24-in. sched-40 pipe; t h e r e a c t o r access nozzle passes
through t h i s opening. The cover i s divided i n t o 30" segments by twelve
1-in.-thick radial reinforcing w e b p l a t e s . These p l a t e s project beyond
t h e circumference of t h e cover f o r about 4 i n . and r e s t on t h e t o p
surface of the c y l i n d r i c a l portion. The projections, which c a r r y t h e
weight of t h e cover and t h e r e a c t o r vessel, a r e reinforced with 3/8 i n .
p l a t e on each s i d e t o give each a t o t a l bearing surface about 1-3/4 i n .
wide by 4 i n . long. The web p l a t e s a r e perforated with 3/4-in.-dim
holes spaced t o promote e f f i c i e n t c i r c u l a t i o n of t h e cooling water.
Each of t h e wedge-shaped segments i n t h e cover between t h e r a d i a l
p l a t e s contains four 1-in.-thick carbon s t e e l p l a t e s , spaced about 1 - i n .
apart, t o serve as shielding.
A t the outer circumference of t h e cover a r e sixty-three v e r t i c a l
2-in. pipe penetrations through which t h e r e a c t o r furnace heaters a r e
i n s e r t e d (see Section 5.3.11). A t about t h e northwest p o s i t i o n on t h e
I4
t
129
LJ cover, a 1/4-in.-thick r o l l e d p l a t e sleeve, 5-3/4 i n . ID, provides

le
stccess t o t h e heaters a t t h e freeze valve on t h e d r a i n l i n e , FV-103.
Two nozzles of 2-in. sched-40 pipe serve as t h e cooling-water i n l e t
and o u t l e t connections.
5.3.10.2 Cooling. The thermal s h i e l d i s cooled by a flow of about
100 gpm of t r e a t e d water containing potassium n i t r i t e and potassium
borate as corrosion i n h i b i t o r s . (The treated cooling-water-system
water chemistry i s discussed i n Section 15.2.3). Water i s supplied
* t o t h e thermal s h i e l d through t h e 2-1/2-in. l i n e 844. It flows i n
series through t h e base, t h e c y l i n d r i c a l portion, and then through
3
4 t h e cover.56 A t appropriate points, water i s withdrawn from t h e

c y l i n d r i c a l portion i n l/2-in. pipes t o flow through one of t h e three
t
plugs, after which it returns t o t h e c y l i n d r i c a l portion.
The cooling water e n t e r s t h e base through a 2-1/2-in. pipe on t h e
north s i d e and flows through t h e base t o t h e south s i d e and upward
through t h e v e r t i c a l projection of t h e base, The water i s then con-
ducted through t h e 2-1/2-in. line 8 4 4 - ~t o the bottom of t h e c y l i n d r i c a l
portion. The water moves around t h e lh-in.-wide annular space i n a
counter-clockwise d i r e c t i o n (viewed from above), flowing through 2-in. -
diam holes i n t h e r a d i a l web p l a t e s , which are spaced t o give t h e great-
e s t c i r c u l a t i o n r a t e near t h e t o p of t h e s h i e l d . Three 1/2-in. pipe
connecticrns a t t h e t o p withdraw some of t h e water f o r c i r c u l a t i o n
L
through t h e plugs, a f t e r which it i s returned t o t h e c y l i n d r i c a l
T- portion (see ORNL E-BB-D-40724) .
The water leaves t h e c y l i n d r i c a l part of t h e thermal shield
through t h e 2-1/2-in, l i n e 844-B and flows t o t h e cover. The water
flow i n the cover i s i n a counter-clockwise d i r e c t i o n (viewed from
above) and follows a serpentine course as a r e s u l t of t h e spacing
of t h e 3/4-in. -dim holes i n t h e r a d i a l web p l a t e s (see ORNL Dwg.
E-BB-D-40727). The water leaves the t o p cover through a 2-1/2-in.
pipe ( l i n e 845).
The cooling-water system was designed t o remove about 600 kw
6
(2 x 10 Btu/hr) of heat, A t a flow rate of 100 gpm, t h e temperature
r i s e of t h e water flowing through t h e thermal s h i e l d i s about 402'F.
I n case of l o s s of water flow, t h e heat capacity of t h e material i n
c
130
t h e s h i e l d i s such that t h e reactor operation could continue a t

I
j t h e 10-Mw reactor power l e v e l f o r about 3 h r before t h e water tempera-
t u r e would r i s e s u f f i c i e n t l y t o c r e a t e a vapor pressure exceeding
t h e design value of 20 psig. 57
5.3.10.3 Mechanical Design. The vessel was designed i n accordance
with t h e provisions i n the ASME Unfired Pressure Vessel Code, Section
VIII.45 It w a s hydrostatically t e s t e d a t 32 p s i g a t room temperature, 58
A 1/2-in. relief valve, s e t a t 20 psig, i s incorporated i n t h e cooling-
water supply system. As a f u r t h e r protection, t h e cooling-water circu-
l a t i n g pump has a pressure-actuated cutoff switch i n t h e discharge s e t
a t 22 psig.
I
~
5.3.10.4 Shielding Considerations. Radiation damage t o t h e s t e e l
i n t h e containment vessel w a l l i s not considered t o be a s i g n i f i c a n t
problem unless t h e fast neutron (slMev) exposure exceeds l O I 8 n/cm 2 59 .
This would be a n exposure corresponding t o 10 y r of operation a t a
10-Mw r e a c t o r power l e v e l with t h e containment vessel exposed t o a fast
9 2
f l u x of 3 x 10 n/cm -sec. The thermal s h i e l d has a t o t a l thickness of
16 i n , 5@ of which i s Fe and 5 6 i s H20, a 12-in. gap between t h e
r e a c t o r and the shield, and a n estimated escaping neutron f l u x of about
1.5 x 10 8 n/cm 2-sec. 59
The biological shielding required i n t h e roof above t h e r e a c t o r i s
not materially reduced by t h e presence of t h e thermal s h i e l d i n that
t h e aforementioned 22-5/8-in. -dim hole through t h e center of t h e
thermal-shield cover permits d i r e c t impingement of r a d i a t i o n from t h e
r e a c t o r vessel over a f a i r l y wide a r e a of t h e roof plugs. The thermal
s h i e l d does, however, make an important reduction i n t h e amount of
biological shielding needed a t the coolant-salt penetrations of t h e
containment vessel w a l l .
A s previously s t a t e d , t h e cooling-water system i s capable of
removing 600 kw of heat. The nuclear heating i n t h e thermal s h t e l d
i s expected t o contribute t o less than 100 kw of heat. The amount of
heat transmitted from t h e r e a c t o r furnace t o t h e thermal s h i e l d through
t h e thermal i n s u l a t i o n i s estimated t o be l e s s than 50 kw.
0
f
131
5.3.11 Heaters
The 11-in.-wide annular space between the thermal insulation on
the inside of the thermal shield and the reactor vessel w a l l i s heated
by e l e c t r i c a l resistance-type heaters t o form a furnace. A t o t a l of
about 68 kw of heat can be supplied by one-hundred twenty s i x lengths
of 3/8-in. by 0.035-in.-wall-thickness Inconel tubing, each 8 f t 7-1/2
i n . t o 9 f t 11 i n . long, through which the current i s passed (see
ORNL Dwg. ~ - ~ ~ - ~ - 5 6 2 2This
5 ) . furnace provides the heat t o the reactor
7 vessel during warmup and maintains the vessel a t temperature during
low-power operation.
The reactor furnace heater tubing i s i n the form of sixty-three
U-tubes, which are arranged i n nine removable sections of seven U-tubes
each. Each of the U-tubes i s inserted i n a 2-in.-OD by 0.065-in,-wa~-
thickness 304 stainless steel thimble, which i s suspended from the top
cover of the thermal shield. The tops of the thimbles extend about
6 i n . above the top cover and are flared t o about 2-3/8 in. i n diameter
t o f a c i l i t a t e insertion of the heater U-tubes. The centers of the
thimbles a r e about 2.615 in. from each other and about 1-7/8 in. from
the insulation can.
The distance between the centers of the legs of t h e U-tubes i s
3/4 i n . The U-tube assemblies a r e suspended from the junction box
5
f o r each assembly. The junction boxes are fabricated of 11-gage 304

1
stainless steel, a r e about 4 in. by 4 in. i n cross section and about
t 18 i n . long, and are curved longitudinally t o the segment of a c i r c l e
about 37-1/2 i n . i n radius. The junction boxes s i t on top of the
c thimbles which pass through t h e thermal shield cover. Each junction
box i s provided with a l i f t i n g b a i l a t the center of gravity t o permit
withdrawal of t h e seven U-tube assemblies as a complete unit.
The seven U-tubes i n each section a r e e l e c t r i c a l l y connected i n
series s o t h a t each junction box has but two e l e c t r i c a l power leads.
The lead wire inside the junction box i s solid N o , 10 Alloy 99 soft-
temper nickel, insulated with fish-spine ceramic beads (Saxonburg
Ceramic Company Part No. P-897). The lead wires a r e connected t o a
male plug mounted on top of the junction box. The matching female
socket i s f i t t e d with a l i f t i n g b a i l t o f a c i l i t a t e remote manipulation.
f
-
P
132
The socket i s connected by cables t o t h e terminal boxes mounted on

Ir'
c
t h e support s t r u c t u r e .
The t o p 3l-l/2 i n . of each heater U-tube l e g i s constructed of
s o l i d Inconel rod, 3/8 i n . i n diameter, and therefore does not heat
t o as high a temperature as t h e lower tubular portion. The s o l i d rod
i s formed a t t h e t o p t o e l e c t r i c a l l y connect t h e U-tubes i n s e r i e s .
About 27 i n . of t h e upper portion of each U-tube assembly i s
s t i f f e n e d by being incased i n a 1-5/8-in. -OD by 0.065-in.-wa11-
thickness 304 s t a i n l e s s steel tube. Ceramic i n s u l a t o r s (American
Lava Company, Type A) position t h e U-tube l e g s within t h i s tube. c
Ceramic standoff i n s u l a t o r s of t h e same material a r e a l s o spaced t
a t regular i n t e r v a l s along t h e lower l e g s of t h e U-tubes t o prevent

t h e i r contact with t h e thimble w a l l s .
The U-tubes i n f i v e of the sections a r e about 12 f t long o v e r a l l ,
including t h e s o l i d portions, and those i n t h e remaining four sections
a r e about 1 f t shorter. The short tubes are required i n t h e southwest
quadrant of t h e furnace where t h e thermal s h i e l d i s shortened by t h e
proximity t o the curved w a l l of t h e containment vessel. The U-tubes
i n each section a r e staggered i n length byNl/2 i n . , w i t h t h e longest
U-tube i n t h e center of t h e a r r a y of seven. This arrangement f a c i l i -
t a t e s i n s e r t i o n of t h e U-tubes i n t o t h e thimbles.
The e l e c t r i c a l input t o t h e reactor furnace heaters i s controlled
manually i n response t o indicated temperature readings. There a r e
t h r e e controllers, each serving three junction boxes, o r sections.
The e l e c t r i c a l c i r c u i t s f o r the power supply t o t h e heaters i s described
i n Section 19.7. The reactor heaters a r e not connected t o t h e Diesel-
driven emergency power sypply.
The annular space between t h e reactor furnace and t h e thermal
shield w a l l i s thermally insulated t o a built-up thickness of 6 in.
with "Careytemp 16OOoF" block insulation, covered with 16-gage 304
s t a i n l e s s s t e e l sheet, on t h e side, bottom, and t o p (see Section 5.6a6.3),
133
5.4 Fuel Circulation Pump

The f u e l - s a l t c i r c u l a t i o n pump i s a c e n t r i f u g a l sump-type pump
w i t h an overhung impeller. It i s driven by a 75-hp e l e c t r i c motor
a t d1160 rpm and has a capacity of about 1200 gpm when operating a t
a head of 48.5 ft. The 36-in.-diam pump bowl, or tank, i n which t h e
pump volute and impeller a r e located, serves as t h e surge volume and
expansion tank i n t h e primary c i r c u l a t i o n system. A small tank located
beneath t h e pump and connected t o it through an overflow l i n e provides
a d d i t i o n a l volume f o r expansion of f u e l under abnormal conditions.
A general description of t h e pump was given i n Section 2.6.2
and Fig. 2 . 3 , which i s a simplified cross-sectional drawing of t h e pump.
I
Figure 5.21 i s an e x t e r i o r view of t h e pump. The basic data f o r t h e

pump a r e summarized i n Table 5.5. The general location of t h e f u e l
c i r c u l a t i o n pump and overflow tank within t h e r e a c t o r c e l l i s i n d i -
cated i n Figs. 4.4 and 4.5.
The sampler-enricher system, which can add o r withdraw small
q u a n t i t i e s of f u e l s a l t f r o m t h e pump bowl v i a l i n e 999 i s described
i n Section 7 and i s not included i n t h i s discussion of t h e pump.
A l l parts of t h e pump i n contact with t h e f u e l salt a r e fab-
r i c a t e d of INOR-~.
The pump i s of a design similar t o those used extensively a t
ORNL f o r c i r c u l a t i o n of molten salts and l i q u i d metals. The pump w a s
f i r s t t e s t e d a t simulated r e a c t o r conditions of speed, flow and head using
water i n a c i r c u l a t i n g 1 0 o p . ~ It w a s subsequently t e s t e d with molten
salt a t r e a c t o r conditions, including those of pressure and temperature.
The f u e l and coolant-salt pumps were machined and assembled a t
t h e machine shops of t h e Y-12 Plant i n Oak Ridge. Castings f o r t h e
volutes and impellers were made a t General Alloys Company (Boston).
61
The ASME dished heads f o r t h e pump bowls, or tanks, were f a b r i c a t e d
a t Lukins S t e e l Company (Philadelphia)62 from INOR-8 material furnished
by ORNL. The pump motors were purchased from Westinghouse E l e c t r i c
.
Corporation (Buffalo) 63 The pressure vessels and t h e s e a l s needed
where t h e e l e c t r i c leads pass through t h e vessel, or "can," were
obtained by Westinghouse by subcontract with E m i l Vondungen Company
(Buffalo). Fabrication of t h e drive motors w a s covered by ORNL speci-
.
E
c
135
Table 5.5. Fuel-Salt Circulation hunp Design Data
Design flow: pump output,> g p

.I
1200
i n t e r n a l bypass, gpm 65
Head a t 1200 p, f t 48.5
Discharge pressure, psig c355
Intake pressure, psig @7
Impeller diameter, i n . 11.5
Speed, rpm 1160
Intake nozzle (sched bo), i n . IPS 8
Discharge nozzle (sched 40), i n . IPS 5
Pump bowl: diameter, i n . 36
height, i n . 15
Volumes, f t 3
Minimum s t a r t i n g and normal operating 4.1
(including volute)
Maximum operating 5* 2
Maximum emergency (includes space above vent) 6.1
N o r m a l gas volume 2 .o
Overall height of pump and motor assembly, f t 3 8.6
Design conditions: pressure, psig 50
temperature, O F 1300
Motor
Rating, hp 75
Supply, v ( a l t e r n a t i n g current) 480
S t a r t i n g (locked r o t o r ) current, amp 450
Tne Squirrel-cage induction
NEMA c l a s s B
Lubrication California Research
Corporation NRRG-159
Electrical insulation Class H
Design r a d i a t i o n dosage f o r 2 x 1o1O
e l e c t r i c a l insulation, r
Estimated r a d i a t i o n l e v e l , r/hr 105
Overflow tank volume, f t 3 5.4
- 9
136
i
f i c a t i o n s . &,65 Testing of t h e completed pumps was performed by L'

&
personnel of t h e ORNL Reactor Division. Complete assemblies of motors
and r o t a t i n g parts were provided f o r four pumps--two f o r t h e f u e l -
s a l t system and two f o r t h e coolant-salt system--in order t o have a
spare pump on hand f o r each system.
The pressure-containing parts, which include t h e drive-motor
housing, t h e bearing housing, pump bowl, l u b r i c a t i o n reservoir, l u b r i -
cant passage, nozzles, t h e overflow tank, e t c . , were a l l designed i n
accordance w i t h Section VI11 of t h e ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel
Code47 and Code I n t e r p r e t a t i o n Cases 1 2 7 0 and 1273N5' f o r primary
~ ~ ~
vessels.
A l u b r i c a t i n g - o i l system i s required f o r each pump. The o i l -
c i r c u l a t i o n pump, cooler and storage tank, and f i l t e r a r e located
i n t h e secondarily shielded tunnel area outside t h e reactor c e l l .
The l u b r i c a t i o n system i s described i n Section 5.4.1.4, following.
I n order t o prevent salt from g e t t i n g i n t o t h e gas and lubricant
passages, e t c . , on too high a l e v e l i n the pmp bowl, an overflow
pipe leads t o a catch tank located d i r e c t l y beneath t h e pump. This
overflow tank i s described i n Section 5.4.7.
Other a u x i l i a r y systems a r e the cooling water, which i s c i r c u l a t e d
i n a c o i l around t h e pump-motor vessel, t h e cover gas, and t h e cooling
gas, which i s directed around t h e e x t e r i o r of t h e upper portion of t h e
pump bowl.
The pump i s designed t o operate a t a synchronous speed of
d l 6 0 rpm. If it proves desirable t o conduct experiments i n t h e MSFE
other than design flow r a t e s , t h e pump speed can be changed by varying
t h e frequency of t h e e l e c t r i c a l input t o t h e motor through use of a
motor-generator s e t , which can be brought t o t h e MSRE s i t e and operated
on a t r u c k - t r a i l e r u n i t .
5.4.1 Description
The f u e l - s a l t pump consists of t h r e e principal assemblies: (1)
t h e rotary-element assembly, which includes t h e r o t a t i n g s h a f t and
impeller, t h e bearing housing and bearings, t h e s h i e l d block, and t h e
impeller cover p l a t e and upper labyrinth subassembly; (2) t h e pump
bowl, which contains t h e volute and has i n l e t and o u t l e t nozzles;
and (3) t h e drive-motor assembly.
66
137
c
u The motor can be removed by unbolting it from t h e bearing-housing
upper flange. A splined coupling joins t h e motor shaft t o t h e pump
drive shaft s o that t h e motor can be withdrawn. The rotary-element
assembly can be removed by unbolting t h e lower bearing-housing flange
from t h e pump-bowl flange. Each of t h e twenty-four b o l t s i n t h i s
flange has an extension with universal j o i n t s which allow t h e b o l t s
t o be turned w i t h simple socket wrenches w i t h extension handles
operated from d i r e c t l y above t h e u n i t (see ORNL Dwg. F-RD-9830-F).*
Both t h e flanges mentioned above have ring-joint leak-detected closures.
+
A l l water cooling l i n e s , gas l i n e s , l u b r i c a t i n g - o i l l i n e s , e t c . , which
c
serve t h e removable motor and rotary-element assemblies, have s p e c i a l
disconnect couplings t o f a c i l i t a t e disengagement using remotely
operated tooling.
5.4 .I.1 Rotary-Element Assembly. The rotary-element assembly
c o n s i s t s of t h e 347 s t a i n l e s s steel bearing housing, which i s about
8 i n . i n diameter by 23 i n . long and has a 29-1/2-in.-diam flange a t
the upper end and a 23-in.-diam flange a t t h e lower end. The pump s h a f t ,
which i s -3 i n . i n diameter by 48 i n . long, passes through t h i s
housing and i s supported by ball bearings. The upper bearing i s an
SKF-7317BG angular contact type i n a face-to-face duplex configuration
which absorbs both radial and t h r u s t forces. The lower bearing i s an
SK-7219 angular contact type i n a back-to-back duplex configuration
, which absorbs radial forces and provides additional s t i f f n e s s f o r t h e
t shaft. The impeller i s overhung about 22 i n . beneath t h e lower
bearing. Both bearings a r e l u b r i c a t e d and cooled t o an operating
temperature of about 150°F by a 4-m flow of o i l supplied through
l i n e 703 and leaving v i a l i n e 706. The l u b r i c a t i o n system w i l l be
described subsequently i n Section 5.4.1.4.
Contact-type s e a l s are located above and below the bearings t o
confine t h e o i l t o t h e l u b r i c a t i o n system. The seals have s t a t i o n a r y
graphitar rings (U. S. Carbon Company) supported on f l e x i b l e s t a i n -
l e s s s t e e l bellows (Rovertshaw-Fulton Company) that bear against
case-hardened, low carbon steel rings mounted on t h e pump s h a f t .
LJ *ORNL drawings f o r t h e MSRE pumps have a d i f f e r e n t numbering

t
system than t h a t used f o r a l l other MSRE drawings.
c
4
The seal assemblies were manufactured i n t h e machine shops of t h e 4&

J
Y-12 Plant i n Oak Ridge. The s e a l s a r e of t h e balanced-piston type
and a r e designed t o operate normally with a pressure on t h e l u b r i c a n t
s i d e 2 t o 8 p s i higher than that i n t h e pump bowl, which i s a t about
5 psig. Under these conditions t h e lower s e a l can accept, without
opening, pressure t r a n s i e n t s i n t h e pump bowl as high as 65 p s i a o r
as low as 1 psia.
A catch basin located above t h e coolant passages i n t h e shield
plug ( t o be described subsequently) c o l l e c t s any lubricant t h a t leaks
past t h e lower shaft s e a l . This seepage i s conveyed from t h e r e a c t o r - 1
c e l l through l i n e 524 t o an o i l catch tank. The gas t h a t accompanies
t h e o i l seepage i s disposed of through t h e off-gas system. The
amount of o i l leakage, which i s estimated t o be l e s s than 40 cc/day,
can be measured and compared t o t h e reduction of t h e o i l i n t h e
l u b r i c a t i o n system reservoir. A t t h i s r a t e of o i l l o s s t h e system
could operate f o r more than a year before an o i l addition t o t h e o i l
reservoir would be necessary.67 The o i l catch tank, however, i s
limited 90 days storage capacity f o r t h e same l e a k r a t e .
The gas pressure on t h e l u b r i c a n t (upper) s i d e of t h e lower shaft
s e a l i s maintained equal t o that i n t h e gas space above t h e o i l l e v e l
i n t h e l u b r i c a t i o n system r e s e r v o i r located i n t h e tunnel a r e a by
interconnection through t h e breather pipe ( l i n e 590). The gas pressure
on t h e lower side of t h i s s e a l i s that of t h e helium cover gas i n
t h e pump bowl, o r normally about 5 psig.
Helium gas i s introduced i n t o t h e pump-shaft annulus j u s t below
t h e lower shaft s e a l through l i n e 516 a t a maximum r a t e of 0.084 scfm.
A small p a r t of t h i s gas flows out through l i n e 524 t o prevent migration
of o i l vapor t o t h e f u e l salt i n t h e pump bowl; t h e remainder flows
down t h e annulus t o prevent t h e migration of radioactive gases and
p a r t i c u l a t e s from t h e s a l t region i n t o t h e lower s h a f t - s e a l a r e a
68 and
serves as the main flow of sweep gas f o r removal of f i s s i o n product
gases from t h e pump bawl. The pressure drop i n t h e gas flow through
t h e pump from l i n e 516 t o 524 i s about 0.25 i n . H20 a t design flow
conditions. The offgas system w i l l be described subsequently i n
Section 12.
-
An INOR-8shield block, which i s 13 1/2 in. i n diameter by -8 in.
i
t h i c k and has a hole a t t h e center f o r t h e pump shaft, i s bolted t o
t h e bottom of t h e lower bearing housing flange. T h i s block provides
some shielding f o r t h e o i l i n t h e bearing housing and f o r the pump
motor against i r r a d i a t i o n by t h e f u e l s a l t i n t h e pump bowl. It is
withdrawn a s p a r t of t h e r o t a r y element assembly. The block i s
cooled by an 8-gpm flow of o i l supplied through l i n e 704 and leaving
with t h e l u b r i c a t i n g o i l through l i n e 706. The cooling o i l flows
through grooves 1/4 in. deep by 3/4 in. wide, s p i r a l i n g from t h e
3 in. t o 10 1/2 in. i n diameter on t h e upper surface of t h e plug.
The estimated heat t o be removed t o maintain t h e lower shaft s e a l
temperature t o an acceptable value i s about 18,000 Btu/hr. 69
The 11.5-in.-diam impeller i s keyed t o the lower end of the
INOR 8 pump shaft and retained by a b o l t tack welded i n place. A
s l i n g e r r i n g i s located on t h e shaft j u s t above t h e impeller.
The pump shaft speed i s sensed continuously with a magnetic
reluctance pickup (Electro Point 721280) u t i l i z i n g an i n t e r r u p t e r
gear t h a t i s i n t e g r a l with t h e lower portion of t h e shaft coupling
(see ORNL Dwg. F-9830-62). The output of t h i s pickup (SI FP-E) i s
transmitted t o a speed indicator, t h e control c i r c u i t and alarm
system, and t o t h e data logger. The direction of r o t a t i o n can a l s o
be sensed by t h e pickup.
Labyrinth-type s e a l s a r e used on t h e impeller i n l e t shroud
(lower labyrinth) and on t h e impeller support shroud (upper labyrinth)
as shown i n Fig. 5.22. The upper labyrinth i s i n t e g r a l with t h e
impeller cover plate, which i s sealed t o t h e volute with a 1/4-in. OD
INOR-8O-ring about 12.75 i n . I D . Labyrinth s e a l s are a l s o pro-
vided on t h e shaft a t each of t h e aforementioned contact s e a l assemblies.
5.4.1.2 Pump Bawl. The pump bowl, o r tank, i s about 36 in. i n
diameter and 17 in. high at t h e centerline. It i s formed of two INOR-8
ASME dished heads with a w a l l thickness of 1/2 in. The normal f u e l s a l t
l e v e l i n t h e bowl i s about 11 in. from t h e bottom, measured a t t h e
cent e r l i n e .
The pump volute i s an Allis-Chalmers 8- by 6-in. Type SSE (Allis-
Chalmers Dwg. 52-423-498) with 5/8-in. w a l l thickness. The 8-in. -IPS
UNCLASSIFIED
ORNL-DWG. 64-6902
LOWER LABYRINTH
(a) CLEARANCES AT IMPELLER SEALS (b) BRIDGE TUBE
FIG. 5.22. FUEL-SALT PUMP BRIDGE AND

IMPELLER SEAL CLEARANCES
141
sched-40 i n l e t nozzle on t h e bottom of t h e bowl i s concentric with

t h e c e n t e r l i n e of t h e pump. The volute e n t r y nozzle and t h e impeller
i n l e t opening are a l s o 8 i n . i n diameter. The pump discharge from
t h e volute i s through a s p e c i a l thimble, 5 i n . I D by 7 i n . long, having
s p h e r i c a l l y shaped ends. (See O m Dwg. D-2-02-054-10065-A). The
spherical portions f i t i n t o s i m i l a r l y shaped s e a t s i n t h e volute and
i n t h e pump-bowl discharge nozzle (see Fig. 5.22). This bridge tube
provides t h e f l e x i b i l i t y needed t o absorb the three-dimensional
r e l a t i v e motions between t h e volute and t h e bowl and a t t h e same time
allows only a small bypass flow through t h e j o i n t s back i n t o t h e pump
bowl,
A second bypass flow, c a l l e d t h e "fountain flow," escapes through
t h e clearance between t h e t o p s i d e of t h e impeller and t h e pump casing,
and thence through t h e clearance between t h e pump shaft and t h e pressure
breakdown bushing. With t h e clearances shown i n Fig. 5.22, t h e fountain
flow i s estimated t o be about 1 5 gpm ( r e f 60, p 27).
A t h i r d bypass flow, termed t h e " s t r i p p e r flow," of about 60 gpm
i s taken from the pump-bowl discharge nozzle i n t o a r i n g of 2-in.-diam
pipe e n c i r c l i n g t h e vapor space i n s i d e t h e pump bowl on a radius of
about l 5 - l / 2 i n . This d i s t r i b u t o r has regularly spaced holes, half about
1/16 i n , and half 1/8 i n . i n diameter, oriented about 30" from t h e
horizontal and pointing downward toward t h e center of t h e pump bowl.
The holes are about 1 i n . above t h e normal f u e l - s a l t l e v e l i n t h e bowl.
The bypass flow i s sprayed from these holes i n t o t h e bowl t o promote
t h e release of f i s s i o n $roduct gases 'to t h e vapor space. The e f f i c i e n c y
of t h i s s t r i p p i n g a c t i o n i s estimated t o be s u f f i c i e n t t o reduce the
135Xe poison l e v e l i n t h e r e a c t o r t o less t h a t Z$ i n Ak/k. The i n -
fluence of residence-time d i s t r i b u t i o n on f i s s i o n product decay i n t h e
, ~ ~ t h e e f f i c i e n c y of xenon removal and t h e
pump bowl was i n ~ e s t i g a t e d and
effectiveness of t h e purge gas system were studied p r i o r t o completion
of t h e pump design. 7a,72 The same spray holes serve as vents f o r t h e
gas i n t h e pump discharge ( l i n e 101) during preoperational f i l l i n g
of t h e system with molten salt. This gas, after venting i n t o t h e bowl,
i s withdrawn through l i c e 521.
142
The bypass flows c i r c u l a t e downward through t h e pump bowl and re- b

4
enter t h e impeller. The spray entrains a considerable volume of cover
gas i n t h e l i q u i d , and t h e tendency f o r t h i b entrainment t o enlter t h e
pump i s l a r g e l y controlled by a b a f f l e on t h e volute. Tests indicated
t h a t t h e l i q u i d returning t o t h e impeller w i l l contain 1 t o 2 v o l $
of gas.
A 1-1/2-in. v e r t i c a l sched-40 nozzle i s provided a t t h e t o p of
t h e pump bowl t o allow a capsule t o be lowered i n t o t h e s a l t i n t h e
bowl t o take a sample o r t o add small amounts of enriched f u e l . A cap-
sule guide and l a t c h s t o p inside t h e pump bowl positions t h e sample
capsule. 59 The sampler-enricher system i s described i n Section 7.
Th; l i q u i d l e v e l i n t h e pump bowl i s sensed by bubbler-type probes.
One of t h e 1/2-in.-IPS bubbler tubes ( l i n e 596) extends about 3-7/8 i n .
below the centerline of t h e pump volute, o r a min. of 6-1/8 i n . below
t h e salt l e v e l i n t h e bowl. The other ( l i n e 593) extends t o about 1-15/16
i n . below t h e centerline of t h e volute. A t h i r d 1/2-in. connection
( l i n e 592) a t t h e top of t h e pump bowl provides t h e reference pressure
as helium gas i s bubbled through t h e two tubes. Through previous Cali-
bration, t h e helium pressures can be converted t o l i q u i d l e v e l ; a l s o

t h e difference i n pressure between t h e two probes a t d i f f e r e n t l e v e l s
may possibly be t r a n s l a t e d i n t o approximate s a l t d e n s i t i e s . The
bubbler system i s f u r t h e r described i n Section 10.9.1.
A pump-bowl overflow pipe ( l i n e 520) releases s a l t t o t h e overflow
tank i n event t h e salt l e v e l i n t h e c i r c u l a t i o n system becomes too
high. 73
The lower portion of t h e pump bowl i s cooled by t h e flow of f u e l
salt. Above t h e l i q u i d l e v e l , however, heat produced a t a r a t e of about
1 5 kw through beta and gamma absorptions would tend t o overheat t h e
metal and would cause undesirably high thermal s t r e s s e s unless cooling
i s provided. The t o p portion of t h e bowl i s f i t t e d with a shroud
t h a t is spun from 305 stainless s t e e l and i s about 38 i n . i n diameter;
a space 1/4 i n . t o 1 i n . wide i s provided between t h e shroud and t h e
pump-bowl surface through which cooling gas can be directed (see ORNL
Dwg. E-47296). The estimated quantity of cooling gas (95$ N2, 5$ 02)
required i s about 400 cfm (STP). 74
143
5.4.1.3 Drive Motor. The pump drive motor i s a Westinghouse

t o t a l l y enclosed, water-cooled, explosion-proof, NEMA Design "B,"
special-purpose, squirrel-cage induction motor of 75-hp capacity.
It i s r a t e d a t 480 v and normally has a s t a r t i n g (locked r o t o r )
current demand of 450 amp. The s t a r t i n g torque i s s l i g h t l y l e s s than
135% of f i l l - l o a d torque, and t h e pull-out torque i s s l i g h t l y l e s s
than 20& of t h e f i l l - l o a d torque.
It i s planned t h a t t h e motor w i l l normally run a t synchronous
speed of rr1160 rpm. Operation at d i f f e r e n t speeds can be obtained
by varying t h e frequency of t h e e l e c t r i c power supply through use of
a motor-generator s e t which can be brought t o t h e E R E s i t e .
The drive motor i s d i r e c t l y connected t o the pump s h a f t through
a modified f l e x i b l e coupling (Thomas Flexible Coupling Company Cat.
N o . 263 DBZj a l s o see ORNL Dwg. D-2-02-054-9848). T h i s type of
coupling does not require l u b r i c a t i o n . The motor shaft i s splined
t o s l i p i n t o t h e coupling t o f a c i l i t a t e removal of t h e motor.
The e l e c t r i c a l i n s u l a t i o n used i n t h e motor i s Class "H", designed
for l5OV ambient conditions and a r a d i a t i o n dosage of 2 x 109 r before
mechanical breakdown and a t o t a l dosage of 2 x''01 r before e l e c t r i c a l
breakdown75 (also, see ref 66, p 52). The background r a d i a t i o n i n t h e
region of t h e pump motor w a s estimated t o be i n t h e order of lo5 x
L
rad/hr. 76 A three-conductor, mineral-insulated, copper-covered cable

. connects t h e motor t o a three-prong plug that can be i n s e r t e d i n t o a
receptacle by a remotely operated manipulator t o o l of t h e type described
i n Section 19.7.5. The e l e c t r i c a l l e a d a e a l through t h e pressure-tight
motor housing i s a ceramic type.
The motor housing, o r can, i s surrounded by a water c o i l through
which about 5 gpm o f , t r e a t e d , demineralized water i s introduced through
t h e 1-in. sched-40 pipe ( l i n e 830) and leaves through l i n e 83. The
11/16-in. OD x 1/16-in. w a l l thickness s t a i n l e s s s t e e l tubing i s
h e l i a r c welded t o the can using s t a i n l e s s s t e e l f i l l e r rod.
The lower end of t h e motor casing i s flanged and i s bolted t o t h e
t o p flange of t h e bearing-housing assembly by use of a ring-joint leak-
detected type of closure. The motor casing i s f a b r i c a t e d of ASTM A-201
Grade A carbon s t e e l t o meet t h e requirements of t h e ASME Boiler and
.
144
Pressure Vessel Code47 and must pass a mass spectrometer l e a k t e s t with d

j
a l e a k rate of l e s s than 1 x lom8cc of helium per second (STP). I
5.4.1.4 Lubricating-Oil System. The o i l system serves t o l u b r i -

c a t e and cool t h e pump beariqgs and t o cool t h e s h i e l d plug located
between t h e bearings and t h e pump bowl. The f u e l - s a l t pump and t h e coolant
s a l t pump have separate l u b r i c a t i n g - o i l systems, but they a r e intercon-
nected so that one system could serve both pumps i n an emergency s i t u a t i o n .
Each l u b r i c a t i n g - o i l system c o n s i s t s b a s i c a l l y of a water-cooled o i l
reservoir, two c e n t r i f u g a l pumps connected i n p a r a l l e l , and an o i l f i l t e r
as shown i n t h e l u b r i c a t i o n system flowsheet, F i g . 5.23 (ORNL Dwg. D-AA-
A-40885). The equipnent i s located i n t h e e a s t tunnel (see Fig. 4.4),
which i s a secondarily shielded area. The design d a t a f o r t h e l u b r i c a t i o n
system a r e presented i n Table 5.6.
The l u b r i c a t i n g o i l i s a turbine-grade, p a r a f f i n i c base, lo@
s t r a i g h t mineral o i l having a v i s c o s i t y a t 100°F of 66 SSU. Other
l u b r i c a t i n g - o i l properties are shown i n Table 5.7. The lubricating-
o i l s p e c i f i c a t i o n s a r e discussed i n reference 77. Investigation of
t h e o i l temperature a f t e r cessation of t h e o i l flow i n an accidental
s i t u a t i o n determined that t h e temperature would not exceed about 500°F,
t h e approximate condition at which o i l damage would become appreciable,
u n t i l about 10 min a f t e r t h e o i l flow stopped. 78
The o i l r e s e r v o i r i s a carbon s t e e l tank, 22 i n . i n diameter by 32
i n . high, w i t h ASME dished heads 1/4 i n . t h i c k . The tank i s surrounded
by eight t u r n s of a water-cooled c o i l of 1-in.-diam copper tubing. The
required water flow r a t e i s about 10 gpm of 85°F water. The i n s i d e
surface of t h e tank i s provided with passageways, about 2 i n . by 3/8 i n . ,
t o d i r e c t a 5 O - w bypass flow of o i l from t h e pump against t h e tank
w a l l a t a n average v e l o c i t y of about 21 f p s . The o v e r a l l heat-transfer
c o e f f i c i e n t i s estimated a t 230 Btu/hr-ft2-OF, and t h e maximum heat-
removal rate a t 41,000 Btu/hr (see ref 66, p 57).
The o i l reservoir i s provided with a l i q u i d - l e v e l indication,
LI-OTI, t h e output of which i s f e d t o t h e data logger and t h e alarm
system. I n event of a drop i n o i l l e v e l , indicating an o i l l e a k past
t h e lower shaft s e a l of t h e pump, t h e flow control valve FSV-703 auto-
matically stops t h e flow of o i l t o t h e pump. A l a r m s a r e a l s o provided
1
i
I
'I
I
a
I
I
I
I m
I m
I u
I
I
I
z
9
I
0 0
.. . . . . , - I
,. . ........ . . . . . . . . -~_.
146
Table 5.6. Lubricating-Oil System Design Data
O i l supply temperature, O F 140"I?

O i l flow t o pump bearings, gpm 4
Coolant o i l flow t o shield plug, gpm 8
O i l seepage through shaft s e a l s (max), cc/day 40
Outside dimensions lube o i l package
(1 x w x h ) , i n . 100 x 34 x 50
Estimated weight, empty, l b . 2200
O i l reservoir
Operating volume, gal 22
).
Total volume, gal 43 c
Volume of o i l i n system, gal 34
T a n k height, i n . 32
Tank outside diameter, i n . 22
Material ASME SA-201
Grade A
\
carbon s t e e l
Allowable s t r e s s , psig 13,750
Design pressure, psig 75
Heat removal capacity, Btu/hr 41,000
O i l circulating pumps (2) (Allis-Chalmers 2 x 1.5 Type 4
Capacity of each, a t 160 f t head, gpm 60
Motor (Type TENV Frame cm-718), hp 5
Power input ( r a t e d ) , kw a t 220 v 5.25
Speed, rpm, and impeller dim, i n . 3500, 6-5, 3 i n .
c
O i l filter
Type Cuno EFS
Size, i n . 2-114 by 8
Material Carbon s t e e l
Residence times
I n reactor c e l l , sec 18
4
I n coolant c e l l , sec 13
...
I
147
f o r high o i l temperature, low o i l flow r a t e s , o r high lube o i l pump

motor temperature.
A blanket of helium gas i s maintained over t h e o i l i n t h e reservoir
tank. The helium supply l i n e ( l i n e 513) and t h e off-gas vent ( l i n e 535)
a r e provided with pressure-control valves (PCV-513 A - 1 and A-2) t o
maintain t h e gas pressure a t about 7 psig. The gas flow r a t e i s
e s s e n t i a l l y zero. The t o p of t h e o i l reservoir tank i s vented t o t h e
I bearing housing on t h e f u e l pump through l i n e 590. The helium pressure
above t h e salt i n t h e pump bowl i s about 5 psig.
V
Two 5-hp Allis-Chalmers "Electric-Cand" c e n t r i f u g a l o i l pumps,
# 2 x 1.5, type MH, a r e connected i n p a r a l l e l , e i t h e r one of which h8s
s u f f i c i e n t capacity i f used alone. The pump motor i s cooled by a
r
small i n t e r n a l by-pass o i l stream. About 50 g p m of t h e pump output
i s returned t o t h e o i l r e s e r v o i r as a bypass flow t o promote heat
t r a n s f e r a t t h e tank w a l l .
The o i l f i l t e r i s a standard Cuno EFS f i l t e r using carbon s t e e l
f i l t e r elements.
Radiation monitors (RIA-OTI) a r e located i n each l u b r i c a t i o n
system t o d e t e c t contamination of t h e o i l o r t h e blanket helium gas,
The l u b r i c a t i n g - o i l system equipment i s compactly arranged i n t o a
"package" which can be conveniently shielded with l e a d bricks. The
7
valves have extension handles passing through t h e lead s h i e l d .
Sampling nozzles a r e located on o i l l i n e s external t o t h e package f o r
Q periodic sampling of t h e o i l f o r both r a d i a t i o n and thermal damage.
5.4.1.5 O i l Catch Tank. ,Lubricating o i l seeping past t h e lower
shaft seal of t h e pump i s pipeld from t h e r e a c t o r c e l l through 1/2-in.
l i n e 524 t o an o i l catch tank located i n t h e s p e c i a l equipment room.
The portion of t h e l i n e i n s i d e t h e r e a c t o r c e l l i s shielded t o reduce
t h e amount of induced a c t i v i t y i n t h e o i l . The catch tank i s f a b r i -
cated of a 46-1/2-in.-long s e c t i o n of 2-in. sched-40 pipe topped
by a 20-in.-long s e c t i o n of 8-111. sched-40 pipe. The t o p portion
catches gross leakage while t h e lower portion, holding 0.7 gal, pro-
vides s e n s i t i v i t y f o r a l e v e l indicator, LIA-524. This l e v e l i n s t r u -
ment, and those on t h e l u b r i c a t i n g - o i l supply tanks, provide f o r close
inventory of t h e l u b r i c a t i n g o i l . D e t a i l s of t h e tank are shown on
ORNL Dwg. E-GG-C-41518.
148
Table 5.7. Lubricating O i l Properties
Nature of base o i l lO@ s t r a i g h t mineral
Type of base o i l Paraffinic
Gravity, API 34.8

I
Viscosity
SSU a t 1OOOF, sec 66
SSU a t 210"F, sec 36
Flashpoint, "F 322
Firepoint, "F 347

Thermal conductivity, B t u - f t / f t 2 -hr- "F 0.076
Heat capacity, Btu/lb- "F 0.45
Specific gravity 0.85
Equivalent grade Y-12 Plant (UCNC) Turbine o i l , Code D J

I
Equivalent commercial grade Gulfspin 35
P
149
w The rate of o i l l o s s from t h e system i s estimated t o be l e s s

i than 40 cc/day. 67 I n event t h e o i l catch tank cannot hold t h e accumu-
l a t e d o i l f o r a s a t i s f a c t o r y operating period, a 55-gal s t a i n l e s s s t e e l
drum i s provided i n t h e coolant drain c e l l t o which t h e catch tank can
be drained through l i n e 720 during reactor shutdown. This drum may
vent through t h e valve t o t h e off-gas system through l i n e 525 during
draining.
A s m a l l amount of helium gas leaves t h e pump with t h e o i l . A
c a p i l l a r y flow r e s t r i c t o r i n t h e gas l i n e downstream of t h e o i l catch
tank l i m i t s t h e flow t o less than 0.07 liters/min. This r e s t r i c t o r i s
preceded by a s i n t e r e d d i s c f i l t e r , and followed by a flow indicator,
FIA-524. Line 524 continues as 1/2-in. pipe through t h e coolant s a l t
drain c e l l t o t h e vent house instrument box. The gas i s vented through
t h e off-gas system described i n Section 12 following.
5.4.2 Hydraulics
The MSFE f u e l - s a l t pump has an 8-in. by 6-in. volute-impeller
combination. These s i z e s were selected on t h e b a s i s t h a t t h i s provided
a reasonable hydraulic c a p a b i l i t y and were s u f f i c i e n t l y standard so
t h a t e x i s t i n g patterns could be used i n making t h e INOR-8impeller and
volute castings.
Hydraulic performance data were determined on prototype pumps
over a wide range of flow and head conditions and a t several speeds,
using 11-in.- and 13-in.-diam impellers.60 A design pump speed of
1150 rpm w a s selected, and t h e impeller diameter w a s established as
11-1/2 i n . The hydraulic performance data are summarized i n Fig. 524.
It may be noted t h a t a t t h e design speed of 1150 rpm and design flow
rate of 1200 gpm t h e developed head i s 48.3 f t . The pump e f f i c i e n c y
under these conditions i s 80-859.
The flow s t a r t u p times f o r t h e primary c i r c u l a t i o n system were
estimated using assumed motor accelerating torques (which are nearly
constant up t o about 6C$ of speed), and it w a s found that 5@ of f u l l
flow i s a t t a i n e d a,fter about 3/4 sec, 759 after 1-1/4 sec, gCY$ after
1-3/4 sec, and 1 0 6 i s reached i n about 3 sec. 79
c
150
60
50
40
-
c
I
0
a
w
I 30
J
a
c
0
t,
3
20
10
0
0 200 400 600 e00 IO00 1200 I400 1600
u , FLOW RATE (9pm)
Figure 5.24. €&draulic Performance of h e 1 FQnp.
c
151
Coastdown t e s t s determined that about 10 sec a r e required f o r t h e

pump motor t o s t o p a f t e r t h e e l e c t r i c a l supply i s interrupted (see
ref 80 p 47 and ref 60 p 31).
Tests of t h e prototype pump ( w i t h l3-in,-diam impeller) indicated
that when t h e l i q u i d l e v e l i n t h e pump w a s lowered t o 4-1/2 i n . below
t h e c e n t e r l i n e of t h e volute, increased amounts of entrained gas were
present i n t h e pump discharge. A t about 5-l/2 i n . below t h e volute
centerline, the-system flow was cut about i n h a l f ; and a t 6-1/2 in.,
t h e flow was reduced e s s e n t i a l l y t o zero (ref 60, p 31).
The prerotation baffle shown i n Fig. 2.3 a t t h e pump i n l e t has
t h e e f f e c t of increasing t h e head a t t h e lower range of flows when
operating a t a constant speed (ref 60, p 15).
A t t h e most e f f i c i e n t operating conditions, when t h e various l o s s e s
i n t h e impeller and volute a r e a t a minimum, t h e pressure d i s t r i b u t i o n
i n t h e volute i s e s s e n t i a l l y uniform, and t h e net r a d i a l force on t h e
impeller i s near zero. When operating a t higher o r lower flow rates
a t t h e same pump speed, t h e volute pressure d i s t r i b u t i o n becomes non-
uniform and produces a radial force on the impeller and a r e s u l t i n g
d e f l e c t i o n of t h e s h a f t . (The impeller i s overhung about 22 i n . below
t h e lower bearing.) Tests of t h e prototype MSRE f u e l pump indicated
that a running clearance of 0.025 i n . i n t h e lower labyrinth (see F i g .
5.22) would provide f o r a l l reasonably a n t i c i p a t e d conditions of "off -
design" operation of t h e pump. 81
5.4.3 Mechanical Design Considerations

Design of t h e r o t a r y elements involved computation of s h a f t stresses,
deflections, n a t u r a l frequency, bearing l i f e expectancy, flange b o l t i n g
requirements, etc. Design of t h e pump bowl, o r tank, required calcu-
l a t i o n of t h e w a l l thickness, s t r e s s e s , t h e flange requirements, and
t h e reinforcement needed a t nozzles, e t c .
5.4.3.1 Volute and Impellers. The maximum stress i n t h e volute
w i l l be a t shutoff flow conditions a t 1160 rpm and i s estimated t o be
2560 p s i i n bending (ref 66, p 21). The maximum impeller s t r e s s i s
a t t h e keyways and i s estimated t o be about 2000 p s i .
5.4.3.2 Shaft. The impeller horsepower a t r a t e d conditions i s
47.5 hp, based on a pump e f f i c i e n c y of 8 6 and a pump speed of 1150
s
9
152
ds
i rpm. Assuming a r a d i a l t h r u s t on t h e impeller of 195 l b f (see Section
5.4.2), t h e net axial t h r u s t i s 1130 lbf downward. Some of t h e calcu-
i
l a t e d s t r e s s e s a r e summarized i n Table 5.8 ( r e f 66, pp 28-30).

i!
i The maximum s h a f t d e f l e c t i o n a t t h e end of t h e impeller w a s esti-
I mated t o be 0.0110 i n . , based on t h e above-mentioned radial t h r u s t
!
( r e f 66, p 31).
The natural frequency of t h e s h a f t w a s predicted t o be a t 2850 rpm,
which i s well above t h e design operating speed of 1160 rpm (ref 55, p 33).
5.4.3.3 Bearings. The SKF catalog data were adjusted f o r MSRE
operating conditions, and a l i f e expectancy of 3OO,OOO t o 5OO,OOO h r f o r
t h e pump bearings was predicted ( r e f 66, p 32).
5.4.3.4 Pump Bowl and Nozzles. Using standard equations from t h e
e w a l l thickness
ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section v I I I , t~h ~
required f o r t h e pump-bowl ASME t o r i s p h e r i c a l heads was determined t o
1
~ be 0.438 i n . , based on an allowable s t r e s s f o r t h e INOR-8of 3600 p s i .
j
The a c t u a l thickness used i s 1/2 i n . ( r e f 66, pp 16-21).
A reinforced area i s provided a t t h e 8-in. suction-nozzle opening
t o provide material i n excess of 140$ of t h a t needed t o maintain t h e
s t r e s s e s within t h e allowable l i m i t s . The 1-1/2-in. sched-40 f u e l -
sampling-enricher nozzle i s a l s o reinforced. The discharge nozzle
requires an e l l i p t i c a l opening 6 i n . by 7 i n . The weld f i l l e t i n t h e
knuckle region a t t h i s nozzle i s enlarged t o provide some excess re-
inforcement. The upper nozzle i s 13.625 i n . I D and does not require b
~
e x t r a reinforcement ( r e f 66, pp 16-21) . L
The s t r e s s i n t h e pump bowl due t o t h e discharge nozzle reaction

tz
w a s determined t o be of l i t t l e concern. The s t r e s s i n t h e 23-in.-diam
I
pump-bowl flange, which i s designed f o r 50 p s i and 300°F, were found
I
I t o be about 13,290 psi, using standard methods of combining s t r e s s e s
I
!
(ref 66, p 23). S t r e s s e s i n t h e pump bowl due t o a x i a l loading only
i 82
!
I were analyzed and found t o be about 5000 p s i .
I
i The bearing-housing upper flange, which i s 27-l/2 i n . . i n diameter
i
and has an assumed operating temperature of l 5 O ? F , has calculated

I s t r e s s e s of 14,720 p s i (ref 66, p 34).
I
1
I
i i
1
*
f
153
Table 5.8. Estimated S t r e s s e s i n MSFE Fuel-Pump Shaft

(Psi)
Sheer stress i n lugs of impeller stud 2270

f
8
Tensile s t r e s s i n threaded portion of impeller stud 3380
'L
Shear s t r e s s from combined bending and torque at
lower bearing lk20
t Torsional shear s t r e s s i n s h a f t a t impeller hub 2325

I
i
Shear stress i n keys 1340
Bearing stress a t keys 2680
Shear stress i n shaft a t plane through bottom of

bore i n end of shaft 1730
S t r e s s i n s p l i n e a t motor end of shaft 55
c
154
5.4.4 Thermal-Stress Design Considerations

i
The MSRE f u e l pump i s subjected t o r e l a t i v e l y high thermal s t r e s s e s
a t operating conditions because nuclear heating can r a i s e t h e tempera-
t u r e of some parts above t h e l225V i n l e t s a l t temperature and because
of t h e r e l a t i v e l y large temperature gradient between these p a r t s and,
say, t h e t o p flange of t h e pump, which i s only a t about 180% The
c y c l i c nature of these s t r e s s e s as t h e reactor power l e v e l i s varied
requires that they be evaluated on a s t r a i n - f a t i g u e basis t o determine
t h e extent of r e l i e f that can be expected due t o thermal relaxation i n z
t h e materials.
a
The temperature d i s t r i b u t i o n s i n t h e pump bowl were calculated f o r
e
various conditions of reactor power, s a l t temperature, and cooling-gas
flow over t h e outside t o p portion of t h e bowl, using the Generalized
3
Heat Conduction Code (GFR')83 (see a l s o ref 66, p 36). The thermal-
s t r e s s d i s t r i b u t i o n s were calculated f o r heatup from room temperature
t o 12OO0F, power changes from zero t o 10 Mw, and l o s s of cooling gas,
using t h e general procedures of Stanek84985 and witt86,87 I n these .
studies it w a s assumed t h a t t h e MSRE would undergo one hundred heatup
cycles and f i v e hundred power-change cycles. It w a s f u r t h e r assumed
t h e allowable number of cycles as determined f r o m t h e f a t i g u e curves f o r
INOR-8should exceed t h e anticipated number of cycles by a f a c t o r of a t
l e a s t 1.25. The estimated thermal-fatigue l i f e w a s found t o be adequate,
and t h e calculation indicated that t h e cooling-gas flow r a t e s could be L
varied over a broad range w i t h small e f f e c t .88 (See a l s o ref 66, p 37) a
The sampler-enricher connection l i n e ( l i n e 999) t o t h e f u e l pump

bowl i s subjected t o thermal s t r e s s e s due t o t h e axial temperature
gradient i n t h e l i n e and a l s o t o t h e pump movements caused by t h e thermal
expansions i n t h e primary c i r c u l a t i o n system. The s t r e s s e s caused by
t h e piping reactions i n t h e sampler l i n e were estimated t o be 7580 p s i
i n bending and 1940 p s i i n shear. These s t r e s s e s were combined w i t h
thepipe reaction s t r e s s e s and compared t o t h e strain-cycle data. A
usage f a c t o r of 0.367 w a s obtained, which provides a margin of s a f e t y
greater than two when compared t o t h e maximum permissible value of 0.8
f o r t h e usage f a c t o r . 89
155
5.4.5 pump Supports

c
a To provide the f l e x i b i l i t y needed i n t h e primary-circulation-system
piping t o maintain t h e s t r e s s e s within t h e allowable limits, it i s
necessary that t h e heat exchanger and t h e f u e l - s a l t pump be allowed t o
move i n c e r t a i n directions as t h e system i s heated. (The reactor i s
fixed i n position and an anchor point f o r t h e piping.)
Because of t h e degrees of freedom needed, and t h e amount of expected
movement, t h e fuel-pump support equipment i s r e l a t i v e l y complicated (see
Fig. 5.25). The f u e l pump i s bolted t o a 2-1/2-in.-thick plate that i s
mounted on two s e t s of 2-in.-diam r o l l e r s , allowing t h e pump t o move
0
i n a horizontal plane. (See ORNL Dwgs. E-CC-C-41450 and D-CC-C-41511).
P
The r o l l e r s t r a v e l on a spring-supported p a r a l l e l - l i n k framework t h a t
permits t h e pump t o r i s e v e r t i c a l l y from t h e cold t o t h e hot position.
The pump i s restrained from r o t a t i o n about any axis. Three 3-3/4-in.-
diam by b i n . s t a i n l e s s s t e e l , NaK-filled, double bellows, with o r i f i c e
p l a t e s between t h e bellows, a c t t o dampen t h e vibrations induced by t h e
pump-shaft r o t a t i o n . The e n t i r e pump assembly i s c a r r i e d by two 8-in.
horizontal I-beams. 90
When t h e primary system i s brought up t o operating temperature,
t h e pump moves about 0.4 i n . horizontally i n t h e north-south d i r e c t i o n ,
about 0.3 i n . i n t h e east-west direction, and about 0.8 i n . v e r t i c a l l y . 91
A s s t a t e d above, t h e r e i s no r o t a t i o n of t h e pump assembly.
* 5.4.6 Heaters
J The lower half of t h e pump bowl, a 3-ft-long section of suction
piping and t h e 5-in, 90" bend a t t h e bottom of t h e piping section,
I
c
and t h e overflow tank are a l l heated i n a common furnace, which i s
about 51 i n . OD by 66 i n . high.
The heating elements are 3/4-in.-diam s t r a i g h t tubes of 304 s t a i n -
less s t e e l , containing ceramic-positioned resistance heating elements
a t t h e lower ends and having t h e t r a d e name "Firerod" (Watlow Manu-
f a c t u r i n g Company). Five of t h e rods a r e about 8 f t long overall,
with a heated length of about 5 f t , which extend a l l t h e way from
t h e terminal boxes t o t h e bottom of t h e basket. Nine of t h e rods a r e
a
about 7 f t long with a heated length of 4 f t . The heater rods s l i d e
*
dis
_. __ .. .. .I _.
. --. - . . .. . .. . .. .. .. .. . . . ~. ~ ~ ., I - ..,. - "._.
. . . _____... .... .. . .
PYgure 5.25. mal Rrms support
J S ' L H
e
157
L, i n t o 1-in.OD 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l tubes (0.065 i n . w a l l thickness).

&-
I
(See ORNL Dwg. E-MM-B-51604).
The long and s h o r t heater rod a r e arranged, with but one exception,
i n t o removable assemblies of one long rod and two short ones. Each of
these groups of t h r e e rods has a terminal box, o r housing, a t t h e upper
end which has a l i f t i n g b a i l , and i n which t h e e l e c t r i c a l power and
thermocouple connections are made a t a terminal block. The nine s h o r t e r
heater rods, c a l l e d t h e "upper portion," a r e connected as one e l e c t r i c a l
@
. c i r c u i t and have a t o t a l heating capacity of 6.5 kw. The f i v e long rods,
o r "lower portion," a r e another c i r c u i t and have a capacity of 12 kw.
I
* The 51-1/2-in.-OD furnace has a 5-in.-thick l a y e r of "Carey-bemp

1600?E'" block i n s u l a t i o n ( P h i l i p Carey Manufacturing Company), covered
w i t h 20-gage 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l sheet, The bottom of t h e furnace i s
s i m i l a r l y insulated and covered. The t o p i n s u l a t i o n i s 2-1/2 i n . of
"Fiberfrax" blanket, "Type XLM," and i s a l s o covered with s t a i n l e s s
s t e e l sheet. The t o p of t h e insulated portion of t h e basket i s j u s t
below t h e bottom of t h e cooling-gas shroud on t h e t o p half of t h e pump
bowl. Gas f o r cooling t h e overflow tank can be supplied through a pipe
a t t h e bottom of t h e furnace although such cooling should not be
necessary. Supports f o r t h e tanks pass through insulated sleeves and
bellows i n t h e bottom a l s o . (See ORNL Dwg, E - M M - B - ~ ~ ~ o ~ ) .
't
The furnace i s suspended from t h e fuel-pump support p l a t e and moves
a w i t h t h e pump. The heater rods have c o l l a r s which a l s o r e s t on t h e
e support plate.
The terminal box f o r t h e t h r e e rods i n each group i s connected
8 by t h r e e No. 1 2 wires with i n s u l a t i n g beading t o a w-a, 600-v, 3-pole
male plug provided with a l i f t i n g b a i l . This plug can be pulled upward
by remotely operated t o o l s from t h e female u n i t located on t h e support
s t r u c t u r e t o disconnect the heater wiring f o r removal of a heater u n i t
o r f o r other maintenance operations. The power input t o each h e a t e r
c i r c u i t i s manually controlled i n response t o t h e temperature-indicat-
i n g instnunentation. The heater control c i r c u i t s a r e described i n
Section 19.
5.4.7 Fuel-F’ump Overflow Tank
Abnormally high s a l t l e v e l s i n the fuel-pump bow1 might r e s u l t from
o v e r f i l l i n g , from temperature excursions while operating, or from un-
usually high gas entrainment i n t h e c i r c u l a t i n g s a l t . An overflow pipe
and catch tank prevent t h e s a l t l e v e l from becoming high enough t o allow
salt t o enter the gas and lubricant passages of t h e pump.
5.4.7.1 Overflow Pipe. The overflow l i n e i s a 1-1/2-in. sched-40
INOR-8pipe passing through t h e bottom of t h e pump bowl and extending
t o 1-1/2 in. above t h e normal operating l e v e l i n t h e bowl, i.e., t o an
elevation of about 840 f t 3 in. The pipe extends downward from t h e bowl,
as l i n e 520, and makes t h r e e t u r n s i n a c o i l about 29 in. i n diameter
before entering t h e overflow tank located d i r e c t l y beneath t h e pump
bowl (see ORNL Dwg. E-CC-C-56419). The l i n e i s contained e n t i r e l y
within t h e pump f’urnace and does not require a heating jacket.
5.4.7.2 Overflow Tank. The overflow tank i s a t o r u s - l i k e v e s s e l
surrounding t h e tapered section of the pump intake pipe. It i s located
e n t i r e l y within t h e pump furnace, but i s not s t r u c t u r a l l y connected
t o it.
I The tank i s 30 in. OD x 18 in. I D x 27-3/4 in. high overall.
The tank w a l l thickness i s 1/2 in., and t h e annular space between t h e
s t r a i g h t w a l l s of t h e c y l i n d r i c a l portion i s 5 in. wide. The ends a r e
closed with heads dished t o a 2.5 in. radius, a s shown on ORNL Dwg.
D-CC-C-56418. The s a l t storage volume i s 5.4 f t3 . The INOR-8v e s s e l
i s designed f o r a pressure of 50 psig a t 14OO0F and i n accordance with
t h e ASME Unfired Pressure Vessel Code47 and Cases 1 2 7 0 1 ~ - 5and
~~
1273N-750
The overflow pipe ( l i n e 520) e n t e r s t h e top of t h e tank and dips
t o within l e s s than 1/2 in. of t h e bottom. A 1/2-in.-deep dimple i s
pressed i n t h e lower tank head a t t h e e x i t opening of t h e overflow
pipe t o permit more complete removal of t h e tank contents.
The l i q u i d l e v e l i n t h e tank i s measured by two helium bubbler
l i n e s and one reference pressure l i n e i n an arrangement similar t o t h a t
used i n t h e pump bowl. Helium i s supplied through l i n e s 599 and 600
i n 1/4 in.-OD tubing enclosed i n 1/2-in. sched-40 pipe, t h e tubing
terminating about 1 5 in. from t h e overflow tank with t h e flow continuing
159
P
e
160
i n t h e pipe. As i n t h e pump bowl, t h e helium supply l i n e s have a

L
surge volume inside and a t t h e t o p of t h e tank i n t h e form of a curved
portion of 1-1/2-in. pipe. This volume would prevent salt from backing
up i n t o unheated portions of t h e helium supply l i n e s i n event of a
pressure surge i n the salt system. The helium bubbler l i n e s d i p t o
within about 1/2 i n . of t h e bottom of t h e tank.
The t o p of t h e overflow tank i s vented t o the off-gas system through
a 1/2-in. sched-40 pipe connection, l i n e 523. A l/b-in.-OD tubing con-
nection ( l i n e 589) i s made t o l i n e 523 t o provide t h e reference pressure
I
f o r the bubbler l i q u i d - l e v e l indication. Line 523 continues through
t h e control valve HCV-523, which can be closed t o pressurize t h e over-
flow tank with helium t o force t h e f u e l s a l t from t h e tank back t o
t h e fuel-pump bowl through l i n e 520. Normally, valve HCV-523 i s open
3
t o vent the gases from t h e upper portion of t h e overflow tank. Line
523 joins the off-gas l i n e 521 from t h e fuel-pump bowl upstream of t h e
holdup volume i n the reactor c e l l .
5.4.7.3 Tank Support. The overflow tank i s located d i r e c t l y
beneath t h e fuel-pump bowl. Three 1/2-in.-diam rods w i t h c l e v i s ends
suspend t h e tank from the pump support during i n i t i a l i n s t a l l a t i o n o r
maintenance operations. Normally, these rods c a r r y no load, and t h e
tank i s supported from below by a f l a t p l a t e mounted on t h e lower end
of t h r e e 1-in.-diam 304 stainless s t e e l rods. The p l a t e r e s t s on t h r e e I
spring-mounted balls (Mathews Conveyers Company, Type 501) which allow

t h e tank t o move l a t e r a l l y i n any d i r e c t i o n . While connected t o t h e
f u e l pump only through t h e overflow l i n e , t h e r e may be some displace-
ment forces as t h e pump s h i f t s position with temperature changes. The
overflow tank remains a t a fixed elevation, t h e f l e x i b i l i t y of t h e over-
flow pipe accommodating t h e 0.8-in. + e r t i c a l displacement of t h e f u e l -
pump bowl with temperature changes (see ORNL Dwg. D-CC-C-56420).
The t h r e e 1-in.-diam s t a i n l e s s s t e e l support rods mentioned above
pass through the pump furnace i n s u l a t i o n through corrugated s t a i n l e s s
s t e e l bellows welded t o t h e rods a t t h e t o p of t h e bellows and w i t h t h e
bottom of the bellows welded t o t h e furnace casing. The clearance
between t h e rods and t h e furnace bottom allows f o r r e l a t i v e movement of
t h e tank within t h e furnace, and t h e bellows prevent t h e chimney e f f e c t
from inducing a flow of c e l l atmosphere gas through the furnace.
t
161
(zd If the overflow tank must store a large amount of fuel salt that
*.. r
has a relatively high internal-heat-generation rate, it may be necessary

to cool the overflow tank. A 1-1/2-in. connection is provided at the
furnace bottom through which cell atmosphere gas can be supplied from
the component cooling system. A 3-in.-diam stainless steel bellows in
this connection provides a spring-loading on a sliding metal-to-metal
flat-plate joint to allow relative movement of the furnace and the gas
supply line connection (see ORNL E-CC-C-56419).
s
t
162
5.5 Fuel Heat Exchanger

The f u e l heat exchanger i s used t o t r a n s f e r heat from t h e f u e l
salt t o t h e coolant s a l t . The location of t h e exchanger i n t h e r e a c t o r
containment vessel i s shown i n Figs. 4.4 and 4.5. The r e l a t i o n s h i p
of t h e heat exchanger i n t h e primary system flowsheet i s discussed i n
t h e preceding Section 5.2 and shown i n Fig. 4.6. -The physical prop-
e r t i e s of t h e f u e l and coolant salts a r e summarized i n Table 2.1.
With t h e e z e p t i o n of t h e furnace-brazing of t h e tube-to-tubesheet
j o i n t s , t h e heat exchanger was f a b r i c a t e d i n t h e machine shops of t h e
Y-12 Plant. The furnace-brazing was performed a t t h e Wall Colmonoy
Company ( D e t r o i t ) . A l l t h i s work was covered by ORNL s p e c i f i c a t i o n s . 92 ,93,94
5.5.1 Description
The heat exchanger i s a horizontal, s h e l l and U-tube type, with
t h e f u e l s a l t c i r c u l a t i n g i n the s h e l l and t h e coolant s a l t i n t h e
tubes (see Figs. 2.4 and 5.27). It i s of all-welded construction and
i s fabricated of INOR-8
throughout, except f o r t h e back-braze a l l o y used
i n t h e tubesheet j o i n t s . The o v e r a l l dimensions and design data a r e
given i n Table 5.9. (See ORNL Dwg. D-EE-Z-40850).
The s h e l l i s m i 6 i n . OD and about 8 f t 3 i n . -long, including t h e
8-3/4-in. -long coolant s a l t header and t h e ASKE flanged and dished
heads a t t h e ends (see ORNL Dwg. D-EE-A-40874). The s h e l l i s 1/2 i n . L
t h i c k i n both t h e c y l i n d r i c a l portion and t h e heads. The f u e l e n t e r s

a t t h e U-bend end of t h e s h e l l through a 5-in. sched-40 nozzle, near t h e
-
e
t o p of t h e dished head. A l/b-in.-thick b a f f l e on t h e i n s i d e prevents
d i r e c t impingement on t h e tubes. The f u e l s a l t leaves through a 7-in. x -1
5 i n . reducer nozzle a t t h e bottom of t h e s h e l l a t t h e tube-sheet end.

To prevent v i b r a t i o n a t t h e higher flow r a t e s due t o t h e
clearance between t h e tubes and t h e b a f f l e plates, INOR-8rods,
0.166-in. x 1/4-in., are inserted, o r "laced", between t h e tubes.
The rods a r e used a t each b a f f l e p l a t e , with one s e t i n s e r t e d i n
t h e horizontal d i r e c t i o n and t h e other a t an angle of 60". The rods
f i t snugly i n t o t h e spaces between t h e tubes and e f f e c t i v e l y r e s t r a i n
each tube from transverse motion r e l a t i v e t o t h e o t h e r s . The horizontal Y
.
rods a r e t a c k welded i n place a t each end. The inclined rods a r e t a c k 6, "

welded a t l e a s t on one end, and on both ends where accessible. The
€
.r
163
E
k
E
'
I
P
' C
S
2
164
Table 5.9. Design Data f o r Primary Heat Exchanger

Heat load, MW 10
Shell-side f l u i d Fuel salt
Tube - side f l u i d Coolant s a l t
Layout 25s cut, cross-
baffled s h e l l with
U-tubes
Baffle pitch, i n . 12
Tube pitch, i n . 0.775 triangular
Active shell length, f t 4
Overall shell length, f t ~8
Shell diameter, in. 16
Shell thickness, i n . 1/2
Average tube length, f t 14
Number of U-tubes 159
Tube size, i n . 1/2 OD; 0.042 wall
Effective heat transfer surface, f t2 -254
Tubesheet thickness, i n . 1-112
Fuel salt holdup, f t 3 6.1
Design temperature: s h e l l side, "F 1300
tube side, "F 1300
Design pressure : s h e l l side, psig 55
tube side, psig 90
Allowable working pressure:* shell side, psig 75
tube side, psig 125 i
Hydrostatic t e s t pres sure : s h e l l side, psig

tube side, psig
800 .
1335
Terminal temperature: f u e l salt, "F 1225 i n l e t ; 1175 outlet
coolant, "F 1025 i n l e t ; 1100 outlet
Effective log mean temperature difference, O F 133
Pressure drop: s h e l l side, psi 24
tube side, psi 29
Nozzles : shell, i n . (sched-40) 5
tube, i n . (sched-40) 5
Fuel-salt flow rate, gpm 1200 (2.67 cfs)
Coolant-salt flow rate, gpm 850 (1.85 cfs)
~~ ~ ~
*Based on actual thicknesses of materials and stresses allowed by

ASME Code.
165
rods a r e l e f t out a t locations where neither end could be fastened.

For t h i s reason, rods a r e used i n the horizontal d i r e c t i o n only a t t h e
stub b a f f l e p l a t e and a t t h e lower portion of t h e b a f f l e a t t h e f u e l
i n l e t end of t h e exchanger. The rods a t these two locations a r e
O.17l-in. x 1/4-in. acd 0.174-in. x 1/4-in., respectively. The tubes
are a l s o r e s t r a i n e d a t t h e U-end of t h e tube bundle by rods i n s e r t e d
i n two d i r e c t i o n s through t h e f i v e outermost rows of tubes, Two 1-1/2-
in,-wide INOR bands a r e used t o hold t h e rods i n position. One of t h e
bands, which i s s l o t t e d t o accept t h e ends of t h e rods, i s i n s e r t e d
horizontally i n t o t h e tube bundle. The other band i s wrapped around
t h e outside and has t h e ends of t h e rods t a c k welded t o it. See ORNL
Dwgs 10329-R-001-E and 10329-R-002-E .* S i x 25% cut b a f f l e s of 1/4-in.
p l a t e , spaced a t 12-in. i n t e r v a l s , d i r e c t t h e f u e l - s a l t flow across
t h e tube bundle (see ORNL Dwg. D-EE-A-40866). A barrier plate, similar
t o t h e b a f f l e p l a t e s but w i t h no cutaway segment, i s located 1-7/8 i n .
from t h e tubesheet t o provide a more o r l e s s stagnant l a y e r of f u e l
s a l t and reduce t h e temperature difference across t h e tubesheet. The
b a f f l e s and t h e b a r r i e r p l a t e a r e held i n position by spacer rods,
screwed and tack-welded together, t o t h e tubesheet, and t o each b a f f l e .
A divider separates the entering and leaving coolant-salt streams
i n t h e coolant header. It i s f a b r i c a t e d of 1/2-in. p l a t e and extends
from t h e tubesheet t o t h e dished head a maximum distance of about 12 i n . ;
it i s w e l d e d o n l y t o t h e dished head. It is positioned by guide strips
on t h e s h e l l w a l l , and a groove i n t h e edge f i t s over a 1/4-in. pointed,
horizontal projection on t h e tubesheet. T h i s arrangement provides a
labyrinth-type s e a l between t h e channels without s t i f f e n i n g t h e tube-
sheet.
The divider prevents use of a horizontal row of tubes a t t h e exact
center of t h e tubesheet. Also, i n arranging t h e U-tube bundle i n t o a
configuration that could be assembled, it w a s necessary t o leave out
t h e nine tubes on t h e horizontal row immediately above and below t h e
center. These holes are not d r i l l e d i n t h e tubesheet. To maintain fuel-
s a l t v e l o c i t y d i s t r i b u t i o n s i n t h e s h e l l and a l s o t o keep t h e f u e l - s a l t
inventory t o EL minimum, s o l i d rods of INOR-~,1/2 i n . i n diameter, a r e
used a t these locations i n t h e tube bundle.
*Development drawing numbers.

A -t
166
There a r e 159 tubes, 1/2 i n . OD by 0.042 i n . w a l l thickness, 4d

affording a t o t a l heat t r a n s f e r surface of ~ 2 5 4f t 2 . The tubes are
L -
arranged on a 0.775-in. equilaterial triangular pitch. The tube-
sheet i s 1-1/2 i n . t h i c k . The holes through t h e tubesheet had
trepanned grooves on both s i d e s of t h e sheet.
The grooves on the coolant-salt s i d e were t o permit t h e tube-to-
tubesheet weldsg5 t o be made between t h e tube and a l i p of about equal
w a l l thickness. The groove has an o v e r a l l depth of 0.090 i n . , i s 0.068
i n . wide, and leaves a l i p of 0.042 i n . (see Fig. 5.28). The tubes P
were expanded a t t h e t i p end i n t o t h e holes before welding; a f t e r

welding, t h e tube openings were reamed t o t h e inside diameter of t h e
tubes. 96
The tubesheet holes had trepanned grooves on t h e f u e l - s a l t side t o
permit back-brazing of t h e j o i n t s .
These grooves were 0.100 i n . deep,
0.100 i n . wide, and with a l i p of 0.025 i n . ( r e f 94) (see Fig. 5.28).
T h i s groove held an 8% gold - 18$ nickel brazing r i n g p r i o r t o furnace-
brazing.g7 The brazing operation consisted of holding t h e assembly
between 1850 and 1885°F f o r 60 min i n a hydrogen atmosphere having a
dewpoint temperature below -80”F,94 and a flow r a t e of 345 ft3/hr.
Both t h e heating r a t e and t h e cooling r a t e f o r t h e brazing cycle were
limited t o 300”F/hr. Three 3/32-in.-diam equally spaced holes were
d
d r i l l e d from t h e bottom of t h e braze-ring trepan t o communicate with
t h e 0.0015 t o 0.003-in. annular space between t h e tube and t h e tube-
sheet hole, t o permit t h e braze metal t o flow i n t o t h i s space during
t h e furnace brazing.98 An excess of t h e braze f i l l e r metal was
provided t o assure complete f i l l i n g of t h e void and enough t o form a
f i l l e t between t h e tube w a l l and t h e f u l l thickness of t h e trepan l i p .
V i s u a l examination of these f i l l e t s a f t e r brazing gave an indication
that each braze void was completely f i l l e d . 9 8 There was no apparent
d i s t o r t i o n of t h e tubes, and t h e metal was b r i g h t and clean. Ultra-
sonic inspection by use of a Lamb-wave probe, w i t h a 3/32-in.-diam
flat-bottomed hole as a standard, indicated some porosity but no open
channels i n t h e brazed j o i n t s .
After f a b r i c a t i o n t h e u n i t w a s h y d r o s t a t i c a l l y t e s t e d t o 1335 psig
on t h e tube s i d e and 800 psig on t h e s h e l l s i d e . The s h e l l s i d e w a s
.
167
Unclassified
ORNL DWG 64-8820
.
i in
i T
.
c
4
0.0015 - 0.003 i n .
I e3.
*
*
i 0.042 in.
i
i
-+ j 4 t-' 0.068 in.
L
Figure 5.28. Tube to Tube-Sheet J o i n t in MSRE
Primary Heat Exchanger.
-
168
-
pressurized f i r s t and maintained a t 800 p s i while t h e tube side was pressure b.I
t e s t e d . 92'99 A helium mass spectrometer leak t e s t w a s applied, with t h e
shell-side pressure l e s s than 5 microns abs and t h e tube-side pressurized
w i t h h e l i u m t o 100 psig. There were no leaks.
The heat exchanger is i n s t a l l e d horizontally, pitching toward t h e
f u e l - s a l t o u t l e t a t a slope of about 3 " . Each U-tube i s oriented so
that t h e coolant salt w i l l a l s o drain. The supports a r e described i n
Section 5.5.3. The u n i t weighs about 2060 l b when empty and 3500 lb
when f i l l e d with both f u e l and coolant s a l t s . The f u e l - s a l t holdup i s 1
~ 6 . 1ft3, and t h e coolant-salt holdup i s about 3.7 f t 3 .

The s h e l l i s surrounded by e l e c t r i c heating u n i t s of about 30 kw
t o t a l capacity, as described i n Section 5.5.4.
I n normal operation, t h e coolant-salt pressure w i l l be maintained
a t a s l i g h t l y higher value than t h e f u e l - s a l t pressure so t h a t coolant
salt w i l l flow i n t o t h e f u e l system i f a l e a k develops.
5.5.2 Design Considerations

The heat exchanger was designed f o r low holdup of s a l t s , s i m p l i c i t y
of construction, and moderately high performance. The space l i m i t a t i o n s
within t h e containment c e l l required a f a i r l y compact u n i t . A U-tube
configuration best s a t i s f i e d t h i s requirement and a l s o minimized t h e
thermal-expansion problems i n t h e exchanger.
From t h e heat t r a n s f e r standpoint, it w a s b e t t e r t o pass t h e f u e l
s a l t through t h e s h e l l and t h e coolant salt through t h e tubes, since
t h e f u e l - s a l t volume flow r a t e is l a r g e r . The s h e l l s i d e a l s o presents
l e s s opportunity f o r r e t e n t i o n of gas pockets during f i l l i n g operations.
A f u r t h e r consideration i n t h i s respect w a s t h a t t h e f u e l - s a l t system
operates a t a s l i g h t l y lower pressure than t h e coolant-salt system and
t h e r e w a s a small savings i n t h e required s h e l l thickness.
5.5.2.1 Heat Transfer. The behavior of molten salts as heat
t r a n s f e r f l u i d s had been investigated p r i o r t o design of t h e E R E . 100
There w a s good agreement between measured values of t h e tube-side
c o e f f i c i e n t s by Amos e t ai.ioo and calculated values based on t h e
generalized formula of Sieder and Tate. The heat t r a n s f e r design
c
conditions a r e given i n Table 5.9, and t h e physical properties of the

f u e l and coolant salts a r e given i n Table 2.1.
r,
.
169
The mean A t f o r a t r u e countercurrent heat exchanger would be

137V. A correction f a c t o r of 0.96 was applied t o include t h e e f f e c t s
of a single-pass s h e l l , which reduced t h i s value t o t h e 1339 shown
i n Table 5.9 (see Section V I , Ref 18).
Film coefficier;ts were assumed t o be constant on both s i d e s of
t h e tube w a l l . The v e l o c i t y i n t h e tubes i s about 1 2 , l f p s and t h e
Reynold's modulus about 9060, giving a f i l m c o e f f i c i e n t of about 4900
Btu/hr-f@-OF .* The pressure drop i n t h e tubes w a s estimated t o be
about 2.2 p s i / f t . * (See Section V I , Ref 18)
The f i l m c o e f f i c i e n t on t h e s h e l l i s estimated t o be 3200
B t u / f t 2 - h r - 9 f o r a Reynold's modulus of 13,000. The o v e r a l l heat
t r a n s f e r c o e f f i c i e n t i s about 1100 Btu/hr-ft2-OF. The resistance t o
heat flow i s about equally divided between t h e tube-side f i l m , t h e
tube w a l l , and t h e s h e l l - s i d e f i l m . The o v e r a l l c o e f f i c i e n t makes a n
allowance of about 1.0% f o r possible "scale" deposits on t h e tubes.
18
I n estimating t h e o v e r a l l capacity, o r r a t i n g , of t h e heat ex-
changer, t h e a c t i v e length of t h e tubes w a s taken as t h e s t r a i g h t
portion between t h e thermal b a r r i e r p l a t e and t h e last b a f f l e , since
experience i n d i c a t e s t h a t t h e heat t r a n s f e r c o e f f i c i e n t i n t h e bends
of U-tube-type exchangers i s considerably l e s s than i n t h e s t r a i g h t
sections. On t h i s b a s i s t h e e f f e c t i v e area i s 259 f t 2 , which i s about
8$ more than t h e calculated requirement f o r 10-Mw capacity. This
extra amount, plus the "dirty tube" allowance, affords a margin of
about 2fl0 on t h e conservative s i d e .
18
5.5.2.2 Pressure Drops. The estimated t o t a l pressure drop on
c
t h e s h e l l s i d e was estimated t o be 22 p s i a t 1200 gpm.lo2 Preliminary
t e s t i n g of t h e complete exchanger indicated a pressure drop of almost
twice t h i s mount, primarily due t o t h e i n l e t and o u t l e t l o s s e s . The
s h e l l was lengthened by 1-in. t o make room f o r an i n l e t impingement b a f f l e ,
four tubes were removed (leaving a t o t a l of 254), and t h e baffle s t a y
rods which p a r t i a l l y blocked t h e f u e l - s a l t exkt nozzle opening were
eliminated. Subsequent t e s t i n g indicated a t o t a l pressure drop a t
1200 gpm of 25-30 p s i . 177
'AThese values, given i n Ref 18, a r e based on a coolant-salt c i r c u -
l a t i o n r a t e of 830 gpm r a t h e r than t h e r a t e d conditions of 850 gpm. The
g r e a t e r v e l o c i t y afforded by t h e l a t t e r w i l l increase t h e calculated
values of t h e film c o e f f i c i e c t s end t h e o v e r a l l c o e f f i c i e n t s l i g h t l y .
4
170
The estimated tube-side pressure drop was 29 p s i a t 850 gpm.

Tests on t h e 254-tube exchanger indicated a value of about 30 p s i . 177
5.5.2.3 Stresses. The thickness of t h e s h e l l w a s determined
from t h e formulae of t h e ASME Unfired Pressure Vessel Code, Section
VI11 .47
The heat exchanger w a s designed f o r pressures of 55 psig on t h e
s h e l l side and 90 psig on t h e tube s i d e a t 1300°F (see Section V,
p 2, Ref. 18). Except f o r thermal s t r e s s e s i n t h e tubes, t h e s t r e s s e s
were limited t o 2750 p s i . Taking i n t o consideration t h e a c t u a l thick-
nesses of material used and t h e higher s t r e s s e s permitted by t h e Code,
t h e allowable working pressures a r e 75 psig f o r t h e s h e l l s i d e and
125 psig f o r t h e tube s i d e a t 130OoF.
The tube w a l l thickness w a s based more on t h e welding requirements
than on pressure-stress considerations. Experience had indicated that
w a l l thicknesses of l e s s than 0.04 i n . had more of a tendency t o crack
a t t h e tube welds; therefore t h e tube w a l l thickness w a s more o r l e s s
a r b i t r a r i l y f i x e d at 0.042 i n . T h i s provides considerably more strength
than i s needed t o contain t h e design pressure. The s t r e s s e s developed
i n the tubes due t o one l e g of t h e U being h o t t e r than t h e other a r e
not excessive and a r e l a r g e l y self-adjusting. The thermal s t r e s s due
t o t h e temperature difference across t h e tube wall i s estimated t o
be a maximum of 10,000 p s i and i s g r e a t e s t i n t h e U-bends where t h e
fuel salt is hottest. Under normal operating conditions t h e tube w a l l
i n t h i s region w i l l not exceed ll5OOF. The s t r e s s f o r 0.1 CRU i s about
10,000 p s i a t l l 5 O O F so there should be no concern f o r t h e l i f e of t h e
tubes unless t h e reactor i s operated through a l a r g e number of cycles
between zero and f u l l power a t higher temperatures.
The thickness of t h e tubesheet was determined by standard TEMA
formulae1o3 t o be 1.5 i n . f o r a pressure of 55 p s i across t h e sheet and
a pressure s t r e s s of 2750 p s i . This pressure d i f f e r e n t i a l assumes
that t h e coolant salt i s a t 65 psig and t h e f u e l salt i s a t 10 psig
(no flow condition). The thermal b a r r i e r p l a t e on t h e s h e l l s i d e i s
estimated t o l i m i t t h e temperature difference across t h e tubesheet t o
less than 2 0 T (see Section V, p 18 of Ref 18). The baffle on t h e
coolant-salt s i d e i s kept separate from t h e tubesheet i n order t o
avoid l a r g e localized stresses.
i
171
'w 5.5.2.4 Vibration. Development t e s t i n g of t h e heat exchanger

c
as constructed t o t h e o r i g i n a l design indicated excessive vibration
of t h e tubes a t t h e rated flow r a t e . The design was then modified t o
include an impingement baffle on t h e f u e l - s a l t i n l e t and i n s t a l l a t i o n
of "lacing" rods t o r e s t r a i n l a t e r a l movement of individual tubes.
Subsequent t e s t i n g showed that t h e noise due t o t h e tube vibration
11
had been eliminated.
5.5.3 supports
?
The heat exchanger i s connected t o t h e reactor vessel and t h e pump
by short and s t i f f piping, s o one of t h e primary considerations i n de-
signing t h e supports f o r t h e heat exchanger was that it must be allowed
t o move with but l i t t l e r e s t r a i n t when t h e system i s heated and cooled.
c
The coolant salt l i n e s attached t o t h e heat exchanger have s u f f i c i e n t
f l e x i b i l i t y i n looping around t h e reactor c e l l space t o s u b s t a n t i a l l y
reduce t h e reactions on t h e heat exchanger nozzles due t o thermal
expansion i n these l i n e s .
The heat exchanger r e s t s on two INOR-8saddle supports t h a t a r e
welded t o t h e s h e l l about 46 i n . apart. The INOR-8
l e g s on which t h e
saddles a r e welded a r e of d i f f e r e n t heights t o give t h e s h e l l a p i t c h
of about 3" toward t h e f u e l - s a l t o u t l e t end. The l e g s are bolted t o
a carbon s t e e l frame, about 30 i n . wide and 10 f t 8 i n . long, fabricated
of 6-in. I-beams. This frame i s i n s t a l l e d horizontally and r e s t s on
four 3-in.-diam r o l l e r s (see ORNL Dwg. E-EE-D-41492). The support
bracket f o r each of t h e r o l l e r s has a 2-15/16-in.-diam pin i n s e r t e d
i n a t h r u s t bearing, which c a r r i e s t h e v e r t i c a l load and permits t h e
r o l l e r s t o be self-aligning, The t h r u s t bearings a r e mounted on t o p
of t h e Grinnel* spring hanger assemblies having adjustable spring tension,
load i n d i c a t o r and scale. The s p e c i a l tension adjustment b o l t can
be turned by use of remotely operated t o o l s from above (see ORNL Dwg-
D-DD-D-41491). The spring hanger assemblies r e s t on a fixed support
s t r u c t u r e of 8-in. I-beams. (See Section X I , Ref 18).
The arrangement of supports allows t h e heat exchanger t o move
horizontally i n a north-south d i r e c t i o n on t h e r o l l e r s , and t o move
v e r t i c a l l y and r o t a t e against t h e spring actions. A small amount of .
172
east-west horizontal t r a n s l a t i o n (very l i t t l e should be requkred) can

be accommodated by t h e frame s l i p p i n g l a t e r a l l y on t h e r o l l e r s t o t h e
"least-loaded" position.
Piping reactions on t h e heat exchanger nozzles a r e shown on ORNL
Dwg. D-EE-Z-40852 and a r e discussed i n Section 5.6.
5.5.4 Heaters
The salts i n t h e primary heat exchanger a r e kept molten by
e l e c t r i c resistance heaters i n s t a l l e d outside t h e s h e l l . The
1
heater u n i t s a r e arranged i n t h r e e sections and a r e e s s e n t i a l l y
i d e n t i c a l t o t h e removable heaters applied t o t h e 5-in. s t r a i g h t 'c
sections of s a l t piping (see Section 5.6.6.2) except that they

a r e designed f o r t h e 16-in. OD s h e l l . The heaters a r e connected
i n t h r e e separate c i r c u i t s , each three-phase, 2 0 8 - ~ , 10-kw, t o
give a t o t a l heat input capacity of 30-kw. The thermal i n s u l a t i o n
i s similar t o t h a t used on t h e pipe sections. (See Mirror I n s u l a t i o n
company Dwg ~-108-~).
.
i
-
1
173
u 5.6 Primary Circulating System Piping, Supports, Heaters,

Insulation, Freeze Flanges and Freeze Valves.
5.6.1 Piping
With t h e exception of a t r a n s i t i o n piece a t t h e pump suction, a l l
t h e primary c i r c u l a t i n g system piping i s fabricated of 5-in. sched
40 seamless INOR-8pipe. Flanges a r e provided between t h e three major
pieces of e q u i p e n t i n t h e loop t o f a c i l i t a t e t h e i r removal and replace-
ment. These "freeze" flanges a r e described subsequently i n Section 5.6.4.
Forged elbows a r e used i n t h e piping where space did not permit
use of longer radius bends. The system includes on& 90" bend, one bend
of about 3O", three 90" elbows, one 57" elbow and one 34" elbow.
A l l piping i n t h e c i r c u l a t i n g system pitches downward a t 3" t o cause
drainage towards t h e reactor. (The d r a i n l i n e from t h e bottom of t h e
reactor, l i n e 103, pitches a t about 3" t o drain toward t h e f u e l d r a i n
tanks. )
The piping between the reactor discharge nozzle and t h e f u e l - s a l t
pump suction nozzle, l i n e 100, i s welded t o t h e reactor nozzle and extends
almost horizontally, with a s l i g h t bend, approximately 6 f t t o a freeze
flange, FF-100; from t h i s flange it bends s l i g h t l y i n t h e horizontal plane
and t u r n s upwards 90", terminating i n t h e pump nozzle t r a n s i t i o n piece.
T h i s s p e c i a l conical section i s approximately 32 i n . long and r o l l e d from
3/8-in. INOR-8
plate. It i s required t o make t h e t r a n s i t i o n from t h e
5-in. pipe i n l i n e 100 t o t h e 8-in. nozzle on t h e pump bowl. A 5-in.
c x 6-in. eccentric reducer i s used a t t h e pump discharge nozzle. See
ORNL Dwgs E-GG-B-40700, E-GG-B-40701 and E-GG-E-41866.
I 5
Line 101 i s welded t o t h e pump discharge nozzle and extends
horizontally about 3-1/2 f t where it makes a 90" bend i n t h e horizontal
plane and joins t h e freeze flange FF-101, which i s close-coupled t o t h e
heat exchanger i n l e t nozzle.
Line 102 drops v e r t i c a l l y from t h e o u t l e t a t t h e underside of t h e
heat exchanger a distance of about 5-1/2 f t t o a 90" elbow and then
runs horizontally through a sweeping 90" bend t o t h e freeze flange, FF-102;
from t h i s flange it continces horizontally througH a s l i g h t bend t o t h e
reactor i n l e t nozzle.
i
174
"he pump bowl overflow l i n e i s described i n Section 5.4.7.1 and t h e

drain pipe, l i n e 103, i s discussed i n Section 6.
5.6.2 Piping S t r e s s e s and F l e x i b i l i t y Analysis

The reactor v e s s e l i s suspended from t h e s t a t i o n a r y top cover of
t h e thermal s h i e l d and i s thus fixed i n p o s i t i o n and t h e anchor point
f o r t h e piping i n t h e primary c i r c u l a t i n g system. The c i r c u l a t i n g loop
i s r a t h e r compact, with short r e l a t i v e l y s t i f f lengths of 5-in. pipe con-
necting t h e equipment. To avoid use of bellows-type expansion j o i n t s t o
r e l i e v e s t r e s s e s due t o thermal expansion, t h e heat exchanger and f u e l
.
pmp supports were designed t o allow r e l a t i v e l y f r e e movement.
The f u e l pump mount allows t h e pump t o move on r o l l e r s i n t h e hori-
zontal plane and a p a r a l l e l - l i n k framework, supported on springs, permits
v e r t i c a l movement f r o m t h e cold t o t h e hot p o s i t i o n (see Section 5.4.5).
The pump bowl i s thus r e s t r a i n e d from r o t a t i o n about any axis.
The heat exchanger supports permit it t o move horizontally i n two
d i r e c t i o n s on r o l l e r s and t o move v e r t i c a l l y and r o t a t e about i t s longi-
t u d i n d axis by acting against t h e spring supports, as described i n
Section 5.5.3.
The sustained s t r e s s e s i n t h e piping, L e . , those due t o i n t e r n a l
pressure and weight of the equipment and contents, were estimated using
conventional relationships4' and found t o be l e s s than t h e allowable
o 16
s t r e s s of 3,500 p s i a t 1300 F.
F l e x i b i l i t y analyses were made on t h e primary c i r c u l a t i n g system (.
r
piping using t h e IBM Modification of Pipe S t r e s s Program, SHARE,
No. GS 3812." Estimates were based on a r e a c t o r power l e v e l of 10 Mw
when t h e primaxy piping i s between 1175OF and 1225'F, t h e coolant-salt
piping i s between 1025'F and llOO°F, and t h e r e a c t o r v e s s e l and heat ex-
changer axe a t about 1200OF. For every anticipated r e a c t o r operating
condition t h e maximum s t r e s s e s were calculated t o be w e l l below t h e a l -
lowable s t r e s s range of 32,125 p s i ,
* as determined from t h e Code of Pressure
*See p 96, r e f 106. Based on SA = f(1.25 Sc + 0.25 Sh), where SA i s

allowable s t r e s s range, p s i ; f i s s t r e s s reduction f a c t o r , taken t o be
u n i t y f o r l e s s than 7,000 full temperature cycles over expected l i f e ; Sc
i s allowable s t r e s s i n cold condition, taken as 25,000 p s i (see r e f 16);
and % i s allowable s t r e s s i n hot condition, taken as 3,500 p s i a t l3OOOF
(see r e f 16).
.
175
Piping, ASA B 3 l . l . lo' The maximum s t r e s s i n t h e piping system was

estimated t o be 7,700 psi, which occurs a t t h e coolant-salt i n l e t nozzle
t o t h e heat exchanger. 91
Calculated movements of t h e pump from t h e cold t o t h e hot condition
a t 10 mw were: Ax (N-S) = 0.401 i n . ; Ay (E-W) = 0.335 i n . ; and Az ( v e r t )
= 0.826 i n . 91
5.6.3 supports
There a r e t e n supports on major piping inside the reactor c e l l ,
ii
t h r e e on t h e f u e l - s a l t piping and t h e remainder on t h e coolant-salt

lines. Rigid supports can be used a t one location i n t h e f u e l - s a l t
system and a t two places i n t h e coolant-salt piping; a t a l l other
locations t h e piping r e s t s on spring-loaded mountings. The supports
f o r d r a i n l i n e lo3 a r e described with t h e drain tank c e l l salt t r a n s f e r
l i n e supports, Section 6.28.
The spring supports a r e Bergen Pipe Support Corporation (New York,
N.Y.) u n i t s , Model V S - p , i n s i z e s 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8. The spring s e t t i n g
i n each i s variable t o a d j u s t t h e support t o t h e piping load, as will be
discussed subsequently. A short column of 3-in. sched 40 pipe r e s t s on
t h e spring support and c a r r i e s a 10-in. x 10-in. x 1/2-in.-thick steel
p l a t e a t t h e top. Nine 1-in.-diam s t e e l balls (Mathews Type 101) are
mounted on t o p of t h e p l a t e . A similar horizontal p l a t e , which r e s t s on
t o p of t h e balls, i s welded t o a bracket arrangement extending through t h e
. thermal i n s u l a t i o n a t t h e bottom of t h e pipe. These p l a t e s , w i t h t h e ex-
c
ception of the p l a t e a t support S-2, a r e i n s t s l l e d p a r a l l e l w i t h the slope

of t h e pipe a t each location. The supporting arrangement thus allows freedom
2
of movement of t h e piping i n t h e horizontal plane, provides a variable spring
I force i n t h e v e r t i c a l d i r e c t i o n , and by supporting from below, allows t h e
piping t o be removed f o r maintenance operations without disturbing t h e support
s t r u c t u r e . (See ORNL Dwgs E-GG-E-41886) .
The support loads and the movements of t h e piping were estimated
using t h e methods given t h e Bergen Pipe Support Corporation Catalog No.
59.1°7 These values, f o r both the f u e l - s a l t and t h e coolant-salt piping
inside t h e reactor c e l l a r e summarized i n Table 5.10. The following
weights were assumed i n making t h e estimates: 107
.
176
5-in. sched 40 INOR-8

pipe 15 lb/ft
Weight of s a l t i n pipe* 21
Thermal i n s u l a t i o n 30
E l e c t r i c heaters 5
Support frame 10
It
Freeze flange and clamp 290
Clamp frame 212 "
The movements l i s t e d i n Table 5.10 a r e f o r uniform heatup of

t h e system t o 1300OF. The values f o r a c t u a l operation may d i f f e r s l i g h t l y .
I n most instances t h e springs w i l l exert upward forces on t h e piping when
t h e system i s cold. These forces approximately equal the weight of t h e
salt i n the effected portion of t h e system.
A description of t h e forces on a t y p i c a l support, S-3 on l i n e .
201 i n t h e coolant-salt piping, will explain t h e operation. The spring i n
t h i s support i s i n i t i a l l y compressed 1-11/16 i n . and a plug i s i n s e r t e d t o
maintain the- spring i n t h i s position. The spring scale pointer w i l l read
608 lbs. The support i s then placed i n position and t h e empty pipe load
of 397 l b s i s r e s t e d on it. Since t h e pipe will expand 1/4 i n . upwards
when heated, a second spacer 1-7/16 i n . long i s s u b s t i t u t e d f o r t h e first
one. The spring w i l l then e x e r t t h e f u l l 608 l b s force against t h e pipe,
with a r e s u l t a n t upwards force on t h e pipe of 211 pounds. As t h e system
i s heated, but s t i l l empty of salt, t h e pipe expands upwards and t h e spring
a l s o expands t h e 1/4 i n . maximum t r a v e l allowed by t h e 1-7/16-in. travel
s t o p spacer piece. The spring scale w i l l then read 581 l b s , but no force *
greater than t h e 397 l b s weight of t h e pipe can be exerted because of t h e

t r a v e l stop. When t h e system i s f i l l e d with salt, an additional 184
.
l b s must be c a r r i e d by t h e support; t h e t o t a l piping load of 581 l b s
i s thus counter balanced by t h e spring s e t t i n g of 581 l b s . 107
The variable spring support, S-10, f o r l i n e 101 i s compressed
when t h e system i s cold i n order f o r it t o give f u l l support after t h e
pipe has moved 3/8 i n . upwards t o t h e hot position. The cold spring
s e t t i n g i s 188 l b s and it supports a weight of 180 l b s a t operating
conditions.
a
*In estimating t h e weight of t h e salt i n a pipe, a density of 150 lbs/ft3

was used i n both f u e l and coolant-salt systems, since t h e difference i n
t h e weights amounted t o but 4 lbs/ft of pipe.
c
1
Table 5.10 V a r i a b l e S p r i n g S u p p o r t s f o r F u e l and C o o l a n t - S a l t P i p i n g I n s i d e Reactor C e l l
tjupport I Line I s u p p o r t Load 1 s u p p o r t Load I Pipe I Hanger Type I Spring I I

No. No. ( P i p e Empty) (Pipe Full) Movement and S i z e No. Setting Remarks
s-1 100 - - 1/8" Down Rigid Support
Top of s u p p o r t t o be 1/8"
No S p r i n g below bottom of pipe
Bergen VS3F I n s e r t s t o p t o l i m i t down-
s -2 102 234 l b s 316 lbs 3/8" Down Size 5 234 Ibs ward t r a v e l t o 318 i n .
Bergen V S F I n s e r t s t o p t o l i m i t upward
s-3 201 397 l b s 581 lbs 608 Ibs
1/4" Up Size 8 t r a v e l t o 1/4 i n .
Bergen VSY I n s e r t s t o p t o l i m i t upward
s-4 1/8" Up Size 7
514 Ibs t r a v e l t o 118 i n .
I
201
201
442 l b s
347 l b s I
503 l b s
468 lbs <o .06" up R i g i d Support
No Springl .
Top of s u p p o r t t o be f l u s h
w i t h bottom of d u e
200
Bergen VS3F
Size 6 394 1bs 1 I n s e r t s t o p t o l i m i t upward
r a v e l t o 318 i n . I
Bergen VS3F T 7 ~ c
,1-- 1 I n s e r t stop t o l i m i t upward I
200 424 l b s 683 l b s I
Size 8
Bergen VSY
(I7 I U S travel t o i/4 in. I
200 410 l b s 669 lbs Size 8
200 301 l b s 389 lbs Rigid Support
s-10 101 lo3 lbs 140 l b s

Bergen BS3F
Size 3
LLTU I U S I ward t r a v e l t o 3/8 in.-
.=
178
The piping between t h e heat exchanger and t h e reactor, l i n e 102, L3

a l s o has a variable spring support, S-2. As t h e system i s heated t h e -
net thermal expansion of l i n e 102 i s downward about 3/8 i n . The support
i s i n s t a l l e d with a spring s e t t i n g of 234 l b s , which i s 82 l b s l e s s than
t h e calculated hot position loading of 316 l b s . During system heatup, t h e
3/8-in. downward expansion of t h e pipe e x e r t s a force of 17 l b s and com-
presses t h e spring t o t h e stop. The u n i t then a c t s as a r i g i d support and
when f u e l salt i s added t o t h e system t h e r e i s no f u r t h e r spring d e f l e c t i o n .
Supports S-1 on l i n e 100, S-5 on l i n e 201, and S-9 on l i n e 200,
each c a r r y t h e weight of a freeze flange. Since t h e movement of t h e pipe
a t these p a r t i c u l a r support points i s negligible, rigid-type supports
a r e used.
The piping supports i n t h e coolant c e l l a r e described i n Section 8.6.2
and those i n t h e f u e l drain tank c e l l i n Section 6.5.
-
5.6.4 Freeze Flanges
Mechanical -type j o i n t s a r e provided i n the 5-in. piping i n t h e
f u e l and coolant-salt systems i n s i d e t h e r e a c t o r c e l l t o permit t h e
major equipment t o be disconnected and removed f o r maintenance o r re-
placement. The locations of t h e f i v e flanged j o i n t s a r e shown i n
t h e flowsheet, Figure 5.3.
The so-called"freeze flange" type of j o i n t was adopted be-
cause of i t s proven r e l i a b i l i t y i n providing t i g h t connections with
zero s a l t leakage and i n s i g n i f i c a n t gas leakage under a l l a n t i c i p a t e d
thermal cycling conditions. It i s a l s o a j o i n t i n which t h e s a l t does
not contact t h e r i n g - j o i n t gasket, an important f a c t o r i n t h a t residual
salt would be d i f f i c u l t t o remove with remotely-operated tooling. Salt
p a r t i c l e s i n t h e r i n g j o i n t could cause corrosion of t h e s e a t i n g surfaces
when t h e salt i s exposed t o moisture and a i r and thus make t h e j o i n t
d i f f i c u l t t o r e s e a l t o t h e necessary l e a k t i g h t n e s s . There i s a l s o an
advantage t o keeping t h e salt out of t h e r i n g j o i n t i n t h a t t h e r e i s
l e s s s c a t t e r of salt p a r t i c l e s as t h e flanges are separated.
Figure 5.29 shows a s e c t i o n a l view of a t y p i c a l flange and clamp
assembly ( a l s o see ORNL Dwg. E-GG-C-40610). The 23-in.-diam flanges
a r e held together by two semi-circular spring s t e e l clamps which a r e
forced around t h e circumference of t h e flanges. The spring a c t i o n
179
.
f
UNCLASSIFIED
ORNL-LR-DWG 63248132
*
FLANGE
CLAMP-
t -~ -
5in.
BUFFER
?3
CONNECTION
(SHOWN ROTATED)
MODIFIED R-68
RINGGASKET
1
FROZEN in. R
SALT SEAL-
!
4
-in.+ (TYP)
SLOPE 1:4
.
180
106
exceeds t h e piping code requirements f o r gasket loading i n pro-
viding more than 136,000 l b of clamping force and a l s o affords a more
constant gasket loading during thermal cycling than would be obtainable
with more r i g i d fastenings, such as bolting. The arrangement a l s o
was amenable t o design of equipment and t o o l i n g f o r remote assembly
and disassembly of t h e j o i n t from above.
Hydraulically operated jacking t o o l s a r e lowered i n t o t h e c e l l
t o provide t h e f i v e t o t e n tons of force required t o i n s t a l l t h e clamps.
Once i n s t a l l e d , no e x t e r n a l force i s required t o keep t h e clamps i n
place. The same jacking t o o l s a r e used f o r separating t h e clamps
and t h e forces required a r e only s l i g h t l y l e s s than those needed f o r
installation. A clamping frame i s provided f o r each of t h e f i v e
flange i n s t a l l a t i o n s i n s i d e t h e c e l l but t h e jacking t o o l s , e t c . ,
a r e interchangeable and may be used a t each location.*
5.6.4.1 Flanges. The flanges a r e f a b r i c a t e d of INOR-8and
a r e about 23-1/8 i n . OD and 1.484 i n . t h i c k when measured through t h e
t h i c k e s t portion of a flange face. They a r e t h e welding-neck type.
The male flange has a guide ring, 5.798-5.802 i n . d i m by
1.248-1.252 i n . long, welded i n t o t h e face on t h e same c e n t e r l i n e .
The outside of t h e guide r i n g i s tapered a t 15" so t h a t as t h e flange
faces a r e brought together during assembly operations t h e r i n g w i l l
e n t e r a s i m i l a r l y shaped opening i n t h e female flange t o guide t h e
two together i n correct alignment (see ORNL Dwg D-GG-C-40611 and
40612). I n each case t h e male flange i s i n s t a l l e d f a c i n g "uphill"
i n t h e salt piping, a l l of which slopes a t 3" t o promote drainage.
A groove, 0.344 i n . wide x 0.25 i n . deep x 20.375 i n . p i t c h
diam, i s machined t o close tolerances i n t h e face of both t h e male
and female flanges t o accommodate t h e r i n g gasket. The flange faces
a r e a l s o machined i n t h e v i c i n i t y of t h e grooves t o serve as gaging
surfaces. E i t h e r t h e male o r t h e female flange i s d r i l l e d with a
3/32-in.-diam hole through t h e bottom of t h e groove f o r t h e helium
buffer gas and leak-detection connection. The flange half selected
*Due t o crowded conditions, t h e flange i n l i n e 100 may require

a s p e c i a l o f f s e t jacking t o o l .
i s t h e one judged t o be l e s s l i k e l y t o require removal. The hole i s
trepanned on t h e back s i d e of t h e flange f o r t h e welding of a l/8-in.
sched-40 pipe. The connection i s made a t a point on t h e flange which
f a l l s between t h e two semi-circular spring clamps (see ORNL D-GG-C-40615).
The s l i d i n g surfaces for t h e clamps on t h e backs of t h e flanges
have f i r s t a 6" and then a 3" slope t o draw t h e flanges t i g h t l y together,
and then a ramp with 0" slope t o make t h e clamps s e l f - r e t a i n i n g .
These surfaces have a machined f i n i s h (32 RMS micro-in.) and a r e care-
f u l l y contoured t o provide t h e required gasket loading with a minimum
of surface g a l l i n g o r s t r e s s concentrations. A graphite-alcohol l u b r i -
cant, "Nearlube," i s applied t o t h e flanges before applying t h e clamps.
A s indicated i n Fig. 5.32, a clearance of 0.030 i n . i s provided
between the flange faces a t t h e outer circumference t o take care of
tolerances i n machining of t h e r i n g gasket and groove and a l s o t o
allow f o r deformation of t h e flange under i n t e r n a l pressure loading,
a condition which tends t o close t h e clearance gap a t t h e outer edge.
A groove, o r l i n e , i s cut around t h e circumference of each flange
d i s c t o serve as a reference mark f o r t h e o p t i c a l alignment of piping
inside the reactor c e l l .
The outside edge of both t h e male and female flanges has two
projecting lugs, o r e a r s , horizontally 180" apart, which a r e used i n
t h e disassembly operation t o be described subsequently. A s shown i n
ORNL D w g s D-GG-C-40611 and 40612, these e a r s a r e about 1.625 i n . wide
and project about 1-1/4 i n .
Flange loadings, s t r e s s e s , and deformations are discussed
s e p a r a t e l y under Sections 5.6.4.6 and 5.6.4.7, following.
5.6.4.2 Ring Gasket. The r i n g gasket .is fabricated of
nickel (ASTM B-160). T h i s material w a s s e l e c t e d because it i s
s u f f i c i e n t l y s o f t e r than INOR-8
t o s e a t properly and has a similar
c o e f f i c i e n t of thermal expansion* t o remain t i g h t m e r thermal
cycling. The r i n g has a p i t c h diameter of 20.375 i n . (+ 0.002 i n . )
and has t h e imier and outer edges rounded t o a radius of 0.155-0.157
-he c o e f f i c i e n t of thermal expansion f o r N i a t 1009 i s 5.66

x loe6 in./in.-"F'; f o r INOR-8t h e value i s 6.45 x 10-6 i n . / i n . - v
t4 i n t h e 70-4009 range.
5
I
182
i n . The r i n g i s machined t o t h e close s e a t i n g tolerances required bG

A
through use of a s p e c i a l j i g furnished t o t h e manufacturer, as shown
on ORNL Dwg D-GG-C-40614.
I n common with other leak-detected r i n g joings i n t h e MSRE, t h e
gasket s e a t s on both s i d e s of t h e groove t o form two sealed spaces
which a r e buffered with helium and monitored f o r leakage. A 1/16-in.-
d i m hole i s d r i l l e d through t h e r i n g i n two places t o allow t h e
sealed and buffered spaces t o communicate.
The i n s i d e surface of t h e r i n g i s d r i l l e d with e i g h t equally-
spaced 1/16-in.-diam holes, about 5/32 i n . deep, t o accept t h e re-
t a i n i n g pins on t h e salt screen, t o be described subsequently. The
inside surface of t h e r i n g a l s o has a "notch" 0.062 i n . deep and t o
a radius of 1 i n . a t t h e bottom and two side-by-side i d e n t i c a l notches
a t t h e t o p t o engage t h e remotely operated t o o l used t o maneuver t h e
r i n g during maintenance (see ORNL Dwgs D-GG-C-40611 and 40614).
A small 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l bracket i s fastened with flush-headed
screws t o t h e outside of t h e seal r i n g a t t h e top. This bracket
supports a 1-in.-long horizontal p i n formed from a 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l
1/4 i n . x 20 UNC b o l t which has t h e t o p portion of t h e threads ground
away. T h i s pin i s i n s e r t e d i n a 1/4-in. tapped hole a t t h e t o p of
t h e male flange when t h e r i n g i s t o be positioned f o r reassembly of t h e
d
joint. The l a c k of threads on t o p of t h e p i n allows it t o be slipped
i n t o t h e hole, but when released, t h e threaded portion prevents it
from s l i p p i n g out, thus r e t a i n i n g t h e r i n g i n position f o r mating of
t h e two flange faces. All t h e male flanges a r e made with a similar
tapped hole on t h e bottom t o allow them t o be i n s t a l l e d e i t h e r s i d e
up and thus provide more interchangeability of p a r t s (see ORNL D-GG-
C-40617).
5.6.4.3 S a l t Screen. The 0.050-in. -wide clearance between t h e
male and female flange faces contains a s a l t - r e t a i n i n g screen formed
of 0.015-in. OD INOR-8
wire on a 20-by-20 t o t h e inch mesh. Salt
entering t h e c a v i t y s o l i d i f i e s on t h e screen, t h e uninsulated flanges
being cooled by l o s s of heat t o t h e c e l l atmosphere. No other source
of cooling i s required.
183
hd A t a salt temperature of 1 2 O O V , t h e freeze point i s about 5-5/8 in.

r a d i a l l y from t h e center of the pipe. This distance decreases about
11/16 i n . f o r every 100°F decrease i n bore temperature. lo8 The screen
helps somewhat i n preventing t h e salt from moving r a d i a l l y outwards,
but, more importantly, when t h e j o i n t i s disassembled, provides a con-
venient Eeans of removing t h e frozen salt as an i n t a c t cake. Undue
s c a t t e r i n g of salt p a r t i c l e s i s thus avoided. The flange faces have
very l i t t l e salt adhering t o them.
The outer edge of t h e screen has e i g h t equally spaced r a d i a l
c pins, 1/16 i n . d i m by 3/4 i n . long, which engage t h e aforementioned
'I holes i n t h e s e a l r i n g t o j o i n t h e two u n i t s together f o r convenience
i n handling. The outside edge of t h e screen has a 3-in.-wide by
3/4-in. notch a t t h e t o p and a l-l/k-in.-wide by 3/4-in. notch a t the
bottom t o allow access f o r t h e r i n g gasket holding t o o l mentioned
above. (See ORNL Dwg D-GG-C-40617)
5.6.4.4 Clamps. The clamping rings a r e fabricated of N o . 4130
heat-treated s t e e l forgings made t o ORNL Specification 81-180, and
as shown on ORNL Dwg D-GG-C-40616. After welding, t h e clamp assemblies
a r e quenched from 1550'F and tempered a t 800V t o obtain a surface
hardness of 380 BHN. This material was proven t o have a s u f f i c i e n t l y
high y i e l d strength t o provide t h e necessary clamping load, and w i t h
t h e hardened surfaces, t o be s u f f i c i e n t l y compatible w i t h t h e INOR-8
8 t o minimize galling.
The clamping rings a r e more o r less U - s h a p e d i n cross section,
w i t h t h e base portion about 1 i n . t h i c k and t h e l e g s tapering t o 5/8
i n . i n thickness at t h e ends. The clearance between t h e l e g s i s
2.908 i n . (+O ,010 i n . ) . The semi-circular pieces have t h e i n s i d e
corners rounded t o a 3/4-in. radius and a r e contoured t o prevent digging
i n and g a l l i n g of t h e INOR-8
flanges a t these points (see ORNL Dng
D-GG-C-406'16) .
Right and l e f t hand guide e a r s a r e welded t o both t h e upper and
lower clamp halves. These e a r s a r e a l s o f a b r i c a t e d of No. 4130 s t e e l
and are heat t r e a t e d along with the clamps. Each ear is formed of
two more o r l e s s i d e n t i c a l pieces w i t h a 1/8-in. gap i n between.
This arrangement w a s proven necessary t o prevent s t i f f e n i n g of t h e
i ?
backbone of t h e clamp a t t h e e a r location, with subsequent overstressing Lj.
e
o r g a l l i n g of t h e s l i d i n g surfaces a t these points. The e a r s have a
1-5/8-in. by 2-l/32-in. opening through which t h e clamping-f rame guide
bars pass, as w i l l be explained i n Section 5.6.4.5, t o follow.
The t o p and bottom halves of t h e clamp a r e each d r i l l e d w i t h a
1-5/8-in. - d i m hole t o permit passage of t h e 1-1/2-in. -diam load
transmitting rod on t h e clamping frame, as described below.
5.6.4.5 Clamping Frame. The clamping frame assembly i s shown
schematically i n Fig. 5.30 and on ORNL Dwg E-GG-C-40610. The frame
allows t h e clamps t o be moved as a u n i t i n t o position around t h e .
mating flanges and then serves as a leverage point f o r applying
c
hydraulic jacks on each side of the clamps t o draw them together.
Since t h e frame e n c i r c l e s t h e pipe, it must remain i n s i d e t h e reactor
c e l l a f t e r assembly of a j o i n t . For storage it i s moved along t h e
pipe t o a supporting rack.
The clamping frame i s about 33-5/8 i n . wide by 55-1/2 i n . high
and i s 7 i n . t h i c k . It i s fabricated, i n most part, of ASTM ~ 2 8 5
Grade C s t e e l . The upper and lower pieces of t h e assembly a r e joined
by 1-1/2 x 2 x 34-in.-long guide bars on each s i d e . The upper and
lower ends of these two bars have 1-3/8-in.-long oblong holes through
which a 3/4-in.-diam pin i s mounted t o provide a freedom of movement
of t h e upper and lower elements t o make t h e clamps s e l f - a l i g n i n g .
The i n s i d e of t h e rods a t mid-height have two projecting lugs t o
engage t h e lugs on t h e outer rims of t h e flanges, as mentioned above.
A 1-1/2-in.-diam rod extends downward about 10 i n . from t h e
center of t h e upper element, o r beam, of t h e frame and a s i m i l a r rod
extends upward from t h e lower beam, both rods passing through t h e
holes i n t h e respective semi-circular clamps. The purpose of these
rods i s t o transmit t h e load, o r force, when removing t h e clamps.
Brass pads a r e brazed on t h e ends of t h e rods t o avoid i n j u r y t o
t h e flanges. The distance between t h e ends of t h e rods i s about 1/4
i n . greater than the o v e r a l l diameter of t h e flange discs.
To i n s t a l l t h e frame it i s f i r s t moved from t h e storage rack
using t h e l i f t i n g - s on the upper clamp. I n t h i s position, t h e
upper beam w i l l drop down u n t i l i t s e a r s bear against t h e clamp ears.
Unclassified
ORNL DWG 64-8821
Representation of
Clamp Operator Tool
Clamp
Beam ,
GIlid@ I
Bars Nezz 1 m
0 P
c&Imp--' '
t
a
PiIl i
Joint/ .
Putting Bat+ Clsqs On lkimoving Upper Clamp
Figure 5#30e Freeze Flange Clsmping Frame Showing Assenibly and Disassembly.
186
The lower clamp a l s o drops down with i t s e a r s bearing against t h e

lower guide-rod-pin j o i n t housing. The frame i s then moved horizontally
.
*
along t h e pipe and l i f t e d i n t o position with t h e lugs on t h e flange
r i m s between the two lugs on t h e frame guide bars. The clearance
between t h e lugs i s about 3/32 i n . so that close alignment i s not
required.
The upper clamp i s then lowered, as indicated i n Fig. 5.30, so
that t h e bottom end of t h e upper load-transmitting rod r e s t s on t h e
t o p of t h e flange, t h e clearance i n t h e pinned j o i n t s on t h e guide
bars allowing t h e necessary movement. The hydraulically operated
jacking t o o l s a r e then applied t o each side, t h e j a w s of t h i s t o o l
closing around t h e t o p of t h e upper clamp e a r and t h e bottom of t h e
lower clamp ear. The jacks a r e operated simultaneously, drawing
the clamps i n t o position. The pressure t o t h e jacks can be varied
as required t o draw t h e clamps on evenly. The force required on
each s i d e i s 12,000 t o 24,000 l b , depending on t h e condition of t h e
s l i d i n g surfaces, t h e sum of t h e dimensional tolerances, e t c .
I n disassembly of a j o i n t , t h e lower clamp i s removed f i r s t .
The j a w s of t h e jacking t o o l are placed above t h e e a r s on t h e lower
clamp and below t h e lower pin j o i n t housing, as shown i n Fig. 5.30.
The lower load-transmitting rod w i l l push against t h e bottom of t h e
flanges and transmit t h e jacking force, with no load being c a r r i e d
by t h e pin j o i n t s on t h e guide bars. Unequal d i s t r i b u t i o n of t h e
.
f r i c t i o n between t h e clamp and t h e flanges may cause one s i d e of t h e
.
clamp t o tend t o "get ahead" of t h e other, an a c t i o n which i s s e l f -
multiplying. The r e s u l t i n g forces tending t o move t h e frame out of
vertical, i.e., r o t a t e about t h e flange, a r e counteracted by t h e lugs
on t h e flange r i m s bearing against t h e lugs on t h e guide bars. Since
t h e f i r s t r o t a t i o n a l movement takes t h e "slack" out of t h e pinned
guide bar j o i n t s , t h e position of t h e pin i n t h e s l o t t e d holes serves
as an indication t o t h e operator that t h e jacking force on one s i d e
of t h e clamp should be reduced. I f s u f f i c i e n t imbalance occurs t o
move t h e guide bars t o t h e l i m i t of t h e i r t r a v e l i n t h e pinned j o i n t ,
t h e end of t h e bar b u t t s against t h e housing t o transmit t h e load
r a t h e r than a c t i n g through t h e pin.
t
*
c
187
LJ The upper clamp i s then removed, using t h e jacking t o o l as

.
I
z shown i n Fig. 5.30. The upper load-transmitting rod i s e f f e c t i v e

i n t h i s case and, again, t h e guide rods and pins c a r r y l i t t l e of
t h e load. The force required t o remove a clamp i s only s l i g h t l y
l e s s than that needed t o i n s t a l l it.
A f t e r both clamps have been loosened, t h e upper clamp and
frame assembly can be r a i s e d and moved horizontally out of t h e way.
Once t h e flanges have been separated by more than 2 t o 3 i n . , t h e
P frame could be removed from t h e reactor c e l l , should t h i s be
desirable.
J.
A d e t a i l e d description of operation of t h e clamping frame and

P
associated t o o l i n g i s given i n Maintenance Procedures, P a r t X.
5.6.4.6 G a s Leak Rates During Thermal Cycling. Changes i n
2
gasket loading, and thus t h e gas l e a k r a t e , occur during temperature

cycling. This i s due t o t h e differences i n t h e c o e f f i c i e n t s of
thermal expansion of t h e flange material (INOR-8),t h e r i n g gasket
(nickel), and t h e flange clamps (No. 4130 carbon s t e e l ) . The
r e s i l i e n c y of t h e clamps, however, causes t h e load on t h e gasket t o
be more constant than i f more r i g i d fastenings were used.
Even i f excess temperatures existed a t a freeze flange, allow-
i n g t h e salt t o come i n contact with t h e r i n g j o i n t gasket, no salt
leakage would occur. (Some damage might be done t o the r i n g seal,
however.) Thus, t h e only manner i n which salt could l e a k would be
f o r gross f a i l u r e and separation of t h e flange faces. Tests of
e a r l y models of t h e freeze flanges demonstrated, however, that gas
*
leakage could be encountered. logFor t h i s reason, t h e development
~
t e s t s were primarily concerned with measurements of helium gas leak-
age from t h e leak-detected buffer zones.
Tests of t h e e f f e c t of thermal, cycling on gas t i g h t n e s s showed
that t h e MSRE flange design maintained acceptable gas s e a l s under
high temperature (about l3OO’T), under r e p e t i t i v e cycling ( i n which
t h e temperature was r a i s e d from l5OV t o l3OOV and returned t o 150°F
i n a 24-hr cycle, f o r more than 100 cycles), and under severe tempera-
t u r e t r a n s i e n t s (lOO°F/min f o r s i x minutes). (See p 10 ref 110)
L, The j o i n t s displayed t h e desirable c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of having a smaller
4
3
188
gas leak r a t e a t t h e higher temperatures than a t lower. After 36 .

7
thermal cycles, t y p i c a l l e a k rates were 2.6 x cc/sec i n t h e cold

-6
condition and 0.39 x 10 cc/sec i n t h e 1300'F condition (see p 45
ref 108).
The e f f e c t on t h e leak r a t e of t h e interchangeability of parts
was investigated (see p 41 ref 108). Two female flanges were thermal
cycled several times and then mated w i t h new (uncycled) male flanges
and gasket rings t o simulate t h e s i t u a t i o n which might e x i s t i n t h e
replacement of a major component i n t h e reactor c e l l . Both pairs
sealed s a t i s f a c t o r i l y , even a f t e r subsequent extensive thermal
cycling.
A gasket r i n g with an octagonal cross section w a s found t o s e a l
b e t t e r than one with an oval cross section, but both performed more
than adequately (see p 43 ref 108).
5.6.4.7 Loading and S t r e s s e s . The clamping force which can
be exerted by t h e clamps w a s estimated t o be between 136,500 l b and
241,200 l b , depending upon t h e combinations of tolerances that could
e x i s t i n t h e f i t of t h e various parts. 111 The gasket loading re-
quired f o r proper s e a t i n g w a s calculated using t h e method outlined
i n Par UA-47 of Section VI11 of t h e ASME Unfired Pressure Vessel
Code47, and estimated t o be about 28,800 l b . The clamps a r e
thus capable of s e a t i n g t h e r i n g gaskets w i t h ample reserve f o r
withstanding pipe s t r e s s e s and i n t e r n a l pressure.
The force required t o drive t h e clamps onto t h e flanges i s a
maximum j u s t as t h e l e g s of t h e clamp s l i d e onto t h e ramp w i t h 0'
slope. This force was estimated t o be 24,750 l b f o r each side of
t h e clamp ( i f t h e clamping force i s 241,200 l b ) , o r a t o t a l of 49,500
l b f o r each of t h e clamp halves. This estimate assumes a c o e f f i c i -
ent of f r i c t i o n between t h e clamp and t h e flange of 0.15, a value
which i s ample i n most cases but could be exceeded i f g a l l i n g should
occur.
Under maximum clamping e f f o r t , t h e maximum s t r e s s i n t h e clamp
was estimated t o be about 90,500 p s i , and t h e maximum clamp d e f l e c t i o n
0.092 i n .The clamp i s forged and heat t r e a t e d t o have a y i e l d
111
strength of g r e a t e r than 100,000 p s i .
189
The mechanical s t r e s s e s i n t h e flange due t o axial loadings

r e s u l t i n g from thermal expansion i n t h e piping systems were found t o
be less than 4000 p s i . This value includes t h e e f f e c t of i n t e r n a l
pressure. The t o t a l a x i a l loading r e s u l t i n g from a s t r e s s of 4000 psi
i s 17,200 l b (based on 6-in. OD by 0.204-in. w a l l thickness tubing).
The allowable axial loading on t h e flange was estimated''' using
methods developed i n t h e Sturm-Krouse study,'l3 and based on an
allowable working stress range of 30,000 psi,* a value of 86,936 l b
obtained. The flange i s thus capable of withstanding t h e axial
loadings with a f a c t o r of s a f e t y o r more than four.
The flange i n t e r n a l thermal s t r e s s e s were analyzed both a n a l y t i c a l l y
and by photoelastic s t u d i e s t o determine t h e s t r e s s concentration
factors. (These estimates were based on 6-in. OD tubing, but
a r e applicable. ) These s t u d i e s indicated that t h e stresses could
be higher than t h e e l a s t i c l i m i t and that p l a s t i c s t r a i n could e x i s t .
Development t e s t s proved t h a t both radial and transverse s t r a i n s
occur, t h e former causing a reduction i n t h e bore diameter, and t h e
l a t t e r a d i s t o r t i o n of t h e plane surface of t h e face. One t e s t showed
t h a t after 36 thermal cycles t h e female flange bore decreased by 10
mils and t h e male bore by 30 mils. No permanent d i s t o r t i o n was
noted on t h e o u t e r surfaces of t h e flanges ( a f t e r 30 cycles) but t h e
"out-of-flatness" of t h e i n t e r i o r face of t h e female flange increased
f r o m 14 mils t o a value of 18 mils. No warpage w a s detected i n t h e
male face. These s t r a i n s a r e judged t o be of such magnitude that a
l a r g e number of s t r a i n cycles could be applied without f a i l u r e . 113
Further, t h e differences between t h e deformations of t h e faces at
13009 and a t 8509 ( t h e salt liquidus temperature) a r e not s u f f i c i e n t l y
great that "excess" salt could be trapped between t h e flange faces t o
cause abnormally high s t r e s s e s o r d i s t o r t i o n s . Thus, t h e p l a s t i c s t r a i n
that occurs i s small and flanges of t h e design used i n t h e MSRE have
undergone more than 100 thermal cycles (probably equivalent t o 10 t o 1 5
years of normal MSRE operation) with no s i g n i f i c a n t leakage, o r defor-
111
m t i o n s of consequence.
*As indicated i n t h e footnote, Section 5.6.2, a more recent value

f o r t h e stress range i s 32,125 p s i .
190
5.6.5 ~ F'reeze:yalves
5.6.5.1 General Cescription. The flow of salt i n t h e MSRE

drain, fill and processing systems i s controlled by freezing o r thaw-
i n g a short plug of salt i n a f l a t t e n e d section of 1-1/2-in. pipe,
c a l l e d a "freeze valve." T h i s arrangement w a s adopted f o r t h e MSRE
because of a l a c k of a mechanical-type valve w i t h a proven r e l i a b i l i t y
i n molten-salt service.* The freeze valve concept, on t h e other hand,
has a good record of s a t i s f a c t o r y application. While mechanical-type
valves would have t h e advantage of f a s t e r a c t i o n and a b i l i t y t o modu-
l a t e t h e flow, t h e freezing and thawing times f o r t h e freeze valves
are s a t i s f a c t o r i l y short and t h e "on-off" type of flow control does
not impose any p a r t i c u l a r handicap.
There a r e a twelve freeze valves i n t h e MSRE. A l l are fabri-
I
cated of 1-1/2-in. pipe. S i x a r e i n s t a l l e d i n 1-1/2-in. l i n e s and s i x
i n 1/2-in. l i n e s . As may be noted i n Table 5.11, one f r e e z e valve i s
located i n t h e reactor drain and fill pipe, l i n e 103, and i s i n s i d e
t h e reactor furnace. S i x of t h e freeze valves a r e i n t h e f u e l drain
tank c e l l , t h r e e a r e i n t h e f u e l processing c e l l , and two are i n t h e
coolant c e l l .
Figure 5.32 shows t h e general arrangement a t a f r e e z e valve.
The valve i l l u s t r a t e d i s used a t FV-104, lo5 and 106, but with t h e .
exception of the f l a t - p l a t e heaters, i s a l s o t y p i c a l of valves lo7
through 112. E l e c t r i c heat i s applied, e i t h e r d i r e c t l y or i n d i r e c t l y , d
L
t o t h a w a valve and t o keep it i n t h e open condition. A stream of
cooling g a s H o r a i r i s used t o cool t h e pipe s e c t i o n t o freeze a
&
s a l t plug and p o s i t i v e l y s t o p t h e salt flow. Some system gases may
d i f f u s e through t h e frozen plug but t h e seepage through t h e valve i s
inconsequential t o operation of t h e MSRE.
*Preliminary investigations a t ORNL of Kenametal s e a t s and poppets,

e l e c t r i c a l l y - d r i v e n actuators, e t c . , indicated that a mechanical-
type valve f o r molten-salt service may be p r a c t i c a l provided that
a s a t i s f a c t o r y stem s e a l could be devised w i t h reasonable e f f o r t .
*%ell atmosphere gas, consisting of about 95% Ng and 5% 02.
191
Table 5.11 MSRE Freeze Valves
Freeze Cell i n Line Coolant Gas Freeze Thawing Time, min Time Temperatures, F Thermocouple Numberse Freeze
Valve Line Function which FV
is
Size me of Heater and I n s u l a t i o n Supply G a s Flow, scfm Time,w - ill Re- Freezing: At At 5 in.
Line No.
Located
i n . IPS Gas Line High Holding ~ mn. With
Power Without
Power men,
i n min.
Fro- H t r . On 'Freezing "Holding G~~ Off Center Shoulders From Ends Nearby pots
At Line No.
Valve
No. Rate Rate G a s On Gas On
1 103 I Reactor d r a i n and f i l l Reactor Calrod around hor. f l a t section;
gas flow shroud with insulation. NZa 919 7Ob
15c < 30 5 < 10 - 1100
Down t o
45% to
450 up
650,
Less t h a r 2A, 2B
450
l A , 1B
3 4 33
none none none 103
F 4 I Flush tank d r a i n and f i l l

1 Tank
1-112 Insulated gas flow box with
removable f l a t - p l a t e ceramic
h e a t e r s on adjacent piping. Re-
N2 908 35-70 15c - < 10 < 20 > 30 11 Down t o
75Ob
750 upc Less t h a r 2A, 2B
t o 830 650 d
lB
3 4 3B
Ab, Bk 6A, 6Bf 5% 5B 104
Drain Tank No. 2 d r a i n and

movable e x t e r i o r insulation, t o N2 909 11 11
- - - - 11 11 11 11
2B 3A, 3B
Ab, & 6 4 6Bg 5A, 5B 105
Drain Tank No. 1 d r a i n and
fill
TJ--
Fuel Drain
which h e a t e r s are attached,
covers both h e a t e r s and freeze
valve section. N2 910
11 11
- - - - I1 11 11 It
ZA, 2B
3 4 3B
lB A4, & none 5A, 5B 106
I 107 1 Transfer t o f u e l processing

Fuel Drain
Tank N2 911 11 11 - - - 11 It 11 11 ZA, 2B lB
3-4, 3B
Ab, & none 5 4 53
6A, 6B
107
1 108 1 Transfer t o f u e l processing 1 Fueiayn I 112

Insulated gas flow box with per- N2
912 11 11
- - - - 11 11 It 11
ZA, 2B
3 4 3B
lB A4, Bk none 5B
6A, 6B
108
I 109 1 Transfer t o f u e l processing

Fuel Drain
Tank
manently-installed curved p l a t e
ceramic h e a t e r s on adjacent
piping. Exterior i n s u l a t i o n
N2 913
11
11
- - - - 11 11 11 It
ZB 3A, lB
3B A4, Bk none 5 4 5B
6A, 6B
109
Fuel covers piping h e a t e r s and f r e e z e r
110 Transfer t o f u e l storage
Processing 112 section. Spare h e a t e r s a r e i n - Air 969
11
11 - - - - 11 11 11 11
2A, 2B lB Ab, B4 none 5 4 5B
6A, 6B
110
stalled. 3 4 3B
111 Transfer t o portable cans
Fuel
Processing 112 Air 929
11 11 - - - 11 11 It 11
2Ay 2B 3A, lB
3B A4, & none 5A, 5B 111
I 112 I Transfer t o salt disposal Air 924

11 11 - - - 11 It 11 11
2A, 2B 3A, lB
3B Ab, Bk none 5A, 5B 112
I 204 I Coolant system drain

Calrod around hor. f l a t section;
no shroud and no i n s u l a t i o n on Air go6 25 15 < 15 <5 < 25 > 30 11 11 It 11
2Ay 2B 3B
3A, lB A4, B4 none 5A, 5B 204
I 206 I Coolant system d r a i n Coolant

Drain
1-112
f r e e z e r section. Adjacent pipe
has permanently-installed curved
p l a t e ceramic h e a t e r s and i n s u l .
Air It 11 11 11 11 11 11
2A, 2B Ab, B4 none none 1 206
> Greater than. d Deep frozen, no gas flow req'd f Abour 2 0 i n . from center-
of valve on l e g without
< Less than. e Thermocouples l i s t e d are only pot.
those with "FV" p r e f i x .
- Not applicable, or not important. g A t t e e between freeze
valves 105 and 106.
a Cell atmosphere gas (95% Nz - 5% 02)
b High r a t e , or freezing gas flow.
c Low rate, o r holding gas flow.

i
192
The valve "body" i n each case consists simply of a flattened 3 I

.
n
section of t h e piping about 2 i n . long. The shaping w a s done a t
room temperature using a forming d i e i n a hydraulic press. Each
section was dye-checked a f t e r forming, although there was no evidence Thennocouple Numberse Freeze
of a tendency f o r cracking. Sections i d e n t i c a l t o those used i n
t h e MSRE were t e s t e d through more than 200 freeze-thaw cycles without I
jhoulders From Ends
At in*
evidence of over-stressing o r cracking. A l l the freeze sections, none I none I lo3

I
with t h e exception of t h e one i n l i n e 103, a r e i n s t a l l e d with the
f l a t faces i n a horizontal plane.
A cooling gas flow of 1 5 t o 35 scfm w i l l freeze a valve, 6A, 6B@; 5% 5B 105
i n i t i a l l y a t 1200OF, i n 15 t o 30 minutes. The gas flow i s then
reduced t o 3 t o 7 scfm t o maintain the valve i n t h e frozen con-
-
d i t i o n (i.E., with the salt below 850OF) but limiting the growth
of t h e frozen plug t o the freeze valve section, To a l l o w longer
plugs could cause unacceptably long thawing times and/or present
t h e opportunity t o t h a w the center section of t h e plug while t h e 5 4 5B
none
6 4 6B 109
ends remain solid, thus perhaps overstressing t h e pipe w a l l .
I n most cases a shroud, o r box, i s used t o d i r e c t t h e flow 2B
- I 212; I ll0 I
of cooling g a s around the freeze valve section and t o prevent t h e hB none 5A, 5B 111
gas from cooling nearby heated surfaces. The thermal insulation
none 5 4 5B 112
arrangement a t t h e freeze valve helps e s t a b l i s h t h e freezing and
thawing times. The t i m e allowed depends upon t h e particular ap- 5A, 5B 204
none
plication. For example, t h e freeze valve i n l i n e lo3 i s designed
none none 206
t o melt t h e plug i n about 5 minutes, while others may take sub-
s t a n t i a l l y longer.
Short v e r t i c a l lengths of b i n . NPS piping a r e placed a t most
freeze valves t o form syphon breaks, o r ''pots,'' which insure that
ample salt w i l l remain i n the freeze valve section a f t e r a salt trans-
f e r t o provide a f u l l and s o l i d frozen plug. Where freeze valves a r e
i n s t a l l e d i n 1/2-in. l i n e s , t h e pipe s i z e changes t o 1-1/2 i n . a t t h e
reservoir.
Design and developnent of t h e freeze valves did not lend it-
s e l f t o a n a l y t i c a l treatment of the stresses, heat t r a n s f e r , e t c . ,
because of t h e i r r e g u l a r shape of t h e section and the unpredictable
temperature distributions. The MSRE freeze valves, therefore, a r e
193
t h e r e s u l t of development t e s t i n g , primarily with regard t o t h e arrange-

ment of t h e heaters and coolers t o a t t a i n t h e required freezing and
thawing times, and t o provide s t a t i o n s that could be maintained with
114
remotely-operated tooling.
5.6.5.2Definitions of "Deep Frozen, Frozen and Thawed". These
terms were defined t o have t h e following meanings: 115
-
a. Deep Frozen. The salt plug i s frozen, and w i l l remain so,
even on l o s s of e l e c t r i c power, cooling gas supply, e t c . The heaters
on t h e freeze valve are o f f , and may be off on piping adjacent t o t h e
valve. The cooling gas may o r may not be supplied t o t h e valve.
-b. Frozen. Heaters on t h e valve a r e off but t h e heaters on
adjacent piping a r e on, t h e plug remaining frozen by t h e cooling
a c t i o n of t h e gas stream. These valves w i l l t h a w i n a specified
time if t h e e l e c t r i c power f a i l s (causing loss of t h e gas flow and
power t o t h e heaters) and w i l l remain thawed f o r a t l e a s t 20 minutes.
-c. Thawed. E l e c t r i c heaters on adjacent piping and/or on t h e
valve a r e on; t h e cooling gas flow i s o f f . If e l e c t r i c power f a i l s ,
t h e valve remains thawed f o r a t l e a s t 30 minutes.
5.6.5.3 Thermocouples. I n general, two thermocouples a r e
attached on t h e upper surface a t t h e center of each freeze valve
section; two a r e attached t o t h e upper surface of each "shoulder"
( t h e t r a n s i t i o n between t h e round pipe and t h e f l a t t e n e d s e c t i o n ) ,
and one couple i s attached t o the bottom of t h e pipe a t each end
about 5 i n . from t h e c e n t e r l i n e of t h e f r e e z e valve. Thermocouple
locations a r e shown on ORNL Dwg D-RE-B-40543, and t h e thermocouple
numbers a r e l i s t e d i n Table 5.11. It i s t o be noted i n t h i s table
that o n l y t h o s e couples with a n "FV" p r e f i x a r e l i s t e d and that near-
by thermocouples having l i n e number designations are not included.
The chromel-alumel, mineral-insulated thermocau@es have Inconel
sheaths 1/8-in. dim, and a r e attached by welding t h e sheath t o t h e
ground surface of a weld-deposited INOR-8pad, about 3/8 i n . square
by 1/16 i n . t h i c k , on t h e process piping.
A l l t h e i n s t a l l e d thermocouples are used i n t h e c i r c u i t r y . About
half, those with an "A" suffix, lead t o control modules, and t h e others,
w i t h a "B" s u f f i x , are used i n t h e monitoring c i r c u i t s . I f a spare
194
shbuld be needed, a monitoring couple can be diverted f o r t h a t purpose. 4

c
Some thermocouples provide t h e s i g n a l f o r two amplifiers, one f o r t h e low

temperature setpoint and t h e other f o r t h e high setpoint. If t h e temper-
a t u r e at t h e center section of a freeze valve rises above 130OoF, or f a l l s
below a s e t value, an alarm w i l l be sounded. '
1
6 The absolute value of t h e
control setpoint temperature depends upon t h e freeze valve function, t h e
type of heaters and insulation, etc., so that study of each thermocouple
i n s t a l l a t i o n i s needed i n t h e f i e l d t o m a k e f i n a l settings. The nominal
setpoint temperatures a r e given i n t h e thermocouple tabulation, ORNL c
Dwg D-AA-B-40511.
5.6.5.4 Freeze Valve 103. This freeze valve i s i n t h e reactor
drain and f i l l l i n e and i s located within t h e reactor furnace adjacent
t o t h e reactor vessel. It i s frozen, and maintained frozen, by a cooling
j e t of gas directed against it. It thaws quickly when t h e gas flow i s
interrupted due t o t h e r e s i d u a l heat within t h e pipe w a l l .
The 1 1/2-in. sched 40 INOR-8drain l i n e i s f l a t t e n e d f o r a distance
of about 2 in. t o a flow area 1/2 i n . wide, giving it outside cross
sectional dimensions of 0.79 x 2 1/2 in., overall. The shoulders of t h e
f l a t t e n e d section make a n angle of about 30' w i t h t h e pipe axis. The
valve i s i n s t a l l e d w i t h t h e f l a t t e n e d faces i n t h e h o r i z o n t a l plane,
as shown i n Fig. 5.31 and on ORNL Dwg E-GG-C-40603. (If t h e f l a t t e n e d
faces had been mounted v e r t i c a l l y , special precautions would have been
required t o eliminate t h e gas pocket tending t o e x i s t i n t h e projection
of t h e f l a t t e n e d section above t h e top of t h e pipe, an e f f e c t found t o
encourage porosity of t h e frozen plug.)
The valve i s surrounded by a 2-3/4 x 2-in. long x 1-3/4-in. high
shroud fabricated of 1/16-in.-thick INOR-8sheet. One end of t h i s
shroud i s welded t o t h e process pipe and t h e other t o a 4-in.-diam
bellows about 13/16 in. long, having two convolutions, and fabricated
of 20-gage INOR-8sheet. The other end of t h e bellows i s welded t o
t h e process pipe. The bellows allows f o r d i f f e r e n t i a l expansion due
t o t h e shroud operating at a lower temperature than t h e pipe wall.
i
I
UNCLASSIFIED
ORNL-DWG. 64-6898
THERMOCOUPLES
COOLING GAS
I DRAIN LINE
DRAIN
TANKS
FIG. 5.31.
FREEZE VALVE IN LINE 103
The cooling gas enters t h e shroud from t h e side through a 3/4-in.
OD tube, and leaves through a similar pipe on t h e opposite side. The
shroud i s made concave on t h e top and bottom, a s shown on ORNL Dwg
E-GG-C-40603, t o increase t h e gas v e l o c i t y and improve t h e heat trans-
f e r i n those areas t o obtain more rapid freezing of t h e s a l t plug a t
t h e center of t h e flow area.
The freeze valve and shroud assembly a r e enclosed i n a 20-gage
s t a i n l e s s s t e e l box about 8 in. wide x 5 in. high x 6 in. long, f i l l e d
with Fiberfrax wool thermal insulation. (See Section 5.6.6.3. )
Two sheathed thermocouples are i n s t a l l e d on t h e top outside f l a t -
tened face of t h e valve, t h e sheathes passing through sleeves i n t h e
side p l a t e s of t h e shroud. Two thermocouples a r e a l s o located on t h e
top shoulder of t h e valve opposite t h e bellows end, and two couples
a r e located on top of t h e pipe immediately adjacent t o t h e bellows, a s
shown on ORNL Dwgs D-HH-B-40543 and E-GG-C-40603.
A Calrod heater, 0.315 in. d i m with Inconel sheath, of 1500-watt
capacity, i s formed i n t o a saddle shape and f i t s over t h e top of l i n e
lo3 between t h e freeze valve box and t h e e l e c t r i c a l connection t o t h e
l i n e used f o r resistance heating between t h e reactor and the drain
tanks. The saddle-type heater i s removable with special tooling from
above through a special standpipe arrangement, as shown on ORNL Dwg
D-GG-C-40604. The heater may be needed t o prevent t h e pipe from be-
coming too cool i n t h e v i c i n i t y of t h e e l e c t r i c a l connection lug, and
i s not d i r e c t l y associated with operation of t h e freeze valve.
The valve can be frozen by t h e 68 scfm j e t of cooling gas i n l e s s
than 30 minutes. '15 When t h e temperature of t h e shoulders of t h e valve
reaches about 6 8 0 ° ~ , t h e cooling gas flow i s reduced t o about 1 5 scf'm;
a t 65OoF a l l gas flow would be cut o f f . When t h e temperature r i s e s
s l i g h t l y above 65OoF, t h e holding a i r would be resumed and i f t h e temper-
ature reaches 85OoF t h e b l a s t a i r flow of 68 scfm i s again turned on.
5.6.5.5 Freeze Valves 104, lo5 and 106. These freeze valves
a r e located i n t h e f u e l - s a l t drain tank c e l l i n t h e 1 1/2-in. salt
transfer lines. One o r more a r e thawed when s a l t i s t o be transferred,
197
.u or when f l u s h or f u e l salt i s being c i r c u l a t e d i n t h e reactor system,

C
but a r e deep frozen a t a l l other times. . D
The f l a t t e n e d sections on t h e process piping f o r these valves

a r e e s s e n t i a l l y as described f o r FV-103, above, except that t h e f l a t
s i d e s a r e mouqted i n t h e horizontal plane, The general f e a t u r e s of
t h e cooling gas shroud, o r box, a r e indicated i n t h e sketch, Figure
5.34. The cross s e c t i o n a l shapes of t h e shroud and t h e process pipe
a t t h e center of t h e freeze valve a r e very s i m i l a r . The shroud i s
2-1/8 i n . long, measured along t h e axis of t h e pipe, and has maximum
o v e r a l l dimensions of 2-5/16 i n . high and 3-7/8 i n . wide. The end
pieces a r e f a b r i c a t e d of 1/8-in. -thick INOR-8
p l a t e and a r e welded
t o t h e process pipe. The outside s h e l l , which i s welded around t h e
end pieces, c o n s i s t s of two l a y e r s of 0.024-in.-thick INOR-8shim
stock separated by two thickness of 1 / 8 4 n . -thick Fiberfrax i n -
s u l a t i n g paper, Type 970-H. Additional d e t a i l s are shown on ORNL
DWg D-GG-(2-55509.
The cooling gas i s introduced a t t h e bottom of t h e shroud through
1/2-in. OD x 0.042-in. w a l l thickness INOR-8tubing. The gas c i r c u l a t e s
i n s i d e t h e shroud around t h e freeze valve section and leaves through
a similar 1/2-in. OD tube a t t h e bottom, t h e i n l e t and o u t l e t openings
being separated by a 1/8-in.-thick b a f f l e . The i n l e t gas tubing has
a 6-in.-long, 316 stainless steel, corrugated f l e x i b l e connector
welded i n it t o provide f o r r e l a t i v e movement of t h e process pipe
and theagas supply l i n e . The gas discharge pipe terminates about
8 i n . below t h e freeze valve, the gas discharging i n t o the c e l l
atmosphere.
The thermocouple l e a d s a r e brought i n t o t h e shroud through t h e
exit gas tube. Two chromel-alumel, mineral-insulated thermocouples
w i t h 1/8-in. OD Inconel sheaths a r e applied t o b u i l t - u p pads on t h e
t o p of t h e center section, as indicated i n Figure 5.32. Two thermo-
couples a r e a l s o attached t o pads on t o p of each shoulder outside
t h e cooling gas shroud.
The cooling gas shroud i s enclosed i n t h e removable heater-
i n s u l e t i o n units f o r t h e process lines, see Section 5.6.6, following.
trl The 3/4-in.-thick f l a t - p l a t e ceramic heaters (Cooley E l e c t r i c Mfg. Corp.,
..
198
-
Indianapolis) are arranged on the s i d e s and t o p of t h e process piping, u *
a r e attached t o t h e i n s u l a t i o n assembly and are removable with it. The \
heaters a t FV-104 consist of two sections, FV-104-1, made up of s i x

heater elements w i t h a t o t a l capacity of 2.4 kw (at 230 v); and
I
FV-104-3, containing t h r e e elements with a t o t a l capacity of 2 kw

(at 115 v) . The heaters a t FV-105 are arranged i n t h r e e sections:
FV-105-1 has s i x heater elements with t o t a l capacity of 2.4 kw ( a t 230 v ) ,
FV-105-3 has t h r e e heaters and a t o t a l capacity of 2.0 kw (at 115 v), and
FV-105-4 has t h r e e heaters with t o t a l capacity of 1.95 kw (at 115 v) .
Freeze valve 106 has two heater sections: FV-106-1 has s i x elements
c
and a t o t a l capacity of 2.0 kw (at 230 v), and FV-106-3 has t h r e e

elements and a t o t a l capacity of 2.0 kw ( a t 115 v) .
A s shown on t h e Mirror Insulation Company Dwgs G - 1 1 8 ~and G-118C,
t h e heater p l a t e s a r e not applied f o r a distance of about 2 i n . along
t h e pipe a t t h e cooling shroud, due t o t h e l a c k of space. Sufficient
heat i s obtained by conduction along t h e process pipe t o thaw t h e
freeze valve. Also, see ORNL Dwg E - M M - A - ~ ~ ~ ~ o .
Heaters on t h e piping adjacent t o FV-104, lo5 and 106 a r e on
a t a l l times during r e a c t o r operation. A valve i s thawed by c u t t i n g
off t h e cooling gas flow. While freezing and thawing times a r e not
c r i t i c a l i n t h e operation of the t h e observed time i s less
than 10 minutes with e l e c t r i c power a v a i l a b l e and less than 20 min
when relying only on t h e residual heat i n t h e system.
A cooling gas flow of 15 scfm through t h e cooling shroud w i l l
f r e e z e a salt plug i n less than 30 minutes. When t h e temperatures
of t h e shoulders of t h e valve are indicated t o be l e s s than 750oF,
t h e cooling gas flow i s reduced t o about 3 scfm t o hold t h e plug
frozen. Should t h e temperature climb t o about 820oF, t h e high flow
rate w i l l be resumed. If t h e temperature f a l l s below 6 5 0 v , t h e
i
gas flow w i l l be stopped a l t o g e t h e r t o prevent t h e formation of t o o
l a r g e a frozen zone.
5.6.5.6 Freeze Valves 107, 108, 109, 110, 111. and 112. These
freeze valves a r e i n s t a l l e d i n salt t r a n s f e r l i n e s i n t h e f u e l d r a i n
tank and fuel processing c e l l s . Although d i r e c t maintenance i s not - I
possible i n t h e d r a i n tank c e l l , FV-107, 108 and 109 were not provided
UNCLASSIFIED
ORNL-DWG. 64-6899
COOLING GAS
OUTLET
THERMOCOUPLES
FIG. 5.32
FREEZE VALVE I N LINES
107,108 ,109 & 110
.
200
UNCLASSIFIED
ORNL-DWG. 64-6900
FIG. 5.33.
1 1 1 a 112
f
-
7
201
bj with removable heater and insulation sections, as were FV-104, lo5 and
- 106, which are a l s o i n t h e d r a i n tank c e l l , because t h e non-removable
5
type heaters were simplier and more economical t o i n s t a l l . Lines

107, 108 and 109 are not e s s e n t i a l t o reactor operation, and, i n
most cases, i f a l i n e f a i l s t o t h a w properly, an alternate route
can be used f o r t r a n s f e r of t h e s a l t . A f u r t h e r consideration i s
t h a t t h e heaters a t FV-107, 108 and lo9 are seldom used, t h e valves
remaining i n t h e deep frozen condition f o r long periods, and could
be reasonably assumed t o require no maintenance during t h e l i f e of
t h e MSRE .
c
The freeze valves i n t h e sealed drain tank c e l l use c e l l atmosphere
5
gas f o r cooling whereas FV-110, 111 and 112 are i n t h e f u e l processing
c e l l and use a i r as t h e coolant.
A s may be noted i n Figure 5.32, freeze valves 107, 108, lo9 and
110 have pots, o r reservoirs, on each side of t h e valve. Freeze valves
FV-111 and 112 have a pot on one side only as shown i n Figure 5.33.
The t r a n s i t i o n from 1/2-in. pipe s i z e t o t h e 1-1/2-in. NPS freeze valve
section i s made a t t h e reservoirs.
The dimensions of t h e f l a t t e n e d s e c t i o n of 1-1/2-in. pipe are
as described f o r FV-103, Section 5.6.5.4, above. The construction
of t h e cooling gas shrouds, t h e freezing and thawing times, and t h e
thermocouple locations, are e s s e n t i a l l y t h e same as l i s t e d f o r FV-104
i n Section 5.6.5.5, above, and i n Table 5.11.
L
The heat f o r thawing of freeze valves lo7 through 112 i s conducted
-
along t h e pipe walls from t h e permanently-installed curved-plate ceramic
pipe l i n e heaters on each s i d e of t h e freeze valve section. The pipe
l i n e heaters are described and l i s t e d i n Section 5.6.6, following.
5.6.5.7 Freeze Valves 204 and 206. These two freeze valves
are located i n t h e drain and f i l l l i n e s f o r t h e coolant-salt system
and thus are not part of t h e primary c i r c u l a t i n g system. They are
described here, however, t o complete t h e section on freeze valves.
Both freeze valves are located i n t h e coolant c e l l , and both must be
t h a w e d t o completely d r a i n t h e coolant-salt c i r c u l a t i n g system.
The f l a t t e n e d section of 1-1/2-in. pipe a t each freeze valve
U i s t h e same as described f o r FV-103, Section 5.6.5.4. The 1500-w
i
ORNL-DWG.
UNCLASSIFIED
64-6901
FIG. 5.34.
204 8 206
G 1
'*
11 '* u (1
203
(at 110 v) Calrod heater u n i t i s i d e n t i c a l t o t h e one used on FV-103

(see ORNL Dwg E-GG-C-40 except t h a t t h e f l a t sides of t h e valves
a r e i n t h e horizontal plane and t h e heaters a r e applied from t h e side,
FV 204 and 206 being approchable f o r d i r e c t maintenance a short time
a f t e r reactor shutdown. Curved-plate ceramic heaters a r e applied
t o t h e process piping on each side of t h e freeze valves, as shown
on Dwg E-MM-Z-47489. The thermal i n s u l a t i o n on t h e outside of t h e
l i n e heaters i s 3-in. of Careytemp 16OOoF ( P h i l i p Carey Mfg. Company).
No thermal i n s u l a t i o n i s used around t h e center sections of t h e freeze
valves.
No cooling gas shrouds a r e used. The cooling a i r i s supplied
through t h e 3/4-in. l i n e s 906 and 907, each of which branches a t a
t e e beneath i t s freeze valve i n t o two 3/8-in. s t e e l pipes discharging
about 5/8 i n . from the t o p and bottom outside surfaces of t h e valve.
See ORNL Dwg D-GG-E-41885 and Figure 5.35.
Two thermocouples a r e welded on t h e side of t h e center of t h e
f l a t t e n e d section of each valve, and two a r e applied t o each shoulder.
I n addition, single couples a r e i n s t a l l e d about 5 i n . upstream and
downstream of each valve, and two a r e on t h e reservoir pot located
between t h e two valves. Thermocouple locations a r e shown on ORNL
DWg D-HH-B-40543.
L
When t h e valves a r e t o be thawed t h e cooling a i r supply i s
stopped and t h e center heater i s turned on u n t i l t h e temperature
h
A measured a t t h e center of t h e valve i s greater than 1,000 - 1,1OO?F.
A frozen valve w i l l thaw i n l e s s than 5 minutes. Without e l e c t r i c
power t h e valves w i l l t h a w i n l e s s than 25 min, by conduction of
heat, and will remain thawed f o r 30 min o r more.
The center heater, i f on, i s turned off before t h e valves a r e
t o be frozen. A cooling flow of 25 scfm of a i r w i l l freeze a s o l i d
salt plug i n l e s s than 1 5 min i n e i t h e r FV 204 or 206. After t h e
temperatures of t h e shoulders of t h e valves reach about 750oF, t h e
a i r flow i s reduced t o a holding r a t e of 5 scfm. Should t h e tempera-
t u r e of t h e center of t h e valve climb above 75OoF t h e high a i r flow
r a t e w i l l be resumed. Below 6 5 0 0 ~t h e valves a r e deep frozen and
a l l a i r flow i s cut o f f .
204
.b
4-
Fig. 5.35. Removable Heater for 5-in. Pipe.

205
- 5.6.6 Pipe Insulation and Heaters

k
5.6.6.1 General Description and Design Considerations. All
salt-containing l i n e s i he MSRE a r e thermally insulated and provided ,
w i t h e l e c t r i c a l heaters capable of maintaining t h e salt above t h e
liquidus temperature of 850oF.
The heaters can be broadly c l a s s i f i e d i n t o t h e removable and
permanent types. The former a r e defined as those w i t h t h e thermal
i n s u l a t i o n and heaters arranged i n t o an i n t e g r a l u n i t that can be re-
I
moved and replaced by remotely-operated tooling as i l l u s t r a t e d i n

Figure 5.35. The types, which use more conventional materials and
methods of i n s t a l l a t i o n , a r e defined as those which would require
d i r e c t approach f o r maintenance, although i n some instances t h i s
would not be possible because of t h e a c t i v i t y l e v e l . A l l such per-
manent heaters have spare heating elements i n s t a l l e d and connected
ready f o r use except f o r minor out-of-cell changes.
Some of t h e heaters a t t h e more inaccessible sections of piping
have excess i n s t a l l e d capacities s o that they may be operated a t re-
duced voltage t o promote longer heater l i f e . I n general, v e r t i c a l
l i n e s require about twice t h e heater capacity needed f o r horizontal
pipes. The heaters a r e supplied w i t h e i t h e r single phase 115-v,
single phase 208 and 23O-v, o r three-phase 208-v power, and some a r e
connected i n s e r i e s and some i n p a r a l l e l , a l l as d i c t a t e d by t h e
heater requirements and t h e nature of the e l e c t r i c a l supply equip-
ment already on hand i n Building 7503 at the start of the MSBE p r o j e c t .
The maximum amperage, t o t a l power per heater, and t h e watts
per f t of pipe length, as l i s t e d on %he drawings and i n Table 5.12,
a r e based on the current-carrying capacity of t h e e l e c t r i c a l supply
equipment and not upon t h e power that can be delivered t o each pipe
section without excessive heating of t h e materials. Such values
must be determined i n t h e f i e l d during preliminary t e s t i n g . o f t h e
reactor.
The thermal i n s u l a t i o n can be divided i n t o (1) t h e metallic,
multiple-layer r e f l e c t i v e type, and (2), t h e low thermal conductivity
ceramic f i b e r o r expanded s i l i c a types. The r e f l e c t i v e i n s u l a t i o n
206
has t h e important c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of not dusting, and i s used on a l l salt

b-
l i n e s i n t h e r e a c t o r c e l l , with t h e exception of l i n e 103. The low
conductivity types, as i n s t a l l e d , have a lower heat l o s s per f t of pipe.
I n s e l e c t i n g t h e materials, consideration was given t o t h e resistance
, t o r a d i a t i o n damage, accumulation of long-lived induced a c t i v i t y , and
t o compatability with other materials i n t h e system. Almost a l l t h e
removable heaters use r e f l e c t i v e type i n s u l a t i o n . (The removable heaters
a t FV-104, lo5 and 106 use t h e ceramic f i b e r type). Almost a l l per-
manent heaters use expanded s i l i c a i n s u l a t i o n .
A t least one thermocouple i s provided on t h e piping f o r each
heater unit. Anticipated "cold spots" i n t h e piping have a d d i t i o n a l
couples.
With t h e exceptions noted below, a l l t h e pipe l i n e heaters on t h e
"
portions of t h e f u e l and coolant-salt piping within t h e r e a c t o r c e l l

are of t h e removable type. See Table 5.12. These heaters have
resistance wire embedded i n f l a t ceramic p l a t e s and a r e arranged a t
t h e t o p and s i d e s of t h e piping. All t h e removable heaters i n t h e
reactor c e l l use multi-layer r e f l e c t i v e type i n s u l a t i o n .
The v e r t i c a l l e g of piping i n l i n e 102 j u s t below t h e primary
heat exchanger i s very d i f f i c u l t t o reach w i t h remotely-operated
tools. The heaters f o r t h i s s e c t i o n a r e a t u b u l a r type strapped
t o t h e pipe. A s e t of spare heater elements i s a l s o i n s t a l l e d .
.
This portion of piping would be removed with t h e heat exchanger .
i f r e p a i r s a r e needed. These heaters on l i n e 102 have r e f l e c t i v e &
type i n s u l a t i o n .
The portions of l i n e s 100 and 102 that pass through t h e thermal
s h i e l d of t h e r e a c t o r a l s o have removable type heater-insulation u n i t s ,
as described above, but since access t o them would require l i f t i n g of
t h e thermal s h i e l d plugs, each ceramic heater element i s provided with
a duplicate s e t of resistance wires i n t h e p l a t e s .
Line lo3 i s heated by passing an e l e c t r i c current through t h e
pipe w a l l i t s e l f . Non-removable, expanded s i l i c a i n s u l a t i o n i s applied
over t h e resistance-heated length, including t h e portion i n s i d e t h e
d r a i n tank c e l l . See Section 5.6.6.2, following.
ul
207
.
c Lines 104, lo5 and 106 i n t h e f u e l - s a l t drain tank c e l l have re-
c
L
movable heater-insulation u n i t s such as those used i n t h e reactor c e l l .

The heaters on l i n e s 107, 108 and lo9 i n t h e d r a i n tank c e l l see
l i t t l e service since t h e freeze valves i n these l i n e s a r e deep frozen
most of t h e time. I n most part, these t h r e e l i n e s have permanent
tubular-type heaters. Although they should be maintenance-free during
t h e l i f e of t h e MSRE, duplicate spare heaters a r e i n s t a l l e d . The
portion of t h e f u e l - s a l t t r a n s f e r l i n e 110 located i n t h e drain-tank
c e l l a l s o has permanent tubular-type heaters, but, since t h i s l i n e
i s used more o f t e n than 107, 108 and 109 (although s t i l l infrequently),
it i s provided w i t h two s e t s of spare heaters i n each pipe section.
The s e c t i o n of l i n e 110 i n t h e f u e l processing c e l l , and l i n e s 111
and 112 i n t h i s c e l l , have permanent heaters and expanded s i l i c a i n -
sulation. The equipment i n t h e f u e l processing c e l l w i l l require
decontamination before approach f o r d i r e c t maintenance, therefore
spare heater elements a r e provided.
Some sections of t h e piping i n l i n e s lo7 through 112, such as
adjacent t o t h e freeze valves and a t t h e drain tank furnace walls,
require a g r e a t e r concentration of heat than i s available from t h e
tubular heaters. Permanent curved-plate ceramic heaters a r e used
a t these points.* See Table 5.12.
Direct maintenance can be used on t h e coolant-salt piping i n
t h e coolant c e l l a short time a f t e r r e a c t o r shutdown. Tubular-type
heaters a r e strapped t o t h e piping and covered with expanded s i l i c a
insulation. The penetrations through t h e r e a c t o r containment vessel
c
w a l l f o r t h e coolant salt l i n e s 200 and 201 are provided with
ceramic p l a t e heaters having spare heating wires. These heaters,
and the low-conductivitythermal i n s u l a t i o n used with them, can
be removed by manipulation from the coolant c e l l end of t h e pene-
t r a t i o n , but they cannot be as r e a d i l y approached f o r d i r e c t maint-
enance as t h e other coolant c e l l equipment.
Whe energy input on a, 1/2-in. NPS horizontal pipe i s about 750

watts/ft from a ceramic p l a t e type heater and about 200 watts/ft
from a tubular type.
L
"
z
208
5.6.6.2 Pipe Heaters. The process piping i s heated by t h r e e

k
-
*
methods: (1) ceramic p l a t e and (2) t u b u l a r type heaters applied

t o t h e piping, and (3) resistance heating of t h e pipe w a l l with an
e l e c t r i c current. The heaters are l i s t e d i n Table 5.12 f o r each of
t h e sections of piping. The coolant-salt piping has been included
i n t h i s section t o complete t h e discussion of heaters and i n s u l a t i o n . .
(1) Ceramic P l a t e Heaters. These heaters c o n s i s t of nichrome
resistance wire embedded i n a ceramic p l a t e about 3/4 i n . t h i c k t o
form either f l a t p l a t e s l/e-cylinder, o r 1/4-cylinder shapes curved
t o fit the pipes. These "Thermoshell" elements, manufactured by .
the Cooley E l e c t r i c Manufacturing Company (Indianapolis) a r e used r
i n a v a r i e t y of s i z e s , but t h e f l a t p l a t e s a r e t y p i c a l l y about 5
i n . wide x 12 i n . long. (See heater schedules on O m Dwgs E-MM-
A-51601 and 40833, 51661 ) . As indicated i n Table 5.12, some
ceramic p l a t e s have spare resistance wires.
The ceramic p l a t e s are l a r g e l y composed of sodium atoms, but
small amounts of thorium, leading t o 23%a a f t e r i r r a d i a t i o n , can
cause s i g n i f i c a n t a c t i v i t y i n t h e elements a f t e r long exposure.
The resistance heating wires are primarily nickel and chromium with
small amounts of cobalt. Induced a c t i v i t y , due t o formation of 58C0
60Co from the n a t u r a l cobalt, probably w i l l re-
from t h e nickel and
e
s t r i c t d i r e c t handling of heater u n i t s removed from t h e r e a c t o r
cell.
118
Y
(2) Tubular Heaters. These heaters a r e of t h e "Calrod" type, r
as f'urnished by t h e General E l e c t r i c Company. The Inconel sheaths

are 0.315 i n . OD. The lengths and c a p a c i t i e s vary, as shown i n
Table 5.12. The No. 1 2 wire extension leads a r e i n s u l a t e d w i t h
ceramic beads, as shown i n d e t a i l on ORNL Dwg E-MM-B-5167.
(3) Resistance Heating. Drain l i n e lo3 i s heated by passing a
heavy e l e c t r i c current a t 18 v through t h e pipe walls. The 25-kva
420/18-v transformer t o supply t h e current i s located i n t h e south-
west corner of the d r a i n tank c e l l . Leads from t h i s transformer a r e
connected a t about midpoint i n the l i n e , which i s i n t h e d r a i n tank
.
c e l l near t o t h e transformer. The current flows from t h i s connection
t o each end of t h e l i n e . E l e c t r i c a l connections a r e made about 12 i n .
,
Y r v
Table 5.12. MSRE Pipe Line Heaters
Maximum Values Based on Elec.

Supply System Equipment
Heater
Heater Length Number Total Watts
Number Location (in.) Type' Heaters Voltsb Amps Watts per f t Remarks
RFACTOR CELL'
H100-1 R o u t l e t t o FFlOO 11-7/16 C 16.5 3800 4000 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
H100-2 FF-100 t o FP furnace 5-318 C 24.3 2800 6250 -
H101-1 FP t o FF-101 27-13/16 C 6 13.9 5000 2000 Connected with HlO2-3
mol-2 FF-101 i n l e t 13-112 C 17.4 4000 3550
~101-3 HX i n l e t 5-112 C 3 23.5 2700 4100
H102-IA V e r t i c a l l i n e from HX 60 T 2120 1275 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
Hl02-1B V e r t i c a l l i n e from HX 52 T 3 28.0 1840 1275 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
H102-1C Vertical l i n e from HX 56 T 1970 1275 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
m02-2~ Horizontal l i n e t o 20 C 6 11.1 4000 2400 -
FF-102
Hl.02-2B Horizontal l i n e t o 20 C 6 11.1 4000 2400
FF -102
H102-3 Horizontal l i n e t o 24 C 6 11.1 4000 2000 Connected with H 1 0 1 - 1
FF-102
H102-4 FF-102 i n l e t 8-3/16 C 3 11.7 2700 4000 -
H102-5 FF-102 t o R 11-7/16 C 3 16.5 3800 4000 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
H200-1 Adjacent c e l l w a l l 15 C 3 17.4 4000 -
H200-2 Cell wall t o FF-200 24 C 6 11.1 4000 2000 Connected with H2OO-3 & 4
H200-3 Cell w a l l t o FF-200 30 C 6 13.9 5000 2000 Connected with H200-2 & 4
H200-4 C e l l wall t o FF-200 24 C 6 11.1 4000 2000 Connected with H200-2 & 3
€1200- 5 C e l l w a l l t o FF-200 27 C 6 13.9 5000 2200 Connected with ~ 2 0 1 - 8
11200-6 C e l l wall t o FF-200 30 C 6 13.9 5000 2000 -
~200-7 C e l l w a l l t o FF-200 30 C 6 13.9 5000 2000 -
11200-8 Cell w a l l t o FF-200 30 C 6 13.9 5000 2000 -
- - -I
-
_-
Table 5.12. (continued)
Maximum Values Eased on Elec.

Heater
Heater Length Number b
Total Watts
Number Location (in.) Typea Heaters Volts Amps Watts per f t Remarks
~ 2 0 0 - 9 ~ Wall t o FF-200 20 C 6 11.1 4000 2400 Connected with HZ'OO-gB,

~ 2 0 0 - 9 ~ Wall t o FF-200 20 C 6 11.1 4000 2400
- 4A & 4B
H200-10 Wall t o FF-200 24 C 6 11.1 4000 2000 Connected with H2Ol-3
H200-11 Adjacent FF-200 23-3/16 C 6 19.2 4000 2075 -
H200-12 HX i n l e t lo C 3 26.9 3100 7500 -
H201-1 Adjacent FF-201 23- 3/16 C 6 19.2 4000 2075 -
HX s i d e .
H201-2 Adjacent FF-201 -
11 3/16 C 3 16.1 3700 2000
HX s i d e ,
~201-3 FF-201 t o c e l l wall 30 C 6 13.9 5000 2000 Connected with H200-10
H201-4A FF-201 t o c e l l w a l l 20 C 6 11.1 4000 2400 ) Connected with H200- A,
B & ?B
H201-4B FF-201 t o c e l l wall 20 C 6 11.1 4000 2400 ) Connected with i200- A,
~201-5 6
- 9B % ?A
FF-201 t o c e l l wall 30 C 13.9 5000 2000
~201-6 FF-201 t o c e l l wall 24 C 6 11.1 4000 2000 -
~201-7 FF-201 t o c e l l wall 30 C 6 13.9 5000 2000 -
~201-8 FF-201 t o c e l l wall 30 C 6 13.9 5000 2000 Connected with H2OO-5
~201-9 FF-201 t o c e l l w a l l 25 C 6 24.0 5000 2000 -
DRAIN TANK CELL LINE HEATER UNITSd
H104-1 A t FFT 10-112 3 11.3 1300 1500 -
cl
H104-2 FFT t o FV-104 30 cl
6 19.6 4500 1800 -
mo4-3 FFT t o FV-104 30 C1 6 26.0 6000 2400 -
H104-4 A t FV-104 30 C1 6 19.6 4500 1800 -
H104 -5 FV-104 t o l i n e 103 1042 C1 3 14.8 1700 1950 -
R104-6 FV-104 t o l i n e 103 12 C1 3 17.4 2000 2000 -
HlO4-7 A t l i n e lo3 30 Cl 8 26.0 6000 2400 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
. v
Table 5.12. (Continued)

Heater
Number Location (in.) Typea Heaters V o l t sb Amps Watts per f t Remarks
Hl.05-l A t FD-2 10-112 c1 3 115 11.3 1300 1500 -

HlO5-2 FD-2 t o FV-105 30 cl 6 230 19.6 4500 1800 -
H105-3 FD-2 t o FV-105 30 C1 6 230 17.4 4000 1600 -
H105-4 A t FV-105 12 3 115 17.4 2000 2000 -
~106-1 A t FD-1 10-112 3 115 11.3 1300 1500 -
~106-2 FD-1 t o FV-106 30 6 230 19.6 4500 1800 -
~106-3 A t FV-106 28 C1 6 230 26.0 6000 2500 -
H106-4 FV-106 t o l i n e 103 12 3 115 8.7 1000 1000 -
HlO7-l A t FFT 4 c2 2 57.5 4.35 250 750 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
to
~107-2-1 FFT t o ~ v - 1 0 7 62 T 1 750 187 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
l4O 7.26 I=
~107-2-2 FFT t o FV-107 32 T 1 140 ) 280 187 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
H107-3,3B Adjacent flange 4 c2
2 250 750 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
x, p, Adjacent flange 4 c2 2 57*5)
57.5) 8*7 250 750 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
~108-1 A t FD-2 4 c2 2 57.5 4.35 250 750 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
~108-2-1 FD-2 t o FV-108 44 T 1 140 ) 460 185 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
~ 1 0 8 - 2 - 2 FD-2 t o FV-108 50 T 1 140 1 9.25 550 185 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
~ 1 0 8 - 2 - 3 FD-2 t o FV-108 32 T 1 140 ) 275 185 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
€1108-3~~3~ Adjacent flange 4 2 250 750 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
-3C 3D Adjacent flange 4 2 57'5)
57.5) 8*7 250 750 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
HlO9-l A t FD-1 4 c2 2 57.5 4.35 250 750 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
HlO9-2-1 FD-1 t o FV-109 44 T 1 140 ) 460 185 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
HlO9-2-2 FD-1 t o FV-109 50 T 1 140 { 9.25 550 185 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
H109-2-3 FD-1 t o FV-109 32 T 1 140 ) 275 185 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
Hl09-3,3B Adjacent flange 4 c2 2 57.5) 250 750 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
-3C,=;D Adjacent flange 4 c2 2 57.5) 8'7 250 750 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d

Heater
b
H110-1-1
H110-1-2
FV-108t o l i n e 110
FV-109 t o l i n e 110
50
50
T
T
1
1
l4O
140
1 7.9
550
550
185
185
Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
H110-2-1 Adjacent FV-107 98 T 1 1600 230 Two duplicate spares
T 1 installed
H110-2-2 FV-107 t o c e l l wall 98 230 Two duplicate spares
HllO-2-3 FV-107 t o c e l l w a l l 74 T 1 1150 230 installed
HllO-3-1 FV-107 t o c e l l w a l l 74 T 1 2500 500 Two duplicate spares
HllO-3-2 A t c e l l wall T 1 750 500 installed
COOLANT CELL LINE HEATER UNITSe

H2OO-13-1 CP t o sleeve 86 T 3 5000 820 -
H2OO-13-2 CP t o sleeve 86 T 3 5000 820 -
H200-13-3 CP t o sleeve 86 T 3 5000 820 -
H200-13-4 CP t o sleeve 86 T 3 5000 820 -
H200-13-5 CP t o sleeve T 3 820 -
~200-13-6CP t o sleeve 44 T 3 2000 820 -
600
i
H200-14A,B Wall sleeve 12 c2 2 600 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
H200-14C,D Wall sleeve 12 c2 2 600 600 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
2 230 10.4
600 600 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
H200-14E,F Wall sleeve 12 c2 230
H200-14G,H Wall sleeve 12 c2 2 230 600 600 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
H200-15A,B Wall sleeve 12 c2 2 1500 1500 Duplicate s p i r e i n s t a l l e d

H201-1OA,B Wall sleeve 12 c2 2 1500 1500 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
H201-11A,B Wall sleeve 12 c2 2 600 600 Suplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
H201-11C,D Wall sleeve 12 c2 2 600 600 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
H2Ol-lIE,F Wall sleeve 12 c2 2 600 600 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
HgOl-llG,H Wall sleeve 12 c2 2 600 600 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
B- .!J

Heater
b
-~
H201-12-1 32 960 640
H201-12-2 74 3200 640
~201-12-3 86 3800 640
Sleeve t o r a d i a t o r 36
H201-12-4 enclosure 86 (83) 3800 640
~201-12-5 86 3800 640
~201-12-6 86 3800 640
~201-13-1 I n r a d i a t o r enclosure
~201-13-2 I n r a d i a t o r enclosure
82
82
TR
TR
3
3 2 30
230 I 16.3 1875
1875
275
275
H202-1-1 CR o u t l e t pipe 50 11.9 1670 400 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d h)
H202-2-1 CR t o CP 62 3280 820 - t;

H202-2-2 CR t o CP 44 2000 820 -
~202-2-3 CR t o CP 86 5000 820
35
H202-2-4 CR t o CP 86 (80.0) 5000 820
~202-2-5 CR t o CP 86 5000 820
~202-2-6 CR t o CP 86 5000 820
H203-LA-lE* CDT F i l l l i n e
H2O3-m
~203-2
CDT F i l l l i n e
F i l l l i n e adjacent
86
44
44
T
T
T
1
1
1
91
91
140
i 28
3.3
470
470
462
80
80
185
t o CM!
H204-1-1 Line 201 t o FV-204 T 2 221 ) see 1375 275 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
74
2
1
221 )
next
H204-1-2 Line 201 t o FV-204 74 T page 1375 275
* Typical f o r LA through lE.


Heater
Heater Length Number b
Total Watts
Number Location (in.) Type' Heaters Volts Amps Watts per f t Remarks
~ ~ ~~~ ~~~
H204-1-3 Line 201 t o FV-204 74 T 2 221 ) 1375 275 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d

H204-1-4 Line 201 t o FV-204 74 T 2 221 ) 28 1375 275 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
H204-1-5 Line 201 t o FV-204 56 T 2 221 ) 687.5 275 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
H204-2-1
H204-2-2
FV-204 & FV-206t o CM!
FV-204& FV-206t o CDT
50
74
T
T
3
3
132
132
1 20.0
510
850
170
170
-1- 1
~205
H205-1-2
Line 201 t o l i n e 202
Line 201 t o l i n e 202
74
56
T
T
1
1
1 11.2
1100
650
150
140
N
13206-1-1Line 202 t o FV-206 62 T 2 244 ) 1120 280 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d E
~206-1-2 Line 202 t o FV-206 62 T 2 244 ) 1120 280 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
~206-1-3 Line 202 t o FV-206 62 T 2 244 ) 20.2 1120 280 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
H206-1-4 Line 202 t o FV-206 62 T 2 244 1 1120 280 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
~206-1-5 Line 202 t o FV-206 32 T 2 244 ) 1120 280 Duplicate spare i n s t a l l e d
a
C -
removable heater u n i t w i t h 3 segments ( t o p and each s i d e ) , ceramic elements. Duplicates have double element
i n each segment. Cl - -
Removable heater u n i t , t h r e e f l a t ceramic elements ( t o p and s i d e ) . C2 Fixed 90" curved ceramic
elements. T -
t u b u l a r heaters, non-removable.* TR - t r i a n g u l a r , non-removable.
bSingle phase unless otherwise indicated. * Each tubular heater includes a 7-in. non-heated length
a t each end. The w a t t s / f t i s based on heated length.
C
Reference Drawing E-MM-A-51601.
'Reference Drawing E-MM-A-51661.

e
Reference Drawing E-MM-A-40833.
.
*
215
-
64 from t h e i n t e r s e c t i o n w i t h l i n e 104 and j u s t i n s i d e t h e reactor furnace
c on t h e other end. These connections a r e made by welding t h e l u g t o
t h e pipe. The r e t u r n e l e c t r i c a l connection from t h e pipe ends i s
routed along t h e pipe as a single-No. 4 wire mineral-insulated cable
0.699 i n . OD l a i d i n s p e c i a l brackets about 4 i n . above t h e l i n e lo3
i n s u l a t i o n . See ORNL Dwg E-MM-A-56240.
5.6.6.3 Thermal Insulation. Primary considerations i n t h e
s e l e c t i o n of t h e pipe l i n e i n s u l a t i o n were t h e tendency of t h e
materials t o dust, t h e resistance t o radiation damage and long-
term a c t i v a t i o n , t h e thermal conductivity, and t h e presence of
organic materials causing thermal d e t e r i o r a t i o n o r incompatability
w i t h other materials i n t h e system.
The multi-layer r e f l e c t i v e type of i n s u l a t i o n presents fewer
r
dusting problems as compared t o t h e low-conductivity type and i s
used almost exclusively i n t h e reactor c e l l , although t h e s t a i n l e s s
s t e e l does contain some cobalt which w i l l become radioactive. The
r e f l e c t i v e u n i t s have a higher heat l o s s than t h e l a t t e r , however,
as i l l u s t r a t e d by t h e f a c t that horizontal sections of 5 i n . pipe
with r e f l e c t i v e i n s u l a t i o n require, on t h e average, about 2,000
w a t t s / f t of energy input whereas similar pipe sections with ex-
panded s i l i c a i n s u l a t i o n require about 600 w a t t s / f t .
, Some compromises were necessary i n s e l e c t i o n of t h e low-conduc-
t i v i t y i n s u l a t i o n i n t h a t t h e good thermal conductivity and mechanical
properties must be coupled with good resistance t o spread of a i r borne
contamination. Many mineral wool f i b e r s contain s i g n i f i c a n t cobalt o r
organic materials. Both t h e ceramic f i b e r and t h e expanded s i l i c a types
s e l e c t e d f o r use i n t h e MSRE a r e f i r e d a t 1200'F f o r about four hours
before i n s t a l l a t i o n t o d r i v e off small amounts of v o l a t i l e s u l f u r and
chloride compounds. The types of i n s u l a t i o n and t h e thicknesses used
are l i s t e d i n Table 5.13.
(1) Reflective Insulation. Reflective i n s u l a t i o n i s used i n a l l
but a few of t h e removable heater u n i t s . The t y p i c a l r e f l e c t i v e u n i t ,
as manufactured by t h e Mirror I n s u l a t i o n Company (Lambertville,
New Jersey) c o n s i s t s of a removable section, which surrounds t h e
t o p and s i d e s of t h e pipe, and a permanent bottom section which
Table 5.13 THERMAL INSULATION ON MAJOR MSRE SALT PIPING
Line Line Size Insulation*

Location Removable Remarks
Number i n . NPS Phickness, i n .
100 Reactor c e l l 4 Yes Reflective -

101 Reactor c e l l 4 Yes Reflective -
102 Reactor c e l l 4 Yes Reflective V e r t i c a l s e c t i o n beneath heat
exchanger i s non-removable.
103 Reactor and f u e l DTC* 3 No Expanded s i l i c a Pipe i s resistance-heated.
104 Fuel d r a i n tank c e l l 4 Yes Reflective Removable u n i t s a t f r e e z e
valves have ceramic f i b e r
105 Fuel d r a i n tank c e l l 4 Yes Reflective
insulation.
106 Fuel d r a i n tank c e l l 4 Yes Reflective
107 Fuel drain tank c e l l 3 NO Expanded s i l i c a
108 Fuel d r a i n t a n k c e l l 3 No Expanded s i l i c a
109 Fuel d r a i n tank c e l l 3 No Expanded s i l i c a
110 Fuel DTC and FPC* 3 No Expanded s i l i c a
111 Fuel processing c e l l 3 No Expanded s i l i c a
112 Fuel processing c e l l 3 No Expanded s i l i c a
200 Reactor c e l l 4 Yes Reflective I n s u l a t i o n outside r e a c t o r c e l l

i s non-removable exp'd. s i l i c a .
201 Reactor c e l l 4 Yes Reflective
4 in. i n thickness
202 Coolant c e l l 4 No Expanded s i l i c a
204 Coolant c e l l 3-112 No Expanded s i l i c a
206 Coolant c e l l 3-112 No Expanded s i l i c a
* DTC = Drain tank c e l l ; FPC = Fuel processing c e l l .

**For i n s u l a t i o n d e t a i l s see ORNL Dwg E-MM-Z-56235.
c; ' I
61
217
k/ i s attached t o t h e s t r u c t u r e below t h e pipe and supports t h e t o p section.

c
m
The heater p l a t e s a r e mounted i n c l i p s i n t h e t o p section and are re-
movable with it. Application of heat t o only t h e t o p and sides was
demonstrated t o give s a t i s f a c t o r i l y even temperature d i s t r i b u t i o n t o
t h e pipe contents. (The thermocouples f o r measuring t h e pipe w a l l
temperature a r e , f o r t h e most past, attached t o t h e bottom of t h e p i p e ) .
S t a r t i n g a t t h e inside, t h e f i r s t l a y e r of r e f l e c t i v e metal i s
16 gage 310 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l . The next l a y e r i s a sheet of pure s i l v e r
1
0.002 i n . t h i c k . The following nine l a y e r s a r e 321 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l ,
0.006 i n . thick, arranged about 0.36 i n . a p a r t t o provide a t o t a l
thickness f o r t h e assembly of about 4 i n . The outside surface i s 18
gage 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l . The removable u n i t s have a l i f t i n g eye a t
t h e t o p f o r handling with remote tooling.
L i f e tests on t h e heater-insulation u n i t s covering s i x months of
continuous operation a t 1400OF indicated about a 1 6 increase i n t h e
heat l o s s due t o change i n t h e emissivity of t h e surfaces. The u n i t s
showed good r e s i s t a n c e t o warping. (See p 30 ref 117).
(2) Ceramic Fiber Insulation. "Fiberfrax", a product of t h e
Carborundum Compny (Niagra Falls) i s used i n t h e paper form i n t h e
freeze valve cooling gas shrouds, and i n t h e blanket and bulk forms,
a
a t such points as t h e removable heaters a t FV 104, 105 and 106. The
ceramic f i b e r i s about 5l.$ A 1 0 and 4 7 . q Si02 (by weight) and i s
2 3
t recomended f o r temperatures up t o 2300%'. The thermal conductivity
* of t h e blanket and bulk forms, when packed t o a density of 6 l b s / f t 3 ,
i s 1.24 Btu-in./hr-V-ft2 a t l O O O V and 1.89 a t 1400'F. The Fiber-
f r a x paper used i n t h e MSRE i s Type 970-JH, which contains no organic
binder. The paper has a thermal conductivity of 0.73 Btu-in./hr-ft2-'F
a t 1,000'F and 0.95 a t 1400OF. Activation analyses a f t e r 16 hrs i n a
neutron f l u x of 7 x lo1' n/cm2-sec indicated that t h e 14'I,a, with a
40-h h a l f - l i f e , and t h e 24Na, with 15-h half-life measured 24 hours
a f t e r i r r a d i a t i o n , gave 2.72 x 102 d i s i n t e g r a t i o n s per sec-gm and
1.87 dis/sec-gm, respectively. (See p 48 ref 108). These values
i n d i c a t e r e l a t i v e l y good r e s i s t a n c e t o long-lived a c t i v a t i o n
as compared t o most inorganic, low-dusting, high-temperature i n s u l a t i o n
h-,
3 w i t h low thermal conductivities.
218
(3) Expanded S i l i c a Insulation. The expanded s i l i c a insulating L€J

I
material used i n the MSRE i s reinforced with inorganic fibers and has 1
the trade name "Careytemp 1600", and i s marketed by the Philip Carey
.
Manufacturing Company (Cincinnati) The thermal conductivity i s l i s t e d
2
as 0.76 Btu-in./hr-ft -"F at 1,OOO"F. It i s recommended f o r use up t o
1600°F. It contains no inorganics, has a low hygroscopicity, and has
good resistance t o dusting. Irradiation w i t h neutrons f o r 16 hrs at
a f l u x of 7 x 10l1 n/cm2-sec gave a c t i n t i o n s of 3.06 x 103 dis/sec-gm
4
f o r t h e 40-h half-life 140La, 1.12 x 10 dis/sec-gm f o r the 85-d 46Sc, - I
5.02 x 103 f o r t h e 45-d 59Fe, and 8.57 x 107 f o r the 15-h 24Na. (See
p 48 ref 108). The insulation i s applied t o the piping over the tubular
heaters i n 1/2-cylinder molded shapes. It i s then covered with asbestos
finishing cement and glass cloth, and a bonding adhesive t o give a
glazed finish.
5.6.6.4 Pipe Line Thermocouples. Since the pipe l i n e thermo-
couples are intimately associated w i t h i n s t a l l a t i o n and operation
of t h e heaters and t h e insulation, they are b r i e f l y described here.
See Part I1 f o r a detailed description of the couples and the
associated circuitry.
Thermocouples are installed a t t h e bottom of the pipe a t each
heater unit i n t h e reactor and drain tank cells, and a t the more
important "cold spots." These spots, such as where pipe hangers
are attached, may have lower than average temperatures and are there-
fore of particular interest. As shown on Dwg E-HA-B-41713, and i n
t h e thermocouple tabulation, ORNL Dwg D-AA-B-40511, many of the
couples on the reactor c e l l piping a r e provided w i t h spares.
The coolant-salt piping also has a thermocouple a t each heater
unit and a t some of the cold spots, but very f e w spares are provided
since t h i s piping i s accessible f o r maintenance. An exception t o t h i s
is l i n e s 204 and 206, which have spare couples a t several points because
of the importance of knowing the condition of the l i n e .
The penetrations of the coolant-salt piping through the reactor
containment vessel w a l l have thermocouples on t h e bottom of the pipe
spaced 12 i n . apart. Each of these points i s provided w i t h a spare
couple. See ORNL Dwg E-HH-B-40537.
219
m
w I n a l l cases, except as noted below, t h e thermocouples a r e mineral-
8
insulated chromel-alumel wires i n a 1/8-in. OD Inconel sheath. The
couple junction i s welded t o t h e end of t h e sheath, as described i n
ORNL Spec MSR 63-40, and i l l u s t r a t e d on ORNL Dwg D-GG-C-55509. An
INOR-8s t r i p , 1/4-in. wide x 0.015 i n , thick, i s shop-welded t o t h e
end of t h e sheath. With t h e exception of t h e 1/2-in. NPS piping, t h e
ends of t h i s s t r i p a r e field-welded t o pads, formed by welding, on
t h e process piping. The ends of t h e couples on 1/2-in. piping a r e
L
attached t o a 1/8-in. high projection, formed by welding, on t h e out-
side of t h e pipe, and t h e thermocouple sheath i s strapped t o t h e pipe.
The same s t r a p s a r e used on a l l pipe s i z e s where it i s necessary t o
f a s t e n t h e sheath t o t h e pipe a t points other than a t the ends. The
. INOR-8banding material i s 1/4 i n . wide and fastened by a patented %
"Wraplock" process.
The duplex thermocouple sheaths described above a r e not used on
t h e r e a c t o r vessel discharge piping a t t h e f u e l pump i n l e t , l i n e 100.
T h i s s e t of t h r e e couples, and t h e associated spare, f o r measuring
t h i s important temperature, use two single-wire 1/16-in. OD Inconel
sheaths, w i t h t h e welded couple junction made a t t h e ends. Another
s e t of these "safety" couples i s used i n l i n e 202 a t t h e r a d i a t o r out-
f
let. These single-wire couples a l s o use 1/16-in. OD sheaths but a r e
not attached i n t h e manner described above. Removable thermocouples
are used i n themowells a t t h i s point (202 A - 1 through D-1) and a t
. t h e thermowell i n the r a d i a t o r i n l e t , l i n e 201, t o measure t h e A t i n
t h e coolant-salt flow through t h e r a d i a t o r .
t
The thermocouples f o r l i n e lo3 a r e a s p e c i a l case i n that an
e l e c t r i c current flows through the pipe w a l l . The thermocouple
sheath i s i n s u l a t e d from t h e pipe w i t h cerardc beads except f o r
about 1/4 i n . a t t h e end. The junction i s a n ungrounded type.
220
60 FuELDRA3[mTAM(SYSTR4
6.1 General Description and Layout
The MSRE primary circulating system i s provided with two f u e l drain

tanks and a flush s a l t tank, The drain tanks are used t o store the f u e l
salt when it i s drained f r o m the reactor. Either of the two drain tanks
can store the entire salt content of the primary circulating system. The
flush salt tank is used t o store the salt, which i s circulated through
the primary system t o clear it of oxides and other contaminants before
the enriched s a l t i s adaed. (In addition, a f u e l storage and reprocessing
tank i s located in the f u e l processing cell. This tank i s described i n
the chemical processing portion of t h i s report, Part VII.)
The geometry of the fuel-salt drain tanks is such that the concen-
t r a t i o n of uranium i n the MSRE fuel s a l t (see Table 2.1) cannot produce
a c r i t i c a l mass under any conditions. l l - 9 A f o e o l d increase in con-
centration wouldbe necessary f o r c r i t i c a l i t y . Altho# studies have
indicated that i n equilibrium cooling of salt mixtures the last
phase t o freeze may contain about three times the uranium concentration
in the o r i g i n a l mixture, it is unlikely that the salt i n the tanks w i l l
freeze, i n that this would require an e l e c t r i c power outage of more than
20 hr, o r that gross segregation of the concentrated phase could take
place in a large-sized tank having so many thimbles on which ,initial
solidification would take place. The risk of c r i t i c a l i t y can be
eliminated altogether by dividing a fuel-salt charge between the two
drain tanks. One tank w i l l be kept empty f o r this contingency.
The two drain tanks and the flush s a l t tank are located in the drain
tank cell, which is j u s t north of the reactor c e l l and connected t o it by
a short 36-in.-diamtunnel. The drain tank c e l l i s constructed of heavily
reinforced concrete, lined with stainless steel, and of the general dimen-
sions given i n Section 4.3.2. The layout of the equipment i n the c e l l i s
indicated in Figs. 4.4 and 4.5, and i s shown i n more d e t a i l in ORML Dwg.
Ea-D-41512. !be arrangement was primarily influenced by the requirement
that'all maintenance operations be performed f r o m overhead. Other con-
siderations were t h e arrangement and f l e x i b i l i t y of the piping, and the
221
relative elevations so that the reactor could drain by gravity.

The drain l i n e from the bottom of the reactor vessel, l i n e 103,
branches inside the drain tank c e l l into three l i n e s which lead t o the
two drain tanks and t o the flush salt storage tank. The f u e l s a l t l i n e s
from these tanks, which permit interchange of salt with t h e fuel procesa-
ing area, conibine into a single pipe, l i n e 110, before leaving the drain
tank c e l l , Each of the six l i n e s mentioned has a freeze valve, as
described i n Section 5.6.5 ,
The three branches of the reactor drain and f i l l line, l i n e 103,
reduce f r o m 1-1/2-in. sched-40 t o 1-in. pipe where each passes through
the tank heating furnace and makes a loop about 44 in. i n diameter, encom-
passing about 340°, then enters the respective tank through the top head.
This loop provides the flexdbility needed t o prevent pipe reaction forces
due t o thermal expansion from overly affecting the tank weigh c e l l s used
t o Judge the salt inventory. The loops also reduce the thermal stresses
i n the piping.
Each tank i s provided with an e l e c t r i c a l l y heated f'urnace t o main-
t a i n the contents i n a molten condition, Portions of the salt l i n e s are
provided w i t h removable heater units and others have permanently installed
Calrod-type heating units, as described i n Section 5.6.6, The reactor
drain l i n e lo3 i s unique i n the reactor system i n that it i s heated by
passage of an e l e c t r i c current through the pipe w a l l i t s e U . The drain
l i n e is heated by t h l s method from a point at the reactor furnace wall
t o about 1f t from the branch point insiae the drain tank c-ell, a distance
of about 64 ft, and requires about 17 kw. The 25-lrva high-current elec-
t r i c a l transformer, 420 t o 18 v, i s located i n the drain tank c e l l (see
Section 19,7.3,2).
It has been-estimated that, on opening of' the freeze valve i n l i n e
103, eleven t o thirteen minutes are required for sufficient salt t o drain
fromthe primary system t o leave the reactor core region one-fourth '
About 30 min i s required for all the s a l t t o drain.
The two drain tanks are each provided with a heat se~llovalsystem of
108-kw capacity. This rate of heat &:issipation i s required f o r the first
80 hr a f t e r shutdown; about 50 kw i s needed fn 8s- t o 500-hr period.
124
The heat removal system consfetB of 3,2 thixtibles, l o g in, i n diameter,
222
immersed in the salt, and containing bayonet tubes in which water is

evaporated. The steam f r o m the tubes i s collected i n a steam drum
located above each tank and piped t o condensers outside the drain tank
cell. The condensate is returned by gravity i n a closed cycle.
Transfer of the salt from one part of the system t o another is accom-
plished by pressurization with helium gas. The gas is admitted a t the top
of the tanks through lines 572, 574, ana 576. AI.I. salt lines enter near
the top af the tanks and have dip tubes t o the bottom. The tanks are
prodded with weigb cells, as described in Part II.
Provisions are made t o cut the piping t o permit replacement of the
drain tanks and freeze valves. L h e s 104, 105, and 106 can be cut and
rejoined l a t e r by a brazed-on sleeve applied a t the cut, using remotely
i
operated tooling developed a t O m . This special equipment is described
i n Part X. Lines 107, 108, and 109 have one-half of a l5O-lb, slip-on,
ring-joint flange installed I n them. If a tank i s removed, the l i n e
leading t o the flange involved is cut on the tank side of the flange.
The replacement tank can have a matilag flange, or, as seems most likely,
a blank flange can be bolted in place. If the l i n e i s blanked off, lines
104, 105, and 106 can be used t o interchange the s a l t between the tanks
by manipulation of the appropriate freeze valves. The salt can then be
transferred t o the f u e l storage tank through whichever of lines 107, 108,
and l O g remain.
The steam drum liquid-level lines have cone-sealed, single-bolt, yoke
type disconnect couplings, which were designed and developed a t OIWL, and
are described i n Part II. The gas l i n e s have special 4-bolt flanged dis-
connect joints installed i n the horizontal position t o f a c i l i t a t e remote
maintenance. Detailed discussions of the maintenance procedures are given
in Part X.
6.2 Flowsheet
The process flowsheet f o r the f u e l drain tank system is shown in

Fig. 6.1 (ORmlL Dwg. D-AA-A-40882). More detailed information is available ).
in the data sheets,16 the l i n e schedules,17 and the thermocouple tabu- u c

lation, ORNL Dwg. D-AA-B-405ll. The instrunents and controls are described
s’
223
C I -
e I
I I
Y I J
I
-7; FUEL PUYP TO AUXILIARY
w I
, DRAIN TANK CELL ;-.o-ss - CHARCOAL OED
L nHOT LUG
I
I
I
d
I
I
k
I
I
I ELECTRICAL SERVICE AREA
I
I
I
FUCC
FLUSW
4 11"
i
H IS I WEATER CONTROL
CIRCUIT
THIS DRAWING REI
AS BUlL
CHANGES
DATE 9-18-64
O I U R I W . NATIONAL U.oILIoI*
FUEL DRAIN TANK SYSTEM

PROCESS FLOW SHEET
M.S.R. E.
A
DAA-A~O~BZ-C
E
224
i n Part XI, and operating procedures are given i n Part VIII.

As shown i n the flowsheet, Fig. 6.1, the f u e l drain tanks, FD-1 and
FD-2, and the f u e l f l u s h tank, FET, a r e provided with 1 in./l-l/2-in.
sched-40 l i n e s 106, 105, 104, respectively, t o permit interchange of t h e
f u e l salt with the primary circulating system. Each of these three l i n e s
includes a freeze valve f o r positive, non-modulating control of the s a l t
flow. The freeze valves a r e simply f l a t t e n e d sections of 1-1/2-in. sched-
40 pipe, which can be e i t h e r heated by e l e c t r i c heating elements o r cooled
by a j e t of c e l l atmosphere gas. The freeze valves a r e described i n
Section 5.6.5.5 .
The main supply f o r t h e freeze valve cooling gas i s the 2-in. sched-40
l i n e 920, which branches i n t o 3/4-in. l i n e s 908, 909, 901, t o supply each
freeze valve. These three l i n e s a r e provided with control valves and remote
hand-operated regulators.
A short, v e r t i c a l cylinder of 4-in. pipe i s included i n t h e 5 a l t piping
on the tank side of each valve t o form a reservoir which assures t h a t the
freeze valve section w i l l be f i l l e d with s a l t . Either freeze valve FV-105
o r 106 is always thawed during operation of the reactor t o permit ready
drainage of the circulating system i n t o one of t h e drain tanks. The other
valve i s operated i n a frozen condition such t h a t t h e heat stored i n the
adjacent piping and heater box will cause t h e valve t o thaw on loss of
heater e l e c t r i c a l power and coolant flow. A l l other valves on t h e d r a i n
tank system, FV-lo7 through 110, a r e deeply frozen and w i l l remain so
even on loss of power. The times required f o r freezing and thawing a r e
indicated i n Table 5.11.
Helium gas pressurization and vent l i n e s control t h e t r a n s f e r of s a l t
from one p a r t of the system t o another. The tops of the drain tanks and
f l u s h tanlrs are vented t o the top of the f u e l - s a l t circulating pump bowl
through the 1/2-in. schcd-40 pipes, l i n e s 544, 545, and 546. Each of
these l i n e s contains a pneumatically actuated control valve which can be
positioned from a remote location by a hand-operated regulator. The
three l i n e s combine t o form 3/4-in. l i n e 521 leading t o t h e putnp bowl.
This vent l i n e not only permits t r a n s f e r of the cover gas a s t h e s a l t i s
being exchanged between the primary c i r c u l a t i n g system and t h e storage
-. ... . . _ "
225
tanks, but provides a large gas "cu&hionwso that the overpressure i n the
pump bowl can be more evenly maintained.1'
The gas l i n e fromthe top of each tank i s connected t o the charcoal
beds through lines 573, 5n, and 577. These lines contain control valves
with remote hand regulators and combine t o form 1/2-in. l i n e 561 leading
t o the off-gas system.
Helium f o r the cover gas and pressurization is supplied a t about 40
psig through the 1/2-ine l i n e 517 t o the pressure control valve PCV-517,
which delivers the gas a t about-30 psig t o the branch-pipes, lines 572, 574,
and 576, leading t o the top of each salt storage tank. A flow r e s t r i c t o r
i s installed upstream of PCV-517to l i m i t the rate a t which the f u e l can
be transferred t o the reactor. When the reactor system i s about two-
thirds f W l , t h i s rate i s 1/2 ft3 of s a l t per minute. The three branch
lines have check valves and-pneumatically-actuated control valves po-
sitioned by hand regulators. "he-three lines are also pmvided with
pressure transmitters f o r the recorders and the alarm system. Vent lines
582, 584, and 586 f r o m the transmitters contain floating diaphragm seals
which would store any gas t h a t might escape a leaking transmitter. These
lines vent t o l i n e 588, a I/k-in. OD tube, leading t o the radiation
m n i t o r s RIA 5% and 596~,and then t o l i n e 937 and the off-gas dis-
charge stack. -
Decay heat is r e m e d fromthe drained f u e l salt in FD-1 and FD-2 by

bayonet-type, boiling-water cooling tubes. The steam drum, o r dome, above
each drain tank sepamtes-the water from the steam-water mixture dis-
charged from the tubes, a@ recycles-.the-mter t o the tubes. The saturated
steam is transported by 3-in., sched-40 stainless s t e e l pipes, l i n e s 804
and 805, t o condensers, DfC-Lemcl XW-2, located i n the west tunnel area.
The con&emers are cooled by-process water circulated through l i n e s 810
an8 8=, and 83.2 and 813. Contiensate .f3mby gravity from t h e condensers
~
t o feedwater storage tanks-located beneath the condensers via 1-in. lines

878 an8 879. Water is recimnla.t;ed-fra *e feeawater tanks by gravity
feed t o t h e steam drum through 1-b. sched-40 stainless s t e e l pipes, lines
806 ana 807. Valves LW-806 land LIC-807, f o r these valves are connected
t o the steam drum but-are located i n the transmitter room. The maximum
rate of feedwater flow i s about 2.1 gpm. When the decay heat generation
P
t
226
kid
i s low, intermittent operation of the-cooling system i s required. To e
Ir
reduce the cooling rate t o zerof t h e water flow i s shut off and the tubes
allowed t o evaporate t o dryness. Steam fromthe X-10 plant i s condensed
t o provide water f o r the heat removal system. Both the condensers and
the feedwater tanks are vented t o the vapor condensing system through
m,
l i n e s 808, 888, and 889. These l i n e s join t o form 1-in. l i n e
338, which leads t o l i n e 980 connecting the vapor-condensing system t o
the primary containment. The top of each steam drum i s vented t o i t s
respective condenser through l i n e s 804 and 805.
The l/2-in. sched-40 pipes, l i n e s 107, 108, and log, which dip t o
the bottoms of the flush tank, FFJ!, and the drain tanks, FD-1 and FD-2,
are used t o interchange s a l t between the tanks and the f u e l processing
cell. Each of these l i n e s is provided with a freeze valve before they
merge t o form l i n e ll0, a 1/2-in. sched-40 pipe leading t o the f u e l
storage tank, FST. The freeze valves and the juncture with l i n e U O
are shown on the f u e l processing flowsheet, Fig. 6.2 (ORNL Dwg. AA-A-40887)
shown here f o r convenience. These freeze valves are equipped with the
salt reservoirs at both ends of the flattened portion t o assure salt i n
the valve at a l l times. The freeze valves am! provided with thermocouples
i n an identical manner with the valves on l i n e s 104, 105, and 106, described
above. The 1t o 15 cfm (std) of cooling gas needed f o r the valves i s
supplied through l i n e s gll, 912, and 913, which branch from l i n e 920,
previously mentioned. 4
6.3 Drain Tanks No. 1and 2
6.3.1 Description
Fuel drain tank asseniblies-No. 1and 2, FD-1 and FD-2, are alike
except f o r the nozzle orientations (see general assenibly drawings ORNL
Dwg. E-W-A-40455 and E-FF-A-40731); A complete assembly consists of
the tank-with supporting-skirt, thinibles, and steam d m with attached
bayonet-type cooling tubes, as i l l u s t r a t e d i n Fig. 2.6. The tank surpports
are described i n Section 6.3.5 and the steam drum and other portions of
the decay heat removal system i n Section 6.3.3, following.
t
228
The drain tanks a r e 50 in. i n diameter and about 86 in. high, not
including the steam dome, and hold about 80.2 f t3 ) of salt contained i n
t h e primary circulating loop. The t a r e weight of a drain tank, includinR
the steam drum, etc., i s 7000 lb. The maximum weight i s about 17,000 lb.
3-27.
Other dimensions of the tanks a r e given i n Table 6.1.
The top head of each drain tank a c t s a s a tube sheet f o r 33 thinibles
of 1-1/2-in. sched-40 INOR-8 pipe, about 77-1/2 in. long, which extend
i n t o the tanlcs t o about t h e elevation of the lower head welds. All but
one of the thimbles project about ll i n . above the upper head. The re-
maining thimble i s f o r thermocouples. The 32 thimbles are evenly spaced
t
on two c i r c l e s concentric with t h e centerline of each tank, 20 on the
outer c i r c l e , and 12 on the inner one. The thimbles serve a s recept-
a c l e s f o r the bayonet-type cooling tubes and have f l a r e d openings a t
the upper end t o f a c i l i t a t e i n s e r t i o n of t h e bayonets. It may be noted
t h a t two independent b a r r i e r s , t h e thimble wall and t h e bayonet tube
w a l l , separate t h e f u e l s a l t from the water. The annular gas space
between t h e two walls i s open t o t h e c e l l atmosphere, which i s continu-
ously monitored f o r the presence of f u e l s a l t , water, and t h e products
of t h e i r reaction.
The f u e l t r a n s f e r l i n e s 108 and 109 e n t e r the drain tanks through the
upper head flange and extend downward t o a cup a t t h e center of t h e lower
head. This cup, which i s fabricated of a 2-in, INOR-8pipe cap welded
t o t h e outside of t h w lower head, makes I t possible t o remve e s s e n t i a l l y
a l l t h e salt from t h e tank.
Lines lo5 and 106, which are used t o exchange f u e l s a l t w i t h t h e
e
primary circulating system, enter through t h e top head of each tank and l
extend downward, with a bend a t the lower end, t o terminate approximately ~
i
2-5/8-in. above the lower head, and near i t s center. The lower end of
each of these pipes i s closed, and a segment of the pipe wall i s cut away
a t the bottom end t o provide an opening which does not draw s a l t from the
..
bottom of the tank. This leaves a "heel" of about 1/2 ft' of s a l t below
the i n l e t t o minimize t h e likelihood of transferring any s o l i d s from t h e
bottom of the drain tank i n t o the f u e l circulating system.
(
. . . .. . ~~~ .. . .. ... ..
.. .... . . ... . .. ...
229
Table 6.1. Design Data f o r Drain Tanks No. 1 and 2
Fuel Drain Tanks (two)

Construction-materid. IIVOR-8
Height (without coolant headers), in. 86
Diameter, in. (OD) 50
r'
Wall thickness. in.
Vessel
Mshed head
Volume a t l250-, f't3
T o t a l .(excluding coolant -tubes) 00.2
Fuel (min., n o d fill conditions) 73.2
Gas blanket (max., n o m 1 fih conditions) 7.0
Heel and runback (min.) 2.7
Design temperature, "F 1300
Design pressure, psi 65
Cooling method Boiling water
i n double w a l l
thinibles
cooling rate (design), kw 100
Coolant thinibfes
Nuniber 32
Construction material IIVOR-8
Size, in. 1-112 an. sched-40
t
Concentric feed tube (IIBOR-8) XI2 in.'OP by
^. 0.042-in.
Steam riser (INOR-8) 1 in. IPS sched-40
.
a
t
230
The above-mentioned i n t e r i o r fuel-salt piping i s held i n position t
B
inside the tank by restraining brackets fabricated of 1/4-in.-diam
INOR-8
rod.
A nozzle i s provided i n the top head of each tank f o r installation
of the level probes, ID-1 and ID-2. The probes are the single-point,
conductivity type, and indicate whether the salt l e v e l i s above o r below
points marking 5$ and 9096 of the salt volume.
A 3-in. pipe nozzle a t the center of the head serves as an inspection
port and can also be used f o r installation of a salt sampler, The closure
f o r t h i s nozzle i s an eight-bolt blind flange with an integral ring-joint
gasket provided with leak detection openings.
A 1/2-in. nozzle on the top head serves as a common connection f o r
helium cover-gas vent- and preseurization l i n e s 572 and 573 on FD-1,
asld f o r l i n e s 574 and 575 on FD-2. The l i n e s are provided with a large
loop encircling the top of the tank, i n much the same manner as the drain
lines, t o provide f l e x i b i l i t y . The nozzle, the short length of connected
piping, and the disconnect flange are of INOR-8. (Beyond t h i s point the
l i n e s are fabricated of stainless steel.) The four-bolt disconnect
flange i s a 1-in. size, but i s d r i l l e d f o r 1/2-in. NPS, with a side out-
l e t t o permit installation i n a horizontal position and easy access t o
the bolting from above,
The INOR-8steam drum and salt-coolin@;bayonets are an integral
unit. The 32 bayonets a r e f a b r i c a t e d of 1-in. sched-40 INOR-8 pipe, a s
shown in Figs, 6.3 and 6.4. A 1/2=in. OD tube on the inside of each
bayonet serves as the downcomer for the entering feedwater. The 1-in.
bayonet size increases t o 1-1/2-*- pipe size above the elevation of
the thinible openings, and a 1-q2-in0 corrugated, flexible Inconel hose
is welded t o each, (The corrugations are covered with stainless s t e e l
braiding.) The other end of each hose i s welded t o 1-1/2-in. nozzles
a t corresponding positions on the bottom of the steam drums. The 1/2-in,
downcomers have stripmuid Ibconel flexible hoses i n the same relative
position. This flexible arrangement provides for the differences i n
radial thermal expansion between the drain tank upper head and the steam
drum.* The weight of the steam-and-water-filled bayonets is not imposed
on the flexible hose couplings but is carried by a plate on which a collar
%ee Part N, Ref . 15, Myers, J. C., e t al., Drain Tanks.
c
A
I t
I 231
Fig. 6 . 3 . Fuel Drain Tank Steam Dome Bayonet Assembly.
! .7
I
c
232
UNCLASIFIED
ORNL-LR-DWG 60838AI
1 BAWNET SUPPORT PI-ATE
i
1
--
Fig. 6.4. Bayonet Cooling Thimble for Fuel Drain Tank.
4
233
kd
* welded t o each bayonet tube rests. - This 1/4-inW 304 stainless s t e e l plate
5
is suspended f r o m the steam d m by four l/k-in.-diam stainless s t e e l wire
cables. The plate clears the tops of- the thinibles by 1/4-in. so t h a t
none of the weight of the stem drum and attached bayonets i s carried by
the drain tank i t s e l f (see Section 6.3.5, following).
The 1-1/2-in. nozzles on the-bottom of the s t e m drums extend about
7 in. into the drums. The 1/2-in. downcomer tubes bend inside these
nozzles and e x i t through the nozzle wall. The elevation of these e x i t
5
openings alternates In adjacent thimbles on both bayonet Circles, one-half
being a t 1 in. above the steam d m lower head and the other half a t 5 in.
e (see ORNL Dwg. D-FF-A-40465). With t h i s arrangement, the water level i n
the drtnn-may be-adjusted to-take one-half of the cooling thimbles out of
service and thus obtain b e t t e r control of the temperature of the s a l t
stored i n the t@.
The 48-in.-diam by 18-in.-high steam drum has an 8-in. pipe pene-
t r a t i o n through it a t the center- (see Fig. 2.6 and ORNL Dwg. D-FF-A-40456) .
The central openings allow the 3-in. inspectton nozzle on the drain tank
t o extend above the steam drum for-accessibility. Lifting eyes on the
top of the steam allow #e drum and the attached bayonet tubes t o
be raised and s e t aside fpr-xwdntenance on the drain tanks. The 3-in.
steam outlet and t h e 1/2-in, water i n l e t connection nozzles on the steam
drum are fabricated of IN OR-^ between the drum and the bolted disconnect
b couplings. Ttpe mating; flanges-an&tha-mmainder of' the piping in t h e heat
T.
removtil system ere 394 stainless-steel. me 3-in. steam piping contains
a corrugated, bellow-type, -stahless ste+-lexpansion Joint i n a horizontal
6-
run lnsiae the drain tank ceU.---TPhe-1/2-in. water l i n e bas sufficient

f l e x i b i l i t y without use of an expansion joint. Tbe condensers,and the
feedwater tanks used i n the heat rem1 systems are described i n
Section 6.3.3. -- - -
The drain-tank wall temperatuse is monitored by 20 thermocouples.
!PkO of these are located on the top head a t the f u e l system drain and
f i l l line; four are located on the bottom head, two of &ich are a t the
+ center; the remaining 14 are distributed over the cylindrical tank w a l l .
(td Two of the thermocouples on the wall are at the tank charging line. The
C data logging system i s supplied with themcouple readings from the f u e l
t
c
*
It
234
system fill line, the tank charging line, the tank wall near the midplane, i
")
and at the center of the bottom. One of the tank w a l l themcouples i s

connected t o a temperature recorder and the remaining lead t o a scanner
which monitors and displays the values. The previously mentioned thermo-
couple bayonet assembly, which i s inserted i n t o a thimble i n the drain
tank, carries f i v e pairs of thermocouples distributed over its length.
One of the lower of these couples is connected t o the data logger and one,
j u s t above midplane, has i t s output read on a temperature indicator.
6.3.2 &sip -
i
The drain tanks, thinibles, bayonet cooling tubes, steam drums, and
e
a l l attachments welded t o them, with the exception of the flexible hoses,
are fabricated of INOR-8 and generally i n accordance with Specification
MSR-62-3 . The flexible hoses w e r e fabricated of Inconel and meet
I
the specifications of Section VI11 of the ASME Unfired Pressure Vessel

Code 47 .
The drain tanks w i l l withstand an internal pressure of 65 psig and
1300°F i n accordance with the requirements of Section VI11 of the ASME
Unfired Pressure Vessel code, f o r primary nuclear vessels.'' The
allowable stress i n IEJOR-8 at 13OQoFwas taken t o be 3500 psi.16 The
calculations f o r wall and-head thicknesses, etc., were based on standard
. .
relationships and are presented i n Part IV of Ref 18 and i n R e f 104.
.F
Basic design data are shown i n Table 6.1.

Calculations covering-differential thermal expansion between the
drain tanks and steam drums, and transient and o f f d e s i g n operating con-
ditions, are also given i n - P a r t Dl of Ref. 18.
The drain tank and cooling system was designed f o r a cooling rate
of 100 kw. Heat transfer and hydraulic computations are given i n Part IV,
Ref. 18. ~
6.3.3 Decay Heat Removal system

The heat generated by the decay of fission products i n the f u e l
salt stored i n the drain tanks i s removed by boiling water i n bayonet
tubes inserted i n thimbles which are immersed i n the s a l t . This arrange-
ment provides double barrier protection between the salt and the water.
235
The saturated steam-water mixture f r o m the bayonets is discharged

into a steam drum, where the water is separated an8 recycledto the
bayonets. The steam i s condensed outside the d m l n tank c e l l and the
condensate returned by gravity through flow-control valves t o the down-
comers i n the bayonet cooling tubes. The r e l i a b i l i t y of the system is
enhancedby t h i s simplicity of operation.
The drain tanks, thhibles-bayonet t a e s , and steam drums, a l l
located i n the drain tank cell, have been described i n Section 6.3.1
The condensers and fedwater tanks are located i n the west tunnel, an
area ai& i s not accessible when the reactor I s I n operation but can be
entered a short time a f t e r shutdown.
The two condensers are commercial s h e l l and tube units, about 8+/8 in.
2
dim by 7 ft 1 0 4 2 in. long, with about 38 ft of surface and a capacity
of 300 kw. Other dimensions and data are given i n Table 6.2. The units
meet the requirements of the ASME Unfired Pressure Vessel Code, Section
VIII, f o r secondaly nuclear ~ e s s e l e . The
~ ~ shell-side design pressure
i s 50 psig, although the steam w i l l condense i n the s h e l l a t essentially
atmospheric pressure. The cooling water, o r tube-side, design pressure
i s 150 psig. The shell, tubes, and baffles are a l l fabricated of 304
stainless steel.
The two cylindrical feedwater tanks are 36 in. i n diameter and about
24 in. high, including the Al&B flanged and dished torispherical heads.
Each has a volume of about lO.5-ft-. 3 They are constructea of 304 s t a i n -
l e s s steel, with a wall thickness of 3/16 in., i n accordance with the
requirements of Section VI11 of the ASME Unfired Pressure Vessel Code,
f o r secondary nuclear ves6els.4'- -Each tank i s supported by four legs,
and the bottom of the tank is-about 12 Zn. above floor level. A 1-in.
nozzle a t the center of the lower-head serves as both the condensate
i n l e t and outlet, the tanks ~floatdng"on lines 806 and 807. Both top
and bottom heads have 1/2-in; -nozzles f o r the level inalcator connections,
the top nozzle also serving as a vent f o r the tank. A 2-in. flanged nozzle
i s provided at the top of each tank a s an inspection port.
As previously mentioned a feedwater control valve in each heat
removal system, IXN 806 and LCV 807, control the gravity flow of conden-
sate from the condensers and feedwater tahks t o the steam drums. These
U
c
236
4id
Table 6.2 Design Data f o r Condensers in Drain Tank Heat t
Removal_Systems a
1. Construction material
Shell, tubes, baffles, and tube sheet
2. Dia. of s h e l l
3. Overall length
4. No. of units required
5. Heat transfer rate, capacity
6. Design pressure
Shell side
i
Tube side
Test pressure a
7.
Shell side 75 PS%
I Tube side 225 psig
I
8. Operating pressure, s h e l l side 15 psia

9. Design t e q e r a t u r e 267 F
10. Heat transfer surface 38 f't2
ll. No. of tubes 19 "U" shaped
12. Tube size 518 in. 0. D.
13. Tube spacing 13/16 in. triangular
pitdl
237
pneumatically operated valves were selected t o f a i l i n the open position,

since overheating t h e drain tanks i s more serious than overcooling, par-
t i c u l a r l y i n t h a t t h e l a t t e r could be l a r g e l y overcome by the e l e c t r i c
heaters. By controlling t h e water l e v e l i n the drums, t h e entrance
openings a t two l e v e l s i n the bayonet tube downcomers permit t h e cooling
capacity t o be off, one-half off, or a l l i n operation, thus affording
control of t h e s a l t temperature i n t h e drain tanks.
The condenser s h e l l spaces and t h e feedwater tanks are vented t o the
vapor-condensing system tanks, which are a t e s s e n t i a l l y atmospheric
pressure. The entering steam drives t h e a i r out. When the steam supply
i s cut off, air w i l l be drawn i n as t h e remaining steam condenses.
A l l t h e water i n t h e heat removal systems can be stored i n t h e feed-
water tanks. The water i n the steam drums can be evaporated, using t h e
drain tank heaters, and collected i n t h e feedwater tanks.
Design calculations are given i n Part N of Ref. 18.
6.3.4 Drain Tank E l e c t r i c Heaters and I n s u l a t i o n
The two drain tanks a r e heated by c y l i n d r i c a l "furnacesff surrounding

t h e tank w a l l s . The tank tops, bottoms, and heater u n i t s a r e enclosed i n
canned i n s u l a t i o n u n i t s . The heaters f o r drain tank FD-1 have a t o t a l
capacity of 46.9 kw and t h o s e ' f o r FD-2 a t o t a l capacity of 45.0 kw. The
difference i n heater capacity i s due t o t h e arrangemen% of heaters r e -
quired for the different nozzle locations on the t w o tanks.
"he tank wall heaters a r e arranged i n removable v e r t i c a l sections,
o r panels, each about 2 3/8 in. t h i c k (see ORNL Dwgs E-MM-B-51684 and
51685). The heaters are arranged i n t o two groups, an upper and a lower,
each group being supplied w i t h e l e c t r i c power from a separate induction
regulator (see heater schedule, ORNL Dwg ~-m-~-51651).There a r e two
widths of panels, one covering about 35' of t h e tank circumference, and
t h e other about 1
5
'. On FD-1 t h e r e a r e s i x of t h e l a r g e panels, with a
capacity of 3680 watts (at 230 v > each, and one of t h e smaller panels
(1360 w a t t s at 230 v), i n t h e upper group of heaters. There a r e a simi-
lar number i n the lower group. Drain tank FD-2 has f i v e of the larger
u n i t s and t h r e e of the smaller i n each of the upper and lower groups.
f
I
li
238
fw
The heaters i n each group are connected-in parallel t o the wye- t
%
connected secondary of the power transformer. Unlike other heaters i n
the MSRE, one terminal of each of the drain tank heaters i s grounded
through the grounded center tap of the transformer wye.
Each of the large panels contains four heating elements consisting
of curved ceramic plates i n w h i c h the nichrome heating wire i s embedded.
he elements are mounted i n stainless s t e e l frames and enciosed i n 16-gwe
347 stainless s t e e l t o complete the panel assenibly. Each panel has a
l i f t i n g hook and separate power and thermocouple disconnects (see ORNL c
Dwg. E-MM-B-51610) 0
The outside of the heaters and the tank bottoms are insulated with
-
two 2-in.-thick layers of expanded-silica (Carefiemp 1600OF see Section
5.6.6.3) insulation. The high temperature side of the sheet metal cms
for the insulation i s fabricated of I l - g a g e 347 stainless steel. The
low temperature, o r outside, surface of the cans i s 16-gage carbon steel.
An insulated cover f i t s between the steam drum and the drain tank a t an
elevation ,just below the bayonet-tube positioning plate. This location
permits the primary system drain and f i l l lines t o be inside the heated
furnace. The 4-1/2-in.-thick cover is fabricated more o r l e s s i n place
and is an integral part of the steam dnrm and bayonet tube assembly. A
<
6-in.-wide portion of the cover on the outer circumference consists of
two 2-in.-thick layers of expanded s i l i c a insulation. The r e m h i n g inner
-
portion i s insulated w i t h ceramic fibers (Fiberfrax see Section 5.6.6.3).
!Ibis flexible type of insulation is used because it i s easier t o f i t
around the large nuuber of bayonet cooling tubes. Tbe insulated cover
r
i s canned in 16-gage 347 stainless s t e e l on both sides.
All of the drain tank heaters are designed for use and none are
connected as spares. The installed capacity of about 45 kw f o r each
tank, however, i s greatly i n excess of the 20-kw measured heat loss from
a drain tank a t 1200°F. The same t e s t s indicated that about 34 kw i s
required t o heat the tanks from 50 t o l150°F at a rate of 6-7"~ per hour. 126
6.3.5 Supports f o r Drain Tanks

Each of the two drain tanks i s supported by two columns resting on
the drain tank c e l l floor (see ORNL Dwg. E-IT-D-41500). The! supports
b
e
s
239
LJ
* were designed f o r a load of 17,000 lbOe7 Each drain tank installation
incorporates two pneumatic weigh c e l l s f o r estimating the inventory of s a l t
i n the tanks.
Each drain tank is provided with a support s k i r t welded t o the tank
j u s t above the upper head circumferential weld. Twelve ty-pe 316 stainless
steel hanger rods, 3/4 in. OD by 15 in. long, are fastened by clevis-
ty-pe couplings t o t h i s s k i r t and suspend the tank f r o m x t support ring
loctzted a t about the elevation of the bottom of the steam drum. This
l?
carbon s t e e l support ring is about 53 in. OD x 6-1/2 in. wide x 8 in. deep,
b u i l t up of steel plates, and has two 22-3/4-in.-long arms extending from
it on opposite sides. Each of these arms i s suspended by three hanger
,
bolts, 1/2-in, OD by 38 in. long, fabriaated of carbon s t e e l f r o m a
3t.
pneumatic weigh c e l l resting on top of a support column, Each of these

two weigh c e l l s has a point suppork consisting of a bearing b a l l 3/4 in.
i n diameter. The support columns are fabricated of 5-in, sched-40 carbon
steel pipe, except f o r the top 24 in., which is 4-in. sched-40 pipe, and
r e s t on the drain tank c e l l floor. The columns pass through holes i n the
arms on the support ring with 1/4-in. clearance on a diameter, an mount
sufficient t o allow proper-operation-of the weigh c e l l s while a t the same
time t o prevent the tank assexibly from f a l l i n g off the two support points.
The long hanger b o l t s and the point support arrangement reduces the
horizontal leading on the weigh c e l l s t o a negligible mount.
The steam dmrm and bayonet assembly also rests on the support ring
mentioned above and is thus a part of the t o t a l loading indicated
by the weigh cells.
To effect maintenance on a weigh c e l l o r prior t o removal of a drain
tank of i t s cooling system, the weight of the drain tank assembly must
be removed fromthe weigh cells. To accomplish this, the end of each
support ring arm i s equipped with a jack b o l t which operates against
a bracket on the supporting columns j u s t below the arm. A slight l i f t i n g
of the armby t h i s b o l t will permit unthreading of the three hanger bolts
on each weigh cell. It may be desirable t o remove the weight fromthe
A-193 Grade B7,

W
4
c
240
Lid
jack b o l t s f o r example t o prevent sway%ng during removal o r replacement W
b
of t h e steam drum and bayonet assenibly. To pmvide for this a collar i s
installed on each column j u s t below the arm onto which the weight of the
assenBly can be lowered by backing off the jack bolts.
On i n i t i a l installation, the bayonet tubes were lined up and guided
into the thinible openings under shop conditions. Replacement of the
-
steam drum bayonet tube assenibly i n the radioactive drain tank c e l l
environment requires use of a guide plate slipped over the lower end of
the bayonets t o a l i g n them for-entry gnto the thinible openings. The
thinibles have flared openings eo assist i n t h i s operation. Once inserted,
the steam drum assembly i s lowered, w i t h the guide plate slipping up the
bayonets, and the plate i s l e f t in place resting on the tops of the
thinibles. Further description of maintenance procedures is given i n a
Part X.
6.4 Fuel Flush Tank

B e flush-salt storage tank i s located i n the drain tank cell, Fig.
4.4 and Fig. 4.5, and i s used t o store the salt used t o cleanse the primary
system prior t o charging with f u e l sa&*. The flush salt consists primarily
of 66$ Li'F and 34s BeF4 (see Table 2.1 and Part IV).
The flush-salt tank has the same dimensions a s the f u e l drain tanks
*
(see Section 6.3, above) but i s two inches shorter i n overall height. The
,
tank has a storage capacity of 82.2 ft3 however, as compared t o 80.2 f t3
.
i n the drain tanks because of the absence of cooling thimbles. The materials c
of construction and the design criteria are the same as f o r the drain
tanks. The design data are summarized i n Table 6.3. The design calcu-
.
lations are presented i n Part IV of Ref. 18.
The flush salt tank i s supported i n the same manner as the drain
tanks and i s heated by an identical e l e c t r i c furnace arrangement having a
capacity of 8.8 kw. The thermal insulation i s arranged i n essentially
the same fashion. The tank temperature i s monitored by 3.5 thermocottples.
Two are on the top head and four are on the bottom head w i t h two of the
latter at the center. The other nine themcouples are distributed over
JL
the tank w a l l surfaces, w i t h two of these a t the charging line.
The 1-in. drain l i n e 104 encircles the flush tank, FFT, a t the top c, L
24L
Table 6.3 Design Data for Fuel System Flush Salt Tails
Construction materi&l INOR-8

Height, in. -84
Diameter, in. (O.D.) 50
Wall thickness; in.-
Vessel 1/2
Dished head 3/4
Volume, ft3 ( 1250°F)
Total
Flush salt (normal f i l l conaltions)
Gas b-et * (vorplal fill conditions)
Design temperature, O F
Besign presswe, psi
cooling method.
f
m
II
242
t o provide the f l e x i b i l i t y needed f o r weigh c e l l operation, in an arrange- .

’*
ment identical t o that on the drain tanks. This l i n e has a freeze valve,
FV-104, and the salt transfer l i n e t o the fuel-processing oell also has
a freeze valve, FV-107 (see flowsheets, F i g . 6.1-4RML Dwg. D-AA-A40882,
and M g . 6.2--Om-m.b-AA-A-40887). !RE flush salt tank is vented t o
the fuel salt circulating pump bowl, via l i n e s 576 and 546, and t o the
off-gas system, through l i n e s 576 and 577, each of which has pne-tically
operated control valves act=-ted by hand-operated regulators Zocated on
the control panels. The two-point l e v e l indication system is identical t o
t h a t used on the fuel drain tanks.
6.5 Salt-Transfer Pipe Line Supports
Drain l i n e 103-1s supported by nine constant-load Bergen supports,

as shown i n Table 6.4. Three of these supports are located i n the reactor
c e l l and six are in the drain-tank ceU. Pipe hangers (both numbered S-5)
support each end of a beam passing through the opening between the reactor
and drain tank c e l l s t o support that portion of l i n e 103. Line 103 is
anchored at the hea%Ing lug connection near the Juuction w i t h line 104 I n
the drain tank cell.
Line 104, 105, ZO6, and-ll0 each have one constant-load type pipe
support. The 1/2-in. pip-, l i n e s 107, 108, and 109 are mounted i n
simple fixed pipe hangers.
c
Table 6.4 S a l t Transfer Pipe Line Supportsa
Line Bergen Numberb Preset LoadC Maximum Hanger Maximum Calculated

Number Location and Type lbs Movement, in. Pipe Movementdon
Heating, in.
s-3 About 1 ft outside CSH-1 D - 1 100 +1 - 1-118

thermal shield
s-4 Between S-3 and. S-5 CSH-1 D - 1 100 +1
s-ge About 5 f t from reactor CSH-4 D - 1 235 2 1 -112
cell wall
s-ge About 6 in. from south CSE-4 D - 1 235 2 1 -112
w a l l drain t a n k c e l l
S-6 Middle of south w a l l of CSH-1 D-1
drain tank c e l l
s-7 Southwest corner of CSH-1 D - 1 121 +1 -114
drain tank c e l l
S-8 Middle of west wall of CSH-1 D - 1 3-27 +l -5132
drain tank c e l l
S-9 A t 90" bend on west wall CSH-1 D-1 115 2 1 -1116
of drain tank c e l l
s-10 About 7 f t from west wall
of' drain tank c e l l
CSH-1 D - 1 121 +1 negl .
Anchor About 3 f t 4 i n . from -
east w a l l drain tank c e l l
S-11 South O f FV-104 CSH-5 D-1 365 5 1 -114
S-12 North of FV-106 CSH-4 D - 1 240 2 1 -114
s-13 South of FV-lOg CSH-4 D - 1 260 f l -114
TL Near north w a l l of CSH-1 D-1 100 2 1 -112
drain tank c e l l
a See ORNL DWR d Positive values a r e up; negative values down.
b Constant-load type supports Bergen Pipe Support e S-5 hangers support each end of a beam which
Corporation (New York, N.Y.) supports l i n e lo3 between reactor and drain
c Preset load i s expected weight of pipe and contents. tank c e l l s .
244
7. SAMPLER-ENRICRER SYSTEM
"he MSlU includes provisions f o r dipping 10-g samples of salt

f r o m both the f u e l and coolant-salt pump bowls while the r e a c t o r i s i n
operation. Shielded c a r r i e r s are provided f o r transporting the samples
t o the a n a l y t i c a l laboratory. Chemical analyses of the samples provide
frequent observations of the behavior of the salts and, i n the case of
the f u e l salt, of the uranium inventory i n the system.
The sample-taking system may a l s o be used during r e a c t o r operation
t o add up t o 150 g of enriching salt (72 mole $ LiF - 28 mole $ UF4) per
U
sample capsule, t o compensate f o r the burnup of f i s s i l e material. Should
a
it become necessary, the same system may a l s o be used t o add a nuclear
6
poison (Li F-BeF2) t o the f u e l - s a l t c i r c u l a t i n g loop. (To make gross
changes i n t h e f u e l - s a l t composition, it i s necessary t h a t it a l l be
drained from the c i r c u l a t i n g system and t r a n s f e r r e d t o the f u e l - s a l t
processing c e l l . )
The sampler-enricher systems f o r t h e f u e l - s a l t and coolant salt
systems operate on the same principle. The primary differences between
t h e two stem from the f a c t t h a t the r a d i o a c t i v i t y l e v e l i n t h e coolant
salt i s much less than i n the f u e l salt, t h a t t h e containment of f i s s i o n -
product gases i s not a problem, and that the equipment can be approached
a s h o r t time a f t e r r e a c t o r shutdown f o r adjustment and maintenance. The
f'uel-system sampler-enricher i s described i n Sections 7.1 through 7.9.
4
The equipment f o r the coolant-salt system i s b r i e f l y covered i n Section c
7.10.
7.1 Brief Description of Operation
The sampler-enricher system c o n s i s t s of a 1-1/2-in. -dim t r a n s f e r

tube connecting the t o p of t h e pump bowl t o a two-chambered, shielded
transfer box on the operating f l o o r l e v e l . A small copper capsule,
fastened t o t h e small w i r e cable by a s p e c i a l l a t c h , i s lowered through
t h e tube i n t o a cage beneath the surface of the salt i n the fuel-pump
bowl. The capsule, with i t s 4-cc sample (10 g of salt), i s then pulled
up through the tube, through two gate valves, and i n t o t h e shielded
I
L
c
245
Ld
I leaktight transfer box. Using a simple manipulator and a periscope,
d
the sample capsule i s unlatched from the cable and transferred t o a
transport container about i03/8-i~.in dianeter by 18-in. long. After
the transfer box has been purged, a removal t o o l i s inserted and the
transport container i s pulled up into a lead-shielded transport cask.
!&is cask i s then placed in a sealed container and taken t o the ana-
l y t i c a l chemistry f a c i l i t i e s in the X-10 Area of ORNL.
!two o r more barriers are provided at all times t o guard against
;z
escape of radioactive gases or particulates. E i g h t inches of lead, o r
a equivalent, shield the operator from radioactivity. A system of inter-
f locks i n the sampler-enricher system prevents accidental opening of
valves, etc.
8 A procedure in reverse of that described above is used f o r adding
enriched salt t o the system, A longer copper capsule i s used, holding
30 cc. This capsule i s lowered into the pump bowl where the enriched
material quickly melts and drains through openings in the capsule as it
is raised from the bowl, Poison material may be added in essentially
the sane manner.
7.2 Design Criteria

t
The unique features of the sampler-enricher system--primarily the
f a c t that the sample-transfer tube passes through both the primary and
c secondary containment barriers in the MSRE--led t o adoption of relatively
stringent criteria f o r the design of the system. 128 summythese
c are:
The samples taken must be representative of the salt circulating in

t h e system. It may also be desirable at times t o take separate s q l e s
in which the material floating on the surface of the salt in the pump
b&l predominates. Each sample must be easily removable from the cap-
. sule, and all of it recovereU for chemical analysis, Approximately

4 cc (10 g) of salt must be isolated per sample, and the system must be
V capable of taking three samples per 24 h r f o r one year o r more. During
i
prenuclear runs, etc., the sampling may be more often,
246
hi+
7.2.2 Enriching t
-
It
About 30 cc (150 g) of enriching salt (72 mole $ Li6 28 mole $

W4) w i l l be added per capsule. Each 30-cc addition w i l l contain 90 g
of 235U and/or thorium. The capsule must drain coqiletely, and re-
covery of the empty capsule must be assured. The enriching salt must
enter the circulating f i e 1 stream as a liquid, not as a solid.
7.2.3 Poisoning
s
The system must be capable of adding a nuclear poison t o the fuel-
f
salt-pump bowl at a l l times, including outages of the e l e c t r i c a l power
s
6UPPly.
7.2.4 Addition of Contaminants

Helium gas introduced into the salt loops during sampling o r en-
riching operations must be of reactor grade. Portions of the system
i n contact with the salt must be fabricated of ma-8 o r other materials
that will not add contaminants t o the system. A d r y i n e r t atmosphere
must be maintained around the sample at all times, including transport
t o the analytical laboratory. (The capsule may be f i r e d i n a hydrogen
atmosphere prior t o use t o remove the oxide film.)
4
7.2.5 Containment
Fission-product gases entering the sampling compartment must be
purgedto the off-gas system prior t o removal of a sample. The sample
must be sealed in a shielded container during transport. Portions of E
the sampler system which could be contamineted by particles of salt

must be sealed from exposure t o the atmosphere. Double c o n t w n t
must be provided in such a manner that breaching of one barrier w i l l
not result in the release of radioactivity t o the environment.
AU. mechanical seals and valves in the primary areas must be
buffered w i t h helium gas t o a pressure higher than t h a t in the reactor
system, and leak-detection equipent must be provided. Any portion of
the systemnot structurally strong, such as the flexible bellows, must
be buffered with gas under a pressure l e s s than that i n the primary
i
247
system, and the buffered space must be vented t o the containment air
system. Exhaust hoods must be provided i n the operating floor areas
where the sampler-enricher equipment i s located.
(For convenience, the containment weas in the sampler-enricher
system were classified as follows: Portions of the primary contain-
ment were designated 1-a, 1-b, etc. Areas of secondary containment,
such as the i n t e r i o r parts of the valve box, were designated 2-a, 2-b,
etc. The outer compartment of the transfer box, also a secondary con-
tainment area during certain phases of the operating procedure, i s
designated 3-a, etc. See Fig. 7.3.)
A l l portions of the primary and secondary containment areas must
be helium leak checked and the leak r a t e must be less than 1 x
s t d cc/sec.
7.2.6 Stresses
The sampler-enricher equipment must be designed f o r a pressure of
at least 50 psig i n primary containment areas and 40 psig i n secondary
containment regions. Design temperatures range from EOO°F in the pump
bowl t o about 100°F at the transfer box. (The normal operating pressure
i s about 5 psig.) The calculated stresses i n stainless s t e e l must not
exceed those allowed i n the ASME Unfired Pressure Vessel Code, Section
V I I I , 4 7 and those i n INOR-8 must conform t o the allowable stresses
shown i n Table 2.2 and ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Case 1315.52
The primary containment must comply with ASME Code Case E 7 3 N-750 and
secondary containment with Code Case E72 N-5. 49
7.3 Description of Equipment
7.3.1 Capsules
Two types of copper capsules are used, one f o r sampling a d one
f o r adding enriched o r poison material.
7.3.1.1 Sampl i n g Capsule. A s shown i n Fig. 7.1, the sampling
capsule i s fabricated from a 3/4-in.-OD copper rod, drilled t o 5/8-in.
P
ID, w i t h a rounded bottom. The solid copper top cap i s also rounded
LiJ t o minimize the likelihood of becoming stuck i n the transfer tube o r
J
.
z
m
!5
W
249
-W valves. The cap i s pinned t o the capsule w i t h a short length of 1/8-in.-

J
OD copper tubing. Two holes through the cap permit the l/32-inO-OD
twisted Inconel wire latch cable t o pass in and out t o provide a 7-in.-
long loop connecting the capsule t o the latehkey, t o be described below.
The overall length of the capsule, w i t h end cap, i s about 1-13/16 in.
Holes, 180' apart, in the side of the capsule, about 0.88 in. above the
bottom, and roughly e l l i p t i c a l in shape, 1/4 by 3/8 in., w i t h the major
axis at right Wgles t o the axis of the capsule, permit the salt t o enter
the sampler af%er immersion in the salt in the bowl. The capsule v o l m
8 below the level of the holes i s about 4 CC. A new capsule must be used
f o r each sample.
7.3.1.2 Ehrichina Capsule. This capsule i s also shown in Fig. 7.1.
It is fabricated of 3/4-in.-OD by 0.035-in.-wall-thickness copper tubing.
The bottom i s spun shut on a radius of 3/8 in. The top i s closed w i t h a
solid copger plug similar t o that used on the saslpling capsule but w i t h
two 1/8-in.-OD copper tubes passing longitudinally through it. The
molten enriched material (or poison) i s added t o the capsule through one
of these tubes, which extends about 1/4 in. on the inside, and the dis-
placed i n e r t gas i s vented through the other. After filling, the 1 / 8 - h -
OD tubes are cut off short and sealed. A hole i s d r i l l e d through the
't cap at a right angle t o the centerline for the 1/32-in.-o~a c o n e l wires
used t o attach the latchke Nine 0.191-in.-diam holes are then d r i l l e d
in the side of t h e capsule 120' apart and at 1-1/4 in., 2-1/2 in., and
at 3-314 in. from the bott A tenth hole, 0.221 in. in diameter, is
drillei in the bottom. Th rall length of the salt-addition tube i s
about 6-318 in, it holds i m t e l y 30 cc, o r about 150 g of salt
(go g 235~j. on insertion pun@ bowl the salt melts and d r a i n s
from the capsule as it is ed out. A new capsule i s required for
each salt addition.
7.3.2 Capsule Iatch and Latchkey

A latch I s provided at end of the cable which ra,i.ses and lowers
the capsule t o permit easy engagement and disengageknt of the capsule
from the cable. This latch does not come into contact w i t h the salt.
a
5
I
250
Ld
7.3.2.1 Latchkey. The l/32-inO-diamInconel wire attached t o f
t
the top of each capsule, see above, i s f i t t e d w i t h a brass (or bronze)
latchkey about 3/16 in. OD by 1-5/8 in. long, overall. The key has an
enlarged section at the upper end, 5/16 in. OD by about 3/8 in. long,
t o form a shoulder on the key which engages a notch i n the latch, as
sham i n Fig. 7.2. The key i s disengaged from the notch by grasping
the latch wire w i t h the remote manipulator fingers and l i f t i n g it
slightly a s it i s pulled forward and upwards. A new latchkey is re-
quired for each sanrple taken.
-
7.3.2.2 La%&. As shown in Fig. 7.2, the stainless s t e e l latch
at the end of the cable i s 1-3/8 in. diam by about 2-1/2 in. long, and
i s tapered at the lower end t o help guide it through the valves in the
transfer tube, etc. A s l o t is provided i n the tapered end for in-
sertion and support of the latchkey, the shoulder on the key r e s t i n g
on the edges of the slot. "he upper end of the latch i s beveled t o
.'53 When the latch i s in the full raised position, this beveled
surface bears against a corresponding surface on the upper latch stop
in the capsule removal charnber, causing the latch t o rotate on the
cable t o the desired position x i t h the s l o t opening facing the access
port. The upper latch stop i s described subsequently i n Section
7.3.7.10 r
7.3.3 -
Cable
0
The cable used t o lower and raise the capsules through the trans- 4
fer tube i s a Teleflex, Inc. (North Wales, Pa.), Catalog Mo. 19553,
5
oon8-in.-di~ by 25-ft-long 321 stainless s t e e l cable. It i s coated
w i t h a high-temperature lubricant supplied by Teleflex, Inc. The
cable can operate under a 35-1b tension load without being datuaged.
7.3.4 pump Bowl Equipment

7.3.4.1Capsule Guide Cage. A guide cage i s provided inside the
pump bowl t o confine the capsule t o i t s proper position i n the pool of
salt. As sham on OREL drawing F-RD-~~U-G, the cage i s fabricated
R - ~ attached t o a
from five 1/4-in.-diam by 8-1/4-in.-long I ~ ~ T Orods
1-1/8-in.-dit~11ring at the bottom.
f
.
251
Unclassified
ORNL DWG 64-8822
2-11/16 REF
I
1’
C
LATCH
CAPSULE K E Y /”’
F i g . 7.2. Sampling Capsule Cable Latch.
*
252
bid
7.3.4.2 Larer Lstch Stop. A stop i s provided in the connection t
between the t r a n s f e r tube and the capsule guide cage t o prevent t h e t
l a t c h from entering the cage and coming i n t o contact w i t h t h e salt.

The stop consists of a r e s t r i c t i o n tapering from 1-5/8 in. ID at the
top t o 1-1/16 in. I D at t h e bottom. The l a t c h stop a l s o serves t o
support the top ends of the rods f o r the guide cage.
7.3.4.3 Baffle. A baffle p l a t e surrounds the capsule guide cage
t o shield it from excessive salt v e l o c i t i e s and, more importantly, t o
retard the aerosol of salt i n the vapor space i n t h e pump bowl from 3
entering t h e t r a n s f e r tube. This b a f f l e i s a, spiral-shaped INOR-8 t

plate, 1/8 in. thick by 8 in. high, curved t o about 3 in. o v e r a l l
.
#
diam ter
7.3.5 Transfer Tube
A 1-1/2-in. sched-40 pipe connects the t o p of t h e f u e l pump bowl

t o t h e bottom of the maintenance valve i n t h e sampler-enricher valve
box located a t the operating f l o o r l e v e l (852-ft elev). (See Fig. 4.3.)
The pipe, o r t r a n s f e r tube, i s about 14 ft long, with two 35-1/2' by
l5-in. radius bends a t t h e top and bottom, w i t h t h e c e n t r a l straight
portion inclined at an angle of 5ko3Ot with the horizontal. This i s
s u f f i c i e n t slope f o r the capsule t o drop i n t o t h e pump bowl by g r a v i t y
alone (see Fig. 7 -3).
The t r a n s f e r tube i s fabricated of IN OR-^ from the pump bowl t o .
the expansion j o i n t section, described below. The expansion j o i n t and t
t h e upper portions of t h e t r a n s f e r tube are 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l .

z
7.3.5.1 Expansion J o i n t . The t r a n s f e r tube includes an expansion
j o i n t at about t h e mid point t o provide the f l e x i b i l i t y needed t o ab-
sorb the movement of the pump bowl (see Section 5.4.5) r e l a t i v e t o the
fixed sampler-enricher s t a t i o n . The expansion j o i n t section, o r spool
piece, i s about 40-1/2 in. long (see ORNL drawing D-BB-C-41337). The
upper portion of t h e spool piece i s a s l i d i n g f i t i n t o t h e lower portion,
with a clearance of 0.003 t o 0.007 in. Points of contact have ground
No. 6 S t e l l i t e surfaces. A 321 stainless steel bellows, 3.31 in. OD x
4
2.65 in. I D x 7 in. long, with a 2-ply w a l l , each 0.005 in. thick, and
w i t h 32 convolutions, i s welded t o t h e upper and lower portions of the 6
253
Unclassified
ORNL IlwG 63-5848
m p 7 ~ 7 ~ ~ m m ,REMOVAL VALVE AND

SHAFT SEAL
PERISCOPE
CAPSULE DRIVE UNIT LIGHT
t CASTLE JOINT (SHIELDED

I WITH DEPLETED URANIUM)
ACCESS PORT
AREA I C
L
, PRIMARY CONTAINMENT
SAMPLE CAPSULE
TRANSf~ O R T
rAlNER
OPERATIONAL AND lr / /
MAINTENANCE VALVES m-v/A- LEAD SHIELDING
TRANSFER TUBE
(PRIIMARY CONTAINMENT)
Figure 7.3. Schematic Representation h e l - S a l t Sermpler-Enricher Dry Box
P
254
spool piece t o provide a l e a k t i g h t j o i n t . The bellows w a s manufactured i
by the Fairchild Instrument and Camera Company ( E l Cajon, Calif.). A c

permanently attached jack, operated by a system of bevel gears and
r o l l e r chains motivated by a remotely operated t o o l from above, permits
compression of the expansion j o i n t f o r i n s e r t i o n between the flanges
a t t h e connection at each end. (See ORNL drawing D-BB-C-41365.) A po-
s i t i o n i n g j i g f o r t h e spool piece provides proper alignment of the
flanges during r e i n s t a l l a t i o n .
The flanges f o r t h e spool piece are, as are the other flanges i n .
the transfer tube assembly, 4-1/4 in. OD, i n t e g r a l O-ring, le&-detected t
units, with the mating faces held together by spring clamps which can be
t
remotely removed by special tooling operated through the portable shield.
7.3.5.2 Sleeve. The upper portion of the t r a n s f e r tube passes J
through a sleeve as it crosses the annular space between the inner and
outer reactor containment v e s s e l walls. This 6-in. sched-40 pipe i s
about 5-l/2 ft long, overall, and i s provided with a bellows-type ex-
pansion j o i n t at t h e mid point t o compensate f o r r e l a t i v e movement be-
tween the w a l l s of the two vessels (see ORNL drawing D-KK-D-40374).
Iead shielding f i l l s the annular space between the sleeve and the trans-
f e r tube f o r a distance of 20 in.
7.3.5.3 Upper Terminus. me upper end of the t r a n s f e r tube passes
5
through a box s e t i n t o the concrete a t t h e operating f l o o r level. The
box, fabricated of a 5-in. section of 14-in. sched-10 pipe, i s closed
a t the top by a 2l-in.-diam by l-1/2-inO-thick flange bolted t o a cor-
responding flange on the top of t h e box with a double O-ring gasket,
a
which can be leak detected. The t r a n s f e r tube i s welded to, and extends
through, the flange. The 1-1/2-in. pipe terminates inside t h e valve box,
described below, about 7-5/8 in. above the operating f l o o r elevation of
852 f t i n a b-l./k-in.-OD i n t e g r a l O-ring flange having a spring-clamp
closure .
7.3-6 ~ pr aet i o n a l and Maintenance Valve Box
Two mechanically similar gate valves are located one above t h e other
in a sealed valve box at t h e upper end of the t r a n s f e r tube assembly.
The upper--or operational--valve i s used during normal operation of the
255
sampler-enricher system. The lower--or maintenance-valve i s normally

open and I s closed only during maintenance on the upper portion of the
sampler-enricher equipment, o r in case of failure of the operational
valve t o seal properly,
7.3.6.1 Valve Box. The valves are located in a box about 15 in,
x 19 in. x 38 in. high. The l 5 - b . by 38-in. sides face north and south,
and the 19-in, by 38-in. sides face east and west. The southern side
of the box has a cover plate bolted t o the box by 1/2-in. studs on about
4-b. centers, and a neoprene O-ring gasket w i t h metal-to-metal seats.
The upper portion of t h i s cover has an opening, which, in turn, is
closed by another cover plate with a neoprene O-ring gasket and bolted
down by the same 1/2-in. studs, the studs being longer at the top of the
box t o accommodate the two thicknesses of cover plates.
The valve body i s welded t o the transfer tube and therefore the
major portion of the weight of the valves and flanges i s carried by the
flange welded t o the transfer tube at the operating floor level,
The valve operating stems pass through the box cover plate i n
belJnws-sealed joints. These joints seal the opening and a l s o allow
some l a t e r a l movement of the valve f o r alignment. The two seals, or
joints, are welUed t o the box cover plates, the lower one t o the large
plate and the upper one t o the smaller, outside cover plate. Vertical
alignment of the valves and flanges i s achieved by slotted holes i n the
cover plates, permitting vertical shif’thg of each cover plate (about
1/4 in.) relative t o the flanges and t o each other.
S i x 1-5/8-in.-diam tapped holes ase provided in the 19 by 38-h.
west face of the box, each opposite an operator f o r the spring clamps
on the three valve flanges. The holes are normally close& stainless
s t e e l nuts, about 6 fn. long, which extend through the lead shielding
on the outside of the box. The nuts are provided w i t h neoprene O-ring
gaskets.
The valve box i s fabricated of 304 stainless steel. Tvo stiffeners
of 1/2-in.-thick by 3-in.-wide plate are equally spaced vertically on
the three sides of the box. The box was designed for a pressure of
40 psig at 100°F, although the normal operating pressure i s atmospheric.
The box was hydraulically tested t o 54 psig or pneumaticaUy tested at
a
I
2%
le6 psig. It satisfactorily passed a helium leak check, w i t h a maximum i
leakage of 1x loo8 std cc/sec (see Section 7.2.6). A-
7.3.6.2 -
Valves. m e operational and maintenance valves are
1-1/2-in., 150-lb stainless s t e e l body, "Belloseal" gate valves manu-
factured by The W i l l i a m Ppwell Company (Cincinnati). The valves axe
the double-sealing type, w i t h No. 6 Stellite-to-Stellite m e t a l seats.
A helium pressure of 40 psig is maintained between the two seats when
the valve is closed. The nonnal leak r a t e through both seats i s less
than 1 std cc of helium per minute. The valve stems were modified by 4
cutting and inserting about 6 in. of extra length so that a second

stainless s t e e l bellows could be added to the stem seals.
!Fhe valves a,re operated by "Idmitorque," SMA-OOO, control motors
located outside the valve box. The motors are f o r 220-v, 3-phase oper-
ation and have an output torque of 2 ft-lb, w h i c h is geared t o produce
50 f t - l b at a stem speed of 6 in./min. -On closing, the torque-limiting
feature cuts off the drive when the valve is fully seated, The inter-
locks i n the sampler-enricher e l e c t r i c a l system prevent operation of
either valve motor while the capsule is i n the transfer tube. T&e motors
draw power from the 25-kv motor-generator s e t which can be supplied with
auxiliary battery parer in event of failure of the normal supply. In
addition, the valve stem drive can be shifted t o manual operation f o r
emergency closing of the valves.
7.3.7 Transfer Box

*
c
As a sample capsule is withdrawn through the transfer tube, it

iv
passes upward throu& the maintenance and operation valves in the valve
box and then into a capsule access chamber located i n the transfer box.
As shown i n Figs. 7.3 and 7.4, this box i s located j u s t above the valve
compartment. In addition t o the access chamber, in which the smple
capsule is disengaged f r o m the l i f i i n g cable, the transfer box also
contains the cable drive box, the manipulator, and the valve port f o r
introducing the capsule transport container. The interior of the trans-
f e r box, sometimes referred t o as the outer compartment, i s a region of
secondary containment when the operational and maintenance valves are
L
257
f Fig. 7.4. Capsule Access Chamber.

5
4
258
open. The capsule access chamber, or inner compartment (area 1-c i n G i

Fig. 7.3), i s a primary containmnt region at this time. C
7.3.7.1 Capsule Access Charober. The l-l/2-in.-diam upper end of

the transfer tube assembly i s welded t o the bottom of a bellows, which,
i n turn, has the top welded t o the bottom of the capsule access chamber
(see Fig. 7.4). lplis arrangement accommodates relative movement and
minor misalignment. The bellows i s 2-ply 304 stainless steel, w i t h
each w a l l 0.004 in. thick. It is 2.406 in. OD x 1.562 in. I D x 3 in.
long, has eight convolutions, and w a s tested at 75 psig. The manu- c
facturer w a s Fairchild Instrument and Camera Company (El CaJon, Calif .).
'c
The bellows described above is housed i n a guide about 5 in. diam -

by 5-3/4 in. long, welded t o the bottom of the capsule access chamber.
The outside of the guide i s provided w i t h two neoprene O-ring gaskets
and f i t s into a short cylinder in the top of the valve box. When the
flanged joint above the operational valve i s sepasated, t h i s arrange-
ment permits the capsule access chamber and cable drive unit t o be w i t h -
drawn f o r maintenance through the top of the transfer box, as w i l l be
described subsequent-.
The 304 stainless s t e e l capsule access chamber has a s q m e cross
section, about 4-1/2 in. on outside dimensions, i s about 10-3/8-in. high,
and has w a l l s about 1/2-in. thick. A 2-3/4-in. by 8-in.-high opening
and a door are provided on the south face. The door swings on hinges
which are spring loaded t o hold the door in the open position. As shown
i n Fig. 7.4, the door i s closed and clamped shut by three pneumatic cylin-
ders on each side, operated by 75 psig helium, which are connected through
pinned linkages i n a toggle action t o lock the door shut after the gas
pressure has been released. The door i s opened by applying helium
pressure t o the reverse side of the piston. These same links swing the
clamps out of the way when released t o allow the door t o swing open.
The clamgs are not attached t o the door but have Stellited rounded noses
which bear against S t e l l i t e pads on the door. The clamps, each of which
can exert a force of 300 l b on the door, are Knu-Vise Clamps, Catalog
Nundber AOM-200, manufactured by the Lapeer Manufacturing Company
(Detroit). Two Buna-N gaskets are provided on the door opening, and the
space between the gaskets i s buffered with helium when the door i s closed.
259
A three-way valve i n the helium supply t o the pneumatic cylinders vents

the spent heliwnto the containment ventilation system.
When the capsule is hoisted t o the fully raised position, the
beveled surface of the upper portion of the capsule latch contacts a
similarly beveled surface on a stop mounted i n the top of the capsule
access chamber. As mentioned in Section 7.3.2.2, and sham i n Fig. 7.2,
t h i s arrangement causes the latch t o rotate on the cable so that the
notch faces the door opening.
7.3.7.2 Capsule Drive Unit and Box. The electric-motor-driven
r e e l which raises and lowers the capsule cable i s located i n a drive
unit box j u s t above the capsule access chamber. The interior of the
box communicates with the chamber and i s thus also part of the primary
containment.
The box i s about 8-3/8 in, x 14-1/8 in. x 11 in. high and is fabri-
cated of 1/2-ine-thick 304 stainless s t e e l plate (see ORNL drawing
10301 R-157-E) . The box has a 1-1/2-in. -dim hole at the bottom through
which the cable passes into the capsule access chamber. The box is
designed for, and tested at, the same pressures as the access chamber.
The transfer box has an 0-ring-gasketed cover bolted i n place j u s t
above the drive unit box. After the flange above the operational valve
i s separated, the l i f t i n g eyes in the top of the transfer box may be used
t o gull the drive unit box and the attached capsule access chamber as-
sembly upwards through the opening for maintenance or replacement.
The capsule cable drive unit i s a Teleflex, Inc. (North Wales, Pa.),
Catalog No. 19553, drive w i t h a storage r e e l holding 25 ft of cable.
The cable is positively paid out and returned by a non-slip gear-driven
wheel capable of exerting 35 l b of force on the cable in tension and
20 l b i n compression. (It is t o be noted, however, that the normet1
loading is but a small fraction of these values and t h a t the capsule
drops damwasd to the p u p bowl solely by gravity.) As the cable moves
upward through the drive wheel, it winds onto a storage r e e l which is
spring-loaded t o maintaizl LL tension on the cable between the r e e l and
the drive wheel,
The drive unit motor is a ll5-v, single-phase, reversible, Jordan
(Milwaukee) "Shaftrol" unit, Model SM-ll-W-3, 1/2 FXS, exerting 28 in.-lb
260
torque at 3-l/2 r p m output speed. It i s provided with a b u i l t - i n

e l e c t r i c brake. One revolution of t h e motor r e e l s i n about 8 i n . of cable.
A threaded shaft, gear-driven from the motor, moves a nut along it
t o contact l i m i t switch arms. An upper l i m i t , lower l i m i t , and two i n t e r -
mediate points a r e provided. The upper and lower l i m i t switches c u t o f f
the cable drive motor while the intermediate positions a r e p a r t of the
interlock system. T!wo gear-driven synchro motors are incorporated i n t o
the drive unit t o send signals t o the "coarse" and "fine" p o s i t i o n i n d i -
c a t o r s on the operating panel. These show t h e capsule p o s i t i o n t o within
1/8 in. of the a c t u a l point.
7.3.7.3 Transfer Box Lrtyout and Construction. The box t h a t houses
the capsule access chamber and the drive u n i t i s a sealed L-shaped c m -
15 in. by 20 in. and 24 in. high,
t a i n e r , w i t h the v e r t i c a l l e g about
and the horizontal l e g about 15 x 15 x 36 in. long (see Fig., 7.3). It
i s fabricated of 1/2-in.-thick 304 st-less s t e e l p l a t e . Reinforcing
bars 1/2 in.-thick by 3-in.-wide are welded along t h e center l i n e s on
the 2bin.-long sides. The design pressure i s 40 p s i g at 1OO0F, the
normal operating pressure being atmospheric. The box w a s hydraulically
t e s t e d a t 54 p s i g o r pneumatically at 46 psig. The helium leak r a t e
was less than 1x s t d cc/sec (see ORNL drawing 10301-R-150-E). The
box, a s secondary containment, complies w i t h the ASME Code Case E 7 2 N-5. 49
The capsule access chamber i s located in the north end of t h e box,
i n the v e r t i c a l leg, w i t h the d r i v e u n i t mounted above it. The south
end of the h o r i z o n t a l l e g i s f i t t e d with a manipuhtor and a quartz
viewing port. The upper portion of the horizontal l e g i s provided with
another quartz p o r t f o r the illumination system and with a valve p o r t
f o r i n s e r t i o n and removal of the sample-capsule-transport container.
These devices a r e described separately i n the sections t h a t follow.
7.3.7.4 Manipulator. A shielded manipulator extends through the
w a l l of the transfer box. It is used t o remove the capsule latchkey
from the latch and t o l i f t the sample capsule from the access chamber
t o the capsule-transport container, e t c . As indicated i n Fig. 7.3, the
manipulator hand has two fingers of the forceps type. These are actuated
by a push-pull rod extending through t h e arm t o the handle, located out-
side the t r a n s f e r box. A grip-type lever, which has a r a t c h e t and pin,
263L
o r trigger, arrangement t o lock it in any position, imparts &e p h -

p u l l motion t o the rod. The hand can be rotated about 180' by turning
the asm. %he insides of t h e fingers are padded w i t h neoprene about
1/32 in. thick.
The arm passes through the box w a l l i n a Castle-type joint. The
side-to-side motion of the a r m is provided by a vertically mounted
6-in.-diam by 8-ino-hj-a depleted uranium cylinder that is mounted on
b a l l bearings a t the top and bottom. This cylinder turns, w i t h a
clearance of about 1/64 in., in a depleted uranium housing f i t t e d into
the llC-in.-diam extension of the transfer box. The up-and-down motion
of the hand i s provided by a ball-bearing-mounted horizontal axle on a
7-in. -dim by l-l/$-in.-thick depleted uranium disk, which turns with
about 1/64-in. clearance i n a cutout i n the above-mentioned cylinder.
This gimbal arrangement allows fill freedom of swinging motion of the
asm t o any position within a cone of about 40' included angle. The ef-
fective shielding thickness of the depleted uranium i s 5 t o 6 in. Au.
uranium pieces have hard chrome plating about 0.001 in. i n thickness.
The arm is sealed by a 2-ply-polyurethane, conical-shaped, corru-
gated bellows, about 8 in. i n diameter at the large end and tapering t o
about 1 in. in diameter t o the point where it i s clamped at the "wrist"
of the arm. Each ply i s about 0.020 in. thick. The space between the
inner and outer bellows is maintained below atmospheric pressure. Ef-
fluent gas fromthe space passes t o the containment ventilation system,
where it is monitored for radioactivity.
A cover can, o r cap, is placed over the portion of the manipulator
handle extending outside the transfer box when the manipulator is not in
use, o r i f gas leakage is detected i n the assembly. This stainless s t e e l
can I s about 10 in. i n diameter by 12 in. long and is joined t o the mani-
pulator housing by "Conoseal" multiple T-bolt latches (Catalog Mo. 50765H)
and uses a tube-type gasket (Catalog No. 50887-1000S). This can passes
the same leak checks as does the transfer box. The can also can be used
t o equalize the pressure on the polyurethane bellows when the transfer
box i s under pressure or vacuum.
7.3.7.5 V i e w i n g P o r t s and Periscope. A 4-in.-diam viewing port i s
located on the front of the transfer box. The 1/2-in.-thick quartz lens
262
I
i s mounted in a pressure-tight, screwed f i t t i n g . A simple periscope,

using two front-surface mirrors about 2-1/2 by 3 in. and located about
3 ft apart in a 3-in.-square s t a i n l e s s s t e e l box, i s arranged at a con-
venient height f o r an operator in the standing position. A knob a t t h e
top has a b e l t drive t o a d j u s t the viewing angle of the lower mirror,
and the periscope can be r o t a t e d s l i g h t l y t o view the required portions
of the box i n t e r i o r . The viewing port and t h e lower section of the
periscope are inside the lead shielding which surrounds the t r a n s f e r
box. A hood prevents t h e operator from placing h i s face c l o s e r than .
about 7 in. from the upper mirror.
A second quartz l e n s port, i d e n t i c d t o the one described above,
i s located at the top of the t r a n s f e r box i n such a position that the
100-watt e l e c t r i c bulb placed outside t h e box illuminates the work mea.
7.3.7.6 Capsule Removal Valve. A 2-in. b a l l valve i s located on
the top of the t r a n s f e r box f o r the removal and i n s e r t i o n of the sample-
transport container. The s e a l assembly f o r t h e tube i s described below.
The valve is a Jamesbury Corporation (Worchester, Mass.) t y p DHV-33TT,
w i t h an air-actuated pneumatic cylinder operator No. 04 Model P-100. A
&-way solenoid-operated valve controls the air flow t o the cylinder and
vents the air t o the atmosphere. The valve i s enclosed by the lead
shielding around the t r a n s f e r box.
b
7.3.7.7 Capsule Removal Tube AssembQ. The capsule transport con-

t a i n e r i s i n s e r t e d i n t o the removal valve through a s e a l assembly de-
signed t o prevent e n t r y of air i n t o t h e t r a n s f e r box. The s e a l assembly
a l s o prevents the escape of contaminated gases from t h e box as the con-
t a i n e r i s withdrawn.
The seal i s contained i n a v e r t i c a l s t a i n l e s s s t e e l tube, 2.375-in.-
OD by 11-3/16 in. long, joined w i t h 2-in. 11-1/2 M E T t o the removal valve
outlet. The upper portion i s f i t t e d w i t h a nylon bushing 3 in. long and
w i t h two guiding surfaces, 1.373 in. ID by 3/4 in. long, at each end,
through w h i c h the 1.367-in.-oD t r a n s p o r t c a r r i e r tube s l i d e s . Immedi-
a t e l y beneath the guide bushing a r e two Parker No. 220 neoprene O-ring
gaskets, 1-3/8 1-5/8 x l/8 in., mounted 1 in. apart. The space between
X
4
t h e gaskets i s d r i l l e d w i t h a 1/16-in.-dia hole and provided with 1/4-in. Ll
30,OoO-lb autoclave tubing f i t t i n g s f o r the introduction of helium purge.
f
T
263t
fw
A similar tubing connection i s made beneath the O-ring seals for the
connection t o vacuum pump No. 2 or the helium supply (see ORNL drawing
10301-R-152-E)
I n operation, the transport container i s first inserted into the
s e a l u n t i l the lower end i s below the two O-ring gaskets, the removal
valve being closed. 3elium is then introduced between the O-rings, and
the space between the seals and the removal valve i s evacuated by vacuum
pump No. 2. After helium i s introduced into the space, the removal valve
c
may be opened and the transport container inserted into the transfer box.
It i s t o be noted that the removal t o o l is also a leaktight fit into the
capsule removal seal.
.
7.3 8 Capsule Transporting Equipment
After taking a sample from the pump bowl, the sample capsule i s
placed i n a gas-purged leaktight compartment of a transport container.
This container is then withdrawn from the transfer box up into a lead-
shielded transport cask, using a special tool. The cask i s then taken
t o the analytical laboratory.
7.3.8.1 Sample Transport Container. The sample capsules are trans-
ported in a 304 stainless s t e e l container assembly, 1.367 in. OD by
18-13/16 in. long, maintained in a v e r t i c a l position f o r both loading
and rahipping. The sample capsule rests in a compartment i n the bottom,
about 7/8 in. ID by 6 in. long. The compartment fits inside the con-
tainer, and when the container i s turned by a special tool, i s joined t o
it by threads at the bottom of the assembly. Double O-ring, neoprene
gaskets seal the Joint. The bottom of the compartment i s notched t o f i t
over lugs on a positioning jig in the bottom of the transfer box to keep
the compartment from turning when the container i s rotated t o make or
break the threaded j o i n t (see OREOL drawing 10301-R-050-E).
The upper portion of the transport container i s f i l l e d w i t h an
8-1/4-in.-long plug of lead for shielding in the transport cask, and the
upper end has a v e r t i c a l 1/4-in. threaded hole and transverse 5/16-in.-
s diam hole f o r a latching pin, as w i l l be discussed subsequently.
W 7.3.8.2 Transport Container Removal Tool. The special t o o l used

a t o insert and remove the transport container and t o rotate it inside the
3
'264
L+
transfer box i s 1-3/8 in. i n diameter by about 53 in. long. A 1/2-in0- t
4
diam rod extending through the handle i s threaded w i t h 1/4 in, x 20 UNC
threads at the bottom t o engage the threads a t the top of the container.
A 7/16-ine-wide s l o t on the bottom of the t o o l f i t s over a projecting lug
on top of the carrier tube t o prevent relative turning. The t o o l is long
enough t o extend through the transport cask, the removal valve on top of
the transfer box, and into the box f o r joining t o the transport container
(see ORML drawing 10301-R-05O-E),
c
7.3.8.3 Transport Cask. The transport container, with the enclosed
sample capsule, i s drawn upward f'rom the transfer box into a shielded trans- I
port cask, as sham in Fig. 7.5. The removal tool, described above, i s
then disengaged f r o m the transport container.
The cask consists of a 25-h. length of 18-in. sched-10 austenitic
stainless s t e e l pipe with 3/8-in.-thick f l a t plates welded t o the ends.
A 17-l/2-ine length of 2-in. sched-160 pipe at the center serves a s the
transport container compartment. Two lugs project from the top of the
cask at each side of the central hole. Each lug has a 5/16-in.-diam hole
through w h i c h a spring-loaded latching pin operates t o engage the corre-
sponding hole i n the lug at the top of the carrier tube. The pin i s posi-
t i v e l y locked i n place t o prevent accidental removal o r s p i l l s from the
cask (see ORNL drawing 10301-R-051-E).
The cask i s completely f i l l e d w i t h about 2250 l b of lead t o provide
a minimum of 8 in, of shielding i n all directions. The opening at the
top of the transport container i s f i l l e d w i t h a lead plug 8-1/4 in. long.
The bottom of the cask i s closed w i t h an 8-ine-thick sliding lead door.
Lifting trunnions are provided on each side of the cask, which
weighs a t o t a l of about 2500 lb.
Three casks are available f o r the MSRJ3.
7.4 containment
During all mses of operation, the sampler-enricher system pro-

vides a e l m u m of two barriers t o the escape of radioactive particles
and gases. Thus, failure of any one component w i l l not r e s u l t i n the
release of dangerous amounts of contaminants, a s i s briefly reviewed
I
265
Unclassified
ORNL DWG 64-8823
Sliding / I
Figure 7.5. Transfer Cask f o r Sampler-micher

Transport Container.
266
below. (For a d e t a i l e d description of operation of t h e system, see

Operating Procedures, Fazt V I I I . )
When the sampler-enricher system i s not i n use, t h e operational
valve i n t h e t r a n s f e r tube i s closed. The space between the two s e a t i n g
surfaces i n the valve i s buffered with helium gas a t a pressure g r e a t e r
than t h a t i n the pump bowl. If leakage i n t h e valve does occur, the cap-
s u l e access chamber a t t h e t o p of the t r a n s f e r tube i s sealed with double
O-ring gaskets with the space between t h e gaskets buffered w i t h helium
gas. If leakage should occur from t h i s chamber, o r from any of t h e flanged
j o i n t s i n the transfer tube connections, the escaped gases w i l l be con-
t a i n e d i n e i t h e r the t r a n s f e r box o r the valve box. These gases are moni-
tored f o r r a d i o a c t i v i t y before being discharged e i t h e r t o t h e a u x i l i a r y
charcoal bed or t o t h e containment v e n t i l a t i o n system.
I n preparing t o take a sample, after the t r a n s p o r t container with
the empty capsule has been placed i n the removal valve seal assembly and
purged of air, the removal valve on the t r a n s f e r box i s opened. A t this
point i n t h e procedure, t h e operational valve and the access chamber door
remain sealed, providing the r e q u i s i t e double containment barrier.
After the t r a n s p o r t container and empty capsule are placed i n the
t r a n s f e r box, the removal valve i s closed and buffered with helium gas.
(The t r a n s f e r box may then be purged of any entering air should t h i s be
necessary.) When t h e access chamber door i s opened t o l a t c h t h e empty
capsule t o the cable, t h e operational valve remains sealed. This valve
and the t r a n s f e r box thus c o n s t i t u t e two blocks t o the escape of a c t i v i t y .
The access chamber door i s closed and buffered with helium gas be-
f o r e t h e operational valve i s opened t o lower the capsule i n t o the f u e l
pump bowl. The door and t h e transfer box a r e the double b a r r i e r a t t h i s
point.
After the sample has been taken and moved t o t h e t r a n s p o r t container
i n the t r a n s f e r box, i n the reverse procedure t o that outlined above,
helium purge gas sweeps any fission-product gases from t h e t r a n s f e r box
t o the a u x i l i a r y charcoal bed.
A t t h e completion of the sampling procedure, when t h e f u e l salt i s
contained i n a helium atmosphere inside t h e sealed t r a n s p o r t container
located i n t h e t r a n s p o r t cask, the cask i s sealed i n a gas-tight compartment
T
267
bd f o r shipment t o the h o t - c e l l f a c i l i t i e s a t the a n a l y t i c a l laboratory.

I
* Double containment i s thus provided during the transport phase.
7.5 Shielding
Preliminary estimates indicated that a f t e r extended operation of

the MSRE at 10 Mw, one 10-g samgle of the f u e l salt would have a radi-
a t i o n l e v e l of about 200 r / h r a t a distance of 12 in. In the design of
the sampler-enricher shielding it w a s assumed that one such sample would
be i n the apparatus and that, i n addition, t h e deposits of the decay
daughters of the fission-product gases, particles of f u e l salt, etc.,
would mount t o about 200 r/hr. Figure 7.6 indicates the estimated ap-
proximate dose rate at t h e surface of the shielding f o r varying thick-
nesses of lead.
The outside of the sanpler-enricher valve box, t r a n s f e r box, etc.,
i s shielded w i t h a minimum thickness of 8 in. of lead, mostly i n t h e
form of stacked lead bricks. As described i n Section 7.3.7.4, the mani-
pulator i s shielded w i t h 6 in. of depleted uranium. During maintenance,
w i t h no sample i n the apparatus and the r a d i o a c t i v i t y due only t o re-
s i d u a l contamination, it i s estimated that 6 in. of lead shielding i s
s u f f i c i e n t after a &-day decay period.
5 The sleeve opening through the reactor containment v e s s e l shielding,
through which the t r a n s f e r tube passes, requires special consideration.
As mentioned i n Section 7.3.5.2, the annular space between the sleeve
w a l l and t h e transfer tube is f i l l e d with a 20411. length of lead. In
addition, stacked blocks of borated polyethylene, lead bricks, etc., are
used t o attenuate and absorb the beam coming through the opening.
7.6 Stresses
The s t r e s s e s i n the valve and t r a n s f e r boxes were investigated

ie
using standard relationships. The design pressure w a s 40 p s i g a t room
*Private communication, Ralph D. Frey t o R. B. Gallaher, December 1963.

c
268
Unclassified
50
30 c
x) I
10
9)
m
a"
0.5
0.3
0.2
0.1
5 6 7 8 9 10 xl
Thickness of Lead - in.
Figure 7.6. Effect of Lead Thickness on Effectiveness of S~pllplershielding.
7
.....** . .... ......_..*".
.........--. . ............... . . . ....................... . .~.. .
.__ . ....... .
^ .... __ l_._-l_,_,ll-__. ~ ....._ * _ ....
_ ~ ........ . . . . .._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
269
'S
c 5
temperature, and 18,750 p s i was taken as the allowable s t r e s s i n 304

Ilr stainless The applicable ASME Codes a r e l i s t e d i n Section 7.2.6.
Reinforcing ribs a r e used f o r t h e sides and cover p l a t e s and the openings
are reinforced where required.
Investigation of the t r a n s f e r tube indicated a maximum bending
stress of about 9200 p s i at one end. 129
7.7 Cover-Gas and Leak-Detection System
Helium i s used i n the sampler-enricher system t o purge the sealed

c
compartmnts of air o r contaminated gases, t o operate the pneumatic door
b
latches on the capsule access chamber door, and t o pressurize, o r buffer,
the space between the double gaskets used throughout. A drop i n the
c
helium supply pressure t o the l a t t e r , indicating a leak, actuates the
various interlocks in the control c i r c u i t s .
As shown i n Fig. 7.7 (Instrument Application D i a g r a m , ORNL drawing
D-HB-B-b505), helium i s supplied t o the f i e 1 and coolant salt sampler-
enricher equipment a t 250 p s i g through l i n e s 509 and 515, respectively,
from l i n e 514 i n the west tunnel area (see Section 10). With but f e w ex-
ceptions, a l l helium l i n e s i n the sampler-enricher system are 1/4-in.-OD
by 0.083-in. -wall-thickness s t a i n l e s s s t e e l tubing w i t h 30,OOO-lb auto-
clave f i t t i n g s . A l l helium supply l i n e s have double check valves t o pre-
vent backf low.
A t the f u e l - s a l t sampler-enricher control board, l i n e 509 divides
674. The former has a pressure-reducing valve, w-650,
i n t o l i n e s 650 and
L which Furnishes helium a t 75 psig t o 3-way solenoid valves XSV-652 and
HSV-653, each of w h i c h supplies three of the pneumatic clamps t o close
and l a t c h the capsule access chamber door. After the doors a r e latched,
the 3-way valves vent the spent helium t o the containment v e n t i l a t i o n
system, as w i l l be described subsequently. The doors are unlatched and
opened by the admission of helium through HSV-651, a 3-way valve a l s o
supplied from l i n e 650.
Line 674, mentioned above, i s provided w i t h helium through a pressure
c o n t r o l valve, W-509, which reduces the pressure t o b psig and supplies
*
y' c two headers, 664 and 683, which have branch l i n e s t o the various seals,
P
I
I
!
!
I
i
t
!
I
i
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
1
271
u flanged j o i n t s , e t c . Most of the branch l i n e s contain a flow element

consisting of a short length of c a p i l k r y tubing, t o r e s t r i c t the f l o w
P
should a buffered j o i n t develop a s i g n i f i c a n t leak.In t h i s event, the
pressure drop i n e i t h e r of the two headers, 664 o r 683, would be sensed
by pressure i n d i c a t o r s and an alarm would be sounded. The branch l i n e s
and the data on each r e s t r i c t o r are tabulated i n Table 7.1.
Line 674 a l s o supplies helium at 40 psig t o l i n e 672, which pro-
vides a supply of purge gas f o r the t r a n s f e r box. The r e l a t i v e l y large
c f l o w is regulated through PV-672, rather than through a r e s t r i c t o r tube.
Two check valves i n s e r i e s at the e x i t of the l i n e inside the box pre-
. vent backflow of possibly contaminated gas. (The l i n e between the check
z
valves and w-672 can be evacuated by vacuum pump No. 2 and the gas dis-
charged t o the containment v e n t i l a t i o n system. )
The cable drive box i s supplied w i t h helium a t 40 psig from l i n e
674, v i a l i n e 657. This l i n e i s provided w i t h a flow r e s t r i c t o r , as
l i s t e d i n Table 7.1. The helium flows through the drive box t o the cap-
sule access chamber, and i s vented through l i n e 678, as discussed below.
Line 666, branching from l i n e 674, i s provided w i t h a pressure-
regulator, W-666, which reduces the pressure t o 15 p s i g for the helium
supply between the double O-ring seals a t the transport container s e a l .
7.8 Off-Gas System
Off-gas from the capsule access chamber and transfer box is vented
through vacuum pump No. 1 t o the a u x i l i a r y charcoal bed. All other gas,
some of which may pass through vacuum pump No. 2, i s vented t o t h e con-
tainment v e n t i l a t i o n system. A l l discharged gas i s monitored f o r radio-
a c t i v i t y both at t h e sampler-enricher s t a t i o n and again i n the MSRE: gas
.
disposal systems. A l l off-gas l i n e s leading t o the charcoal beds can be
blocked w i t h two valves i n s e r i e s .
7.8.1 System No. 1
The capsule access chamber i s vented through l i n e 678, which i s

provided with valves HCV-678 and HSV-678. Gas i n the t r a n s f e r box i s
h-, vented through HCV-677 and l i n e 677, which j o i n s l i n e 678 t o connect t o

L
E
Table 7.1. Helium Supply Lines and Restrictors in Fuel-Salt Sampler-Enricher System
Restrictor
ax. F ~ WRatea Inlet ID OD Tube Lengthb

Line No. Equipment Supplied (cc/min STP) (psig) (in.) (in.) (in.)
650 Capsule chamber door Latches 5000 75 0.012 0.060 10.8
655 Maintenance valve buffer 30 40 0.006 0.050 28
657 Cable drive box 5000 40 0,017 0.060 12.4
664 Buffer seals 30 40 0.006 0 050 28
666 Removal seat buffer 30 15 0.006 0.050 9.5
668 Operating valve buffer 30 40 0.006 0.050 28
669 Capsule chamber door buffer 30 40 0.006 0-050 28
670 Removal valve buffer 30 40 0.006 0.050 28
a
A l l restrictors discharge at essentially atmospheric pressure.
b A l l restrictors have tubing formed into a c o i l and contained within a 2-in. length of 2-in. sched-40
pipe capped at each end. A l l material i s 304 stainless steel.
4 r
2 73.
the suction of vacuum pump No. 1, a f t e r passing the radiation monitor

RE-678. The vacuum pump discharges through a check valve t o line 542,
which connects t o l i n e 52lleading t o the auxiliary charcoal bed de-
scribed in Section 12.4.2.
The vacuum pump i s a W. M. Welsch Manufacturing C o w "Duo-Seal"
unit, Model 1402, having a capacity of 140 liters/- STP and is driven
by a 1/4-hp motor. The punrp i s located i n a vented box at the rear of
the sanrpler-enricher u n i t .
7.8.2 System No, 2

T The pneumatic cylinders on the capsule access door latches exhaust
through the 3-way solenoid-operated valves HSV-651, 652, and 653, through
HW-675 and line 675, past the radiation monitors RE-675A and RE-675B,
and joins the 9-in.-diam line 949 leading t o the containment ventilation
system described i n Section 13.
The box in which vacuum pump No. l i s located i s vented throu@;h
line 660 t o the containment ventilation system, via line 684. A branch
of l i n e 684 dram gases from the vacuum pump No. 2 vented box. The valve
box i s vented t h r o u e line 659 t o the vacuum pump No. 2 box. A remotely
operated valve i n this line, H~V-659,permits the l i n e t o be closed t o
i determine which of the compartments i s the ~ o u r c eof cattamination,
should this be indicated by radiation monitors RE-675 A&B.
Air o r contaminated gases in the removal tube assembly are &awn
off through l i n e 679 an8 valve HCP-679, t o the intake o f vacuum puarp 100. 2.
This p u q tiischarges into the vented box in which it is located, t o be
vented through l i n e 684, mentione8 above.
Vacuum pump No. 2 i s identical t o the No. l u n i t , described above.
Both pumps are operated only when the sampler-enricher equipment i s in
use.
7.8.3 Exhaust Hood
An exhaust hood i s located over the transport cask position on the
sampler-enricher t o d r a w off any fission-product gases which mi@ es-
cape. This hood i s connected to the containment ventilation exhaust
system, tbe air being drawn from the high-bay area, as described i n
Section 13.
274
7.9 Electrical
Electrical power for the sampler-enricher system is supplied from

the 25-kw dc-ac motor-generated s e t No. 4, v i a instrument power panel
No. 2 . fn event of failure of the dc supply normally driving the motor-
generator set, batteries can provide at l e a s t two hours of running time,
as described in Section 19.
The capsule cable drive motor i s arranged f o r U-0-v, single-phase
c
operation. The 220-v, 3-phase power f o r the operational and maintenance
valve-control motors i s obtained from a s t a t i c converter used t o change i
the single-phase parer from the 25-kw motor-generator s e t t o 3-ghase. 4
Mineral-insulated e l e c t r i c a l leads are used at a l l points where

w i r e s must pass t h o u @ the w a l l s of the leaktight compartments. All
e l e c t r i c a l disconnects are located outside the containment areas.
7.10 Coolant-Salt W l e r - E n r i c h e r System
Salt samples are taken fromthe coolant-salt pump bowl i n es-

sentially the same manner as t h a t used i n the fuel-salt system. Samples
are removed but about once a month, however, and single, rather than
double, containment is sufficient in that long-lived radioactive material
i s not normally present in the coolant-salt pump bowl.
The same sampling capsules are used in the f u e l and coolant-salt
systems, see Section 7.3.1.2 and Fig. 7.1. The transfer tube, capsule
drive mechanism, capsule latch, pump bowl internals, including the
sampling cage, are all identical t o those used i n the fuel-salt system.
See Sections 7.3.2 through 7.3.5 and 7.3.7.2.
The 1-1/2-in. NPS transfer tube extends from the coolant-salt pump
bawl upwards through the side of the penthouse t o a dry box mounted in
a "packaged" coolant-salt saJnpUng unit, !J!he dry box is a 3O-in.-long
vertical section of %in. sched 40 pipe. The pipe is closed at the
bottom with a pipe cap and at the top w i t h a l5O-psi hinged and. clamped
flanged Tubeturn closure having elastomer O-ring seals. This dry box
houses the capsule drive unit. The box i s provided with one rubber
glove, the opening f o r which can be sealed w i t h an 8-in. hinged flange
275
similar t o that used on the top of the box. A 1-1/2-in. NPS connection
at the bottom leads t o the two 2-in. Janesbury b a l l valves (see Section
7.3.7.6) in the transfer tube, and a top connection i s provided for the
1-1/2-in. b a l l valve f o r insertion and removal of the capsules. The box
i s also equipped w i t b two 3-in.-dia~n quartz-lens viewing and illuminating
ports, helium and vacuum connections. See ORIVL drawing 10333-R-002-E.
The dry box was desigued f o r a vacuum o r for 40 psig at IOOOF
in accordance w i t h the ASME Code f o r s e c o n m nuclear vessels. 49 m e
normal operating pressure is 5 psig.
A system of s i x different keys and about nine locks i s used on the
valves, e l e c t r i c a l switches, opening latches, etc., t o reduce the l i k e l i -
hood of using an improper operating sequence. This system of "key inter-
locks" operates on the principle that a key is used t o unlock a device
and also t o gain access t o a key which can be used t o unlock the next step
in the procedure. An e l e c t r i c a l system sounds an &mn i f the pressures
i n the equipnmt are not suitable f o r the next step t o be undertaken.
The sample capsules are inserted into the Cxry box from, and w i t h -
drawn from the box into, a portable container which i s used t o transport
the samples t o the analytical laboratory i n an i n e r t atmosphere. This
container is a short section of 1-1/2-in. pipe w i t h a 1-1/2-in. Jamesbury
b a l l valve at the bottom and a Wilson, Teflon, sliding dynamic vacuum
s e a l where the 1/4-in.-diam raising and lowering rod passes through the
top cap .
In brief, the samples are taken by first evacuating the glove and
the d r y box by mans of the vacuum pump provided in the packaged system.
The gases are exhausted t o the containment ventilation system filters
and stack. The box i s then purged w i t h helium, a f t e r w h i c h the sample
i s lowered from the transport container which has been temporarily
mounted on the b a l l valve on top of the dry box. The flange cover on
the dry box glove is then opened, allowing the operator t o insert his
hand and t o attach the capsule to the latch on the capsule drive cable.
After the capsule has been lawered into the pump bowl and filled, it i s
retained i n the transfer tube f o r about ten minutes t o allow the salt to
solidify and the activity t o decay. It is then raised into the d r y box
and the reverse sequence of procedures used t o transfer the capsule t o the
transport container. The operation i s described in d e t a i l in Part V I I I .
I
t
277
" 8. COOLANT-SALT CIRCUUTING SYSTEM

3
8 :l Layout and General Description
The coolant-salt system t r a n s p o r t s r e a c t o r heat from t h e f u e l s a l t

heat exchanger t o the air-cooled r a d i a t o r where t h e energy i s d i s s i p a t e d
t o t h e environment by t h e discharge of warm a i r from t h e stack. "he
*
coolant s a l t , o r secondary , system c i r c u l a t e s a lithium and beryllium
I
s a l t , s i m i l a r i n physical p r o p e r t i e s t o t h e f u e l salt but barren of f i s -
4 sionable materials (see Table 2.1). The main components i n t h e system
t are t h e f i e 1 s a l t heat exchanger, located i n t h e r e a c t o r c e l l and de-
scribed i n Section 5.5, t h e coolant-salt c i r c u l a t i n g pump and t h e radi-
- a t o r , both located i n t h e coolant salt c e l l .

The coolant-salt c i r c u l a t i n g pump i s very similar t o the f'uel s a l t
pump described i n Section 5.4. Both pumps use a 75-hp motor, but t h e
coolant salt pump operates against a higher head of 78 f't, t u r n s a t ,a
higher speed of 1750 rpm, and d e l i v e r s only 850 gpm as compared t o 1250
gpm @ r t h e f u e l pump. Other differences a r e that t h e coolant s a l t pump
does not have t h e cooling shroud f o r t h e top portion of pump bowl, spray
nozzles i n t h e bowl f o r r e l e a s e of fission-product gases, and t h e over-
flow tank. The pump bowl has a c e n t e r l i n e elevation o f 833 ft 6 i n . ,
and as t h e highest point i n t h e coolant salt system, serves a s an ex-
pansion volume. It is located i n what i s sometimes r e f e r r e d t o as t h e
penthouse area.
The r a d i a t o r has 120 tubes, 3/4-in. diam x 30 ft long, arranged i n
serpentine c o i l s t o provide 706 ft2 of heat t r a n s f e r surface. The coolant-
salt e n t e r s a t llOO°F and leaves a t 1025'F a t 10 Mw design conditions. The
r!ioo&d&gngir-.3ii.ssuppl-bd: by two 250-hp axial blowers located i n t h e
blower house and having a combined capacity o f about 200,OqO cfm. The
leaving a i r , heated a t design conditions t o about 300°F, .is discharged
from-the e x i s t i n g 1O-f% diam x 75-ft-high steel s t a c k a t t h e southwest
corner o f Bldg. 7503. To guard against fYeezing o f t h e coolant salt i n
*MSRE l i t e r a t u r e occasionally r e f e r s t o t h e coolant s a l t equipment

as t h e secondary system.
278
t h e r a d i a t o r tubes on reduction of power o r loss of c i r c u l a t i o n , quick-

closing doors are provided f o r t h e r a d i a t o r t o close o f f t h e a i r flow,
and t h e r a d i a t o r assembly includes e l e c t r i c heaters inside the enclosure.
A bypass damper and duct permits regulation of t h e a i r flow over t h e
coil.
The 5-in. pipe f i o m t h e coolant-salt pump discharge e n t e r s t h e r e -
a c t o r c e l l through a penetration on t h e south s i d e and c i r c l e s t h e c e l l
on t h e e a s t s i d e t o t h e f u e l heat exchanger i n l e t opening t o t h e tube s i d e
A t 10-Mw t h e coolant salt enters t h e enchanger a t about 1023'F and leaves
a t about 1100'F. The e x i t coolant s a l t l i n e c i r c l e s t h e c e l l on t h e west
s;ide, leaves through a penetration on t h e south s i d e a t about t h e 836-st
l e v e l , and then r i s e s t o t h e i n l e t header a t t h e top of t h e r a d i a t o r .
The coolant-salt piping has low points on each s i d e of t h e r a d i a t o r ,
therefore two 1-1/2-in. d r a i n l i n e s a r e provided. These leah t o t h e
coolant-salt d r a i n tank. A 1/2-in. bypass l i n e vents gas flrom t h e top
of t h e r a d i a t o r when f i l l i n g t h e system with s a l t . This l i n e has no
valves, t h e s a l t bypass flow being inconsequential.
A l l p a r t s of t h e coolant-salt c i r c u l a t i n g system can be maintained
above t h e liquidus temperature of t h e s a l t , about 85O0F, by means of
e l e c t r i c heaters. The heaters on t h e coolant-salt piping inside t h e r e -
a c t o r c e l l a r e removable f o r maintenance i n t h e same manner a s pipe l i n e
heaters on t h e f u e l salt system, see Section 5.6.4. Heaters f o r t h e
coolant-salt system located outside t h e r e a c t o r c e l l can be approached
f o r d i r e c t maintenance a short time a f t e r r e a c t o r shutdown. Pipe l i n e
heaters a r e attached tubular types with standard i n s u l a t i o n . Heaters
i n s t a l l e d i n s i d e t h e c e l l w a l l penetrations can be maintained from the
coolant c e l l s i d e .
The coolant-salt piping i s anchored a t t h e c e l l wall penetrations,
a t t h e coolant-salt c i r c u l a t i n g pump and a t t h e r a d i a t o r . The piping
runs between these points a r e s u f f i c i e n t l y f l e x i b l e t o absorb t h e thermal
expansion. This arrangement eliminates t h e need f o r t h e r a t h e r elaborate
f l e x i b l e support system f o r t h e pump, as i s used i n t h e f u e l system, and
a l s o permits t h e r a d i a t o r s t r u c t u r e t o be r i g i d l y mounted.
Auxiliary equipment f o r t h e coolant-salt c i r c u l a t i n g system includes
t h e helium cover gas supply, t h e off-gas system, t h e bubbler l i q u i d l e v e l
t
6
279
*
c system, t h e lubricating o i l system for t h e pump, cooling water, e t c . The
coolant-salt drain tank f o r storing t h e charge of s a l t i n t h e c i r c u l a t -
s
ing system is located almost d i r e c t l y beneath t h e radiator and i s described
i n Section 9.
A l l salt-containing portions of t h e system a r e constructed of INOR-8,
see Table 2.2.
8.2 Flowsheet
The coolant-salt circulating system and t h e coolant s a l t d r a i n system

a r e shown i n Fig. 8 .L (OWL Dwg D-AA-A-40881).
When operating a t t h e 10-Mw reactor design power l e v e l , t h e coolant
s a l t c i r c u l a t i n g pump discharges about 8% gpm of s a l t a t lO25OF and about
70 psig i n t o t h e 5-in. sched 40 l i n e 200. A t lower power l e v e l s t h e t e m -
perature w i l l increase and a t zero power w i l l be 1200°F t o l225'F. Line
200 enters t h e reactor c e l l and is connected through fkeeze flange F-200
t o t h e f u e l heat exchanger, see Fig. 5.3 (ORNL D-AA-A-40880). Line 200
has three heater sections and t h i r t e e n thermocouples within t h e coolant
c e l l , and twelve heater s'ections and seventeen thermocouples inside t h e
reactor c e l l . The penetration through t h e c e l l w a l l contains eight heat-
e r s and seven thermocouples. The f u e l system process flowsheet indicates
y:
a future freeze flange i n t h e reactor c e l l a t the wall penetration, This
new flange would be required should it become necessary t o replace l i n e
200.
The coolant-salt leaves t h e heat exchanger through t h e 5-in. sched
40 pipe, l i n e 201, a t about 1,lOOOF and 47 psig. After passing through
t h e freeze flange FF-201, and the c e l l w a l l penetration, it returns t o
t h e coolant c e l l . Line 201 i s provided with heaters, thermocouples, and
has provisions for a future freeze flange, i n t h e same manner as l i n e
200, described above.
A f t e r passing through a venturi, FRA-201, t o indicate t h e flow r a t e ,
t h e coolant-salt enters t h e top header of the radiator a t a pressure of
about 36 psig. The radiator has 120 tubes, 3/4 i n . OD 0.072-in. w a l l
thickness x 30 f t long, arranged i n serpentine c o i l s between two headers,
2
t o provide a t o t a l of about 706 t'f of heat t r a n s f e r surface. The pressure
i
I
I
-
I1
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
3 I
I
I
i' I
i
0
r
4
2
Q (pa
c-i
281
bd
1 drop of tk. coolant-salt i n flowing through t h e r a d i a t o r tubes i s 20 p s i .
c There a r e 149 thermocouples i n s t a l l e d , which includes one thermocouple
for each tube so that a plugged flow passage can be detected. The re-
maining thermocouples on the r a d i a t o r i n l e t and o u t l e t headers provide
data f o r heat balances used t o determine t h e reactor power. The radia-
t o r u t i l i z e s eight heater c i r c u i t s .
The r a d i a t o r i s cooled by a flow of 200,000 cfh of a i r supplied by
two 250-hp motor-driven a x i a l b l o w e r s . The a i r i s d r a m through t h e
louvered sides of t h e blower house and delivered t o t h e r a d i a t o r c o i l
face a t a pressure of about 10 i n . of H20. Each blower has a motor-
operated a x i a l damper which can be closed t o prevent back flow. The
a i r i s heated about 200°F i n passing through t h e r a d i a t o r c o i l and, af'ter
f
passing through turning vanes, i s discharged up t h e 10-f't diam x 75-f't
high s t e e l s t a c k . The s t a c k has a p i t o t F v e n t u r i tube, FI-AD3, t o measure
t h e a i r flow and t o enable heat balances t o be made on t h e heat rejeckion
system. The by-pass damper and t h e r a d i a t o r doors a r e used t o a d j u s t t h e
a i r flow across t h e c o i l t o e s t a b l i s h t h e desired heat removal r a t e and,
thus, t h e power l e v e l a t which t h e r e a c t o r operates.
The coolant-salt leaves t h e bottom header of t h e r a d i a t o r a t about
1025'F and 23 p s i g and returns t o t h e c i r c u l a t i n g pump v i a l i n e 202, a
5-in. sched 40 INOR-8pipe. The heaters for t h e l i n e a r e l i s t e d i n Table
7.12, Section 5.6.6.
The s a l t enters t h e bottom o f t h e pwap b o w l w h e r e any entrained gases
.
A
a r e drawn o f f . A 3-psig over-pressure of helium i s maintained above t h e

salt l e v e l i n t h e bowl, t h e helium being introduced through l i n e 512 and
t h e l i q u i d l e v e l bubbler l i n e s . About 15 gpm of t h e 850 gpm discharge
r a t e of t h e pump r e t u r n s t o t h e pump bowl by escaping through t h e clear?
ances between t h e impeller and t h e casing, t h e so-called "fountain flow''
described i n Section 5.4.1.2. The pwrrp operates against a head of 78 ft
and t h e discharge pressure i s 70 p s i g . The pump discharges i n t o l i n e
200, described previously as leading t o t h e heat exchanger inside t h e
reactor c e l l .
The 1-1/2-in. sched 40 fill and drain, l i n e 204, i s connected t o
t h e low point of elevation i n l i n e 201. A similar drain, l i n e 206, i s
provided for t h e l o w point i n t h e r a d i a t o r a t t h e lower header. Both
IL
c
282
di
of these l i n e s have Freeze valves, FV-204 and FV-206, and connect t o t h e &
coolant-salt d r a i n tank through l i n e 204. This l i n e i s provided with a

reservoir, consisting of a 5-in. length of b i n . sched 40 pipe w i t h pipe
caps welded on each end, which insures t h a t a s u f f i c i e n t quantity of salt
w i l l remain behind a f t e r a d r a i n t o completely f i l l t h e freeze valves so
that a s e a l can be effected. (See ORNL Dwg E-GG-C-40603). Each of t h e
drain l i n e s , 204 and 206, has one heater c i r c u i t and seven thermocouples
on t h e c i r c u l a t i n g system s i d e of t h e flreeze valve.
t
The coolant-salt d r a i n tank i s located beneath t h e r a d i a t o r and has
s u f f i c i e n t capacity t o s t o r e t h e 44 ft3 o f s a l t contained i n t h e circuk
l a t i n g system. The drain tank i s described i n Section 9, following.
Line 205 i s a 1/2-in. sched 40 pipe which connects t h e high point
o f t h e i n l e t l i n e t o t h e r a d i a t o r , l i n e 201, with t h e o u t l e t , l i n e 202, =I
t o vent t h e gas from l i n e 201when f i l l i n g t h e system w i t h s a l t . An in-
s i g n i f i c a n t amount of s a l t i s by-passed through l i n e 205. The pipe has
one heater c i r c u i t and two thermocouples.
Thirteen a u x i l i a r y pipes connect t o various p a r t s of t h e coolant-
s a l t c i r c u l a t i n g pump. Lines 594, 595 and 598 a r e 1/4-in. OD s t a i n l e s s
s t e e l tubes carrying helium f o r t h e bubblers and t h e reference pressure
f o r determining t h e s a l t l i q u i d l e v e l i n t h e pump bowl. The noma1
helium flow r a t e i n l i n e 594 i s 0.15 liters/min, and i n l i n e s 595 and
598 i s 0.37 liters/min. The solenoid valves i n these l i n e s a r e i n t h e
coolant c e l l and t h e hand control valves and flow indicators a r e i n t h e
s p e c i a l equipment room.
Line 512 i s a 1/4-in. OD s t a i n l e s s s t e e l tube supplying 0.6 l i t e r s /
min of helium purge gas t o the pump shaft annulus j u s t below t h e lower
shaft; s e a l , t o provide an i n e r t cover gas, t o provide off-gas t o t h e
r a d i a t i o n monitor, and t o reduce t h e migration of o i l vapor t o t h e coolant
salt i n t h e bowl.
Off-gas i s vented f r o m t h e pump bowl a t an estimated r a t e of 1.4
liters/min through t h e 1/2-in. l i n e 528. The gases a r e a t a pressure of
about 5 p s i g and flow through a f i l t e r and a pressure-regulating valve,
PCV-528. By controlling t h e r a t e of venting t h e gases, t h i s valve es-
t a b l i s h e s t h e operating pressure i n t h e coolant-salt system. Line 528
continues t o t h e vent house where, a f t e r passing t h e r a d i a t i o n monitor
283
RIA-528, it j o i n s l i n e 927, v i a l i n e s 565, 53' and 560, t o be vented

through t h e f i l t e r s and t h e off-gas stack.
The small o i l leakage through t h e lower s h a f t s e a l on t h e p q i s
swept away by 0.07 liters/min of helium t h a t flows upwards through t h e
labyrinth s e a l and out through l i n e 526. The 1/2-in. pipe leads t o an
o i l catch tank i n t h e coolant-salt d r a i n c e l l where t h e separated o i l
drains i n t o a 55-gal s t a i n l e s s s t e e l drum. The helium vent pipe con-
tinues as l i n e 526 through a hand valve, V-526, a f i l t e r , and a 304
s t a i n l e s s s t e e l c a p i l l a r y r e s t r i c t o r which l i m i t s t h e flow t o about 70
cc/min. The vented gas joins t h e above-mentioned l i n e 328 f o r discharge
through t h e f i l t e r s and t h e off-gas stack.
The coolant-salt i s sampled through l i n e 998, which is a 1-1/2-in.
sched 40 pipe r i s i n g v e r t i c a l l y from t h e pump bowl and i n t o t h e high bay
area. S a l t i s dipped from t h e bowl and withdrawn through a b a l l valve,
ECV-998, in t h e same manner as described f o r t h e f u e l pump i n Section 7,
with t h e exception t h a t t h e lower a c t i v i t y l e v e l allows t h e coolant-salt
system t o be somewhat l e s s complicated.
Iubricating o i l i s supplied t o t h e pump bearings through t h e 3/4-in.
l i n e 753 a t a r a t e of about 8 gpm through t h e 3/4-in. l i n e 754. The o i l
leaves t h e s h i e l d block through l i n e 757, i n which t h e o i l temperature i s
monitored, and passes through an eductor t o induce a flow of o i l from
t h e bearings through l i n e 755. The combined o i l flow leaves t h e c e l l
through t h e 1-in. l i n e 756, and returns t o t h e coolant-salt lubricating
o i l system.
Line 591 i s a 1/2-in. pipe connecting t h e top of t h e l u b r i c a t i n g
o i l supply tank with t h e topmost passages of t h e bearing housing t o
equalize t h e pressure between t h e two points. The l u b r i c a t i n g o i l system
fOC .the coolant-salt pump i s e s s e n t i a l l y t h e same as f o r t h e f i e 1 pump,
as described i n Section 5.4.1.4.
The coolant-salt pump is driven by a 75-hp, 1,750 rpm, ~ O - V , three-
phase e l e c t r i c motor, The motor i s i n s t a l l e d i n a s t e e l housing that
w i l l contain o i l and radioactive gases i f e i t h e r o r both were t o leak
through t h e upper s e a l i n t h e bearing housing. The motor i s cooled by
5 Qpm of t r e a t e d water supplied through l i n e 832 and leaving through
l i n e 833. A microphone, XdbE, permits monitoring o f t h e pump noise
284
b
level. The motor speed, SIA CP-G, e l e c t r i c a l input, E i I , EVE, %-I, and z
temperatures a r e a l s o monitored. -
The r a d i a t o r i s cooled by a 200,000-cfm flow of a i r supplied by two
250-hp motor-driven a x i a l blowers. Each blower has motor-operated damp-
e r s which close t o prevent back flow. The a i r i s drawn through t h e lou-
vered openings i n t h e blower house walls and delivered t o t h e c o i l face a t
a pressure of about 9.9 i n . H20. The a i r i s warmed about 200°F by t h e
heat r e j e c t e d from t h e cooling s a l t , and a f t e r leaving t h e c o i l passes
through turning vanes and flows upwards through t h e 10-f’t-diam x 75-rt-
.
high s t e e l discharge stack. The s t a c k i s provided with p i t o t - v e n t u r i U
I
tubes which can t r a v e r s e t h e s t a c k f o r flow measurements t o e s t a b l i s h .
heat balances f o r t h e heat r e j e c t i o n system, FI-AD (See P a r t 11).
The by-pass damper and t h e r a d i a t o r i n l e t and o u t l e t doors a r e used -.
t o a d j u s t t h e a i r flow across t h e radiator c o i l face t o f i x t h e heat re-
moval r a t e f’rom t h e coolant s a l t and,$ oonsequentially, t h e power l e v e l
a t which t h e r e a c t o r operates.
Two 10-hp a x i a l blowers located i n t h e blower house discharge 10,000
c f h each of a i r i n t o t h e annular space between t h e r a d i a t o r a i r duct and
t h e building w a l l s t o prevent damage t o t h e building s t r u c t u r e and r a -
d i a t o r duct. This i s p a r t i c u l a r l y necessary when t h e r e a c t o r i s oper-
a t i n g a t zero o r very low power l e v e l s and t h e main blowers a r e o f f .
!
285
8.3 Coolant -Salt Circulating pu~llp
The coolant-salt c i r c u l a t i n g pump is i d e n t i c a l i n most respects

t o t h e fuel s a l t c i r c u l a t i n g pump. The two pumps were fabricated t o e s -
s e n t i a l l y t h e same drawings and specifications with t h e various p a r t s
and subassemblies supplied by t h e same manufacturers. (See Section 5.4)
Development of t h e coolant pump, f i n a l assembly and t e s t i n g proceeded
a t ORNL almost concurrently with work on t h e f'uel pump.
The pump bowl i s t h e highest point of elevation i n t h e coolant-salt
c i r c u l a t i n g system and, s i m i l a r l y t o t h e f u e l c i r c u l a t i n g system, serves
as a surge volume, as t h e point f o r pressurizing t h e system w i t h t h e
helium cover gas, and as a means of separating and venting of gases en-
t r a i n e d i n t h e salt stream.
The f u e l and coolant-salt pumps a r e both c e n t r i f u g a l sump types,
driven by direct-connected motors, and d i f f e r mainly i n t h e i r hydrau-
l i c c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s through having d i f f e r e n t operating speeds and i m -
p e l l e r diameters. Because of t h e lower l e v e l of r a d i o a c t i v i t y i n t h e
coolant-salt, t h e coolant pump has no provisions f o r cooling of t h e
upper portion of t h e bowl, and does not include t h e "stripper" flow i n
t h e bowl f o r removal of fission-product gases. Unlike t h e fuel pump i n
t h e r e a c t o r c e l l , t h e coolant pump can be approached f o r d i r e c t main-
tenance a short time a f t e r r e a c t o r shutdown, a f e a t u r e which simplified
flange b o l t i n g arrangements, e l e c t r i c a l disconnects, pump bowl heater
design, thermal insulation, e t c .
8.3.1 Description
Fig. 2.3 serves as a general i l l u s t r a t i o n of both t h e f u e l and
coolant salt pumps. (See ORNL coolant pump assembly Dwg F-2-02-09-
10062-€&) . The general location of t h e pump i n t h e coolant c e l l i s
shown i n Figs. 4.4 and 4.5.
The coolant pump has a design capacity of 850 g p m a t a head of 78
t'f when driven a t l75O r p m by a 75-hp motor. Other design d a t a a r e
given i n Table 8.1
WRNL drawings f o r t h e MSRE pumps have a d i f f e r e n t numbering system

than t h a t used for a l l other E R E drawings.
286
Table 8 .l. Coolant-Salt Circulating Pump
Design flow: pump output, gpm

i n t e r n a l bypass, g p m
Design head a t 850 gpm, f’t
Design discharge pressure, p s i g
Design intake pressure, p s i g
Impeller diameter, i n .
b
Speed, r p m
Intake nozzle (sched 40), i n . IPS c
Discharge nozzle (sched 40), i n . IE’S .

Pump bowl: diameter, i n .
height, i n .
Volumes, f’t 3
Minimum s t a r t i n g and normal operating 4.1

(including volute )
Maximum operating 5 -2
Maximum emergency (includes space above vent ) 6.1
Normal gas volume 2 .o
Overall height of pump and motor assembly, f’t 8.6
Design conditions: pressure, p s i g 75
0
temperature, F 1300
Estimated r a d i a t i o n l e v e l a t pump, r/hr 1
4,
Motor: L
Rating, hp 75
E l e c t r i c a l supply (AC), volts 440
S t a r t i n g (locked r o t o r ) current, amps 450
we Squirrel-cage induction
NEMA c l a s s B
Lubricant (Calif. Research Corp ) . m~-159
Electrical insulation class H
Design r a d i a t i o n dosage f o r e l e c t r i c a l insulation, r 2 x 1o1O
*Actual capacity i s between 850 and 940 gpm and maximum discharge
pressure i s 75 p s i g a t 1765 r p m . (See Ref. 8.3.1)
287
All p a r t s of t h e pump i n contact with t h e coolant salt are fabri-

cated of INOR-8. The pressure-containing portions were designed f o r
75 psig and 1300°F and i n accordance with Section V I 1 1 of t h e ASME Un-
f i r e d Pressure Vessel Code,47 Code h t e r p r e t a t i o n Cases l270N
48 and
1273N.50 The thermal s t r e s s e s were evaluated on t h e same basis a s f o r
t h e f u e l - s a l t pump, see Section 5.4.4 and R e f . 88.
The coolant-salt pump i s arranged i n t h r e e p r i n c i p a l assemblies:
t h e r o t a r y element, t h e pump bowl, and t h e d r i v e motor.
The r o t a r y element assembly includes t h e r o t a t i n g shaft and impeller,
t h e bearing housing and bearings, and t h e impeller cover p l a t e and upper
labyrinth subassersbly. The bearings, seals, and lubrication and helium
gas passages, a r e a l l of t h e same type and arrangement as i n t h e f u e l
pump. (See Section 5.4.1.1). The impeller diameter i s 10.33 i n . and
is provided w i t h t h e same type of impeller shroud as t h e f u e l pump.
Pump speed and noise pickups a r e e s s e n t i a l l y t h e same as i n t h e f u e l
system.
The l u b r i c a t i n g o i l system for t h e pump i s i d e n t i c a l t o t h a t use t
f o r t h e f u e l pump, although t h e heat r e j e c t e d i n t h e o i l cooler i s much

less. See Table 5.6 and t h e l u b r i c a t i o n system flowsheet, Fig. 5.25
( O W L Dwg D-AA-A-40885). The same o i l i s used as a lubricant i n both
L systems, see Table 5.7. The l u b r i c a t i n g o i l systems are separate from
each other, although located adjacent t o each other i n t h e e a s t tunnel
I a r e a j w i t h t h e exception t h a t i n an emergency Lines 762, 712 and t h e
i * breather interconnection, Line 601, allow e i t h e r lubricating o i l system
t o supply both pumps.
The pump bowl, pump volute and discharge thimble i n t h e bowl a r e
almost i d e n t i c a l t o t h e f u e l pump components. The thimble has a b i n .
length of @-in. OD tubing welded t o t h e top t o vent gas f'rom t h e pump
discharge as t h e system is being f i l l e d with salt. A small flow of salt
w i l l r e t u r n t o t h e bowl through t h i s by-pass during normal operation.
The "fountain flow" of about 15 gpm, which escapes f r a m t h e clearances
between t h e impeller and t h e pump casing, etc., i s about t h e same i n
both pumps. The coolant pump does not have t h e spray nozzles above
t h e s a l t l e v e l i n t h e pump bowl f o r t h e stripping of gases from t h e
c
288
pumped salt, as i s required f o r r e l e a s e o f fission-product gases i n t h e w
f i e l - s a l t system. (See Section 5.4.1.2) a
A 1-1/2-in. v e r t i c a l nozzle i s provided a t t h e top of t h e pump bowl

f o r t h e taking of salt samples and f o r adding enriched material. The
sampler-enricher system i s a simplified version o f t h e f u e l sampler-
enricher system.
The salt l e v e l i n t h e pump bowl i s sensed by helium gas bubbler
tubes i n t h e same manner as i n t h e f u e l pump, and a s described i n Section
10.9.1. The short tube, l i n e 598, extends 1-5/8 i n . below t h e center-
l i n e of t h e pump volute, o r roughly 4-3/8 i n . below t h e normal operating
l e v e l i n t h e bowl. The long tube extends 4-1/16 i n . below t h e center-
l i n e of t h e volute and i s supplied with helium through l i n e 595. The
reference pressure i s transmitted by l i n e 594 through a connection a t
t h e top of t h e bowl. I n addition, a float-type l e v e l instrument i s
used. This instrument i s a s p e c i a l differential-transformer type de-
veloped a t ORNL, see P a r t 11. The e l e c t r i c a l s i g n a l i s transmitted t o
both t h e d a t a logger and, a f t e r conversion t o a pneumatic signal, i s
recorded on t h e same instrument as t h e l e v e l indication from t h e bubbler
tubes.
H e l i u m cover gas i s supplied through l i n e 512 and FCV-512 t o t h e
pump shaft annulus j u s t below t h e lower s h a f t s e a l . Off-gas i s with-
drawn fYom t h e top of t h e pump bowl through l i n e 328. Line 526 with-
draws t h e oil-helium mixture leaking through t h e s e a l s t o prevent t h e f
L
migration of o i l vapor t o t h e coolant salt, i n t h e same manner as i n
t h e fie1 salt pump.. I
The pump bowl was fabricated with a 1-1/2-in.

but t h e connection i s capped and not used.
-
overflow l i n e nozzle
,.
Protection frorn"6verSLllLng i s
provided through use of l i q u i d l e v e l instrumentation.
The coolant pump bowl does not have a shroud and a flow o f cooling
air around t h e upper portion. The l e v e l o f a c t i v i t y i n t h e cover gas
i s so low t h a t cooling i s not required.
The pump d r i v e motor i s a 75-hp, Westinghouse, direct-connected
type i d e n t i c a l t o t h a t used on t h e f u e l - s a l t pump except that t h e normal *
synchronous operating speed i s 1 7 3 rpm. Operation a t d i f f e r e n t speeds L/

%
1
'r
289
.L4 can be obtained by varying t h e f'requency of t h e e l e c t r i c power supply

through use of a motor-generator s e t which can be brought t o t h e MSRE
t
site. The pump motor i s cooled by t r e a t e d water flowing through s t a i n -
l e s s s t e e l c o i l s h e l i a r c welded t o t h e motor can. The motor data a r e
l i s t e d i n Table 8.1. ( A l s o , see Section 5.4.1.3)
8.3.2 Hydraulics
The hydraulic performance o f t h e coolant-salt pump w a s determined

on a water t e s t r i g f o r impeller diameters of 11.6, 10.82 and 9.9 i n . 49
Although t h e required design capacity of 8 9 gpm a t 78 t'f of head could
be achieved with an impeller diameter of 9.9 in., a diameter of 10.33 i n .
was specified i n order t o provide a margin f o r e r r o r of about 10%i n the
system r e s i s t a n c e calculations and for a 3%v a r i a t i o n i n flow between
t h e water t e s t pump and t h e MSRE operational u n i t . A s shown i n t h e
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c curves i n Fig. 8.2, t h e coolant-salt pump has a capacity
of 8% t o 940 gpm under heads about 10%higher than t h e design value of
78 ft.130
8.3.3 Stresses
The operating s t r e s s e s i n t h e coolant-salt pump a r e no l e s s severe

than i n t h e f u e l - s a l t pump, and i n some cases, required even c l o s e r a t -
tention. See Sections 5.4.3 and 5.4.4 and Ref. 88.
8.3.4 pump Supports

The coolant-salt pump i s mounted i n a fixed p o s i t i o n i n t h e coolant
cell. The coolant-salt piping has s u f f i c i e n t f l e x i b i l i t y t o absorb t h e
thermal expansion with t h e pump and r a d i a t o r a c t i n g as anchor p o i n t s .
The f l e x i b i l i t y of t h e piping system i s discussed i n Section 8.6.1.
The pump i s bolted t o a 2-in.-thick support p l a t e (See ORNL Dwg.
D-CC-D-41216), which i n t u r n i s bolted a t each end with eight 2/8-in.
b o l t s t o a 5-in. square box header beam 18 i n . long. These two box
beams a r e welded t o a >-in. I-beam s t r u c t u r e which i s fastened with
through b o l t s t o t h e concrete wall o f t h e coolant c e l l . Isomode v i -
b r a t i o n absorber pads are used under t h e w a l l mounting p l a t e s . (See
ORNL DWg . E-CC-D-41515)
290
-_
b.
110
ngure 8.2. Performance Curves for Coolant-Salt p~rmp

291
8.3.5 Heaters
The coolant-salt pump bowl has 11.2 kw of e l e c t r i c a l heat applied

i n t h e form of fourteen 6-in. x 8-in. x 5/8-in.-thick f l a t - p l a t e ceramic
heater units of 800 w a t 230 v capacity each. (See OlwL Dwg E-MM-€3-40837).
S i x of t h e heaters a r e equally spaced a t t h e bottom o f t h e pump bowl and
eight a r e arranged v e r t i c a l l y around t h e sides, with t h e surface of t h e
heater p l a t e averaging about 1/2 i n . f’rom t h e outside surface of t h e bowl.
The heaters a r e connected i n p a r a l l e l and mounted i n brackets i n a 304
s t a i n l e s s s t e e l heater basket. This basket i s hung by four hooks f’rom
t h e pump support s t r u c t u r e so that t h e hesrters and basket do not touch
t h e pump bowl. The hegter leads use fish-spine ceramic i n s u l a t i n g beads
0.260-in. OD x 0.124-in. I D x 0.260 i n . long.
The e l e c t r i c power supply i s through heater control panel HCP-4 and
i s adjusted by a Type 1256 Powerstat from 0 t o 240 v . (See Section
19.7 -4)
8.3 .6 Them1 Insulation
The outside of t h e heater basket i s insulated with 4 . i n . of Carey-
temp high-temperature insulation applied i n a conventional manner.
(See ORNL Dwg E-MM-B-40837).
8.4 Radiator
One o f t h e chief considerations i n design of t h e MSRE r a d i a t o r was

that it be protected f’rom freezing of t h e c o o l a n t . s a l t i n t h e tubes i n
t h e event of sudden losa of rbactor power. 13’, 132 Other important de-
sign f a c t o r s were that t h e r a d i a t o r was:to be used i n conjunction with
air-handling equipment already installed i n B l d g 7503 as p a r t o f t h e
ART program, that t h e heat d i s s i p a t i o n rate be adjustable from zero t o
10-Mw, and that t h e u n i t must be capable o f operatmg f o r long periods
of time without d i r e & approach f o r inspection o r maintenance. ’5’ The
s a l t should move downward through t h e r a d i a t o r as 3t i s cooled. In
general, t h e above considerations were of greater importance than de-
signing for high performance c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s .
292
, 8.4.1 Description
cl.
A drawing of t h e r a d i a t o r and enclosure i s shown i n Fig. 2.5. (Also, .
see ORNL Assembly Dwgs E-DD-A-40431 and E-DD-D-40470). The r a d i a t o r de-
sign data a r e summarized i n Table 8.2
, --
-8.4-.Yh$lCpil. - The r a d i a t o r c o i l has 120 INOR-8tubes, 3/4 i n .
OD, with O..O72-in. w a l l thickness, and each about 30 ft long.* The
tubes a r e arranged i n an S-shaped configuration, 12 tubes high and LO
tubes deep i n t h e d i r e c t i o n of a i r flow, as shown i n Figs. 8.3 and 8.4.
The tubes a r e spaced 1-1/2 i n . on centers, and t h e rows a r e 1-1/2 i n .
apart, with t h e tubes staggered, a s shown i n Fig. 8.4. This arrange-
2
ment provides about 706 ft of e f f e c t i v e heat t r a n s f e r surface.
Each v e r t i c a l row of tubes terminates i n a manifold. The t e n mani-
folds a t each end o f t h e c o i l j o i n horizontal 9-in. OD i n l e t and o u t l e t
headers, t o which t h e 5-in. coolant salt c i r c u l a t i n g l i n e s a r e welded.
The manifolds a r e 2-7/16-in. 3;D and fabricated of 1/4-in. INOR-8
plate. (See ORNL Dwg E-DD-A-40744). The p l a t e was first formed i n t o
a U-shape and then cold-drawn with a d i e t o form t h e nozzles f o r weld-
ing t h e 3/4-in. OD tubing t o t h e manifold. The p l a t e was then formed
i n t o a c i r c u l a r cross section and t h e longitudinal seam weld and pipe
cap were added t o cornplete t h e assembly. The headers were constructed
" I
i n e s s e n t i a l l y t h e same manner except t h a t t h e p l a t e thickness was
1/2 i n .
The o u t l e t header is bolted t o t h e fixed r a d i a t o r s t r u c t u r e and i s
an anchor point i n t h e coolant-salt piping system. The i n l e t header
i s supported with s l o t t e d b o l t holes t h a t allow movement of t h e header
due t o thermal expansion. (See ORNL Dwg D-DD-A-40438).
The tubes a r e supported about every 4 ft by 3/4-in.-wide stainless
s t e e l s t r a p hangers, a s indicateq i n Fig. 8.5. The tubing i s s u f f i -
c i e n t l y fYee within t h e hangers t o allow longitudinal movement. Align-
ment pins passing through t h e s t r a p s maintain t h e row-to-row spacing.
*tESrtended surface tubing usually associated with air-cooled c o i l s i s
not used i n t h e E R E r a d i a t o r because less rapid heat t r a n s f e r i s de-
s i r a b l e on sudden l o s s o f reactor power t o prevent freezing of t h e cool-
ant s a l t i n t h e tubes.
293
Unclassified
ORNL IMG 64-8826
5" SCHD. 40,

LINE 2 0 1
OUTLET
:R
5" SCHD. 40,

LINE 202
4
Fig. 8.3. Radiator C o i l Configuration
-
t
294
Unclassified
ORNL LR DWG 54696R
10 ROWS OF TUBES
1
v
I
1314
L-1-1,*A-,-1/2-l
t CLEARANCE
-
A I R FLOW
w 3 / 4 O.D. x 0.072" WALL
Fig. 8.4. Radiator Tube Matrix.

8
295
Unclassified
ENCLOSURE FRAME ORNL DWG 64-8827
'mJ J OR PIN
ANGLE
LENCLOSURE
FRAME
b, Fig. 8.5. R a d i a t o r T u b e Supports.

,,
1
L
296
Table 8.2 Radiator Design Data 6.

Construction material IN OR-^
10
Temperature d i f f e r e n t i a l s
0
Salt, F I n l e t 1100; Outlet 1023
0
Air, F I n l e t 100; Outlet 300
A i r flow, cfm @ 9.9 i n . , 200,000

H2°
S a l t flow (at average temperature), gpm 830
0
Effective mean AT, F 862
Over-all c o e f f i c i e n t of heat t r a n s f e r ,
Btu/ f% -hr - O F 93.5
Heat t r a n s f e r surface area, n2 706
0
Design temperature, F
Max. allowable i n t e r n a l pressure @ 12w0F, p s i 3w

Operating pressure @ design point, p s i 75
Tube diameter, i n . 0.7%
Wall thickness, i n . o .072
Tube length, f’t 30
Tube matrix 12 tubes per row;
10 rows deep
Tube spacing, i n . 142

Row spacing, i n . 1 4 2
Subheaders, in., IPS, sched-40 2 4 2
Main headers, i n . , ID (1/2 i n . w a l l ) 8

A i r side, AP, i n . , 9.9
H2°
S a l t side, AP, p s i 19.8
297
Ij
Each of the radiator tubes i s provided with a thermocouple t o pro-
vide warning of restricted coolant-salt flow i n any of the passages. A
t o t a l of 149 couples are installed i n the radiator, 120 on the tubes and
the remainder on the i n l e t and butlet headers and tube supports. (See
ORNL Dwg D-AA-B-40511). The insulation used for the thermocouples on
the tubes is .Fibwfrax Ceramic Fiber, Grade gO-F, manufactured for
the Carborundum Company (Viagara Falls, New York) by the Harlbut Paper
Comgany. Although t e s t s indicated that the small amounts of sulphur,
aluminum and lead i n the insulation caused no significant attack on
INOR-8 a t elevated temperature^,'^^ the insulation having been baked a t
1600°F for four hours t o remove volatiles prior t o installation.
8.4.1.2 Enclosure and Insulation. - The radiator enclosure sup-
ports the c o i l and provides a heated and an insulated jacket around it
during the periods when it i s desirable t o maintain the heat within the
c o i l . The c o i l supports i n the high-temperature regions consist of an
inner 304 stainless s t e e l f’rame made of l/k-in,-thick built-up and formed
structural shapes. This i s covered with 16-gage stainless s t e e l sheets.
The stainless s t e e l frame i s bolted t o a carbon steel exterior structure,
composed chiefly of 6-in., 12.5-lb I-beams anchored t o the coolant c e l l
structural s t e e l framework. Slotteg bolt holes allow for differential
thermal expansion Johns-Manville 1/2-in. -thick Marimite-23 insulation
board i s used between the stainless and carbon s t e e l sections a t points
of contact t o reduce t h e heat transfer t o t h e l a t t e r . (See ORNL Dwg
E-DD-D-40472) I
The remainder of t h e carbon s t e e l framework i s protected
from high temperature by Eagle-Picher Supper-Temp block insulation up t o
6 i n . thick. (See ORNL Dwgs E-DD-D-40470 and 40471) The portioas of
t h i s insulation with surfaces which would have been swept by t h e a i r
stream have protective covers of 16.-gage 304 stainless s t e e l . (See
ORNL E-DD-D-40470)
Flow of a i r , estimated t o be about 30,000 cfm a t the 10-Mw design
power condition, by-passes beneath the c o i l t o cool the radiator support
structure. The radiator doors do not cover these by-pass openings.
8.4.1.3 -
Doors and Door Mechanism. The upstream and downstream
faces o f the radiator enclosure are equipped with insulated doors t h a t
1
298
hd
can move downward i n v e r t i c a l t r a c k s t o provide a f a i r l y a i r - t i g h t seal
t o completely contain t h e r a d i a t o r c o i l i n an insulated and e l e c t r i c a l l y -
.
a
heated enclosure during t h e periods when it i s required t o conserve t h e

heat i n t h e coolant salt system. The doors a r e 8 ft high x 11 f t wide,
and each weighs about 1,770 l b s . (See ORNL Dwg D-DD-B-40440)
Each door moves on cam r o l l e r s i n a U-shaped track, and as it reaches
a nearly-closed position, r a i s e d areas on t h e t r a c k s force t h e door toward
t h e r a d i a t o r enclosure, compressing a braided Inconel-wire, asbestos-
packed gasket, mounted on t h e door periphery, against a sheet-metal spring .
s e a l mounted on t h e r a d i a t o r enclosure. (See ORNL Dwgs D-DD-B-40445, -
40446, 40447 and 40449)
The door frame i s made o f &-in. x O.l20-in.-thick square carbon
s t e e l tubing, reinforced i n t e r n a l l y with v e r t i c a l carbon s t e e l T-sections L
and angle-cross braces. (See ORNL Dwgs D-DD-B-40441, 40442 and 40443)
Door i n s u l a t i o n i s b i n . t h i c k Careytemp block covered with over-
lapping sheets of l/l6-in.-thick s t a i n l e s s s t e e l on t h e s i d e facing t h e
radiator c o i l . The e x t e r i o r i s covered with 10-gage carbon s t e e l p l a t e .
(See ORNL Dwg D-DD-B-40444)
The doors a r e r a i s e d and lowered a t a r a t e o f 10 f't/min by a 3-hp,*
3,150 f t - l b , 5-rpm output, U. S. E l e c t r i c Motors, Inc., Model 29U-50,
gear motor mounted above t h e r a d i a t o r enclosure, a s shown i n Fig. 2.5.
The motor i s connected t o t h e drive shafts f o r t h e individual doors by
a chain drive. (See ORNL Dwgs D-DD-C-40450, 40451, 40452 and 40468)
Each door i s equipped with a Fawick Corporation Model SC-1150 -
.
s t a t i o n a r y f i e l d type magnetic clutch and a Stearns E l e c t r i c Company
S t y l e EB Size 1004, 48-volt DC, magnetic brake, which permit t h e doors
t o be positioned independently of each o t h e r . Clutch and brake torques
a r e 2,700 f t - l b s and 800 f t - l b s , respectively.
Each door i s suspended from i t s d r i v e shaft by means of four 3/8-in.
diam s t a i n l e s s s t e e l w i r e ropes attached t o two 8-in. -diam sheaves.
(See ORNL Dwg D-DD-C-404%) The wire ropes have a breaking strength of
*The t h e o r e t i c a l horsepower required t o r a i s e t h e door i s only

s l i g h t l y more than 1 hp, but t h e motor was oversized t o provide t h e
'break away" torque needed t o overcome t h e f r i c t i o n i n t h e door gasket
seal.
299
12,000 l b s . The four ropes a r e connected i n p a i r s through two shock-

absorbing springs mounted on t h e top edge of each door. A 2,3lO-lb f y -
wheel, 39-1/2-in. diam x 6-1/2-in. wide, made of laminated s t e e l p l a t e s ,
i s attached t o one end of each of t h e door d r i v e shaf'ts through a Form-
sprag Model FS-7OO/2.75 over-running clutch. (See O W L Dwg E-DD-C-40469)
The i n e r t i a of t h e flywheels l i m i t t h e speed a t which t h e doors would
f a l l i n case of a loss of e l e c t r i c a l power, o r of a reactor scram. The
time required f o r a door t o close i s estimated t o be about 3 seconds and
t h e final v e l o c i t y of t h e door about 6 f t / s e c . (See Ref 15, Section VII,
P 69)
8.4.1.4 Cooling A i r Blowers, Ducting and Dampers. - Air i s supplied
t o t h e r a d i a t o r by two 250-hp Joy Manufacturing Company "Axivane" blowers,
Model AR600-36D-1225, Unit X-709-29 driven a t 1750 rpm by 250-hp General
E l e c t r i c "Triclad", direct-connected, induction motors, Model 36335-JY-1
Type M Frame 63352, 3-phase, 60-cycle, 44O-volts. Each blower i s r a t e d
a t 82,500 cfm a t 15 i n . H20 o r 114,000 cfm with f r e e a i r delivery. The
normal discharge pressure a t t h e reactor design power l e v e l of 10-Mw i s
9 i n . of H20, providing a combined capacity from t h e two blowers of about
200,900 cfm. The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c performance curve i s shown i n Fig. 8.9,
and discussed i n Section 8.4.3. Each blower is provided with a four-
bladed, motor-operated shut-off damper on t h e discharge which can be
closed t o prevent backflow through t h e fans. The blowers discharge i n t o
a 10 x l2-n air duct leading t o t h e plenum a t t h e face of t h e r a d i a t o r
coil.
A by-pass duct beneath t h e r a d i a t o r contains a vertical-louvered
damper which can be adjusted t o control t h e flow through t h e by-pass and,
therefore, t h e air passing over t h e r a d i a t o r c o i l . The entrance section
t o t h e by-pass duct i s 2 x 10 ft and about 5 f't long, and leaves t h e main
duct a t an angle of about 60' with t h e horizontal. The center section
contains t h e by-pass damper and i s 3 x 7 f
't i n cross s e c t i o n a l area. The
e x i t s e c t i o n i s i d e n t i c a l t o t h e entrance section.
A i r leaving t h e r a d i a t o r or t h e by-pass duct passes through turning
vanes t o d i r e c t it up t h e 10-f't-diam x 75-ft-high free-standing s t e e l
stack. A p i t o t - v e n t u r i tube i s located near t h e top of t h e s t a c k t o
measure t h e a i r flow r a t e .
300
cri
The a i r ducts a r e fabricated of s t a i n l e s s s t e e l sheet. These ducts 6
a r e contained within another duct t o form an annulus through which cool- I
ing air\ i s passed t o cool t h e inside ducting t o prevent excessive warping

and buckling. The annulus air also p r o t e c t s any nearby concrete from \
overheating a t low r e a c t o r power l e v e l s when t h e e x i t a i r *om the radi-

a t o r c o i l may be as hot as l,OOO°F. A i r f o r t h e annulus i s supplied by
two 10-hp, l75O-rpm, Joy Manufacturing Company S e r i e s 1000 "Axivane" fans,
Model 29-1/4-21-17w, having a capacity o f 10,000 cf'm each a t 2 i n . H20
v
s t a t i c discharge pressure, as indicated i n t h e performance curves shown
in Fig. 8.6. After cooling t h e annulus t h e a i r j o i n s t h e a i r from t h e ..
r a d i a t o r f o r discharge up t h e stack. .
8.4.2 Stress
The r a d i a t o r tubes were designed f o r a maximum i n t e r n a l pressure

of 3 ' 3 p s i g a t 1250'F. The maximum combined thermal and mechanical
s t r e s s , which includes t h e e f f e c t of w i n d pressure, w a s found t o occur
a t t h e outside circumference o f t h e tube and calculated t o be 3,224 p s i .
(See Ref 15 Section VI1 p 46), A s indicated i n Table 2.2, t h e maximum
allowable s t r e s s i n INOR-8
a t llOO°F i s 13,000 p s i and a t 1200°F i s
6,000 p s i . Stresses i n t h e headers, tubes and piping due t o t h e i n t e r n a l
operating pressure of 75 p s i g w a s investigated and found t o be only about
+
785 p s i . (See Ref 14 Section VI1 p 47) The r a d i a t o r w a s h y d r o s t a t i c a l l y
t e s t e d a t 800 p s i and pnepnatically a t 670 p s i . 134
Design s t u d i e s were made o f t h e s t r e s s e s i n tubing supports, headers, -

doors, and other members and found t o be well within allowable l i m i t s . (See
Ref 15 Section V I 1 pp 48-59 and pp 60-69) Shock loads on t h e s t r u c t u r e i
when t h e r a d i a t o r doors a r e dropped was calculated t o be about 1,980 l b s .

The wind load on the closed upstream door produces a maximum stress of
8,550 p s i i n t h e carbon steel T-sections when t h e pressure difference
across t h e door i s 13 i n . H20.
8.4.3 Performance
A t 10-Mw r e a c t o r power l e v e l t h e coolant..salt enters t h e r a d i a t o r

a t 11OO0F; a t zero power t h e entering temperature i s 1200°F - l225'F. J
The coolant-salt temperature leaving

1 t h e r a d i a t o r i s about 1025'F a t 10-Mw b,
and i s 120OOF t o 1225'F a t zero power. b
301
Unclassified
ORNL DWG 64-8828
15
3
10
B
8
w
5 4
k
m
0
c
-
&
I 1 I I
5 10 15 20
VoTume - cfln in thousands
Figure 8 . 6 . C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of Radiator Duct Annulus Fans

302
-
A t t h e maximum load conditions t h e e f f e c t i v e log mean temperature c
k
difference i s 862OF, t h e s a l t film c o e f f i c i e n t i s about 3,420 Btu/hr-

f't2-'F, t h e a i r f i l m coefficient i s about 61 Btu/hr-ft2-OF, and t h e over-
2 0
a l l heat t r a n s f e r coefficient i s about 9 Btu/hr-ft - F. (See R e f 15
2
p a r t V I 1 pp 8-25) The e f f e c t i v e heat t r a n s f e r surface of 706 f't thus
provides a calculated capacity of 10.4 MW.
Inasmuch as the a i r f i l m r e s i s t a n c e i s about 95% of t h e t o t a l r e -

s i s t a n c e t o heat t r a n s f e r , t h e o v e r a l l c o e f f i c i e n t i s strongly influenced
by t h e a i r v e l o c i t y over t h e tubes. A t p a r t i a l loadings of t h e reactor,
t h e a i r flow w i l l be regulated by t h e by-pass damper, by changing t h e
r a d i a t o r door position, and by on-off control o f t h e blowers. The pres-
sure drop due t o t h e flow of air through t h e r a d i a t o r c o i l s i s a function
o f t h e flow r a t e and t h i s , i n turn, e f f e c t s t h e s t a t i c pressure a t t h e
blower o u t l e t s and t h e blower capacity. The i n t e r p l a y of these several
variables on t h e a i r temperature leaving t h e r a d i a t o r under various load-
ing conditions i s summarized i n Fig. 8.7,135 assuming s t e p l e s s c o n t r o l
of t h e a i r flow over t h e c o i l . If t h e cooling a i r e n t e r s t h e c o i l a t
1OO0F, a t t h e 10 Mw design power condition, t h e leaving a i r temperature
i s about 300°F. A t lower power l e v e l s t h e e x i t a i r temperature i s higher,
being about 4 y 0 F a t 4 Mw. Below t h i s power l e v e l t h e e x i t a i r temperature
increases sharply, and i s estimated t o be about 800°F a t 1 Mw and 1000° t o
llOO°F a t power l e v e l s below 0.5 Mw when t h e a i r flow r a t e s a r e r e l a t i v e l y
small.
There a r e many possible combinations of mode of blower operation
and r a d i a t o r door and by-pass damper positions which w i l l hold t h e r e a c t o r
power a t a given l e v e l . One s e t of combinations i s summarized i n Table
8.3. 136 The e f f e c t of t h e various step-wise adjustments on t h e a i r flow
was estimated, a s i l l u s t r a t e d i n Fig. 8.8. '35 There i s some d i s p a r i t y
between values i n these two studies but t h i s i s not of concern because
experimentation with t h e a c t u a l system i s necessary t o e s t a b l i s h t h e best
procedures. Preliminary t e s t i n g of t h e blowers, r a d i a t o r doors and by-
pass dampers has indicated t h a t t h e s t a t i c pressure losses i n t h e system
may be s u b s t a n t i a l l y l e s s than t h e estimates used i n t h e studies, de-
monstrating f u r t h e r t h a t t h e b e s t combinations f o r s t a b l e operation,
, ,*
c
Unclassified
ORN-LDWGG-8829
Fraction Reactor Design Power

Figure 8.7. Radiator Air Flow Characteristics
Unclassified
ORNL DWG 64-8830
- One Fan Running

I
- _ TwoFans
Running
.
240
Total Fan
output
200
T o t a l Fan Output
I
40
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
Reactor Power Lwel - Mw
Figure 8.8. Radiator Air Flow Characteristics at Vaxious
Steps i n Load Regulation. L,
-
305
w p a r t i c u l a r l y a t r e a c t o r power l e v e l s below 1 Mw, w i l l have t o be de-

termined i n t h e f i e l d .
-
Studies were a l s o made of t h e operating sequences f o r r a p i d l y
changing t h e r e a c t o r power from low t o high l e v e l s while maintaining t h e
s t a b i l i t y o f t h e system and t h e required condition of constant f i e 1 s a l t
temperature leaving t h e reactor.* I n these s t u d i e s t h e system was s i m -
ulated by an analog computer. 137
Load changes a r e made manually using a single, spring-return type
* load demand switch t o increase o r decrease t h e power. The switch actuates
t h e programed control f o r t h e r a d i a t o r doors, blowers and by-pass damper,
e s s e n t i a l l y as outlined i n Table 8.3. In increasing t h e r e a c t o r loading
1
from, say, 1 M w t o 10 Mw, t h e i n i t i a l condition w i l l be with t h e r a d i a t o r

doors about 35% open and t h e by-pass damper f u l l y open and one blower
L
i n operation. Manipulation of t h e load demand switch first causes t h e

r a d i a t o r doors t o be opened t o t h e i r l i m i t . A f'urther increase i n load
i s obtained by closing t h e by-pass damper. A s t i l l greater load demand
s t a r t s t h e second blower and a t t h e same time opens t h e by-pass damper
again. These procedures w i l l be reviewed during t h e preliminary t e s t i n g
of t h e r e a c t o r system.
The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f t h e a x i a l blowers supplying t h e cooling a i r
a r e as indicated i n Fig. 8.9. P a r a l l e l operation of t h e two blowers
under c e r t a i n loading conditions can lead t o unstable conditions with
possible surging o f t h e load d i s t r i b u t i o n between t h e two blower driving
motors. A s indicated i n Fig. 8.9 t h i s i s most l i k e l y t o OCCUT a t about
100,000 cfm a i r d e l i v e r y and would tend t o be avoided by using one blower
c
a t 100% of capacity r a t h e r than two a t reduced capacity. General operat-
ing c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s must be determined *om t h e a c t u a l system.
Analog computer s t u d i e s were made t o determine t h e freezing time
f o r stagnant salt i n t h e center of a r a d i a t o r tube. Under design con-
d i t i o n s , with t h e maximum a i r flow, t h e estimated time was about 50
seconds. 138
*In t h e " s t a r t i n g mode" of operation a t r e a c t o r power l e v e l s below

1 Mw, t h e nuclear power i s held constant. I n t h e "run mode", a t power
l e v e l s above 1 Mw, t h e f u e l - s a l t temperature leaving t h e r e a c t o r i s held
constant.
b,
a
306
Unclassified
ORNL DWG 64-8831
Model: AR600-360DW
Air Density: 0.0697 lbs/ft3
Discharge Duct: 4.5 x 5 f't
I
- Blade Setting: 4-1/2
Joy Manuf'acturing Ccaqpaqy
I ' .
Recmended System
I Resistance L i m i t for
Parallel Operation
I I
J p,/L Static Pressure
- Estimated Static
Pressure Perfonaance
\, I 600
of a Single Fan
400
I \
I 2004
t
m
I dki
0 .
0 40 80 1x) 160 200 240
Volume Flaw - c b i n thousands
Figure 8.9. Estimated Performance Both Radiator Supply
Air Fans Operating i n P a r a l l e l .
307
Table 8.3 Possible Steps for Controlling Heat Removal

Rate from the Radiata$
Step Heat Removal Rate, Mw Conditions
0.03 (Heat leak) Both radiator doors closed, bypass

damper open, fans o f f .
!
0.13 Upstream radiator door closed,
- downstream radiator door open, by-
pass damper open, fans off.
2.3 Both radiator doors open, bypass

damper open, fans off.
3 *o Both radiator doors open, bypass

damper closed, fans o f f .
5 3 98 Both radiator doors open, bypass

damper open, one fan on.
6 6.5 Both radiator doors open, bypass
damper closed, one fan on.
7 6.1 Both radiator doors open, bypass
damper open, two fans on.
8 10 .o Both radiator doors open, bypass
.*. damper closed, two fans on.
c
4 *From Ref 136 p 1

8.4.4 Heaters
About 223 kw of e l e c t r i c heater capacity i s provided inside t h e
r a d i a t o r enclosure. These heaters are used t o preheat t h e system before
t h e coolant.-salt i s added and t o maintain t h e temperature above 850OF a t
a l l times t h a t t h e salt i s i n t h e system.
Tubular-type heaters a r e mounted 3-1/2 i n . a p a r t on t h e v e r t i c a l up-
stream and downstream faces of t h e c o i l . These "Calrod" u n i t s a r e t r i -
angular i n cross section, about 0.33 i n . on a face, and a r e i n s t r a i g h t
lengths. There a r e twenty-four 48-in. lengths, e t h a capacity of
1,350 w each; twelve 82-in. lengths of 2,500 w capacity each; twelve
%-in. pieces having a capacity of 2,7% w each; and twelve pieces 102
i n . long with 3,150 w capacity i n each length; making a t o t a l of 133,200 w
capacity i n tubular h e a t e r s . The heaters a r e supported i n v e r t i c a l rows
o f s i x each i n 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l clamps. The heaters use 230 v, 3-phase
delta-connected e l e c t r i c power supplied through induction regulators CR1,
CR4, CR5 and CR6 (See ORNL Dwg E-MM-B-40802 and Section 19.7 of t h i s
report ) .
F l a t ceramic-type h e a t e r s a r e used i n t h e horizontal p o s i t i o n s on
t h e b a f f l e p l a t e s above and below t h e tube bundle. The 60 heaters a r e
i d e n t i c a l 7-1/2-in. x 18-in. f l a t p l a t e s with a capacity of 1,000 w each.
The 208-v power i s supplied through induction regulators CR2 and CR3.
The i n l e t header i s i n an insulated enclosure provided with f i f t e e n
4-in. x 12-in. f l a t ceramic heater p l a t e s of 1,000 w capacity each. These
a r e served by induction regulator CR7 and a r e r a t e d a t 230 v o l t s . (See
ORNL Dwg E-MM-B-40808)
The o u t l e t header enclosure i s equipped with twenty-seven &-in. x
12-in. p l a t e s of 550 w capacity each a t 230 v o l t s . Induction regulator
CR8 supplies these heaters. (See ORNL Dwg E-MM-B-40809) A l l t h e ceramic-
type heaters are mounted i n 20-gage 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l cans held i n place
by 16-gage c l i p s . The ceramic heaters t o t a l 90 kw of capacity.
The nichrome heater wire leads a r e h e l i a r c welded t o extension leads
of No. 1 2 a l l o y 99 s o f t temper n i c k e l wire covered with 0.330-in. OD x
0 .l24-in. I D x 0.330-in. -long ceramic fish-spine beads.
309
8.3 C e l l Wall Penetrations f o r Lines 200 and 201
The coolant-salt l i n e s 200 and 201pass through t h e reactor c e l l

w a l l through s p e c i a l penetration assemblies which contain e l e c t r i c heat -
e r s , thermal insulation, r a d i a t i o n shielding f o r t h e annulus between t h e
process pipe and t h e penetration sleeve, and a r i g i d support t o serve as
an anchor point for t h e piping.
The penetrations f o r each pipe a r e e s s e n t i a l l y i d e n t i c a l . The fol-
lowing description of a penetration would apply t o e i t h e r .
..
8.5.1 Reactor C e l l Sleeve
+-
The 5-in. coolant-salt pipe passes through an anchor sleeve which i s
a mounted inside a r e a c t o r c e l l sleeve joining t h e reactor c e l l v e s s e l and
t h e outer s h e l l , o r tank. (The space between t h e vessel and t h e s h e l l i s
f i l l e d with a magnetite sand-water mixture, as described i n Section 4.3 .l.)
A 24-in. sched 80 carbon s t e e l pipe, averaging about 16 i n . long, i s
welded t o t h e k-in.-thick portion of t h e reactor c e l l vessel a t t h e l o -
cation shown i n Table 4.1. A 32-in. OD x 0.625-in. w a l l thickness pipe,
averaging about 25 i n . long, i s welded t o t h e outside 3/8-in.-thick tank
wall, which a l s o has 3/8-in. -thick s t i f f e n e r s a t t h i s p o i n t . An ex-
' i pansion j o i n t , about 30 i n . OD x 26 i n . long, (Badger Manufacturing
Company Model 24-6W7 Series 5 0 ) connects t h e 24-in, and 32-in. pipes t o
.p
make a l e a k - t i g h t j o i n t and accommodates 3/8 i n . l a t e r a l movement and
i - 1/4 i n . a x i a l movement between t h e inner and outer vessels. (See ORNL
Dwg D-KK-D-407J-l and 40712)
8.5.2 Anchor Sleeve
The coolant-salt l i n e s 200 and 201 a r e each anchored on t h e reactor

c e l l end of each penetration. These anchors a r e designed t o withstand
t h e forces due t o t h e thermal expansions i n t h e primary and secondary
systems.
A 20-in. sched 80 carbon s t e e l pipe about 3 f% long f i t s i n s i d e the
reactor cell sleeve, described above. The reactor c e l l end of t h i s pipe
has a welded cap through which t h e 5-ic. NPS salt l i n e passes. !The pipe
hd i s welded t o t h e cap by using a s p e c i a l 3-in.-long section welded i n t o
b
d
310
cli
t h e process l i n e , t h i s section containing a shoulder which permits a full
penetration weld that can be inspected and s t r e s s r e l i e v e d . This j o i n t i s
t h e anchor point i n each l i n e . The coolant-cell end of t h e 20-in. pipe
anchor sleeve i s welded t o t h e 32-in. OD r e a c t o r c e l l sleeve described
above. See ORNL Dwg E-GG-C-41855
8.5.3 Shielding
The annular space between t h e 5-in. process l i n e and t h e 20-in. anchor

sleeve i s e s s e n t i a l l y f i l l e d with 1-in.-thick 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l s h i e l d -
ing d i s c s f o r a distance of 8 i n . on t h e r e a c t o r c e l l end of t h e penetra-
tion. The annual space between t h e heater s h e l l , t o be described below,
and t h e anchor sleeve has 1-in.-thick firebox s t e e l shielding d i s c s for
a distance of 12 i n . The f i r s t eight d i s c s a r e s t a i n l e s s s t e e l because
they w i l l operate a t a higher temperature than t h e remaining twelve. The
d i s c s a r e thermally insulated from t h e process pipe with a t h i n l a y e r of
Fiberfrax bulk ceramic f i b e r i n s u l a t i o n (described i n Section 5.6.6.3).
Other voids inside t h e anchor sleeve a r e a l s o f i l l e d with t h i s i n s u l a t -
ing material. See ORNL Dwg E-GG-Z-55498.
8.5.4 Heaters and Insulation
With t h e exception o f about 12 i n . on t h e r e a c t o r c e l l end of t h e

penetration, t h e process pipe i n s i d e t h e anchor sleeve i s surrounded by
e l e c t r i c heating elements contained i n a s t a i n l e s s s t e e l s h e l l . The
heaters a r e removable from the coolant-cell end of t h e penetration,
although probably with some d i f f i c u l t y because of t h e r a d i a t i o n streaming
through t h e opening.
Four l/k-cylinder ceramic heating elements ( f o r d e s c r i p t i o n see
section 5.6.6.2) = . i n . long, each with a capacity of 3,000 watts
(at 230 v ) provide t h e r e l a t i v e l y l a r g e amount of heat needed on t h e
r e a c t o r - c e l l end of t h e penetration t o keep t h e unheated length up t o
temperature and t o compensate f o r t h e heat conducted from t h e pipe w a l l
a t t h e anchor p o i n t . On t h e coolant-cell s i d e of t h i s heater section
a r e four 12-in. long heater sections, each containing four l/k-cylinder
heating elements of 300 watts capacity each (at 230 v ) . Only one-half
of each o f t h e heater sections i s used a t one time, t h e other portion
Gerving as a spare.
311
With t h e exception of t h e l a s t heater section on t h e coolant-cell

end, t h e heaters a r e contained i n a 22-gage, 304 stainless s t e e l s h e l l ,
about 10 i n . diam x 4 ft long. This s h e l l is provided with spacers and
lugs t o hold t h e ceramic heating p l a t e s , t h e heater leads, and t h e thermo-
couple sheaths, i n position. The outside of t h e heater s h e l l i s thermally
insulated with a 3-l/2-in. thickness of Careytemp 1600 expanded s i l i c a
insulation, as described i n Section 5.6.6.3.
See ORNL Dwg E-MM-Z-51670 for general assembly of heaters and i n -
sulation.
8.6 Secondary Circulating System Piping and Supports
The tube s i d e of t h e primary heat exchanger, t h e coolant-salt pump

and t h e r a d i a t o r a r e interconnected w i t h 5-in. sched 40 INOR-8piping.
With t h e exceptions of t h e portions of t h e l i n e s 200 and 201 inside t h e
reactor c e l l , a l l t h e coolant-salt piping i s accessible for maintenance
a short time after reactor shutdown and uses more o r l e s s conventional
welded pipe j o i n t s and methods of heating, i n s u l a t i n g and supporting t h e
piping. Long radius (23-in.) bends a r e used where possible. The piping
a t the reactor c e l l wall penetrations, a t t h e pump and a t t h e r a d i a t o r
nozzles, i s fixed i n position, t h e thermal expansion being accommodated
by t h e f l e x i b i l i t y of t h e piping.
A l l horizontal runs of piping in the circulating and d r a i n systems
.
c
0
p i t c h downward a t about 3 The c i r c d a t i n g system pitches t o two low
points, one i n l i n e 201 Just outside the r e a c t o r c e l l w a l l penetration,
and t h e other i n l i n e 202 a t t h e bottom o u t l e t of t h e r a d i a t o r . The
two 1-1/2-in. sched 40 INOR-8drains, l i n e s 204 and 206, a r e connected
a t these points.
The freeze flanges, freeze valves, pipe l i n e heaters and thermal
i n s u l a t i o n f o r t h e coolant-salt pi2ing a r e described and included i n
t h e tabulations of t h e corresponding equipment i n t h e primary c i r c u l a t -
ing system, Section 5.6, i n order t o complete each of those p a r t i c u l a r
- sections of t h e r e p o r t .
Ir
J
*
312
61
8 & .1 Piping Stresses and F l e x i b i l i t y Analyses t
The coolant-salt piping inside t h e reactor c e l l , l i n e s 200 and 201, Ix
a r e s u f f i c i e n t l y f l e x i b l e between t h e anchor point a t t h e c e l l w a l l and

t h e heat exchanger nozzles t o absorb t h e thermal expansion of 'the piping
and t h e movements of t h e heat exchanger. The s t r e s s e s i n t h e coolant-
salt piping were included i n t h e f l e x i b i l i t y analyses made of t h e primary
piping, see Section 5.6.2. It i s t o be noted t h a t t h e maximum stress i n
t h e reactor c e l l s a l t piping was determined t o be about 7,700 p s i a t t h e
coolant-salt i n l e t nozzle t o t h e heat exchanger. 105
1
The coolant-salt piping outside t h e reactor c e l l i s anchored a t t h e
c e l l w a l l penetration and a t t h e r a d i a t o r and pump nozzles. See ORNL Dwg
E-GG-B-40702. The major pieces of piping, a l l of which a r e 5-in. NPS,
are: l i n e 200 from t h e pump discharge t o t h e c e l l w a l l penetration,
l i n e 201 from t h e penetration t o t h e i n l e t header a t t h e top of t h e ra-
d i a t o r bottom o u t l e t header t o t h e bottom o f t h e coolant pump bowl. Line
202 contains a 25-in. radiuk r e t u r n bend f o r t h e necessary f l e x i b i l i t y ,
and it i s i n t h i s bend t h a t ' t h e maximum pipeline expansion s t r e s s of
12,818 p s i occurs. 139 This i s withic t h e allowable s t r e s s range of
106
32,125 p s i as determined by t h e Code of Pressure Piping, ASA B 3 l . l .
(Also, see footnote, Section 5.6.2) The expansion s t r e s s e s i n l i n e s 200
and 201, which a l s o contain 2>-in.-radium 180' r e t u r n bends, a r e 11,931
and 8,851 p s i , respectively. 139
The forces and moments a t t h e pump support p l a t e s and a t t h e ra-
d i a t o r i n l e t and o u t l e t nozzles a r e within t h e acceptable values. 139
8.6.2 Coolant -Salt PiDine: SuDDorts
The supports f o r coolant-salt l i n e s 200 and 201 inside t h e reactor

c e l l a r e l i s t e d i n Table 5.10 i n Section 5.6.2.
The 5-in. coolant-salt piping i n t h e coolant c e l l i s hung on con-
stant-load Bergen supports t o minimize s t r e s s e s during warmup of t h e
system. Each of these supports a preset load equal t o t h e calculated
weight of t h e piping and contents a t t h a t p a r t i c u l a r point, when t h e
support spring i s i n t h e zero position. A s t h e system i s heated, t h e
piping moves up o r down a t each position, a s shown i n Table 8.4. This
313
W
This movement i s less than t h e maximum permissible movement of t h e
2 hanger i n each case so t h a t no additional s t r e s s e s a r e imposed on t h e
piping by t h e supports.
Additional information on each hanger i s shown i n Table 8.4.
t
d
Table,8.4. Coolant C e l l S a l t Piping Supports
ERE Bergen Maximum Calculated

Line Preset MaximumHanger Pipe Movement on
supPo rt Number Location Number
badb Movement, i n , Heating, in.
No. & Typea LbS
ccs-1 200 Near c e l l w a l l CSH-5 C - 1 315 -

+1.25 +o .22
ccs-2 200 Bottom of 180' CSH-4 D-1 260 - .o
+1 +o .25
v e r t i c a l bend
ccs-3 200 Top of 180' CSH-3 D-1 180 -
+1.5 -0.50
ccs-4 200 Below coolant pump CSH-5 D-1 295 - .o
+2 -0.52
ccs-5 202 Near r a d i a t o r CSH-4 B-1 210 -
+1.25 +o .31
ccs -6 202 Bottom of 180'
CSH-4 D - 1 200 +1.25 negl .
ccs-7 202 Top o f 180' CSH-4 D - 1 225 - .o
+2 -0.82
ccs -8 202 Below coolant pump CSH-4 B-1 225 - .o
+2 -0.52
ccs-g 201 Near c e l l wall CSH-5 B-1 330 - .o
+1 negl .
ccs-10 201 Bottom o f 1m0 CSH-5 D - 1 335 - .o
+1 +o .44
ccs-11 201 Top of 180O CSH-4 D-1 210 - .25
+i negl .
ccs-12 201 Near r a d i a t o r CSH-2 D-1 135 - .o
+1 negl .
a Constant-load supports. Bergen Pipe Support Corporation (New York, N . Y . )

b Preset load i s t h e expected load fl-om weight of pipe and contents.
c P o s i t i v e values a r e up and negative values downward.
d See ORNL m g E-GG-E-41866,
' * D
I
I* 1
s .I
' #
315
9. COOIANT-SALT STOR GE SYSW
A storage tank i s provided a t t h e bottom of t h e coolant c e l l t o per-

m i t complete drainage of t h e coolant-salt c i r c u l a t i n g system. The coolant
d r a i n system c o n s i s t s o f a d r a i n tank, various drain and t r a n s f e r l i n e s ,
freeze valves, and t h e associated valving, e l e c t r i c heaters, instrumen-
t a t i o n , thermal insulation, e t c .
Since t h e coolant salt does not generate appreciable a f t e r h e a t when
drained i n t o i t s storage tank, t h e heat removal system used on t h e f u e l
drain tanks i s not required on t h e coolant-salt d r a i n tanks. In other
respects t h e tanks f o r t h e two systems are similar, see Fig. 2.6. Much
of t h e equipment i n t h e coolant-salt d r a i n system i s of conventional de-
sign, since t h e coolant c e l l can be entered a short time after r e a c t o r
shutdown f o r d i r e c t inspection and maintenance. A l l p a r t s of t h e system
i n contact with t h e coolant salt a r e fabricated of INOR-8.
The portable cans f o r t r a n s f e r of coolant s a l t t o and from t h e MSRE
s i t e a r e described separately i n P a r t V I I .
9.1 Layout and General Description
The coolant-salt d r a i n tank i s located a t t h e 8204% elevation below

t h e r a d i a t o r and i t s ducting i n t h e coolant c e l l , as shown i n Figs. 4.4
and 4.5. (See ORNL Dwgs E-GG-D-41888 and E-W-B-40702)
Two d r a i n l i n e s a r e required t o completely empty t h e coolant-salt
c i r c u l a t i n g system because o f t h e piping configuration r e s u l t i n g from
t h e requirement t h a t t h e flow of coolant salt be downward through t h e
radiator. Each of t h e s e 1-1/2-in. sched 40 d r a i n l i n e s i s provided w i t h
Q freeze valve, which, on i n t e r r u p t i o n of t h e cooling a i r flow against
it, w i l l t h a w and cause t h e system t o d r a i n by g r a v i t y . During drainage
t h e gas i n t h e drain tank can be t r a n s f e r r e d t o t h e t o p o f t h e c i r c u l a t -
ing system, o r it may be vented t o t h e off-gas system through a 1/2-in.
pipe leading p a s t a r a d i a t i o n monitor and t o t h e absolute f i l t e r s and
the stack.
The 40-in.-diam x 78-in.-high d r a i n tank has a volume of about Yl ft’;
t h e r e i s approximately 44 ft3 of coolant s a l t i n t h e c i r c u l a t i n g system.
316
The drained s a l t enters t h e top of t h e tank, and by means of an i n t e r n a l r

I
d i p tube, i s discharged a t t h e bottom. This d i p tube permits t r a n s f e r of
5
s a l t back i n t o t h e c i r c u l a t i n g system by pressurization with helium gas
introduced a t a top connection. The tank i s provided with a single-point
l i q u i d l e v e l probe and with weigh c e l l s t o determine t h e tank inventory.
The coolant s a l t i s brought t o t h e s i t e i n 2-1/2-f%' cans holding
250 t o 300 l b s of t h e non-uranium-bearing s a l t . The charging s t a t i o n ,
where t h e cans a r e heated and connected t o t h e system, i s a t t h e 852-ft
elevation above t h e s p e c i a l equipment room. Removal of a s h i e l d block on
.
I
t h e southwest corner of t h e roof o f t h e room permits connection of a
charging l i n e from t h e cans t o a permanently-installed 1 - i n . flange a t
t h e 84g-ft elevation, which i s t h e terminus of a 1/2-in. INOR-8
pipe lead-
ing t o a flanged connection j u s t above t h e coolant s a l t d r a i n tank. The
blank flange normally i n place a t t h i s l o w e r connection i s removed and t h e
permanently-installed charging l i n e i s connected. The charging l i n e dips
i n t e r n a l l y t o t h e bottom of t h e tank so t h a t s a l t can be t r a n s f e r r e d back
t o t h e portable cans through t h e same l i n e s .
9.2 Flowsheet
The coolant-salt d r a i n system i s included on t h e flowsheet f o r t h e

* I
coolant system, Fig. 8.1 (ORNL Dwg E-~-A-40881).
S a l t i s drained *om t h e low point of t h e coolant-salt piping i n t h e
coolant c e l l j u s t outside t h e reactor c e l l w a l l penetration through t h e
1-1/2-in. sched 40 l i n e 204. The low point i n t h e piping a t t h e r a d i a t o r
o u t l e t i s a l s o drained through a 1-1/2-in. pipe, l i n e 206. The freeze
valves i n these two l i n e s , FV-204 and FV-206, have t h e i r e x i t s joined by
a t e e with t h e branch o u t l e t facing upwards and connected t o a short,
v e r t i c a l length of b i n . sched 40 pipe with caps a t each end. This r e s -
ervoir, which has an o v e r a l l height of about 7 i n . , i s t o assure a suf-
f i c i e n t q u a n t i t y of s a l t i n t h e freeze valves a f t e r a d r a i n t o a f f e c t a
good s e a l . The pipe from t h e top of t h e k-in.-pipe r e s e r v o i r t o t h e top
of t h e drain tank, l i n e 204, i s 1 - i n . sched 40, t h e smaller s i z e being
used t o obtain t h e f l e x i b i l i t y i n t h e tank connections needed for proper
operation of t h e weigh c e l l s .
-
317
One e l e c t r i c heater c i r c u i t and one thermocouple a r e provided be-

tween t h e d r a i n tank and t h e freeze valves. Each of t h e two fYeeze
valves has t h r e e heater c i r c u i t s , one i n t h e center, one t o control t h e
shoulder temperature a t both ends o f t h e valve and one on t h e freeze
valve r e s e r v o i r . There i s a thermocouple a t each section of t h e shoulder
heaters and t h r e e couples on t h e freeze valve i t s e l f .
S a l t i s added t o t h e d r a i n tank through a 1/2-in. pipe, l i n e 203.
This l i n e leads from a flanged j o i n t a t t h e top of t h e s p e c i a l equipment
- room t o a flanged connection a t t h e top of t h e d r a i n tank, and, by means
. of a d i p tube, t o within about 1-1/2 i n . o f t h e tank bottom. Line 203
- has one heater c i r c u i t and eight thermocouples. When not i n use i n
adding o r removing s a l t f r o m t h e system, l i n e 203 i s blanked o f f both
t
a t t h e flange above t h e drain tank and a t t h e connection near t h e roof
Plug *
When salt i s t o be added t o t h e system, a helium cylinder i s con-
nected t o t h e 3/8 i n . tubing a t t h e charging s t a t i o n , l i n e 615. This
l i n e contains a pressure regulator, PCV-619, and upstream and downstream
pressure gages. Line 615 then branches i n t o two i d e n t i c a l pressurizing
stations, or Wits. In t h e following description of one of t h e s t a t i o n s ,
t h e l i n e numbers for t h e other a r e given i n parenthesis. Line 615 con-
c nects t o l i n e 611 (612) a t t h e pressure c o n t r o l valve PCV-611 (PCV-612).
Downstream o f t h e c o n t r o l valve and t h e pressure gage connection, t h e
l i n e branches t o f l o w through t w o valves connected i n parallel, v - 6 1 ~ ~
( -
. ( v - 6 1 2 - ~ ) and V-611.~ (v-612-~), one of which serves as a spare. Line

611 (612) continues p a s t a pressure gage connection and t o a removable
6.
spool piece, which i s used t o make t h e temporary connection t o t h e p o r t -
a b l e salt cans.
Helium f o r p r e s s u r i z a t i o n of t h e drain salt t r a n s f e r f’rom
t h e tank is supplied by t h e 1/2-in. pipe, The helium is f’ur-
nished a t 40 p s i g from t h e 1/2-in. l i n e system, see
Section 10. A pressure regulator, supply pres-
sure t o t h e tank t o 30 p s i g . A
valve HCV-5lU, downstream
of t r a n s f e r . The t h r e e
s, t h r o t t l i n g and control
c
valve, CF-511, i s provided i n t h e helium supply t o prevent backflow i n t o
g,
3
t h e cover gas system. The handvalves, V-5llA and V-?llB,

l a t i o n of t h e gas supply valves f o r maintenance purposes.
provide i s o -
-
,-.
The coolant drain tank i s normally vented t o t h e off-gas system
through a 1/2-in. s t a i n l e s s s t e e l pipe, l i n e 547, v i a l i n e 527. The
l a t t e r i s connected t o t h e top of t h e tank a t t h e same nozzle as t h e
helium pressurization gas supply. Line 547 contains a pneumatically-
operated control valve, HCV-547, which i s adjusted by a hand switch a t
t h e control panel.
When draining salt flrom t h e c i r c u l a t i n g system, t h e s a l t i n t h e
loop i s exchanged f o r t h e gas i n t h e d r a i n tank through t h e 1/2-in. inter-
connecting piping and valves, l i n e s 527, 536 and 528. Line 527 contains
I
a c o n t r o l valve, HCV-527, before i t s juncture with l i n e 536 upstream of
t h e control valve HCV-536. Line 536 j o i n s l i n e 528 upstream o f t h e con-
t r o l valve, PCV-528. Line 528 connects t o t h e top of t h e pump bowl.
This valving arrangement permits venting t h e gas from t h e top of t h e
pump bowl through l i n e 528 and 536. Line 536, and i t s valve, HCV-536,
2 8 , i s s e t t o pass only about 1.4
bypasses t h e c o n t r o l valve ~ ~ ~ - 5 which
liters/min of gas i n t o t h e system, and would thus have i n s u f f i c i e n t
capacity when t h e flow i s i n t h e reverse d i r e c t i o n a s s a l t i s being
added t o t h e c i r c u l a t i n g system. A d e t a i l e d description of t h e f i l l i n g
procedures i s given i n P a r t V I I I .
9.3 Coolant-Salt Drain Tank
9.3.1 -
Tank
The coolant-salt storage tank i s 40 i n . OD x about 78 i n . high,

overall, with a w a l l thickness of 3/8 i n . i n t h e c y l i n d r i c a l portion.
The t o r i s p h e r i c a l ASME flanged and dished heads a r e 3/8 i n . t h i c k . The
tank i s mounted v e r t i c a l l y on weigh c e l l s by a support system described
subsequently i n Section 9.3.2. Other p e r t i n e n t d a t a a r e given i n Table
9.1.
The tank and a l l i t s attachments a r e fabricated of INOR-8
and
generally i n accordance with ORNL Specification MSR 62-3. The tank w a s
319
LJ designed for an i n t e r n a l pressure of 65 p s i g a t 13000F, and i n accord-

?
ance with t h e requirements of Section VI11 of t h e ASME Unfired Pressure

4
Vessel Code47 for primary nuclear v e s s e l s . The calculations of t h e
s t r e s s e s i n t h e walls, heads, and nozzles were based on standard re-
lationships (See P a r t IV Ref 18) and a r e within t h e allowable s t r e s s of
3500 p s i a t 1300'F 16
f o r INOR-8.
The t o p head i s penetrated by f i v e nozzles, as l i s t e d i n Table 9.1.
A 3-in. sched 40 pipe provides a n inspection p o r t and access f o r a s a l t
3
sampler. This nozzle i s flanged w i t h a 3-in., l y - l b , r i n g - j o i n t , weld-
neck flange and a mating blind flange having a l e a k detector connection.
3
The 1 - i n . nozzle for t h e d r a i n connection, l i n e 204, e n t e r s t h e t o p
head a t t h e center and extends approximately 1-1/2 in. above t h e lower
head. A 1/2-in. sched 40 pipe, l i n e 203, a l s o extends through the top
head and, by means of a bend i n t h e d i p tube, terminates a t t h e center
of t h e lower head. This arrangement i s designed t o reduce t h e amount
of "heel" l e f t i n t h e tank a f t e r a t r a n s f e r . The two l i n e s a r e welded
together a t t h e bottom t o provide s t i f f e n i n g . Line 203 has a s p e c i a l
flange j u s t above t h e tank, see Section 9.4, following.
A 1/2-in. sched 40 nozzle i n t h e top head i s used for gas p r e s -
s u r i z a t i o n and for venting. A 2-1/2-in. nozzle i s used f o r i n s e r t i o n
I
n
of t h e l e v e l probe, LE-CDT. This instrument has two single-point con-
I
d u c t i v i t y type probes which i n d i c a t e s whether t h e salt i s above o r below

points marking 5% and 9 %o f t h e s a l t storage volume. (See I n s t r u -
mentation, P a r t 11)
9.3.2 Supports and Weigh Cells
!!he coolant d r a i n tank i s supported by two b i n . NPS steel pipe

columns r e s t i n g on t h e coolant d r a i n c e l l floor a t t h e 820-ft elevation.
(See ORNL Dwg E-W-D-41503 ) The i n s t a l l a t i o n incorporates two pneumatic
load c e l l s (A. H. a e r y Company) f o r determining t h e inventory of salt
i n t h e tank.
A ll/l6-in.-thick x 6-in.-wide skirt i s joined with a full c i r -
cumferential weld t o t h e t o p of t h e tank just above t h e head weld,
Twelve s t a i n l e s s s t e e l hanger rods, 5/8-in.-diam x 8-1/2 i n . long, a r e
fastened by clevis-type couplings t o t h i s s k i r t and suspend t h e tank
320
Table 9.1 Design Data for Coolant-Salt Drain Tank

Height, in. 78
Diameter, in. OD 40
Wall thicknesses, in.
Vessel 318
Heads 5/8
Volume, ft3
Total -50
Coolant -salt normal storage -44
0
Design temperature, F 1300
Nozzles, NPS (sched 40), in.
Inspection port and sampler 3
Salt drain line 204 1
Salt transfer line 203 112

Gas pressurization line 511 112
Level probe, LE-CDT 2-112
I
321
W f'rom t h e support ring above. The carbon s t e e l support ring i s about

*
41-7/8-in. OD x 6 i n . deep, and i s fabricated of 1-1/2-in. plate*. It
c
h?s. two arms about 20 in. long extending from opposite sides. Each of
the arms i s suspended by three carbon s t e e l hanger bolts,= 3/8-in. OD
;. 38 i'n. long, f'rom a pneumatic load c e l l resting on a 3/4-in.-diam s t e e l
b a l l mounted on top of the support column. The columns pass through
holes i n the above-mentioned support ring w i t h a clearance o f 1/4 i n .
on a diameter, an amount sufficient t o allow proper operation of the
i
weigh cells, but a t the same time preventing the tank assembly from
f a l l i n g off the supports. The long hanger rods and the point support
arrangement reduces the horizontal loading on t,he weigh c e l l s t o a neg-
l i g i b l e amount.
, To effect maintenance on a weigh c e l l , o r prior t o removal of a
tank from the system, the weight of the tank must be removed from the
weigh c e l l s . To accomplish t h i s , the ends of each support ring arms
a r e equipped w i t h a jack bolt which operates against a bracket on the
support columns, just below the arms. A slight l i f t i n g of the arms by
these bolts permits unthreading of t h e three hanger bolts on each weigh
c e l l . It may be desirable a t times t o remove t h e weight from the jack
bolts, such as t o prevent swaying when cutting a pipe. To provide for
t h i s a collar i s installed on each support column j u s t below the arms.
The weight o f t h e assembly can be lowered onto these collars by backing
off on the jack bolts a f t e r disconnecting the weigh c e l l hanger rods.
Further description of the maintenance procedures i s given i n Part X.
t 9.3.3 Electric Heaters and Insulation

The coolant-salt drain tank i s heated on the sides by tubular
heaters totaling 11 kw, and on t h e bottom by ceramic flat-plate heater
units t o t a l i n g 6 kw. A l i k e amount of heater units are installed as
spare capacity. (See OFXL Dwgs ~-m-~-51668 and E-MM-A-408321
There are thirty-two tubular heaters curved t o a 20-13/16-in.
radius installed on the tank sides i n a 304L stainless steel fl-me.
L
*AS'1M-A-285-57T Grade C f i r e box s t e e l .
gi *ASTM-A-193 Grade B7 steel.
.
322
Each u n i t i s a Calrod h e a t e r 0.315 i n . OD x 74 i n . long, with a heated

cei
c
length of 60 in., sheathed i n inconel, and r a t e d a t 2500 w a t 230 v .
a
In each case two heaters a r e connected i n s e r i e s , and with a supply
voltage of 244 v, t h e a c t u a l capacity o f each u n i t i s TOO w, or 140 w / f t .
The tubular heaters are arranged i n 16 h o r i z o n t a l rows on 4-in.
centers, with t h e two h e a t e r s p e r row connected i n s e r i e s . The 16 rows
a r e divided i n t o two equal groups, one termed t h e "top" s e c t i o n and t h e
other t h e "middle" section. Every other row i s for normal use and t h e
remaining rows serve as spare units. There a r e thus four rows of two
working heaters each i n each section, o r a t o t a l of 5.6 -/section,
with t h e four rows connected i n p a r a l l e l . The spare heater leads a r e
terminated i n junction box CS-1, located a t t h e 840-ft elevation. (See
ORNL Dwgs ~ - m - z - 5 1 6 2 5 and ~-m-c-31667)
The sixteen heaters on t h e bottom of t h e d r a i n tank, and termed
t h e "bottom" section, a r e f l a t ceramic heater p l a t e s about 7/8 i n . t h i c k
and having a t r a p i z o d i a l shape roughly resembling a r i g h t t r i a n g l e with
an a l t i t u d e of 14 i n . and a base of 7 i n . (See ORNL Dwg E-MM-B-40829)
The h e a t e r s a r e r a t e d a t 7 3 w a t t s each a t 230 v o l t s . H a l f o f the units
a r e used as spares, providing a t o t a l working capacity of 6 kw. All
heaters a r e connected i n p a r a l l e l with t h e e l e c t r i c a l leads f o r t h e spare
group terminating i n junction box CS-1 i n t h e basement regulator a r e a .
The u n i t s a r e arranged r a d i a l l y i n a 304L S t a i n l e s s s t e e l support basket
suspended from t h e bottom of t h e tank.
The drain tank i s thermally insulated with two l a y e r s of 2-1/2-in.-
t h i c k "Careytemp" 1600°F block i n s u l a t i o n . A 20-gage 304L s t a i n l e s s
s t e e l l i n e r i s used between t h e tubular heaters and t h e thermal insu-
lation. The insulation i s applied i n a conventional manner since t h e
u n i t can be approached f o r d i r e c t maintenance.
9.3.4 Thermocouples
The temperature of t h e d r a i n tank i s monitored by t h i r t e e n thermo-

couples. Two of these a r e located a t t h e center of t h e bottom, two a t
t h e charging l i n e nozzle, two a t t h e d r a i n l i n e nozzle, and t h e r e s t
a r e d i s t r i b u t e d over t h e tank w a l l , as shown on ORNL Dwg D-HH-B-40532.
One thermocouple on t h e bottom head, two on t h e top head (one from each
323
, u l o c a t i o n ) and one on t h e w a l l near t h e bottom, a r e connected t o t h e d a t a

logger. One thermocouple from t h e wall near t h e midplane i s recorded
e and t h e remaining eight couples a r e scanned and displayed.
9.4 Coolant-Salt Transfer Line 203
This l i n e i s used t o t r a n s f e r s a l t from t h e portable cans t o t h e

drain tank when adding s a l t t o t h e system and f o r returning t h e s a l t s
t o t h e cans when reprocessing i s required. The l i n e c o n s i s t s of a 3/8-in.
OD x 0.035-in. w a l l thickness monel (or inconel) tubing p o r t i o n which i s
i n s t a l l e d only when making t r a n s f e r operations. The tubing leads from
t h e portable cans t o a s p e c i a l flange a t t h e 849-ft elevation a t t h e
southwest corner o f t h e s p e c i a l equipment room. From t h i s flange a per-
manently i n s t a l l e d 1/2-in. sched 40 IN OR-^ pipe leads t o another s p e c i a l
flange located j u s t above t h e top of t h e coolant-salt d r a i n tank.
9.4.1 Upper Flange on Line 203

The 3/8-in. OD tubing from t h e portable cans i s connected t o a 1/2-in.
s t a i n l e s s s t e e l , r i n g - j o i n t flange. (See ORNL Dwg E - G G - D - 5 9 1 2 ) The
tubing i s i n s e r t e d 8 i n . through t h e center of t h e flange using compres-
sion f i t t i n g s . This flange mates w i t h a s t a i n l e s s s t e e l flange having
t h e basic dimensions of a 1 - i n . 150-lb r i n g - j o i n t , weld-neck flange, but
is machined t o a t t a c h a 1/2-in. sched 40 INOR-8
pipe. The s i d e of t h e
x
1 - i n . flange i s provided with a 1/4-in. OD tubing connection through
1 %
which helium purge gas can be introduced. This arrangement i s used t o
2. purge t h e l i n e of a i r before t h e s a l t t r a n s f e r i s made and a l s o assures
a gas space i n t h e annulus between t h e tubing and t h e pipe w a l l t o pre-
vent t h e coolant salt from coming i n contact with t h e s t a i n l e s s s t e e l
flange.
When Line 203 i s not i n use, t h e tubing t o t h e portable cans i s
disconnected and a s t a i n l e s s s t e e l blank flange i s used t o close t h e
upper flange opening t o prevent contaminants from entering.
9.4.2 b w e r Flange on Line 203
The 1/2-in0 INOR-8

pipe leading from t h e upper flange terminates i n
324
a 1/2-in. INOR-8r i n g - j o i n t , weld-neck flange j u s t above t h e d r a i n tank

Li
nozzle. A 3/8-in. OD x O.035-in. w a l l thickness x 12-in. long piece of
B
monel (or inconel) tubing i s welded t o t h e bottom center opening t o ex-
tend t h e l i n e i n t o t h e d r a i n tank nozzle. (See ORNL Dwg E-FF-A-40433)
The mating flange on t h e d r a i n tank nozzle i s a 1 - i n . INOR-8r i n g - j o i n t ,
weld-neck flange bored t o accommodate t h e 1/2-in. sched 40 d r a i n tank
nozzle. The s i d e of t h i s flange i s provided with 1/4-in. OD tubing
connections leading t o t h e helium gas supply i n t h e leak-detector system.
A s i n t h e upper flange, t h i s arrangement i s designed t o form an annulus = I
i n which t h e helium gas prevents t h e s a l t from contacting t h e gasketed
j o i n t , where exceptional cleanliness i s required when r e s e a l i n g t h e
flange.
When l i n e 203 i s not i n use, t h e lower flanged j o i n t i s broken and
t h e opening i s closed by an IN OR-^ blind flange t h a t has a 7/16-in. OD
I N O R - ~ rod 12 i n . long welded t o it t o extend i n t o t h e d r a i n tank nozzle
t o serve t h e same purpose as t h e tubing extension mentioned above. The
r i n g - j o i n t i s leak-detected during normal operation of t h e r e a c t o r .
,
325
10. COVER-GAS SYSTEM
The E R E cover-gas system supplies helium f o r use as an i n e r t gas

above t h e s a l t surfaces, as a c a r r i e r f o r removing fission-product gases
from t h e system, as a pressure source f o r t h e t r a n s f e r of salt from one
v e s s e l t o another, as a means for control of t h e pressure within t h e
system, and, i n t h e leak-detector system, as a monitor for leaks i n t h e
mechanical j o i n t s .
The helium introduced i n t o t h e system must be e s s e n t i a l l y f r e e of
water vapor and oxygen ( < 1 ppm) t o reduce t h e likelihood o f oxide pre-
c i p i t a t i o n i n t h e s a l t system.
The cover-gas system consists of a helium supply, dryers, oxygen-
removalunits, a t r e a t e d helium storage tank, and various valve mani-
folds and d i s t r i b u t i o n piping, as indicated i n Fig. 10.1.
Helium i s normally supplied from tanks mounted on a t r a i l e r parked

a t t h e northwest corner of t h e Diesel House, see Fig. 3.2. The tanks
can be p e r i o d i c a l l y r e f i l l e d a t t h e Y-12 Plant a r e a .
Connections a r e made from t h e t r a i l e r t o two p a r a l l e l helium-treating
. systems and t h e treated-helium storage tank located i n t h e second bay of
t h e Diesel House. Each of t h e two treatment systems consists of a helium
dryer, a preheater, and an oxygen-removal u n i t . The storage tank has a
capacity of 9 0 f't3 (STP). An oxygen analyzer continuously monitors t h e
t r e a t e d helium f o r r e s i d u a l oxygen. The t r e a t e d helium i s then piped t o
t h e various process a r e a s .
A n emergency supply of helium i s provided by s i x standard helium
cylinders located i n t h e second bay of t h e Diesel House.
10.2 System Requirements
The primary r e q u i s i t e of t h e cover-gas system i s t o supply the

q u a n t i t y o f "high-purity" helium necessary f o r use i n the f u e l and
140
coolant s a l t systems, and t h e a u x i l i a r y systems.
UNCLASSIFIED
ORNL DWO. 04-600
LEAK DETECTOR SYSTEM
- 1 -
ENR IC HER SAM PL ER
[250 psig HEADER
"GRAPHITE SAMPLER
TO ATM. RAD IAT1ON

MONITOR
P T O STACK
LRUPTURE DISC
5 0 psig
-SPENT FUEL PROCESSING
LEVEL BUBBLERS
HELIUM
REATED
HELIUM
SURGE
IL;
j
FUEL SYSTEM DRAIN TANKS
I C O O L A N T PUMP
SUPPLY AND DRAIN TANK
TRAl LER
--\FUEL PUMP SWEEP GAS
2400 psig
V I P U M P O I L SYSTEMS
CON TAl NM ENT

SUPPLY
HEADER
I
r--- REACTOR
CELL
L-----A I
ARRANGEMENT AT CONTAl NMENT
- ,1 - Fig. 10.1. Flow Diagram of Cover-Gas System.
C E L L W A L L TYPICAL FOR SUPPLY TO:

F U E L PUMP SWEEP GAS
FUEL PUMP L E V E L B U B B L E R S
F U E L DRAIN T A N K S
. c , v r
C
8
- 8 , 1
' t
+ I
9
327
'*'
c The purge of helium through t h e f u e l pump bowl was s e t i n i t i a l l y a t
3.5 liters/min, and it was estimated t h a t 1 ppm of O2 i n a 3.5-liter/min
h helium purge stream would p r e c i p i t a t e 5.5 g of Z'02 per year (equivalent
t o 18 g of uranium per year). 14' Neutron i r r a d i a t i o n of t h e f u e l s a l t
w i l l produce about 10 cc/day of oxygen i n t h e f u e l salt system when t h e
r e a c t o r power l e v e l is 10 Mw,142 which i s equivalent t o about 2 ppm of
0 i n a 3.?-liter/min helium purge stream. On t h i s basis, it was de-
2
cided t h a t t h e oxygen contributed as a contaminant i n t h e helium purge
d gas supply should be held t o a value of near 1ppm, present e i t h e r as
moisture or as 0
F 2'
The t o t a l volume of helium t o be supplied continuously by t h e cover-
c
gas system i s about 5 ; 6 liters/min, d i s t r i b u t e d as follows:
Sweep gas t o t h e fie1 pump 2.4 liters/min
h
Two f u e l pwnp bubbler l e v e l elements 0 09
11
Two coolant pump bubbler l e v e l elements 0.9 11
Purge t o t h e coolant pump 0.6 11
Two overflow tank bubblers 0.9I1
Additional intermittent flows a r e used for pressurizing t h e l e a k - e t e c t i o n

system, f o r t h e t r a n s f e r of salt, o r f o r replacing t h e cover gas for- t h e
l u b r i c a t i n g - o i l tanks.
The cover-gas system w a s designed on t h e basis t h a t a treatment and ,
'I
supply f a c i l i t y with a capacity o f 10 liters/min, when used i n conjunction
w i t h a WO-ft 3 (STP) t r e a t e d helium storage tank, would be capable of
N
!+ handling t h e t o t a l demand.
An obvious requirement i n the treated-helium storage and d i s t r i b u t i o n
1c
system i s that it be as leaktight as possible t o prevent t h e l o s s o f h e l i u m
or i t s contamination by inleakage.
10.3 Flowsheet
The flowsheet f o r t h e cover-gas system i s shown i n Fig. 10.2 (ORNL

Dwg. D-AA-A-40884). A l l t h e major piping i n t h e system i s 1/2-in. sched-40
s t a i n l e s s steel.
c.
A
.
The helium i s normally supplied from trailer-mounted tanks contain-

ing 39,000 f t 3 (STP) a t 2400 p s i through t h e supply valve V-WOA on l i n e
?-
I*
--
328
VENT
q , p 1..
V502A
P
I
I
m n
DIESEL
1-UL EWIPYNT EXCEPT auul TRAL

I ER IS LOCATED m
DIESEL HOUSE
1
THIS DRAWING REFLECTS
AS BUILT
CHAMGES
1
---
I I-L I I
c
329
500 downstream of V - P O A through valves V-%2A o r V-502B v i a l i n e 502.

Two pressure indicators, PI-502A and PI-502B, show t h e emergency cylinder
bank pressure.
The supply l i n e i s provided with a pressure indicator and alarm,
PIA-500E, which alarms a t 500 p i g . This i s followed by a pressure-
reducing valve, PCV-POG, which lowers t h e supply pressure t o 2% p s i g .
This pressure i s monitored by a high-low alarm switch, PA-%OB, set a t
275 p s i g and 200 p s i g . The supply l i n e a l s o has a 1/8-in.-OD tubing take-
r)
o f f , l i n e 548, leading t o t h e oxygen analyzer ~ 0 , - % 8 through valves V-98
and t h e check valve CV-548.
. The supply l i n e then branches i n t o two p a r a l l e l 1/4-in.-OD, 0.065-in.
w a l l thickness, s t a i n l e s s s t e e l tubing l i n e s t o supply t h e two helium-
4
treatment s t a t i o n s . The i d e n t i c a l branches contain a hand valve, V-%OB
(V-WOA); a t e e t o a purge vent, l i n e 505 ( l i n e 504); dryer No. 1 (No. 2 ) ;
a t e e leading t o a rupture d i s c , l i n e 507, t o be discussed subsequently;
a t e e f o r a gas cylinder connection, l i n e V - P O C (V-500B); and an i s o l a t i o n
valve, V - P O D ( V - P O C ) . The dryers, preheaters, and oxygen-removal u n i t s
w i l l be discussed i n Sections 10.5 - 10.8, following.
The 1/4-in. purge vents, l i n e s 504 and 505 mentioned above, a r e used
t o vent helium from cylinders which can be connected a t V-WOB and V-g0C
t o backflush and regenerate t h e helium dryers. The vents combine i n t o a
s i n g l e tube, l i n e 505, which contains a flow indicator, FI-w5, before
t h e helium is vented t o t h e atmosphere.
The rupture d i s c s i n l i n e s 506 and 507 a r e r a t e d a t 350 p s i g and
provide overpressure p r o t e c t i o n for t h e helium-treating equipment. These
l i n e s also c o n t a b high-pressure alarms, PA-506 and PA-507, which a r e s e t
a t 275 psig.
The two branches of t h e treatment system recombine as l i n e 500, which
is connected t o a flow-indicating c o n t r o l l e r , FICA-500, arid a n air-operated
c o n t r o l valve, FCV-500, which l i m i t s t h e supply of gas flow t o 10 l i t e r s /
min .
A second supply l i n e t o t h e oxygen analyzer, l i n e 549, i s taken o f f
l i n e 3 0 a t t h i s poifit through t h e check valve, CV-$9, and through t h e
stop valve, 17-99, The treated-helium storage, or surge, tank i s con-
nected t o l i n e 500 v i a l i n e 597. This 1/2-in. l i n e contains a normally
i
-
I
330
open valve, V-597A, and a Sranch connection t o valve V-597B, which .

serves as a temporary vacuum connection. A pressure gage, PI-He, on
l i n e 597 indicates t h e surge tank pressure. a
Downstream of t h e surge tank connection, l i n e P O contains a pres-

sure indicator, PI-YOA, and a pressure alarm switch, PA-YOK, which i s
s e t t o a l a r m a t a low pressure of 100 p s i . Following these instruments,
t h e helium supply t o t h e leak-detector system i s taken o f f , l i n e 514.
(This 2 p - p s i supply l i n e i s routed through t h e water room and t h e e l e c -
t r i c service a r e a t o t h e t r a n s m i t t e r room.) The leak-detector system i s c
described i n Section 11, following. A branch from l i n e 514, l i n e 509,

supplies t h e sampler enricher, t h e graphite sampler and t h e coolant s a l t
sampler. (Line 509 t e e s o f f l i n e 514 i n t h e west tunnel and i s routed
through t h e coolant. drain c e l l , t h e s p e c i a l equipment room, then t o t h e
high-bay a r e a . ) Line 541 supplies t h e graphite sampler; l i n e 509, t h e
sampler enricher; and l i n e 515, t h e coolant sampler.
"he helium supply, l i n e Y O , then divides i n t o two p a r a l l e l l i n e s ,
l i n e 500 and l i n e 605, each o f which contains a pressure-reducing s t a t i o n
s e t t o lower t h e helium pressure t o 40 p s i g . These control valves, PCV-
S O C and PCV-605, have t h e usual i s o l a t i o n valves. Af'ter l i n e s 500 and
605 r e j o i n , a pressure indicator, PI-WOM, and a high-low alarm switch,
s e t a t 48 p s i g and 30 psig, monitors t h e pressure i n t h e continuing l i n e
500.
Line 500 contains a check valve, CV-SOB, ahead of a r a d i a t i o n
monitor, RIA-PO. The helium supply t o t h e chemical processing c e l l ,
l i n e 530, i s taken o f f a t t h i s p o i n t .
I n t h e water room, l i n e 508 branches from l i n e 9 0 t o a rupture d i s c ,
s e t a t 50 p s i g . A p r e s s u r e - r e l i e f valve i s located i n t h e vent l i n e down-
stream of t h e d i s c . The vent discharges i n t o t h e v e n t i l a t i o n duct through
l i n e 932. A low-pressure switch i n l i n e 500 closes two solenoid valves
i n t h e helium purge gas supply t o t h e pump bowl, l i n e 516, t o insure that
back flow w i l l not take place i n t h a t l i n e i n event t h e rupture d i s c blows.
Line 501 branches o f f l i n e 500 i n t h e west tunnel area t o supply t h e
f i e 1 and coolant s a l t pump bubbler systems. Line 517 i s connected t o l i n e
3 1 and supplies helium t o t h e drain, flush, and t r a n s f e r tanks i n t h e
d r a i n tank c e l l , see Section 6. This l i n e contains a flow r e s t r i c t o r ,
331
FE-517, which l i m i t s t h e flow t o 0.5 scf'm a t t h e 65%fill condition.

The r e s t r i c t o r i s followed by a pressure control valve, PCV-517, which
limits t h e pressure used f o r t r a n s f e r of salts, see Fig. 6.1 (ORNL Dwg
D-All-A-40882). U n e 517 i s connected t o t h e valve manifold, HCV-572,
HCV-574, and HCV-576, which serve t h e f u e l d r a i n tank No. 1, d r a i n tank
No. 2, and t h e f u e l f l u s h tank, respectively. The control valves i n
each of t h e t h r e e l i n e s , "72, 574, and 576, a r e followed by two check
valves and a hand valve i n s e r i e s . (The check valves and t h e hand valves
b
a r e contained i n a pot i n t h e e l e c t r i c service area, and t h e 1/4-in.
l i n e from each hand valve i s run i n s i d e a 1/2-in. pipe t o t h e d r a i n tank
c e l l w a l l penetration.) Pressure t r a n s m i t t e r s f o r measuring t h e d r a i n
tank pressures, PRA-572, PRA-574, and PM-576, a r e located i n each of
t h e t h r e e l i n e s downstream o f t h e check valves.
A s shown in t h e cover-gas system flowsheet, Fig. 10.1, l i n e 511
leaves P O t o supply t h e coolant d r a i n tank. This l i n e has t h e follow-
ing valves i n s e r i e s : V-511A, CV-511, PCV-511, HCV-211B ( t h r o t t l i n g ) ,
HCV-5lI-A (block), and V- 5l1B. Line 512 branches o f f l i n e 311 upstream
of t h e first valve t o supply t h e coolant s a l t pump w i t h helium. As
shown i n t h e coolant salt system flowsheet, Fig. 8.1 (ORNL Dwg D-AA-A-
40881), l i n e 5l2 contains a hand valve, V-512, a check valve, CV-512,
and a flow control valve, FCV-512, with a maximum r a t e s e t t i n g of 1.47
liters/min.
Line 510 branches off l i n e 9 0 i n t h e s p e c i a l equipment room and
n
i leads t o t h e s e r v i c e tunnel t o supply helium t o t h e l u b r i c a t i n g - o i l

storage tanks. A s shown on t h e l u b r i c a t i n g - o i l system flowsheet, Fig.
5.25 (ORNL Dwg ~-AA-A-40883), l i n e 5lO provides o i l t o t h e coolant pump
lube o i l tank through valves V-5lOA, PCV-5lOAl, CV-510, and V-5lOB.
U n e 513 branches off l i n e 510 upstream of V-5lOA t o s i m i l a r l y supply
t h e f'uel salt pump l u b e - o i l tank through valves V - 5 1 3 , PCV-5l3Al,
CV-513 and V-513B.
The cover-gas system flowsheet, Fig. 10.2, a l s o shows a branch l i n e
downstream of t h e l i n e 5 l O takeoff, l i n e 554, f o r attaching a possible
helium recycle system.
Another branch of l i n e 500, l i n e 516, supplies helium t o t h e f u e l -
-
c
.
P
332
&>
s a l t c i r c u l a t i n g pump a t a pressurk of about 40 p s i g and a maximum r a t e
.
of 0.085 scfh~. Line 516 contains #wo solenoid valves, HCV-516~
and
HCV-516C; an indicating flow c o n t r b l l e r and alarm, FICA-516; and a flow *
control valve, FCV-516, followed by two check valves, CV-5l6A and CV-
5 1 6 ~ ,and a hand valve, v-516. The f’unction o f t h e two check valves and
t h e two solenoid-operated valves i s t o assure that radioactive backflow
cannot develop i n t h i s l i n e i n event of l o s s of pressure i n t h e helium sup-
p l y . Line 516 then e n t e r s t h e r e a c t o r c e l l and goes t o t h e lower gas i n -
l e t on t h e f u e l - s a l t c i r c u l a t i n g pump. A capped t e e i s provided between c
t h e hand valve and t h e check valve t o enable t h e check valves t o be pres-
surized i n order t o t e s t l e a k t i g h t n e s s . See Table 7.1 f o r helium supply
r a t e s t o f u e l pump.
I
The check valves i n l i n e s 516, mentioned above, a r e located i n a con-
tainment p o t . The l i n e i s reduced *om 1/2-in. pipe t o 1/4-in. pipe a t
t h e c o n t r o l valve and t o 1/4-in. -OD tubing a t t h e check valves. From t h e
check valves t o t h e pump, l i n e 316 i s l/k-in.-OD tubing i n s i d e 1/2-in.
pipe t o provide double containment f o r t h e p o r t i o n outside t h e r e a c t o r
c e l l and t o p r o t e c t t h e tubing i n s i d e t h e c e l l .
10.4 Helium Supply
The helium supply t r a i l e r has 30 cylinders, each 9-5/8 i n . diam

by 21 ft long, with a t o t a l capacity of 39,000 ft3 (STP) a t 2400 p s i .
A t t h e maximum estimated r a t e of use, 10 liters/min, t h i s i s equiva-
l e n t t o a 76-day supply.
The emergency helium supply c o n s i s t s of six standard cylinders ar-
ranged i n two banks of t h r e e cylinders each. A t a use r a t e of 10 l i t e r s /
min t h i s would be a 2.1-day supply. However, by changing these emergency
cylinders i n banks of three, t h e emergency supply arrangement could be
used i n d e f i n i t e l y .
10.5 Dryers
The helium dryers i n l i n e s 500 and 503 each consist of a v e r t i c a l

section of 2-in. 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l sched-40 pipe capped a t each end
333
and w i t h a 1/2-in. sched-40 pipe nipple welded t o each cap, see ORNL Dwg
E-JJ-C-40855. The pipe section i s about 4 1 i n . long and Contains a 30-in.
depth of drying medium supported on a 1-in. depth o f s t a i n l e s s s t e e l wool
a t t h e bottom and having about 1-3/8 i n . of t h e same wool a t t h e t o p . The
wool i s held i n place by 1/8-in.-thick p l a t e s w i t h 1/16-in.-diam holes on
1/4-in. centers i n a square p a t t e r n f o r a t o t a l of 37 holes. The p l a t e s
a r e tack-welded i n place.
The drying medium i s Linde type l3x Molecular Sieve, 1/16-in.-diam
pellets. Each dryer contains about 2-1/2 l b o f p e l l e t s .
Each dryer bed i s designed f o r a flow r a t e of 10 liters/min (STP) and
t o decrease t h e moisture content of the helium from 100 ppm t o e 1ppm on
an on-stream cycle of 15 days. 143 The a c t u a l moisture content of t h e
helium supply is thought t o be l e s s than 10 ppm so t h e bed l i f e should be
well i n excess o f 15 days.
The dryers are t o operate a t 250 p s i g and &OF. For mechanical
strength considerations, however, t h e design conditions were taken as
400 p s i g and 7O0F. Since conventional hydraulic t e s t i n g could not be
employed a f t e r f i n a l assembly, t h e units were pneumatically t e s t e d a t
3 0 p s i g (see ORNL Dwg E-JJ-C-40855).
The normal flow d i r e c t i o n i s upward through t h e bed. The dryers can
be regenerated by purging with a downward flow of f'resh helium while heat-
ing t h e bed. Heat for t h e regeneration i s supplied by two P O - w , 240-v
s t r i p heaters (Chromolox C a t . N o . S. E. 2550) about 25 i n . long strapped
z
U. t o t h e upper portion of t h e pipe section. The heat i s controlled by

thermocouples located on t h e pipe w a l l about 1 i n . from t h e end of t h e
heated section. The w a l l i s heated t o a maximum of WOOF. The purge
flow rate i s about 1.5 liters/min, t h e e x i t gas temperature a t t h e com-
p l e t i o n of t h e drying cycle i s about P O O F , and t h e i n t e r n a l pressure
during regeneration i s a maximum of 10 psig.
The e n t i r e u n i t i s insulated with 1 i n . o f magnesia i n s u l a t i o n .
10.6 Preheater
Each of t h e preheaters i n l i n e s fs00 and 503 i s designed t o heat a

flow of 10 liters/min of helium t o 750OF, required f o r t h e oxygen-
.
i
334
i removal u n i t s .
The preheater consists of a 2-in. sched-40 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l pipe
section 10 i n . long with f l a t p l a t e s tack-welded t o each end, see ORNL c
Dwg. E-JJ-C-5%85. Two 250-w, 120-v curved Chromolox s t r i p heaters,
8 i n . long, a r e strapped t o t h i s s h e l l . Two thermocouples mounted 4 i n .
*om t h e end a r e used t o coritrol t h e temperature. The helium flow is
through a 10-f't length of s t a i n l e s s s t e e l tubing 1/4 i n . OD x 0.035 i n .
wall thickness, coiled around t h e heater u n i t . The e n t i r e assembly i s
covered with 3/4 i n . of t h e heat-conducting medium, "High Temperature
Thermon," and insulated with 2 i n . of high-temperature i n s u l a t i o n .
10.7 Oxygen Removal Units
I d e n t i c a l titanium sponge-type oxygen-removal u n i t s a r e i n s t a l l e d

i n l i n e s 3 0 and 3 3 t o assure t h a t t h e helium flow t o t h e cover-gas
system contains l e s s than 1ppm of 0 Oxygen contamination of t h e
2'
helium supply i s l a r g e l y t h e r e s u l t of handling and should not exceed
about 100 ppm. The average O2 content m y be about 10 ppm.
A s indicated i n Fig. 10.3, t h e oxygen-removal u n i t c o n s i s t s of a
1 - i n . sched-5 titanium pipe 2 1 i n . long f i l l e d with an oxygen g e t t e r o f
Electromet (Cleveland, Ohio) titanium sponge having a B r i n e l l hardness
of 125 and sized so t h a t 100% passes a 5/8-in. mesh screen and 95% i s
retained on a 1/8-in. mesh. The pipe i s mounted v e r t i c a l l y , using lava
spacers, inside 220-v l'Thermoshel1" ceramic heating elements (Cooley
E l e c t r i c Co., Indianapolis), of 1200 w t o t a l capacity. A stainless s t e e l
r e f l e c t o r , O.OO5-in. t h i c k , i s t i g h t l y wrapped around t h e heating e l e -
ments. The heat r e f l e c t o r i s surrounded by a 3/4-in. thickness of
"Fiberfrax" QC-10 thermal insulation (Carborundum Company). The as-
sembly i s contained i n s i d e a b i n . sched-40 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l pipe, with
r i n g - j o i n t flanges a t t o p and bottom. One-half-inch IPS pipe nipples
are provided a t top and bottom f o r t h e gas e x i t and i n l e t (see ORNL Dwg
E-JJ-C-5623)-
The u n i t s operate a t 250 p s i g with a temperature i n t h e titanium
sponge of 1200'F +- W0F. The design pressure i s 400 p s i g and t h e de-
sign temperature o f t h e pressure-containing 4-in. pipe i s a maximum of
.-
335
UNCLASSIFIED
ORNL-LR-DWG 68585
THERMOCOUPLE
. @ GETTER TUBE
@ HEATER, 1000 w
@ HIGH-TEMPERATURE INSULATION
@ PIPE, 4 - i n . SCHED-40 SS
@ FLANGES, 4-in. 1500-lb SS,
WELDING NECK, RING JOINT
@ INSULATION
@ REFLECTOR
/THERMOCOUPLE
NTHERMOCOU PLE
?T
THERMOCOUPLE
Fig. 10.3. Oxygen Removal Unit Cover-Gas System.
.
-.
336
1000°F. Leak t e s t s were made i n accordance with Par. UG-100 of Section L(

w
V I 1 1 of t h e ASME Code,47 using nitrogen a t 700 p s i g . Helium leakage
w a s less than l i t e r s (STP)/24 h r . e
A chromel-alumel thermocouple i s i n s e r t e d i n a well a short d i s -
tance i n t o t h e bottom i n l e t of t h e titanium sponge. This 1/8-in. -diam
s t a i n l e s s steel-sheathed couple i s welded t o a trepanned hole i n t h e
lower flange and has compression-type f i t t i n g s on t h e outside o f t h e
flange .
Three 1/16-in. -diam sheathed thermocouple leads a r e i n s e r t e d
through t h e b i n . pipe w a l l near t h e top through lava-sealed packing
glands, "Conax" C a t . No. MPG - 1/16 in. Two of these chromel-alumel
couples a r e located a t about mid elevation between t h e titanium pipe
wall and t h e heater element, and t h e t h i r d is a t t h e top o u t l e t gas pas-
sage.
Two 1/8-in. - d i m chromel-alumel sheathed thermocouples a r e pro-
vided on t h e outside of t h e 4-in. pipe.
The two e l e c t r i c leads f o r t h e heater elements a r e brought through
t h e &-in. pipe wall near t h e top i n individual s e a l s , "Ceramaseal"
Dwg 804A38878.
10.8 Treated-Helium Storage Tank
A storage tank i s provided f o r t r e a t e d helium t o take care of t h e

i n t e r m i t t e n t periods when t h e helium demand i s considerably g r e a t e r than
t h e normal continuous flow r a t e of 10 liters/min. The volume of t h e
storage, o r surge, tank i s specified t o be 27 f t 3 so t h a t two f i e 1 s a l t
t r a n s f e r s and two coolant s a l t t r a n s f e r s could be made without decreas-
ing t h e helium supply pressure below 100 p s i g .
The tank i s an 8-ft long section of 24-in. sched-30 pipe of 347
s t a i n l e s s s t e e l , capped a t each end. It i s designed f o r a working pres-
sure of 2 3 psig and a t e s t pressure of 375 p s i g . The design operating
temperature i s 80'~. The tank has a storage capacity of about 500 ft3
(STP) o f helium.
337
10.9 Bubblers f o r Indicating t h e Salt Levels i n t h e Fuel

and Coolant Pump B o w l s and Overflow Tank
The helium bubbler arrangement used t o indicate t h e l e v e l of salt

i n t h e p m p bowls and t h e overflow tank i s described i n t h i s section
since it i s c l o s e l y associated with t h e helium d i s t r i b u t i o n system. In
b r i e f , t h e l e v e l i s determined by measuring t h e gas pressure required
t o displace t h e l i q u i d salt i n d i p tubes which extend below t h e surface
of t h e salt i n t h e pump bowls and overflow tank. The dip-tube pressure
is measured by d/p c e l l s , referenced t o t h e pressure i n t h e vapor space.
10.9.1 Iayout and General Description

The bubbler arrangements used on t h e f u e l and coolant pump bowls
and overflow tank are i d e n t i c a l except f o r location and t h e containment
of t h e f u e l system.. The f u e l pump bubbler i s described i n t h e following
paragraphs with t h e coolant pump and t h e overflow tank equipment and
locations given i n parenthesis i n t h e same order.
The f u e l pump bowl i s described i n Section 5.4.1.2.
As shown on t h e f u e l system flowsheet, Fig. 5.3 (8.1), t h e r e a r e
two bubbler l i n e s , l i n e s 593 (598)(599) and 596 (595)(600), and one r e f -
erence l i n e , l i n e 592 (594)(589). These l i n e s a r e fabricated of 1/4-in. -
OD x 0.065411. - w a l l s t a i n l e s s s t e e l tubing and a r e connected t o t h e
40-psig helium supply, l i n e 501, i n t h e t r a n s m i t t e r room. Each l i n e has
a block valve a t t h e header and a t h r o t t l i n g valve t o a d j u s t t h e helium
flow. A l l t h e bubbler l i n e s a r e routed p a s t duplicate r a d i a t i o n monitors,
FUA-596A and RlA-596B, through conduit t o t h e s p e c i a l equipment room. I n
t h i s l o c a t i o n t h e f u e l pump and overflow tank bubbler l i n e s have flow
r e s t r i c t o r s i n s t a l l e d which l i m i t t h e flow i n l i n e s 593 (599) and 596
(600) t o 366 cc/min (STP) and i n l i n e 592 (589) (the reference l i n e ) t o
150 cc/min, when t h e helium supply pressure i s 25 psig. The t h r e e coolant
pump bubbler l i n e s , 598, 595, and 594, continue t o t h e coolant c e l l where
s i m i l a r flow r e s t r i c t o r s a r e provided.
The f u e l pump and overflow t a n k bubbler l i n e s e n t e r a containment
tank (not required f o r t h e coolant pump l i n e s ) where each l i n e has %wo
check valves i n s e r i e s (one check valve i n coolant system). The check
.
r
338
Ld
valves a r e followed by solenoid valves as follows: l i n e 592, HCV-593- L
B2 ( l i n e 594, HCV-595-Bl) ( l i n e 589, HCV-599-B2); i n l i n e 593, HCV-593-

B3 ( l i n e 598, HCV-595-B3) ( l i n e 599, HCV-599-Bl); and i n l i n e 596, HCV- e
593-Bl ( l i n e 595, HCV-595-B2) ( l i n e 600, HCV-599-B3). (See valve tabu-
l a t i o n s i n Table 10.1.) Following these valves, t h e reference pressure,
l i n e 592 (594) (589) is connected t o l i n e 596 (595) (600) through a
solenoid valve, HCV-593-B5 (HCV-595-B5) (HCV-599-B>),and t o l i n e 593
(598) (599) through t h e solenoid valve HCV-593-a (HCV-595-&) (HCV-
599-a). These cross connections a r e f o r equalizing the pressure across
t h e d/p c e l l s , which are connected between l i n e s 592 (594) (589) and c
596 (595) (600),LI-596 (LI-595) (LIA-600), and between l i n e s 592 (594) I
(589) and 593 (598) (5991, m - 5 9 3 (=-598) (Lm-599). The last-

mentioned d/p c e l l s serve both as l e v e l indicators and as an input t o t
recorders and an alarm system. A s was mentioned i n Section 5.4.1.2, a
difference i n 2 i n . i n t h e distance t h e two d i p tubes extend beneath t h e
surface o f t h e s a l t i n t h e pump bowls, 593 (598) i s t h e shorter, may
permit v a r i a t i o n s i n t h e density of t h e s a l t t o be noted. Both d i p tubes
extend t o t h e bottom o f t h e overflow tank since it i s d e s i r a b l e t o have
duplicate readings on t h e q u a n t i t y of salt remaining.
592 (589) f o r t h e f u e l pump bowl pres-
A connection i s made t o l i n e
sure transmitters, PRC-522A and PIA-522B, and t o 589 f o r PIA-589 and
PXM-581.
Each of t h e l i n e s , 592 (594) (5891, 593 (598) (5991, and 596 (595)
(600) has a hand valve outside t h e c e l l wall penetration. The l i n e s
t o t h e f u e l pump and overflow tank a r e 1/4-in.-OD tubing run i n s i d e
1/2-in. pipe inside t h e r e a c t o r c e l l t o provide double containment.
10.9.2 Containment Tank

The f u e l pump bubbler containment tank, or instrument box, i s a pres-
sure-tight container for t h e above-ment ioned solenoid valves and d/p
cells.
The tank i s fabricated of a 21-in. length o f 24-in. sched-lOS, 304
s t a i n l e s s s t e e l pipe, with a flanged pipe cap a t each end t o give an
o v e r a l l length of about 4.4 i n . (see ORNL Dwg E-JJ-D-55422). "he de-
sign pressure i s 50 psig but t h e normal operating pressure i s 0 p s i g
339
a t ambient temperatures. The i n l e t tubing penetrations consist of

1/4-in., 30,OOO-lb autoclave couplings. The o u t l e t tubing penetration
i s a 6-in. sched-40 t a n g e n t i a l pipe nipple which i s a l s o welded t o t h e
extension of t h e r e a c t o r c e l l penetration (see ORNL Dwg E-JJ-D-55428).
The four e l e c t r i c a l conductor penetrations o f t h e tank have Amphenal
s e a l s and serve t h e two d/p c e l l s from t h e 11 solenoid valves. Two
1-in. pipe nipples extending from t h e top of t h e tank serve as con-
tainment for t h e 1/4-in. tubing leading from l i n e 522 t o t h e pressure
c t r a n s m i t t e r s PRC-522A and PIA-522B.
The d/p c e l l s a r e accessible by opening one of t h e flanged ends
of the tank and t h e solenoid valves may be serviced from t h e other end.
10.10 Piping, Valves, and Appurtenances
A l l piping i n t h e cover-gas system i s 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l sched 40.

The tubing i s 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l of various diameters and thicknesses.
A l l f i t t i n g s are welded, w i t h t h e exception of t h e threaded valves i n
t h e portions of l i n e 500 and 502 that contain untreated helium. The
tubing f i t t i n g s a r e 30,OOO-lb autoclave, o r equivalent, w i t h t h e ex-
ception that t h e control valves i n t h e 1/8-in. l i n e s 548 and 9 9 have
Swaglok compression-type f i t t i n g s .
e
The hand valves are l i s t e d i n Table 10.1, t h e check valves i n

Table 10.2, and t h e control valves, including t h e pressure regulators,
i n Table 10.3.
340
Table 10.1 Cover Gas System Hand Valves
Valve Numbers Specification Description A

4'
\
500c 576
503c 9gc
504 592c
35 593c Hoke, TY 440, socket-
514B 594c weld to 1/4-in. OD tubing.
516 59x Hvs 1 Bellows-sealed bonnets.
519 596c 300 series stainless steel.
541 598c
548 599c
549 60oc
372 601
574 606 /
Hvs lA
Same as HVS 1, but socket-
weld for 3/8-in. OD tubing.
Same as HVS 1, but socket-

Hvs lB
weld for 1/4-in. NPS pipe.
Hoke, LY 473, socket-weld

INS 2
for 1/2-in. NPS pipe. Bellows-
sealed, 300 series S S .
510~
314A
513B 1 SSD Crane, socket-weld to 1/2-in.
NPS pipe, bellows-sealed,
carbon steel.
Hoke, Y 344, threaded for
1/4-in. pipe, packed bonnet.
59%
59a
5% Hoke, A 434, forged brass,
595B 1/4-in. NPS male pipe thread,
596B bellows-sealed, Kel-F tip
598B
599B
600B
341
W Table 10.2 Cover Gas System Check Valves

t
Valve Numbers Description

500~ 500B
510 513
51a 516~
51% 519B
57% 572B
574A 5743
Circle Seal, Dwg P705, 3/8-in.
57a 576B Aminco connection, s o f t seat,
58% 589B > spring-loaded, 300 series stain-
less steel.
59% 592B
59% 593B
594 595
59a 596B
598 599B
59% 600B
6OOA 6O6B
6O6A
584 549 Nupro, 2C, with 1/8-in. Swaglok
connections, 300 series SS.
511 512 Nupro, 4C2, modified for autoclave
connections, 300 series SS.
/
c
Table 10.3. Cover Gas System Control Valves and Regulators
Msm cv Size, in. Fail

Make Comment
Number Specification Position
PCV yoc 64 1/4 Threaded * Fisher Buna-N diaphragm
PCV W G 61 3/8 Autoclave * Fisher
FCV P O J 18 0.0045 1/2 Autoclave Closed Masoneilan
PCV 510~1 18 0 -0035 1/2 Autoclave Closed Masoneilan
HCV 5 1 m 18 3- 5 1/2 Autoclave Closed Fulton (HRT)
HCV 511Bl 18 0 DO77 1/2 Autoclave Closed Masoneilan
HCV 511~1 18 0.077 1/2 Autoclave Closed Masoneilan
FCV 512A1 18 o .om83 1/2 Autoclave Closed Masoneilan
PCV 5131 18 0.0035 1/2 Autoclave Closed Ma soneilan
HCV 516~1 18 o ,0035 1/2 Autoclave Closed Masoneilan
PCV 517A1 18 0a 0 7 7 1/2 Autoclave Closed Masoneilan
HCV 519A1 18 o .00083 1/2 Autoclave Closed Masoneilan
HCV 572 18 3.5 1/2 Autoclave Closed Fulton (HRT)
HCV 574 18 3.5 1/2 Autoclave Closed Fulton (HRT)
HCV 576 18 3-5 1/2 Autoclave Closed F'ulton (HRT)
PCV 605 64 1/4 Autoclave * Fisher Buna-N diaphragm
*Regulator
Table 10 . 3 (continued )
Valve Number
- Msm Port
Size, in.
Fail
Make Comment
Specification Size Position
Hev 593-31 '

HCV 593-B2
HCV'593-B3
HCV 593-B4
HCV '593-35
HCV 595-Bl
HCV 595-B2
HCV-595-B3 139 3/32 in. 1/4 Autoclave Closed Valcor Solenoid-operated
HCV 595-B4
Hcv 595-B5
HCV 599-Bl
HCV 599-B2
HCV 599-B3
HCV 599-B4
HCV 599-B5
HCV 606
344
11. LeAK DETECTOR SYSTEM
A leak detector system i s used t o monitor a l l flanges i n the MSRE i

system which could permit the escape of radioactive materials. J o i n t s
i n lines containing lubricants o r coolants important t o the operation
and safety of the reactor are also leak detected. In addition, a l l
flanges w h i c h must be maintained by remotely operated tooling are pro-
vided w i t h leak-detected type joints t o serve a s an indication of satis-
factory reassembly. 145 There are about 100 leak-detected flanges in the .
system.
The leak detector system operates on the principle of maintaining
sc L
an over-pressure of 100 psig of helium at all joints. In event of a
leak i n the process system, heliumwill flow into the affected system.
The resulting loss i n pressure at the leak detector system supply headers
.
actuates an alarm system. Each of the 60 o r more leak detector lines is
provided w i t h a hand valve at the header t o permit isolation of the l i n e
t o determine the location of the leaking joint.
In brief, the leak detector system consists of eight manifolds, o r

headers, mounted in a leak detector station cabinet, 2-ft x 4-ft x 6-1/2
f t , located on the south side of the transmitter room. (This room i s
at the 840-ft elevation, east of the drain tank c e l l and north of the
reactor cell. See Fig. 4.4.) The headers are connected t o the helium
supply from the cover-gas system and t o the leak detector l i n e s leading
t o each flange. Ieakage is detected by header pressure drop and measured
by the rate at w h i c h the pressure in the header drops a s compared t o an
equivalent tank volume (500 cc). This arrangement p a r t i a l l y compensates
f o r pressure changes i n the system due t o ambient temperature variations
i n the transmitter room.
*By definition, i f a continuous inflow of helium i s required t o a

part of the system, it i s termed a "buffer" flow rather than leak de-
tection.
*
345
b The leak detector l i n e s leading t o the reactor, drain tank, and

w
f u e l processing c e l l s , pass through the f l o o r beneath the leak d e t e c t o r

system cabinet and m e routed t o the c e l l w a l l penetrations i n "Iay-In-
Ducts." The general location of the l i n e s i s shown i n Fig, 11.1. The
leak detector l i n e s t o the coolant c e l l and vent house a r e run through
conduit around the reactor c e l l t o the s p e c i a l equipment room; from here
t o the point of application they ase mounted on "Unistrut." The leak
d e t e c t o r tubing i n s i d e the reactor and drain tank c e l l s i s e i t h e r sup-
ported by "Lay-In-Ducts" o r mounted on "Unistrut .''
Figure 11.2 shows a t y p i c a l leak-detected j o i n t . The leak detection
arrangement as applied t o a freeze flange i s shown i n Fig. 5.29. The oc-
tagonal O-ring type gasket i s d r i l l e d t o pennit transmission of the helium
gas pressure t o a l l four of the sealing surfaces.
On some l i n e s , one leak detector i s connected i n s e r i e s t o serve two
o r more s e t s of flanges. Where valves have leak-detected j o i n t s , both
sets of the valve flanges a r e servedwith one leak detector l i n e , see
Fig. U.3.
Where both flange faces i n a p a i r must be removable f o r maintenance
reasons, such as on the pwnps, the freeze flanges, etc., it i s necessary
t h a t the leak d e t e c t o r l i n e s have disconnects which can be remotely ma-
nipulated. These disconnects a r e described i n Section 11.6, following.
The leak detector system i s constructed of 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l .
The tubing i s 1/4-in. OD x 0.083-in. w a l l thickness and a l l piping i s
sched 40. A l l valves a r e bellows sealed, as described i n Section 11.5.
If it i s assumed that the leak r a t e of cc/sec determined i n
1
the development of the freeze flanges (pp 41-45 Ref 38) i s representative
of the average leak r a t e of t h e 100 flanges i n the MSRE system, the t o t a l
leakage i s i n t h e order of 6 cc/min. This amounts t o about 75 cc/min per
header, Taking the average volume of a header and i t s connected l i n e s
t o be about 2,000 cc, t h i s l o s s of helium amounts t o a pressure l o s s of
I about 0.66 psi/hr, The minimum f u l l range of the d i f f e r e n t i a l - p r e s s u r e
cell used t o i n d i c a t e t h e pressure difference between the header and the
volume tank is 5 in. of water, o r about 0.18 p s i . A change i n the dif-
I
, !
f e r e n t i a l pressure of 0.05 p s i per hour (28$ of f u l l range) i n d i c a t e s a
'W leak r a t e of about 0.04 cc/min (6.67 x cc/sec).
.
346
7- I
7'
I
L
I r
+
I
It
r
347
Unclassified
ORNL DWG 64-8833
SEALING SURFACES
LEAK DETECTOR
L I N E FROM LEAK O-RING GASKET
DETECTOR STATION
--c
SEALING SURFACES
FLANGE OR MAY
BE CAPPED OFF
Fig. 11.2. Schematic Diagram of Leak-Detected Flange Closure.

.
I
348
..
Unclassified
ORNL DIG 64-8834
J
ANY L I N E R E Q U I R I N G a
LEAK DETECTOR SERVICE
REACTOR
REMOTE DISCONNECT FLANGE
PERMANENTLY
INSTALLED PIPE
LEAK DETECTOR L I N E
F i g . 11.3. M e t h o d o f U t i l i z i n g One L e a k Detector L i n e to Serve

Two Flanges in Series.
349
11.2 Flowsheet
The f l a t s h e e t f o r the leak detector system i s shown i n Fig, 11.4

(ORNL drawing D-AA-A-40890).
Helium i s supplied at 250 psig through 1/2-in, Line 514 from the
cover-gas system (see Section 10.3). This l i n e reduces t o l / b i n .
tubing inside the leak detector system cabinet. The helium i s supplied
through valves V-514-B, CV-514, and PCV-514, the l a t t e r regulating the
pressure t o 100 psig. A f t e r passing a connection through which helium
can be supplied i n an emergency, the f l o w i s d i s t r i b u t e d t o each of the
e i g h t headers. The d i s t r i b u t i o n l i n e , Line 514, contains a high-law
pressure alarm switch s e t f o r the 90 t o 110 psig range. Each helium
supply t o a header i s provided w i t h an i s o l a t i o n valve. Each header
serves as a valve manifold f o r ten 1/4-in. leak detector lines, which
are grouped by application and location, as shown i n Table ll.1.
Lines 410 through 414 on header 401 serve the reactor c e l l freeze
flanges. Lines 415 through 419 are spare leak detector l i n e s leading
All t e n of these lines have one hand valve at
i n t o the reactor c e l l .
the header and ase 'provided with disconnect couplings inside the reactor
cell.
Header 402 serves the reactor c e l l helium l i n e s . Each of these
leak detector lines, k0 through 429, has two hand valves i n s e r i e s ,
w i t h the inner, or "B" valve, being used t o prevent backflaw From the
c e l l i n event maintenance i s required on the operational valve, "A."
Each of these leak detector l i n e s i s connected t o two pairs of flanges
i n series. There are no spare l i n e s on t h i s header.
Header 403 monitors reactor c e l l water l i n e s . Leak detector Lines
430 through 434 are connected t o half-flanges i n the thermal shield water
piplng. (These half-flanges axe i n s t a l l e d where t h e welded piping system
i s l i k e l y t o be cut for maintenance prdcedures and Later rejoined by
spool pieces with bolted mechanical joints.) Lines 435 through 439 derve
other water piping flanges. Each of these t e n l i n e s has one hand valve
a t the leak detector system header.
c
Header404 serves miscellaneous reactor c e l l flanges, such as t h e
o i l piping flanges (Uak Detector Lines 440, 441, and 4&), and the pump
.
350
8
II
t
V403A' V40U
l
woo
@ 8
4t V40S
LW V402 TO CFlOO v406a VI050 V404B 440
V440 LINE 701) CLINICS
~ 4 -
>
COOLANT PUMP LOWLR CLANOL
COOLANT PUYP UPPfR CLAN=

VOCUY TANK
500cc
P LOWCR CLANOE
TO FFZOO CUTURL WCLR FLANOE
TO CCZOl CUTURL
UYPLER FLAMES
UW sm n w . s CESS1 FLUIOLS
100
SCYRE mcc
PSlC
WARE TO RC
NOTES:
I-LOUIPYLNT SHOWN TO W LOUTCO IN TU€ TRANSYITTER ROOM.
IN€ X I CLANGLS
L 522 FLANCES
V5140
7.50 P I 1 0
HCLIUY LINE 5*2 FLANCES
4W-R
LINE 5S6 FLANU8
*- VWaA vu90
LUE C O O T W E E S
I
0
V410
-. INES 844f.O,84Ys 6FLY(QES
- V411
INE 644H. 2 FLANGfS
w. v432
INL M40,0,E, 6 CLANOES
AS BUILT
V4I3 CHANGES
-. INE 044C, 2 F L A N W UTI 9-23-64
-. v434
INL 830 fLANOC8
v435
435 .WE 831 FLAN*CS .I
- V4M
INK a16 CLANCC
v4.37
-. IYC 0 4 6 FLLINIC
.INK 8 4 0 CLANS€
v41*
-. INE 841 CLANOE
I
**
k
I
351
Table 11.1. Bak Detector System Headers

~~
Connected Bak
Header No. General Service Detector Lines
401 Reactor c e l l freeze flanges NOS. 410 - 419

402 Reactor c e l l gas lines -
NOS. 4-20 429
403 Reactor c e l l water lines NOS. 430 - 439
404 Miscellaneous reactor c e l l flanges NOS. 440 - 449
405 Drain tank c e l l gas lines -
NOS. 450 459
406 Drain tank c e l l steam and water lines NOS. 460 - 469
407 Miscellaneous NOS. 470 - 479
408 Fuel processing c e l l -
NOS. 480 489
f
352
4iigd:
and r e a c t o r neck flanges (Lines 443 through 446). Lines 443 through 446 -
have two valves i n s e r i e s at the header. Lines 444 through 449 have dis-
connect couplings inside the c e l l . Lines 447, 448, and 449 a r e spare A
l i n e s f o r the r e a c t o r c e l l .
Header 405 i s used t o monitor gas piping flanges i n the drain tank
cell. Line 450 i s a spare leak detector l i n e t o this c e l l . Lines 451
through 459 have two valves in s e r i e s at the header.
Header 406 serves the drain tank c e l l steam and water piping flanges.
Lines 460 through 465 a r e used f o r this purpose and the remaining four
l i n e s serve as spares f o r the drain tank c e l l .
Header 407 i s used f o r flanges c l a s s i f i e d as miscellaneous. These
include t h e coolant salt circula.ting pump upper and lower flanges (IRak
Detector Lines 470 and 471), and flanges a t the gas c o n t r o l valves i n t h e
coolant c e l l and i n the vent house (kak Detector Lines 472, 473, and
479). Lines 474 through 476 monitor flanges on the f u e l drain tanks.
These three l i n e s have disconnects i n s i d e the drain tank c e l l . U e s 473
through 476 have two valves in s e r i e s a t the header. Line 478 is a spare
l i n e t o the coolant c e l l .
Header 408 monitors flanges in the f u e l processing c e l l . Lines 480
and 481 serve flanges on the c o n t r o l valves HCv-692 and HCv-694. Lines 482
and 483 are i n s t a l l e d spares t o the e l e c t r i c a l service area. Lines 484 and
489 are spares.
A l l eight of the above-mentioned headers a r e connected through hand
valves t o Line 400, which leads t o the 500-cc tank through a normally
closed block valve, V-4-00. A d i f f e r e n t i a l - p r e s s u r e c e l l , PaT-4-00, con-
nected between this tank and Line 4-00, senses small changes in the header
pressure compared t o t h e tank pressure. In addition, Line 400 has a high
and 1m pressure switch which annunciates an alarm on t h e main c o n t r o l
panel i n event of deviation from the 90 t o 110 psig s e t range.
11.3 Headers
Each header c o n s i s t s of a 19-1/2-in. long section of 1-1/2-in. sched

i
40, 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l pipe, capped a t each end (see ORNL drawing
D-JJ-D-55403). A l-l/4-in,-diam s t a i n l e s s s t e e l rod i s enclosed i n s i d e
353
e
u each header t o reduce the free volume. To assure t h a t this inserted
rod does not block any of the l e a k detector openings, three equally
spaced w i r e s , 0.040-in. d i m , are tack welded the length of the insert
t o space it c e n t r a l l y within the header pipe. The free volume of any
branch was limited so that the response t i m e f o r a leak of 1 cc/min
would not be less than 0.5 psi/hr (p 2 Ref 145).
There are t h i r t e e n 1/4-in. OD x 0.083-in. w a l l thickness tubes
welded t o each header. To these a r e connected the t e n l e a k detector
l i n e s , the helium supply from Line 514, the connection t o Line 400 and
t h e tank, and a l i n e t o a pressure gage.
11.4 Valves
Each tubing l i n e contains a miniature, bellows -sealed hand valve

(Hoke, Type 480). These valves were salvaged from the Homogeneous Reactor
Test (BE-2) and were completely inspected, reconditioned and t e s t e d .
Leak detector l i n e s which monitor flanges i n d i r e c t contact with radio-
a c t i v e gases have two of these valves i n s t a l l e d i n series a t the header
so t h a t t h e inner valve can be closed t o i s o l a t e the system while the
operational valve is being repaired.
11.5 Disconnects
I n t h e cases where flanges inside the reactor c e l l must have both

faces removed t o e f f e c t a maintenance procedure, the associated leak de-
t e c t o r l i n e s must have nearby disconnects which can be operated by remote
tooling. These couplings must be as f r e e as possible from any leakage.
The design selected f o r use i n the =RE, as shown i n Fig. 11.5, was
J'
developed i n t h e ORNL Chemical Technology Division and i n t h e Reactor D i -

vis ion. The sealing p r i n c i p l e is based on e l a s t i c deformation of a
'polished metal cone when inserted i n a polished seat. The block on which
the male cone is mounted and t h e block containing the matching seat are
of t h e proper dimensions t o make contact t o prevent t h e cone from being
jammed i n t o t h e seat and deformed p l a s t i c a l l y . The two blocks are held
together by a simple but positive yoke assembly. The s i n g l e b o l t on
t h i s yoke f a c i l i t a t e s operation by remotely handled t o o l s .
.
354
Unclassified
ORNL DWG 6-4-8835
A = Plpe or tubing bore, 2 0.0025 in.

B = Major male diameter boss before taper, +O.OOO
C = Major fansle diameter before rounding entrance
-
0.001 i n .
+Oo - --
edge, + 0.001 0.OOO in.
D = no, 1/2:, included angle tapered cone.
E = 23-l/2O, + 1/2 Oo, included angle tapered hole.
"1
A t-
_. _.
Trepan l/&s-in.
-us 'I
I
L
x 3-in. Bolt
I 4
l r e
I I
+" l d - i n . square
AA J section AA
A 0.250 0.375 0.500 0.625 0.750

B 0 398 0.533 0.668 0.803 0 0938
C 0.400 0-535 0.670 0.805 0.935
Contact 0 0035 0.040 0.045 0.050 0.055
Well
Figure 11.5. Leak Detector System Block Disconnects w i t h Yoke.

355
c
u Tests made during development of the coupling indicate that a leak
rate of less than loo6 cc/sec (STP) can be expected even a f t e r the joint
r has been broken and remade t h i r t y times or more. These tests were made
at room te~nperature.’~~A t temperatures of a few hundred degrees (OF),
it was indicated that the joint might be manipulated at l e a s t twenty times
before the leak r a t e was increased. It i s anticipated that all plIsRE dis-
,
~
I connects w i l l operate at the c e l l ambient temperature of about 150°F. A
- light coating of an alcohol-graphite mixture i s recommended f o r the cone

before the joints are made.
c
11.6 meal =ak Detectors
. The flanges in the fuel and coolant pumg lubricating o i l systems

are provided w i t h local leak detector connections t o which helium gas
cylinders can be connected when a leak is suspected. This leak detection
arrangement is not connected t o the reactor leak detector system. Each
of the lube o i l packages contains nine local leak check points, see the
lubricating o i l flowsheet, Fig. 5.25 (ORNL drawing D-AA-A-40885).
.
C
356
12. OFF-GAS D1SPOSA.L SYSTEM

G.
The off-gas f a c i l i t y provides f o r t h e s a f e disposal of radioactive
gases discharged from t h e MSRE. The system handles t h r e e d i f f e r e n t types
of gas flow: (1)t h e continuous discharge of helium containing highly
radioactive fission-product gases swept from t h e f u e l s a l t c i r c u l a t i n g
pump bowl; (2) intermittent, r e l a t i v e l y l a r g e flows of helium containing,
a t times, s i g n i f i c a n t amounts of radioactive gases and p a r t i c u l a t e s , such
as t h a t discharged during s a l t t r a n s f e r operations; and (3) flows of up t o
100 cfm of very low a c t i v i t y c e l l atmosphere gas (5% 02’ 95% N2), which
is ejected e i t h e r i n t e r m i t t e n t l y o r continuously t o maintain t h e r e a c t o r
and d r a i n tank c e l l s a t sub-atmospheric pressure.
The unstable isotopes of iodine and bromine r e s u l t i n g f r o m t h e f i s -
,
sioning of t h e 23%J i n t h e f u e l s a l t l a r g e l y remain i n t h e s a l t solution
as complex halides u n t i l they decay t o elemental xenon and krypton. Since
it i s d e s i r a b l e t o remove t h e l3?Xe from t h e f u e l s a l t c i r c u l a t i n g system
because of i t s high cross s e c t i o n f o r capture of neutrons ( a = 3.5 x 10 b ) ,
6
it and other fission-product gases a r e swept *om t h e f i e 1 pump bowl by a
helium gas flow of about 4 liters/min (0.13 cfm a t SW). When operating
a t t h e 10-Mw r e a c t o r power l e v e l , t h e a c t i v i t y of t h i s stream leaving t h e
pump i s about 280 curies/sec.
148
The gases a r e held i n t h e piping f o r about two hours for t h e s h o r t -
l i v e d isotopes t o decay. They then pass i n t o a water-cooled bed of a c t i -
vated charcoal. The adsorbed xenon i s retained i n t h e bed f o r a t l e a s t
90 days and t h e krypton i s held f o r 7-1/2 days o r more. W i n g t h i s time,
e s s e n t i a l l y a l l t h e fission-product gases decay t o s t a b l e elements, some
of which a r e s o l i d s that remain i n t h e charcoal. Only t h r e e radioactive
isotopes, 85Kr, 13%e and 13?Xe, e x i s t i n any s i g n i f i c a n t amounts i n t h e
helium c a r r i e r gas leaving t h e charcoal bed. (See Table 12.1) Of these,
t h e 85Kr with i t s half-life of 10.27 years, i s of t h e g r e a t e r concern.
The maximum discharge rate o f t h i s isotope i s 5 c u r i e s per day.
The e f f l u e n t from t h e charcoal bed i s monitored f o r a c t i v i t y before
passing through roughing f i l t e r s and then absolute f i l t e r s having an e f -
f i c i e n c y of 99.9% f o r p a r t i c l e s greater than 3 microns i n s i z e . The gas
357
Table 12.1 Design Data Off-Gas Disposal System
Charcoal Adsorber Beds

Off-gas charcoal beds (four sections)
Design flow (two sections), cf’m 0.15
Design temperature, 0F 250
Xenon holdup (minimum for two sections), days 90
Heat load, (two sections) kw 10
Charcoal bulk volume, (two sections) f’t 3 44
Charcoal weight, (two sections) lbs 1450
Length (each section), 1-1/2 in. pipe, f’t 80
3 in. pipe, f’t 80
6 in. pipe, ft 84
Over-all pressure drop, psi 1.5
Auxiliary charcoal bed
Design flow, cf’m 1
0
Design temperature, F 85
Charcoal bulk volume, f’t 3 16
8
Charcoal weight, lbs 530
Length, 6 in. pipe, f’t 80
Over-all pressure drop, p s i 1.25
Capacity at breakthrough, f’t3 , stp 144
Stack Fans (two)
Horsepower 50
Capacity at 11.5 in. water, cfm 21,000
~ Design flow rate,-cfm 20,000
Exit roughing filter
Type Fiberglass, deep
bed pocket
2
Area, ft 350 for each of
3 banks
Depth, in. 1/2 of 3.25 micron
fiber dia
1/2 of 1.25 micron
fiber dia
.
358
Table 12.1 (Continued 1 ei

Efficiency 90-958by NBS test a-
with atmospheric dust
Initial pressure drop, in. of water 0.6 @20 ft/ain
Absolute filter
m e Fiberglass, high
efficiency
2
Area, f't 24 for each of 3
banks
Depth, in. 1142
Efficiency 99.97% > 0.3 micron
Initial pressure drop, in. of water 1.05 @ 280 f't/min
Stack
Height, f't 100
Diameter, ft 4 at bottom, tapering
to 3 at 25 f't elev.
3 for top 75 ft
Activities leaving stack, pc/cc
83"Kr (Half-life 114 m) 7.0 x 10-l'
85% 'I 4.36 h 1.0 x lo-8
85Kr II 11
10.27 y 6.2 x
88Kr 'I I' 2.77
.. h 1.3 x
88Rb I1 11
17.8 m 1.2 x 1Q-l1
'I
l3l"ke 12.0 d 1.0 x
133"ke I' 'I
2.3 d 6.3 LO-^^
'33xe 11 11
6.1 10-7
5.27 d
Expected dilution to maximum 4
-10
ground concentration
359
.cd i s massively d i l u t e d with atmospheric a i r and discharged f r o m t h e top of

a 100-ft-high s t a c k about 110 ft south of Building 7w3. The concentration
-- of 83Kk i n t h e s t a c k discharge i s a maximum of 6.2 x 10-6 microcuries/cc,
I
which i s within t h e accepted tolerance l e v e l . The ground l e v e l concen-

t r a t i o n i s estimated t o be l e s s than t h i s by a f a c t o r that may be as great
as 10,000.
I n addition t o t h e f u e l pump bowl, other equipment vented t o t h e o f f -

gas system includes: t h e t h r e e f u e l s a l t d r a i n tanks i n t h e d r a i n tank
c e l l , t h e f u e l pump s h a f t s e a l seepage i n t h e r e a c t o r c e l l , t h e graphite
sampler, a l s o i n t h e r e a c t o r c e l l , t h e sampler-enricher i n t h e high-bay
. area, t h e coolant s a l t pump s e a l and pump bowl i n t h e coolant c e l l , t h e
two l u b r i c a t i n g o i l system packages i n t h e service tunnel area, t h e coolant
salt d r a i n tank i n t h e coolant d r a i n c e l l , and t h e reactor and drain tank
containment c e l l s themselves.
Design data for t h e off-gas system a r e summarized i n Table 12.1.
The schematic diagram i n Fig. 12.1 and t h e following b r i e f o u t l i n e
of t h e course of t h e f u e l c i r c u l a t i n g pump bowl off-gas l i n e , and t h e
equipment associated with it, w i l l serve a s a general description of t h e
off-gas system. The gases leave t h e bowl through a 1/2-in. s t a i n l e s s
s t e e l pipe, l i n e 522. The pipe s i z e changes t o 4 i n . a t t h e disconnect
. flange and p a r t i a l l y c i r c l e s t h e inside w a l l of t h e containment vessel.
The t o t a l length of b i n . pipe i s about 68 ft, which includes a serpen-
c t i n e section, and provides a holdup volume of about 6 f t 3 . This i s suf-
f i c i e n t f o r about one hour's delay f o r t h e decay of fission-product
isotopes. A 4-rt horizontal length of t h e 4-in. l i n e 522 i s enclosed
i n a 6-in. sched 10 pipe a t t h e 831-ft elevation and 400-600 s c f b
containment atmosphere gas (93%N
2'
5% 02) i s introduced through l i n e
960 i n t o t h e annular space t o help cool t h e off-gas.
The off-gas l i n e continues through t h e r e a c t o r c e l l wall penetration
a s 1/2-in. pipe and across t h e coolant s a l t areas as 1/4-in. pipe encased
i n a 3/4-in. pipe, which, i n turn, i s surrounded by about 4 i n . of l e a d
shielding. Line 522 then passes through valves i n a pressure-tight
UNCUS5 IFlED
RESTRICTOR\ I ORNL OWQ. 64-594R
HELIUM
SUPPLY
BUILDING
n Ld
0
--------
REACTOR CELL
SYSTEM BLOWER FILTER
0
21,000 cfm FAN
HELIUM 1
SUPPLY
'DRAINS REACTOR ON HIGH ACTIVITY
Fig. 12.1. Schematic Diagram of Off-Gas System.
c
instrument box located i n t h e lower portion of t h e vent house. From here
it continues a s a 1/4-in. pipe i n an underground shielded duct t o an under-
ground valve box and then t o t h e charcoal bed c e l l . This c e l l i s located
below grade j u s t south o f t h e vent house, a s shown i n Fig. 3.2. The c e l l
was an e x i s t i n g f a c i l i t y consisting of a 1 0 - f t - d i m x 22.7-ft-deep re-
inforced concrete p i t with a 3-f't t h i c k removable concrete cover.
The off-gas pipe, l i n e 522, connects t o t h r e e v e r t i c a l 20-f't high
U-tubes of 3-in. pipe which provide about 7 f't3 of holdup volume and an
a d d i t i o n a l one hour of residence time. The gas then enters one o f two
a c t i v a t e d charcoal beds, t h e other bed a c t i n g a s a spare. Each of t h e
two beds consist of two v e r t i c a l sections of U-tubes w i t h t h e pipe s i z e
varying f r o m 1-1/2 i n . t o 6 i n . , and each containing about 22 f t 3 of
a c t i v a t e d charcoal. The charcoal bed c e l l i s f i l l e d w i t h water and t h e
beds a r e cooled by t h e wa%er flow through t h e c e l l .
The e f f l u e n t from t h e charcoal beds, wnich consists primarily of t h e
helium c a r r i e r gas*, flows through an underground 1/2-in. pipe t o an under-
ground valve box and then t o a f i l t e r p i t located about 75 f't south of
Building 7503. (See Fig. 9 and Section 4.7) The reinforced concrete
f i l t e r p i t i s about 21 x 29 ft, varies from 3-1/2 f't. t o 7-1/2 ft i n depth,
and i s covered by 1-1/2-ft-thick concrete roof plugs. The off-gas mixes
w i t h about 21,000 cfm. of a i r drawn through t h e f i l t e r s by a 50-hp fan
(an i d e n t i c a l fan i s i n s t a l l e d a s a s p a r e ) and, thus massively d i l u t e d ,
is discharged f'rom a 3 - f ' t - d i a m x 100-ft-high s t e e l s t a c k located about
110 f't south of Building 7503.
O f f - g a s vented fYom other p o i n t s i n t h e MSRE system i s handled
s i m i l a r l y and u t i l i z e s &ch of t h e same equipment. The gas discharged
fYom t h e f u e l d r a i n tanks flows through a 1/2-in. pipe crossing t h e
coolant s a l t a r e a t o t h e aforementioned instrument box a t t h e vent house,
and t o an a u x i l i a r y charcoal bed located i n t h e charcoal bed c e l l . The
isotopes i n t h i s stream have already decayed t o reduce t h e heat r e l e a s e
rate s u f f i c i e n t l y t o permit use of l a r g e r diameter pipe f o r t h i s charcoal
*There a r e no provisions i n t h e MSRE for processing and reuse of

helium. Consideration has been given t o adding t h i s f a c i l i t y l a t e r i n
t h e experiment e
bed. Two v e r t i c a l u - t u b e sections of 6-in. pipe contain about 16 ft3 of
a c t i v a t e d charcoal. The outflow of t h i s bed j o i n s t h e flow from t h e main
charcoal beds, and other off-gas streams, and i s monitored, f i l t e r e d and
d i l u t e d before discharge up t h e off-gas s t a c k t o t h e atmosphere.
Cover gas vented from t h e coolant s a l t c i r c u l a t i n g pump bowl and
from t h e coolant salt d r a i n tank bypasses t h e charcoal beds i n t h e o f f -
gas system, but i s monitored and f i l t e r e d before discharge.
The c e l l atmosphere gas i s evacuated from t h e r e a c t o r containment
v e s s e l and t h e d r a i n tank c e l l by blowers located i n t h e s p e c i a l equip-
ment room. The blower discharge, after passing through a gas cooler, i s
f o r t h e most p a r t , returned t o t h e c e l l s t o cool s p e c i f i c items o f equip-
ment, such as t h e upper portion of t h e f i e 1 c i r c u l a t i n g pump bowl. (The
component cooling system i s described i n Section 16.) A small s i d e stream
o f t h e blower discharge i s vented through t h e off-gas system t o atmosphere
t o maintain t h e c e l l s below atmospheric pressure. This 1-1/2-in. line
passes through t h e vent house, where t h e gas i s monitored, and may be
sampled when necessary, before being f i l t e r e d and discharged up t h e s t a c k .
The f i l t e r s , s t a c k fans, and s t a c k a r e described i n Section 1 3 .
12.2 Flowsheet
The off-gas system flowsheet i s shown i n Fig. 12.2 (ORNL Dwg D-AA-A-
40883). The o r i g i n of t h e l i n e s venting t o t h e off-gas system a r e , i n
general, not shown i n Fig. 12.2, but on t h e flowsheets fbr t h e p a r t i c u l a r
i t e m s o f equipment involved.
The off-gas l i n e from t h e f u e l c i r c u l a t i n g pump bowl, l i n e 522, i s
1/2-in. pipe but changes t o b i n . pipe a short distance from t h e pump and
extends f o r about 68 ft inside t h e r e a c t o r c e l l t o provide a holdup volume
o f about 6 f t3 and a residence t i m e of about one hour. The l i n e continues
a s 1/2-in. pipe through t h e c e l l w a l l penetration and across t h e coolant
d r a i n c e l l as 1/4-in. pipe t o an instrument box located i n t h e lower
portion of t h e vent house. I n t h i s box t h e flow passes through a hand
valve, V-522-A, a porous f i l t e r , and then a pressure c o n t r o l valve,
PCV-522. This valve maintains a constant pressure of -
5 psig i n the
--
pump bowl by t h r o t t l i n g t h e sweep gas discharge. (The flow r a t e of t h e
363 i
VENT HOUSE
I 4
No. I
g
4 CWRC'IAL
urvn :vu0
I
I
I VENT nous I
'I
9
izi-
MFILTRLTOU
r
'C
'JFF GAS SYSTEM 8 CMAINMENT VENT.
BATE 9-21-64
a
I_-
# I
.................. ..-... " ..- ............. l-l-ll.l""11 .w .
. ................ , . .----..-.- .... I..... ---. ". .
364
sweep gas i s l a r g e l y determined by t h e control valve and flow indicator

3
L
on t h e helium supply t o t h e pump bowl l i n e 516.) Provisions a r e made a t
each s i d e of the pressure control valve f o r a future gas sampling s t a t i o n k
(valves V-522-B and V-522-C). A d i f f e r e n t i a l pressure c e l l , P~I-556, i s

connected a t t h i s point and t o l i n e 557 downstream of t h e charcoal bed t o
indicate the pressure drop due t o gas flow across t h e bed.
O i l seeping past t h e lower r o t a r y shaft s e a l on t h e f u e l circulating
pump flows through t h e 1/2-in. l i n e 524 t o outside t h e reactor c e l l and
t o an o i l catch tank i n t h e s p e c i a l equipment room. Line 524 i s shielded 7
with 1-1/2 i n . of lead inside t h e reactor c e l l t o protect t h e o i l from

8-
radiation damage. The estimated o i l flow i s l e s s than 40 cc/day and

t
t h e accompanying helium flow i s about 0.07 liters/min. The o i l
catch tank, waste o i l receiver and connecting piping a r e shown on t h e
f u e l salt circulating system flowsheet, Fig. 5.3. The equipment i s de-
scribed i n Section 5.4.1.5. The gas flow leaving t h e o i l catch tank,
stripped of o i l , passes through a sintered disc f i l t e r , a c a p i l l i a r y
flow r e s t r i c t o r which l i m i t s t h e flow t o t h e above-mentioned 0.07 l i t e r s /
min, and a c a p i l l i a r y flowmeter, Fa-524. Line 524 continues as a 1/2-in.
sched 40 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l pipe t o the instrument box i n t h e vent house,
I
where it changes t o 1/4-in. pipe. The l i n e contains a branch connection
a t t h i s point leading t o a sampling valve, V-524. After passing through
a check valve, CV-524, l i n e 524 joins the above-mentioned l i n e 522 down-
stream of the control valve, PCV-522.
Continuing w i t h the discussion of t h e off-gas l i n e f r o m t h e f u e l
pump bowl, l i n e 522, a 1/4-in. sched 40 pipe leads from PCV-522 i n t h e
instrument box through t h e underground valve box t o t h e hold-up U-tubes
i n t h e charcoal bed c e l l . This water-cooled volume of about 7 ft3 pro-
vides an additional one hour of delay time and reduces t h e amount of
heat emission that would be generated i n t h e charcoal beds. The gas
leaves t h e holdup volume v i a l i n e 556, a 1/2-in. pipe connection t o t h e
d i s t r i b u t i n g header for t h e main charcoal beds, l i n e 550.
Lines 620, 621, 622 and 623, each containing a hand valve, lead
f'rom t h e off-gas d i s t r i b u t i n g header t o each o f t h e four sections of t h e
main charcoal bed. Each of t h e four sections contains about 22 t'f 3 of
activated charcoal. Any two of t h e four sections a r e capable of handling
4.
r,
e
"I..- .... . . . . . . . ." , . . . . . . . . . . , . ~...I ...... I..-- --
365
t h e continuous off-gas flow of N 4.25 liters/min. The header, l i n e 550,

a l s o has a capped-tee connection for t h e possible f u t u r e addition of a
helium recycle p l a n t .
The gas discharge l i n e s *om t h e f o u r sections of t h e charcoal bed,
l i n e s 624, 625, 626 and 627, each contain a hand valve i n a valve box
adjacent t o t h e charcoal bed c e l l and has an extension t o bring t h e handle
t o grade l e v e l . The four l i n e s j o i n t o form l i n e 557, which has a tem-
porary vacuum connection, valve V-577-A, a check valve, CV-557-A, a hand
block valve, V-577-B, and a r a d i a t i o n monitor, RIA-557. On indication of
an abnormal l e v e l of a c t i v i t y t h i s monitor would cause closure of t h e block
valve, HCV-557-C. The off-gas l i n e from t h e a u x i l i a r y charcoal bed, l i n e
562, and t h e vent from t h e cooling s a l t d r a i n tank and t h e l u b r i c a t i n g o i l
storage tanks, l i n e 560, connects t o l i n e 557 upstream of t h e r a d i a t i o n
monitor.
The off-gas vented from t h e fuel d r a i n tanks and t h e f l u s h s a l t tank
flows through l i n e s 573, 575 and 577, respectively, t o form l i n e 561 lead-
ing t o t h e off-gas system. Each of these t h r e e l i n e s contains a control
valve, as shown on t h e f u e l d r a i n tank system flowsheet, Fig. 6.1. Line
561 i s contained within a 1 - i n . pipe i n i t s route from the drain tank c e l l ,
through t h e r e a c t o r c e l l and coolant d r a i n c e l l , t o t h e instrument box i n
. t h e vent house. It continues a s a 1/2-in. l i n e from t h i s box t o t h e valve
p i t and then t o t h e a u x i l i a r y charcoal bed i n t h e charcoal bed c e l l .
During initial filling of t h e fuel system with s a l t it w i l l be
necessary t o vent a r e l a t i v e l y large volume of cover gas f r o m t h e system
a t flow r a t e s of up t o about 1 cfm (STP). This can be accomplished through
s
I l i n e 533, which connects t h e f u e l pump bowl vent, l i n e 522, with t h e COP-
nection t o t h e a u x i l i a r y charcoal bed, l i n e $1. This 1/2-in. cross con-

nection contains a check valve t o prevent back flow, CV-533, and a control
valve, HCV-533.
The gas vented f’romthe sampler-enricher through l i n e 542 i s shown on
t h e fuel system process flowsheet, Fig. 5.3. This 1/2-in. pipe j o i n s l i n e
561 i n s i d e t h e r e a c t o r c e l l and is vented through t h e a u x i l i a r y charcoal
c
bed along with t h e gases from t h e d r a i n tanks, e t c .
The 1-1/2-in. c e l l evacuation connection, l i n e 565, leading from t h e
w discharge of t h e blowers i n t h e s p e c i a l equipment room t o t h e vent house,
x
*
366
f i l t e r p i t and stack, i s cross connected through l i n e 5 7 1 t o l i n e 561.

(Line 565 w i l l be described subsequently.) This connection, which con-
t a i n s a check valve, CV-571, and a hand valve V-571, allows t h e r e a c t o r -.
c e l l t o be evacuated through t h e a u x i l i a r y charcoal bed i f t h e r e has been
a r e l e a s e of a c t i v i t y within t h e c e l l .
The 1/2-in. effluent from t h e a u x i l i a r y charcoal bed flows through
l i n e 562, which joins l i n e 557 and 565 i n t h e vent house upstream of t h e
r a d i a t i o n monitor and block valve, f o r discharge through t h e f i l t e r s and
up t h e stack. Before making the juncture, l i n e 562 contains a hand valve
i n t h e valve p i t a t t h e charcoal bed c e l l , v-562-~, a check valve i n t h e
vent house, CV-562, followed by another hand valve v-562-c. Upstream of
t h e check valve, a valved connection, V-562-B, i s provided a s a temporary
vacuum connection. c
The coolant d r a i n tank, CDT, i s vented t o t h e off-gas system through
l i n e 527, and then through l i n e 547 and control valve HCV-547, t o j o i n
l i n e 560. These l i n e s , and those described i n t h e next two paragraphs,
a r e shown on t h e coolant system flowsheet, Fig. 8.1.
The coolant s a l t c i r c u l a t i n g pump, CP, has i t s bowl vented through
l i n e 528. This 1/2-in. pipe i s provided with a porous f i l t e r ahead of
t h e control valve, PCV-528. This control valve has a maximum capacity of
0.623 liters/min. It i s followed downstream by a check valve, cv-528 .
(located i n t h e vent house), and a r a d i a t i o n monitor, RIA-528. The check
valve prevents backflow from l i n e 560. The monitor provides an e a r l y warn-
ing i n event t h e coolant s a l t c i r c u l a t i n g system becomes contaminated -
through a l e a k i n t h e main heat exchanger. It a l s o indicates whether a
r a d i a t i o n alarm by t h e monitor on l i n e 557 i s a t t r i b u t a b l e t o such a heat
.
exchanger leak o r t o contaminants from other p o t e n t i a l sources which flow
p a s t t h i s monitor.
The gas space o f t h e coolant s a l t d r a i n tank and t h e vapor space i n
t h e coolant salt c i r c u l a t i n g pump bowl have t h e pressure equalized by being
interconnected through l i n e 536 and HCV-536, which j o i n s t h e above-mentioned
d r a i n tank vent, l i n e s 527 and 917, with t h e pump bowl vent, l i n e 528. !The
connection t o l i n e 528 i s upstream of t h e f i l t e r i n order t o bypass it and
t h e control valve, PCV-528, when t h e system i s being f i l l e d with s a l t . An
bjl
P
-
367
e
w a d d i t i o n a l 1/2-in. cross connection i s made between these two l i n e s through
l i n e 527 and HCV-527, t o permit t h e rapid exchange of cover gas for quick
drainage of t h e coolant s a l t from t h e c i r c u l a t i n g system.
Line 534 from t h e vapor space of t h e coolant c i r c u l a t i n g pump o i l
supply tank, OT-2, i s shown on t h e o i l system flowsheet, Fig. 5.25. (ORNL
D-AA-A-40885) This l i n e contains a hand valve, V-534-A, and a pressure
control valve, PCV-51O-A2. This control valve i s set t o open a t a s l i g h t l y
higher pressure than t h e normal operating pressure i n t h e tank (- 10 p s i g ) ,
and thus serves t o p r o t e c t t h e tank from a pressure buildup due t o a leaky
cover-gas supply valve, PCV-5lO-Al. The c o n t r o l valve i s followed by a
check valve, CV-534, a hand valve, V-534-B, and two capped sample t a p s .
These t a p s can be used t o check f o r leakage through t h e check valve. The
t hand valves on each s i d e of t h e control and check valves permit i s o l a t i o n
f o r maintenance purposes. The vented gas from t h e f u e l c i r c u l a t i n g pump
o i l supply tank, OT-1, i s s i m i l a r l y equipped, as shown on t h e same flow-
sheet, and j o i n s l i n e '334 downstream of t h e valve, V-534-B, f o r routing
across t h e coolant c e l l t o combine w i t h t h e aforementioned l i n e '327.
In summary, l i n e 560 vents off-gas f'rom t h e coolant d r a i n tank, t h e
coolant pump bowl, t h e coolant pump o i l catch tank, and t h e f i e 1 and coolant
pump l u b r i c a t i n g o i l supply tanks. The vented gas flows p a s t a r a d i a t i o n
monitor-controlled block valve, HCV-5574, t o t h e f i l t e r p i t f o r subsequent
d i l u t i o n and discharge up t h e off-gas stack.
A p o r t i o n o f t h e gas discharged by t h e component cooling system
blowers, described i n Section 16, i s diverted through l i n e 565 t o t h e o f f -
gas system t o maintain t h e r e a c t o r and d r a i n tank c e l l s below atmospheric
pressure. (The point where l i n e 563 branches f'rom l i n e
917 is shown on t h e
fie1 system flowsheet, Fig. 5.3. The remainder o f l i n e $5 i s shown on t h e
off-gas system flowsheet, Fig. 12.2.) Line $5 passes from t h e s p e c i a l
equipment roan through t h e coolant d r a i n c e l l t o t h e vent house, where it
contains a r a d i a t i o n monitor, RIA-$5. A 3/4-in. branch connection down-
stream of t h e monitor, l i n e 566, permits returning 20 t o 100 cfm ( S W ) of
t h e gas back t o t h e component cooling system v i a lines 922 and 930. Line
'rt 566 contains a check valve, cv-566, t o prevent backflow, and a hand valve,
V-566. The remainder of t h e c e l l atmosphere gas (3% 02, 95% N2) flows
W
through a control block valve, which receives i t s s i g n a l from t h e r a d i a t i o n
a
. monitor.
368
The reactor c e l l can be evacuated i n t e r m i t t e n t l y a t - 100 cfm (STP)

through valve V-565-c and check valve CV-565, o r by a continuous small
flow of about 1 liter/min through a bypass around V-565, l i n e 569. This
1/4-in. bypass l i n e contains a ceramic f i l t e r , two hand valves, V-569-A
V-569-B, a check valve CV-569, and a wet t e s t meter t o measure flow,
F~I-369. Sample t a p s on l i n e 565 and on l i n e 569, w i t h valves V-565-B
and V-569-~, respectively, allow i n s t a l l a t i o n of a sample bomb between
t h e two p o i n t s . The aforementioned l i n e 557 connects t o l i n e 565 i n
t h e vent house before it continues t o t h e f i l t e r p i t .
12.3 Holdup Volumes
The highly radioactive gas *om t h e f u e l c i r c u l a t i n g pump bowl i s

held up f o r about 1-1/2 hrs t o allow t h e short-lived fission-product
isotopes t o decay and thereby reduce t h e heat generated i n t h e charcoal
bed.
Based on an average off-gas temperature i n s i d e t h e r e a c t o r c e l l
piping o f WOOF, a s p e c i f i c a c t i v i t y i n t h e gas of 0.15 watts/cc, an
ambient c e l l temperature of 1P0F, and an average temperature of 100°F
f o r t h e gas i n t h e charcoal bed holdup volume, t h e t o t a l holdup volume
requirement w a s estimated t o be about 13 f t 3 . The minimum holdup time
i s one hour. 148 A t design flow r a t e s , 13 ft3 o f holdup volume provides
1-1/2 h r s of residence time.
F
About 6 f't3 of t h e holdup volume i s provided i n s i d e t h e r e a c t o r c e l l -
upstream o f t h e pressure c o n t r o l valve PCV-522. This volume not only
allows for t h e decay of fission-product gases and d i s s i p a t i o n o f heat t o
t h e c e l l atmosphere gas, but a c t s as a surge volume t o provide f o r b e t t e r
a c t i o n of t h e pressure control valve. 148 The holdup volume c o n s i s t s of
68 ft of 4 i n . , 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l , sched 40 pipe. The 4 i n . pipe c i r c l e s
t h e c e l l wall counter clockwise a t t h e 831-1/2 f't elevation u n t i l reaching
t h e north s i d e of t h e c e l l where it doubles back i n a f l a t "S" bend,
dropping it t o t h e 829-1/2 f't elevation. The pipe continues downstream
a t t h i s elevation and bends up t o terminate a t a pipe reducer where t h e
l i n e s i z e again becomes 1/2 i n . t o leave t h e r e a c t o r c e l l through t h e w a l l
penetration. On t h e other s i d e of t h e wall t h e l i n e continues as 1/4-in.
369
kd sched 40 pipe contained within 3/4-in. sched 40 pipe. The 3/4-in. pipe
i s sealed a t t h e c e l l wall but open t o t h e instrument box i n t h e vent
house.
Additional holdup volume i s provided i n t h e charcoal bed c e l l i n t h e
form o f s i x 19.8-ft lengths of 3-in. sched 10, 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l , pipe
connected i n t h r e e v e r t i c a l U-tube configurations, with 180' bends a t t h e
bottom and each l e g capped a t t h e top. The U-tubes a r e connected i n s e r i e s
by 1/2-in. piping t o give a t o t a l volume of about 7 n3. (See ORNL Dwg.
E-JJ-A-41519) The U-tubes a r e immersed i n water f o r cooling, a s i s t h e
other equipment i n t h e charcoal bed c e l l .
12.4 Off-Gas Charcoal Beds
12.4.1 Main Charcoal Beds
The radioactive fission-product gases i n t h e off-gas stream have an

average residence time on t h e activated charcoal o f about 9 days for t h e
xenon and 7-l/2 days f o r t h e krypton.
The charcoal beds were designed on t h e b a s i s of a 10-Mw r e a c t o r power
l e v e l , assumption of 3-gpm complete removal of fission-product gases
fiom f b e l s a l t i n t h e pump bowl and a 2.3 f't3 of gas space i n t h e pump
bowl a t 1200'F. The maximum r a t e of helium purge gas flow was taken a s
6,000 l i t e r s / 2 4 h r s (STP). The m i n i m u m holdup time f o r t h e xenon w a s
fixed a t 9 days and the corresponding time for t h e krypton a s 7-l/2 days.
0
The maximum allowable charcoal bed temperature was assumed t o be 250 F and
t h e maximum cooling water temperature a s about 85 F. 148 Flow r a t e s t o t h e
charcoal bed were calculated by t h e method o f Stevenson,149 using nuclear
data from Blomeke and Todd. lW Data sheets were prepared using an e x i s t -
ing IBM 7090 program. The a c t i v i t y of t h e xenon and krypton a s a
function of time a f t e r leaving t h e pump bowl, t h e charcoal bed temperature
f o r various flow r a t e s , and t h e a c t i v i t y leaving t h e off-gas stack a s a
function of holdup time, a r e shown i n Figs. 12.3, 12.4, and 12.5. (An
o u t l i n e of t h e calculation procedures i s given i n Ref. 148.) The atom
flow r a t e s f o r a minimum flow of 1,000 l i t e r s / d a y and maximum flow of
5,000 l i t e r s / d a y , a r e given i n Table 12.2.
bd
E
.
370
Unclassified c;
ORNL ISWG 64-8836
Note: A t 10 Mw, 50 glpn By-Pass Flow and

5,000 l i t e r s / d a y Sweep Gas Flow
lo13
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Time After Leaving Bowl, Hrs
Figure 12.3. Activlty of Fission-Product Isotopes of

Xenon and Krypton in Pump B o w l O f f - G a s .
371
Unclassified
O m DWG 64-8837
180
Nor€: THESE DATA ARE SPECIFIC FOR FOLLOWING CONDITIONS
170
POWER - 10 MWT
HRT GEOMETRY
160 SECTION I - 40'-1/2"
SECTION II - 40'-1"
SECTION E - 40'-2"
150 SECTION 1p - 40'-6"
0
PRE-BED HOLDUP - 2 hrs
w'
5 140
c
a
130
CL
5
W
I- 120
>i
110
IO0
90
m I
4
8C
i.o 2 .o
~~
c
0 0.5 1.5 2.5 3.0
FLOW RATE, liters/min
Fig. 12.4. Estimated Charcoal Bed Temperatures os Function

of Flow Rote Through the Bed.
1
.
372
Unclassified LJ
ORNL DWG 64-8838
I Kr88
Note: Reactor m e r = 10 Mw
stack Flow = 20,Ooo C h
\
..
\\
50 60 70 80 100
Hold-up "he, Days
Figure 12.5. Concentration of Xenon and Krypton a t

OfY-Gas Stack Outlet.
f
- 373
Atoms per second

1,000 lit er/24 -hr 5,000 liter/24-hr
Purge Rate Purge Rate
Isotope
83% 1.15 x i o15 1.35 x 1015
... 8%i- 4.15 4.46
85* 0 -93 0 -93
87, 5.95 7.28
88Kr 9.53 10 -73
’31”Xe 0 .ow 0 -093
’33mXe 0.50 0.50
’33~e 20 .o 20.10
’3 %e 18.1 18.82
c
I C
.
374
cill
There a r e two charcoal beds connected i n p a r a l l e l , and each i s .
capable of handling t h e fill off-gas load of t h e MSRF:. Each bed con-
sists of two v e r t i c a l sections containing, first, 80 f't of 1/2-in.
sched 10 pipe, 80 ft of 3-in. sched 10 pipe, and then 80 f't of 6-in.
sched 10 pipe. The smaller pipe s i z e s a r e used on t h e i n l e t end t o pro-
vide more surface-to-volume r a t i o f o r t h e d i s s i p a t i o n of heat t o t h e s u r -
rounding water. The e f f e c t of t h e pipe s i z e on t h e bed temperature i n
t h e first section i s shown i n Fig. 12.6. The o v e r a l l height o f t h e
v e r t i c a l sections i s about 20 ft. (See ORNL Dwg E-JJ-B-41519 through
41724) A l l piping is 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l and t h e system i s o f a l l -
welded construction with each j o i n t X-rayed a f t e r f a b r i c a t i o n .
The t o t a l volume of each bed (two s e c t i o n s ) i s 44 ft3, requiring
about 1,455 lbs of charcoal f o r f i l l i n g . * The charcoal i s P i t t s b u r g
Q-pe PGB 6 x 16, a type that has proven s a t i s f a c t o r y i n s t a t i c and
dynamic absorption t e s t s . 152 Each section has a m a x i m flow r a t e of
2 . 1 liters/min. The c e n t e r l i n e temperatures calculated for several flow
r a t e s are shown i n Fig. 12.4. The temperatures a r e measured by a thermo-
couple a t t h e i n l e t o f each d i f f e r e n t pipe s i z e i n each ,section. The
maximum pressure drop i s estimated t o be 1.5 p s i .
12.4.2 Auxiliarv Charcoal Bed
Since t h e a u x i l i a r y charcoal bed i s used i n t e r m i t t e n t l y , t h e r e i s

enough time between periods of use f o r fission-products t o decay t o
l e v e l s where a breakthrough o f a c t i v i t y from t h e bed i s highly i m -
probable. 148 Further, t h e s p e c i f i c a c t i v i t y of t h e gas passing through
t h e bed i s low enough t o make heat r e l e a s e i n t h e bed only a minor
consideration.
The a u x i l i a r y bed i s designed t o contain 140 f t 3 o f gas (STP). The
maximum design flow rate i s 1 c~ (STP).
The bed consists of two vertical U-tube sections of 6-in. sched 10,
304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l pipe. The legs a r e about 19.21 f't long connected
by short-radius 180' bends a t t h e bottom and with 1/2-in. pipe connect-
ing t h e capped tops i n s e r i e s . The t o t a l amount of charcoal i n both
*Based on a bulk d e n s i t y for t h e charcoal of 0.53 g r / c c .

.
3 75
Unclassified
ORNL DWG 64-8839
1 2 3 4
Inside Pipe Diameter, In.
Power = 10 Elw
Bypass Stream Flow = 50 gpm
Sweep Gas Flow = 4.2 liters/min (total)
1.05 liters/min (bed)
Pre-bed Holdup = 2 hrs
Figure 12.6. Maximm Estimated Temperature i n First Section

of Charcoal Bed vs Pipe Diameter.
376
sections i s 9 3 l b s and i s of t h e type used i n t h e main charcoal beds.

&id
%
A 3-in. thickness of s t a i n l e s s s t e e l wool a t t h e top of t h e l e g pre-

vents movement of t h e charcoal. The i n l e t temperature t o each section
i s measured by a thermocouple i n a well on t h e c e n t e r l i n e of t h e p i p e .
Fabrication d e t a i l s a r e shown on ORNL Dwg E-JJ-B-41319 through 41324.
12.5 Piping, Valves and F i l t e r s
12.5.1 Piping
A l l piping inside t h e reactor and drain tank c e l l s i s seamless 304

s t a i n l e s s s t e e l , sched 40. I n most cases t h i s pipe w a l l thickness was
not governed by i n t e r n a l pressure considerations but was selected t o pro-
vide resistance t o mechanical damage during i n s t a l l a t i o n and maintenance
of the reactor. The piping outside t h e containment areas i s sched 40
carbon s t e e l . F i t t i n g s used with t h e s t a i n l e s s s t e e l piping a r e b u t t -
welded. Some valves, however, a r e socket-welded, o r flanged, as may be
noted i n t h e off-gas system valve tabulations, Tables 12.3, 12.4, and
12.5. The carbon s t e e l piping i s e i t h e r screwed o r welded, depending
upon t h e a c c e s s i b i l i t y f o r inspection and maintenance and upon t h e
seriousness of the s i t u a t i o n developing *om a possible leak.
The main off-gas pipe, l i n e 522, and t h e a u x i l i a r y off-gas pipe,
l i n e 361, a r e each contained within another pipe i n t h e run between t h e
containment v e s s e l wall and t h e valve box i n t h e vent house. Both inner
and outer pipes a r e seamless 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l , sched 40, and a l l
j o i n t s a r e butt-welded and X-ray inspected. The annular space i s pres-
sure-tight, sealed a t t h e r e a c t o r c e l l wall and open t o t h e instrument
box atmosphere. The s l i g h t vacuum i n t h e box produced by t h e suction
of t h e stack fans provides assurance that any out-leakage of radioactive
gases w i l l be carried t o t h e f i l t e r s and t h e off-gas stack. The monitors
on t h e l i n e s leading t o t h e f i l t e r s would d e t e c t any r a d i o a c t i v i t y
escaping through such leaks.
12.3.2 Valves
The air-operated valves i n t h e off-gas system a r e of t h e flanged

type. A l l others inside t h e containment vessel were welded i n t o t h e
.
piping e i t h e r by b u t t o r socket-type welds. The valves i n t h e off-gas

system a r e l i s t e d i n Tables 12.3, 12.4, and 12.5.
Hand valves i n piping which must be shielded, such as those i n t h e
underground valve box a t t h e charcoal bed c e l l , have s p e c i a l extension
handles, as shown on ORNL Dwg D-JJ-A-56255.
12.5.3 Filters
12.5.3.1 Porous Metal F i l t e r i n Line 522. - A f i l t e r i s provided

i n l i n e 522 upstream of t h e control valve, PCV-522, t o p r o t e c t it from
possible damage o r plugging. The f i l t e r housing is a section o f 1-1/2-in.
_.
304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l pipe about 20 i n . long with a cap welded on t h e bottom
L
and a r i n g - j o i n t flange a t t h e top, a s shown i n Fig. 12.7. The f i l t e r
element i s a f l u t e d porous metal cylinder 1-1/32-in. qdiam x 17-in. long.
c 2
The pore diameter i s 40 microns and t h e surface area i s about 6 i n . / i n .
of length. The f i l t e r element i s screwed t o a 1/2-in. coupling welded
t o t h e 1-1/2-in. x 1/2-in. reducing flange which e f f e c t s t h e top closure.
The 1/2-in. i n l e t pipe, l i n e 322, enters t h e s i d e of t h e f i l t e r housing.
The 1/2-in. o u t l e t pipe connects t h e top flange t o t h e control valve
HCV-522. The pressure l o s s due t o flow through the f i l t e r i s negligible
a t t h e maximum design flow r a t e of 4.2 liters/min.
. 12.5.3.2 Porous Metal F i l t e r s i n Lines 524, 526, 528 and 569. -

f i l t e r s i n l i n e s 524 and 526 a r e upstream of c a p i l l a r y flow r e s t r i c t o r s
The
t o provide protection against plugging. The f i l t e r i n l i n e 528 i s up-

*
L stream of t h e control valve, HCV-528. Line 569 leads t o a sampling
s t a t i o n and t h e f i l t e r i s i n s t a l l e d upstream of the sampling valve,
V-569-D. The four f i l t e r s a r e Nupro F i l t e r s , Type F, No. SS-P4-60, with
modified 30,000-psi Autoclave connections. The body of each f i l t e r i s
3/4-in. diam x 3 i n . long (before modification) and contains a porous
2
metal thimble with a surface area o f 1.386 i n .
The nominal pore diameter
i s 60 microns. The body has a threaded closure with a metal O-ring s e a l .
The u n i t s a r e constructed of 316 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l . The pressure loss due
t o flow a t design conditions of 1 liter/min i s negligible.
378
Table 12.3 Off-Gas System A i r a p e r a t e d Valves
MSRE Fail
Valve Number C
Specification Position V Description
PCV- 510-A2 18 Open 0.0035 1/2-in. NPS, 1-in.

integral ring joint,
through b o l t s .
ir
PCV-513 -A2 18 Open 0.0035
PCV-522-A 18 Open 0.02 Bellows-sealed, 347 o r

304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l .
HCV-527 -A1 18 Open 3.5 11
PCV-528-A 18 Open 0.003
HCV-533-Al 18 Open 3.5 11
HCV- 536-A1 18 Open 3.5

11
HCV- 547 -Al 18 Open 3.5 I1
11
HCV-577 -C 39 Closed 3.0
HCV-573-Al la open 3.5 11
HCV- 57 5-A1 18 Open 3-5

11
HCV-577-Al 18 Open 3.5

HCV- 565-Al 35 Closed 21.0 1-1/2-in. NPS, weld
end, Teflon-packed bon-
net, Teflon s e a t , 304
s t a i n l e s s steel.
379
Table 12.4 Off-Gas System Check Valves
Valve Number Spec. No. Description
524 cvs-1 Circle Seal - Dwg. 705

528 cvs-1 3/8" Autoclave connections
534 cvs-1 Soft seat (Teflon)
535 cvs-1 Spring-loaded
557A cvs-1 300 series stainless steel
557B cvs-1 11
560 cvs-1
f
562 cvs-1 11
11
573 cvs-5
775 cvs-5 11
11
577 CVS-5
565 CVS-6B Circle Seal, NO. 258-12~~

1-1/2-in. pipe, threaded,
brass
566 cvs-6A Circle Seal, No. 259-T1-6PP,

3/4-in. pipe threads, seal-
welded, 300 stainless steel
569 cvs-7 Nupro No. 4 C4, 1/4-in. pipe

threads, brass
t
380
Table 12.5 O f f - G a s System Hand Valves
Valve Nwber Specificat ion Description
534A Hoke, TY 440, socket-weld t o

534B 1/4-in. OD tube, bellows-
Hvs-1 sealed, 316 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l
53%
535B
557B Hoke, TY 440, socket-weld t o
560 HvS -u 3/8-in. OD tube, bellows-
562c sealed, 316 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l
52% Crane, socket weld, 1/2-in.
525B NPS, bellows -sealed, Monel
529 SMD
720~
720~
720c
770
557A Hoke, LY 473, socket weld,
557c Hvs-2 112-in. NPS, bellows-sealed,
562 316 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l
52a Hvs-3 Same as HVS-2.
52=
522C
524
561
56211 Fulton Sylphon 303),
571 1/4-in. NPS, b u t t weld,
620 Hvs -4 bellows-sealed, 347 s t a i n -
621 less steel.
622
623
624
625
626
627
.
590 Crane, socket weld, 1/2-in.
SSD
591 NPS, stainless s t e e l .
56% Crane, socket weld, 1-1/2-in.
SMD
5653 NPS, bellows-sealed, Monel.
566 SMD Crane, socket weld, 3/4-in.
NPS, bellows -sealed, Monel .
565B Hoke, RB 271, bar stock needle
569 valve, packed, threaded,
1/4-in. NPS. 5
569B Hoke, RB 281, bar stock meter-

56% ing valve, packed: threaded,
1/4-in. NPS. c
.
381
Unclassified
O m DWG 64-8840
Purolstor SC-20
50lnicron Pore S i z e
Filter Element
!Qpe 1 Bottam c
.
Type 4 (1/2-in.
Top Cap.
i
I
.
W Figure 12.7. Porous Metal Filter i n Off-Gas Line 522.
.
.
383
13. COmTAIhlMEmT -1LATION SYSTEM
The containment ventilation system provides a continuous and con-

trolled flow of air through all areas where radioactive or beryllium
contamination i s likely t o occur. Such areas include the high-bay area,
the reactor and drain tank c e l l s (during maintenance), the s i x smaller
special-purpose cells, the electric service areas, transmitter mom,
service tunnel, special equipment room, coolant cell, vent house, and
charcoal bed cell.
The general pattern of the air flow i s from the less hazardous t o
the potentially more hazardous areas and then t o exhaust ducts where it
i s passed through absolute f i l t e r s and monitored for radioactivity before
release. In a broad sense, the air flow i s from the north end of Build-
ing 7503 toward the exhaust stack at the south end.
The ventilated areas are operated at l e s s than atmospheric pressure
t o assure that leakage of air i s i n w a r d .
With but few exceptions, such
a s in the change room, the concern i s for maintaining this negative
pressure rather than for ventilating at an established flow rate. To ac-
complish this, particularly when the ventilation rate must be increased
t o certain ereas during abnormal or maintenance conditions, it lnay be
necessaryto shargly decrease the air flow into certain other areas.
13.1 Iayout and General Description

The containment ventilation system u t i l i z e s either of two 21,OOO-cf’m
(nominal capacity) centrif’ugal fans located at the base of the 100-ft-
high stack t o induce alr flow through the various containment areas i n
and w a c e n t t o Building 7503. The estimated rates of air removal from
these areas during normal reactor operation are sham i n Table 13.1.
As shown i n the simplified air flow diagram, Fig. 13.1, the bulk of
the air (14,000 t o l7,OOO cfm) enters the main building at the northwest
comer through an i n l e t air f i l t e r house. I n addition t o dust f i l t e r s ,
t h i s house contains steam-heated c o i l s for warming the intake air during
the winter months. A bypass -per in the house w a l l assures an air
supply even though the f i l t e r s become excessively clogged. Another
counter-balanced bypass damper prevents the differential pressure between
384
Table 13.1. Estimated Containment Ventilation System Air Flow

Rates During Normal Reactor Operation.
(Cfd
, Through supply-air filter house 14,000 - 17,000

Through change room 100 - 1000
Leaving high-bay at southeast corner 12,000 - 15,ooo
Leaving liquid-waste storage tank 0 - 100
Through liquid-waste cell 200 - 400
Through remote maintenance pump cell 200 - 1500
Through decontamination cell 200 - 1500
Through equipment storage cell 200 - 400
Through fuel processing cell 200 - 400
Through spare cell 200 - 400
Leaving south electrical service areaa 400 - 600
Leaving reactor and drain tank cells 0
Ieaving coolant cell 800 - 1200
Uaving special equipment room 200 - 400
Through vent house 200 - 400
Leaving charcoal beds cell 0 - 100
Leaving service tunnel 400 - 600
aAir flow is from the transmitter room to the north
electric service area, and then to the south service area
(which includes the west tunnel).
Unclassified
ORNL DWG 64-8841
FILTERS
STACK
i
Fig. 13.4. Schematic of Air F l o w Diagram Containment Ventilation System.
b
t h e atmosphere and t h e high-bay a r e a from becoming high enough t o collapse
t h e sheet-metal l i n e r . The a i r e n t e r s t h e high bay between columns 2 and
.
3 a t t h e 874-ft elevation. About 1000 cf'm of a i r i s a l s o drawn i n t o t h e
high-bay a r e a through t h e change, or locker, room l o c a t e d at t h e same
level.
Exhaust ducts leading t o t h e main intake ducts f o r t h e stack fans
withdraw a i r from each of t h e six s m a l l c e l l s l o c a t e d beneath t h e oper-
a t i n g f l o o r level,* causing a i r t o be drawn from t h e high-bay a r e a down
through t h e openings between t h e concrete roof blocks covering t h e s e
cells. The v e n t i l a t i o n rate f o r each c e l l v a r i e s from 200 t o 1500 cf'm,
depending on t h e exhaust-duct damper s e t t i n g s . A blower on t h e exhaust
from t h e liquid-waste storage tank maintains it a t a lower pressure than
t h a t of t h e c e l l . Another exhaust duct p u l l s 400 t o 600 cfm of a i r from
'r
t h e e l e c t r i c service a r e a t r a n s m i t t e r room, west tunnel, e t c . , t h e a i r

having reached t h e s e rooms from t h e high-bay area through various stair-
ways, passages, e t c . The bulk of t h e a i r from t h e high-bay area (12,000
t o 15,000 cfm) i s normally exhausted a t t h e operating f l o o r l e v e l through
two openings t h a t f l a n k t h e sampler-enricher s t a t i o n area6 A hood above
t h e samplers a l s o provides v e n t i l a t i o n during sampling.
The coolant c e l l i s maintained a t a lower pressure than t h e high-bay
area. A i r i s exhausted from t h e c e l l through an opening i n t h e south w a l l
at about t h e 861-ft elevation. A i r a l s o e n t e r s t h e coolant c e l l through
general leakage, e t c . , from outside t h e building and i s only p a r t i a l l y
drawn from t h e high-bay area.
A i r i s a l s o exhausted from t h e s m a l l vent house l o c a t e d a t t h e south
end of t h e main building. A i r e n t e r s t h e house through a f i l t e r i n a i
small opening i n t h e w a l l and leaves through a small duct leading t o t h e

main intake duct f o r t h e stack fans.
During maintenance operations i n t h e r e a c t o r o r d r a i n tank c e l l s ,
a i r can be exhausted from t h e c e l l s t o cause a downflow of a i r through
t h e openings where concrete roof plugs have been removed. This p o s i t i v e
*Liquid-waste c e l l , remote maintenance pump c e l l , decontamination * I
c e l l , equipment storage c e l l , f u e l processing c e l l , and t h e spare c e l l .

387
6d downward movement of 100 f@n, or more, materirtlly aids i n preventing es-

n
cape of airborne contaminants into occupied building areas. To accomplish
this circulation, l5,OOO cfm of air i s withdrawn through a 3O-in.-diam,
shadow-shielded opening at the bottom of the southwestern sector of the
ii
reactor-cell conts.lnmant vessel, The air then flows through a %-in,-
diam carbon s t e e l duct across the coolant drain c e l l and through the
special equiprment room t o a valve station in the service tunnel containing
two 3O-in.-diam motor-operated butterfly valves in series. The valves are
e
closed during reactor operation and are opened only when roof plugs have
\
been removed for maintenance and c e l l ventilation i s required, (A =-in.
sched-b pipe takes off the P-in.-diam duct upstream from the butterfly
valves and leads t o the reactor containment vessel vapor-pressure suppres-
sion system, as described in Section 17.) The 3O-in.-diam duct continues
underground t o the vicinity of the f i l t e r pit, where it turns t o join the
main 36-in.-dim duct leading t o the p i t .
The two motor-driven fans and the 100-ft s t e e l stack f o r discharge
of the air are located about U O ft south of Building 7503. (Off-gas from
the charcoal adsorber beds i s also vented through the f i l t e r p i t and stack,
see Section 12.)
The containment ventilation system is provided w i t h numerous manually
positioned d&tnperst o adjust the air flow. Differential-pressure c e l l s
indicate direction of air flow, f i l t e r resistances, etc, In general, a l l
components i n the system are commercially available.
The general layout of the containment ventilating system and key t o
drawings i s shown on ORNL drawings D-KK-A-41024, D-ICK-A-41062, and
D-KK-D-kll13
13.2 Flowsheet
The flowsheet f o r the containment ventilation system i s shown in

Fig, 12.2.
Air i s drawn into the inlet-air f i l t e r house at a rate of about
i l5,OOO cfm through llFiberglasll dust f i l t e r s having a pressure drop (when
!
1
-
W e point of l a r e s t elevation i n the 30-in. line drains through a
3/4-in1. pipe (no line number) t o the reactor contairment-vesse1 sump.
388
clean) of about 0.028 in. of %O. A bypass damper in the side of the
house is counter-weighted to open if the negative pressure exceeds 0.35
in. of %O, and assures an air supply in event the filters become ex-
cessively dirty. After passing over a stem-heated extended-surface
heating coil, the air is delivered to the high-bay area of the main
building through a 4.0 x 60-in. insulated duct, line 953. A manually
set -per located in this line Just above the filter house permits ad-
justment of the negative pressure in the high-bay area to 0.1to 0.3 in.
of €$O. A counter-weighted dam,per in the 30 x @-in. bypass duct, line
954, opens a t a negative pressure of 0.45.in. of H20 t o p r o t e c t t h e high-
bay liner from excessively low pressures. Air is also drawn into the
high-bay area through the change room at an estimated rate of about
lo00 cfm.
Air is exhausted from the liquid-waste cell, the remote maintenance
pump cell, the decontamination cell, the equipment storage cell, the
fuel processing cell, and the spare cell, by individual 32 x 12-in.
ducts, lines 94.0 through 944. Each duct contains manually set dmpers
to balance the air flow and differential-pressure cells to indicate the
cell pressure. !%e estimated ventilation rate for most cells is about
200 cfh during normal operation. An individual cell may have a venti-
lation rate as high as &l5OO cfb during maintenance in that cell. Air
finds its way into these six cells from the high-bay area through the
openings between the concrete blocks covering the cells.
Line 944 exhausts air from both the liquid-waste cell and the re-
mote maintenance cell. Gases vented from the waste storage tank in the
liquid-waste cell are exhausted through a 6-in. pipe, line 948, to a
blower in the adjoining remote maintenance pump cell; this location f o r
the blower makes it more accessible for maintenance. %e energy input
of the 180 cf’m blower is sufficient only to overcome the pressure loss
due to flow in the 6-in. pipe and permit discharge directly into the ex-
haust duct, line 945, without backflow into the remote maintenance cell.
Air in this cell, which is open to the high-bay area a -or portion of
the time, is exhausted through line 945. It is to be noted that the gases
vented from the waste storage tank may at times be radioactive, such as
when the caustic scrubber in the fie1 reprocessing system is vented, or
.
'S
(I
u possibly when the air-operated (,26 c f i ) j e t pumps are used t o remove
water from the drain tank c e l l and reactor coptainment-vessel sumps.
The control system interlocks would cause the waste blower t o stop on
a loss of flow t o the stack fans.
The inleakage through the seals in the sealed high-bay area i s
estimated t o be less than 1000 cfm.
Air from the south electric service area is exhausted through a
12 x 32-in. duct, line 937, at a rate of about 600 cfm. Some of this
air i s drawn i n through the transmitter room and from outside, but most
of the flow i s from the 8404%level t o the north e l e c t r i c service area
. and then t o the south electric service area. A packaged air conditioner
removes heat from the transmitter room i n a closed air circulation cycle.
The six 12 x 12-in. ducts described above have manual dampers at the
853-ft elevation on the east w a l l of the high-bay area. They then combine
in a manifold t o form a 20 x 20-in. duct, line 936, then t o a 26-in. duct,
line 928, which runs south at the 873-ft elevation above the roof of the
office mea.
The bulk of the air is drawn from the high-bay area through an in-
take opening located at the southeast corner. About l5,OOO cf'm i s re-
moved through the 33-in.-diam duct, line 935. Two openings are pro-
vided f o r exhausting air into this line. A 9-in. side connection d r a w s
air from the exhaust hood at the sampler-enricher station. Af'ter the
26-in.-di= duct, Une 928, and the 33-in.-diam duct, line 935, join
above the roof of' the office area, t h e duct size becomes 36 in. in dia-
meter a d continues as line 927 above ground t o the entrance of the
. f i l t e r p i t . A motorized damper, HOT-935, permits regulation of the
t o t a l air flow.
Air is exhausted from the coolant c e l l through a 16 x &in. duct,
line 934, w i t h the intake opening at the 8554% elevation. %is duct
contains a motor-operated -per at the 862-ft elevation. h o t h e r 16 x
16-in. duct, line 933, exhausts air from the c o o m t c e l l at the 862-ft
elevation. Either one, o r both, can be used f o r venting the coolant cell.
Duping maintenance the flow rate may be about l!jOO cfip. The nearby vent
house i s ventilated by &m€ng about 250 cfmthrough a f i l t e r in the w a l l
of the vent house and exhausting it through line 959. !Bis Il-in.-diam
c
390
-
duct connects t o line 933 on the outside south w a l l of the main building.
6.
*
A manually operated damper i n line 959 permits adjustment of the air flow
t o about 250 cfm.
The charcoal bed i s ventilated by exhausting air through l i n e 950.
A i r from the instrument box, w h i c h contains the valving f o r the charcoal-
bed gas lines, i s w i t h d r a w n through l i n e 951. These two lines combine,
and a s line 950, join the 18 x 18-in. duct, line 932. As mentioned
above, line 932 joins the main duct leading t o the f i l t e r p i t , line 927.
The reactor and drain tank c e l l s norxnally operate at about 2.0 p s i .
below atmospheric pressure and with an atmosphere of about 95$ N2 and 5$
02. During maintenance operations, when concrete roof plugs are removed,
the two butterfly valves are opened i n line 930, t o exhaust the c e l l s and
p u l l air from the high-bay area dam through the opening. For openings
,
of 150 f t2 and smaller, the downward velocity w i l l exceed 100 fpm. Under
most maintenance circumstances, the openings w i l l be small and the bulk
of the air leaving the high-bay containment area w i l l continue t o be with-
drawn through line 935 at the southwest corner of the building.
Two 30-in. butterfly valves are provided i n line 930 rather than one
t o permit periodic testing for leak tightness of the valves. The space
between the two valves may be pressurized w i t h air through valve 930-C.
The shaft s e a l can also be pressurized t o t e s t for leaks. A 2-in. bypass,
line 955, i s provided around the two butterfly valves t o accommodate low
flow rates. The space between the two valves i n t h i s l i n e may a l s o be
pressurized w i t h air through valve 955-C t o check for leakage.
The gas supply f o r the component cooling system blowers i s taken
from line 930 j u s t upstream of the butterfly valves through the 10-in.-
diam line 522 (see Section 16).
The =-in. pipe sham on the flowsheet as leaving line 930 upstream
of the two butterfly valves leads t o the reactor cell vapor-condensing
system. This arrangement f o r emergency condensing of water vapor t h a t
might be generated i n the c e l l in a major failure of equipment i s de-
scribed in Section 17.
A 12-in. ventilation pipe, line 931, fromthe service tunnel area
joins the 30-in. pipe, line 930, j u s t downstream of the two butterfly
valves. This pipe exhausts air from the western end of the tunnel t o
.
391
promote a positive flow of air toward that end. A 6-in. continuation of

line 931, numbered 958, exhausts air from the special equipment room.
Both of these lines contain manually operated dampers. The 30-in.-diam
line 930 joins the main duct, line 927, above ground near the entrance
t o the f i l t e r p i t .
The f i l t e r p i t is arranged i n three sections, each section having
a p r e f i l t e r followed by an absolute filter. The efficiency of the l a t t e r
i s 99.97s for particles greater than 3 p in size. Manually operated
dampers are provided at the i n l e t and outlet of each section. Each of
the six groups of filters i s provided w i t h differential pressure sensors
t o indicate the condition of the f i l t e r s . Normally, a l l three sections
are operated in parallel.
The two stack fans are ducted in p a r a l l e l through lines 925 and 926,
so that either may be used t o exhaust the containment enclosures. Stack
fan No. 1w i l l operate continuously, w i t h the No. 2 fan in standby con-
dition. Both manually operated dampers i n the fan suctions w i l l remain
open. The air-operated damper in the No. 1 fan discharge, FCD-925, w i l l
normally be open and that i n the No. 2 fan discharge, FCD-926, w i l l be
closed. If the pressure increases upstream of the f i l t e r s , as indicated
by PI-927, the No. 2 fan w i l l start, the No. 1 fan w i l l stop, and the
air-operated damgers w i l l reverse position. This arrangement prevents
backflow through the fan not i n use.
The stack i s equippped w i t h a p i t o t tube, FI-S1, t o indicate the
c
flow and t o transmit this information t o the data logger. A radiation
monitor, RIA-S1, is installed in the stack. R a i n water accumulating i n
the stack i s &rained t o the waste sump in the main building through a
2-in. stainless s t e e l pipe.
13.3.1 Inlet-Air F i l t e r House

13.3.1.1 House. The inlet- (or supply) air f i l t e r house serves
7
, as an enclosure for the dust f i l t e r s and tempering coils for the enter-
W ing air. The structure i s 13 f t wide, 21 f t long, and 10 ft high; it

has a concrete floor a t an elevation of about 840 ft and i s located
L
*
.
1
392
outside the northwest corner of the main building. The w a l l s and roof
u @
are 14-gage corrugated s t e e l siding welded t o a channel and angle-iron
supporting structure. A portion of the i n t e r i o r w a l l s and roof i s in-
sulated with 1-1/2-in. of "Fiberglas" (type m-617). The insulated
section extends a distance of about 8 f t from the eastern end and sur-
rounds the heating c o i l and the heated air plenum. Two s t e e l doors are
provided for access (see ORNL drawing D-KK-D-41123).
13.3.1.2 Heating Coils. The air heating c o i l s are of the one-row,
nonfreeze type, with welded steel headers and with copper tubes and
aluminum fins. Three units are used, each with a face area of about
12.7 ft2. S t e m i s supplied from the X-10 area a t 250 psig and reduced
t o 60 psig a t a l-l/k-in. reducing valve located i n the supply-air f i l t e r
house. The combined capacity of the three units i s sufficient t o r a i s e
16,000 cfh of air from O°F t o 85OF. The pressure drop across the c o i l
i s about 0.06 in. of SO. The c o i l s were tested with steam a t 100 psig
and with air at 400 psig. The c o i l s were manufactured and tested i n ac-
cordance with American Standards Specification DS-1R-17-78 and OBNL Speci-
fication XS-192, p. 7-5.
13.3.1.3 Air-Supply F i l t e r s , The f i l t e r medium i s pleated 3/32-in.-
thick "Fiberglas" arranged in 24 x 28 x 8-3/4-in.-thick units (American
Air F i l t e r type PL-24). The units are placed i n three side-by-side,
v e r t i c a l V's, each leg of a V being two d i t s wide and three units high,
making a t o t a l of 36 units (see ORNI, Specification xs-192, p. 6-2).
13.3.1.4 buvers. TWO s t e e l louvers, each about 6 x 6 f t , with
bronze insect screen, admit air to the west end of the i n l e t - a i r house.
A 30 x 48-in. louver i s located between the f i l t e r s and the heating coil,
as w i l l be discussed under Section 13.3.1.5, below.
13.3.1.5 Dampers and Ducts. A regulating damper i s mounted i n the
horizontal position j u s t above the intake-air house roof i n the 36 x 36-in.
duct leading t o the high-bay area, l i n e 953. This steel, multi-blade
damper i s manually adjustable and can be locked i n position (see ORNL
drawing D-KK-A-41069)
The damper i n the side of the i n l e t - a i r house between the f i l t e r s
and the heating c o i l i s 29-5/8 x 47-5/8-in., i s mounted vertically, has
16-gage s t e e l blades, and has an adjustable counter-weight s e t t o open
393
kd
8 the dampr at a negative air pressure of 0.35 in. of I$O, A similar
damper, 29-5/8 x 47-5/8 in., horizontally mounted in the bypass duct,
line 954, at the roof of the intake air f i l t e r house i s weighted t o
open a t a negative pressure of 0.45 in. of %O (see ORmL drawing
D-KK-A-41069)
The Buct leading t o the high-bay area i s constructed of 20-gage
sheet m e t a l , insulated with 1-1/2 in. "Fiberglas" weatherproofed board.
13.3.2 Uquid-Waste Tank Blower

The blower used t o discharge gases f r o m the top of the liquid-
waste tank i n t o the containment ventilation exhaust system i s located
in the remote maintenance pump cell. !&e blower i s an IIG type P volume
c
blower, 6-in. line type, having a capacity of 180 cf'm.
13.3.3 Vent House

A i r is drawn into the vent house through a 24 x 24-in. louvered
opening in the west w a l l . The f i l t e r installed in this opening uses a
f i l t e r medium of "Fiberglas" and i s an American Air F i l t e r type PL-24,
w i t h 3/32-in.-thick type G "Airmat." It has a IVBFU rating of C l a s s I
and has a rated pressure drop at 1000 cfm of 0.028 in. of %O when clean,
The actual f l o w i s estimated t o be a maximum of about 250 cfm.
13.3.4 Filter Pit

The filters i n the f i l t e r p i t are divided into three cells, o r
sections, asd each section i s provided w i t h both roughing and absolute
filters.
13.3.4.1 Roughing Filters. The roughing, o r pre-filters, are a
modified American Air F i l t e r deep-bed, multiple-media, pocket type (see
ORNL drawing D-IM-A-41075). The f i l t e r i n g media are a layer of spun
glass 1/2 in. thick, made up of 3.25 micron fiber (No. 25 FG) and a
1/2-in.-thick layer of 1.25 micron fiber (No. 50 E). The units are
27 x 27 x 36 in. deep. The capacity i s not less than lo00 cf3n a t a
velocity of 20 fpm and an i n i t i d resistance of 0.6 in. of Seven
of the f i l t e r units are installed in a horizontal rack i n each of the
three sections of the f i l t e r p i t (see O R m Specification XS-192, p. 6-3).
394
13.3.4.2 Absolute Filters. %e absolute filters, which are d m -

stream of the roughing filters in each of the three sections, are a
"Fiberglas" fire-resistant high-efficiency type.153 The filter units
are 24 x 24 x 11-1/2 in. deep, and are arranged vertically, two across
2
and three high, for a total of 24 ft of filter face area in each section.
The minimum efficiency is 99.974 for particles greater than 3 microns in
size (DOP test*) at the design flow rate of 1170 cf'm each.153 The in-
itial static pressure loss is 1.05 in. of 50 at a face velocity of
280 fpm. Operation is limited to 25OoF.
13.3.5 Stack Fans

Two centrifugal fans are installed outdoors at the base of the con-
tainment ventilation system stack. One of the fans serves as a spare.
The fans are identical except for the direction of rotation, fan No. SF-1
being counterclockwise and No, SF-2 clockwise. Each is driven by a SO-hp,
440-v, 3-phase, 6O-cycle, continuous-duty motor, through an adjustable
V-belt drive. The fan blades are the backward-curved, nonoverloading
type. The capacity of fan SF-lwas measured as 19,750 cfm at 9.2 in. of
50 and 1473 rpm. Fan SF-2 delivered 20,500 scfm at 10.1 in. of %O and
1584 rpm. The minirmlm specified static efficiency is 835 under rated con-
ditions of 21,500 scfm and 10 in. of 40 negative pressure. The maximum
outlet velocity is 3800 fgm. The fan operating characteristics are shown
in Fig. 13.2.
I
The fans axe arranged for horizontal, bottom discharge, and the low-
points of the scrolls axe provided with a 1-1/2-in0drain line. The fans
and motors are weather-protected for outdoor installation (see ORIBL Speci-
fication XS-192, p. 6-4). The units were manufactured by the Fly Ash Ar-
restor Corporation and have the catalog designation 3938 51w.
13.3.6 -
Stack
The stack is a free-standing type, 100 ft high, 3 ft ID at the top
and 4 ft ID at the bottom, tapering to 3 ft ID about 25 ft above the con-
crete base (see Fig. 3.2 and OWL drawing D-KK-D-~UO). The carbon steel
plate is ASm A 283 grade C, 1/2 in. thick in the bottom tapered section
and 3/8 in. thick above. Rectangular openings are provided for the two
*Dioctyl-phtholate aerosol test.
Unclassified
ORNLDWG64-8842
Static Pressure
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Flow Rate - 1,ooo cfbl
Figure 13.2. Stack Fan Perfomance Curves

-
396
discharge ducts from t h e stack fans. E x t e r i o r ladder rungs a r e provided L+

*
t o t h e top of t h e stack.
Four equally spaced 1/2-in. pipe couplings a r e i n s t a l l e d about
40 f t above t h e base f o r p i t o t tube flow measurements. An opening i s
a l s o provided f o r i n s e r t i o n of a r a d i a t i o n monitor.
The octagonal reinforced concrete base i s a t a grade elevation of
850 f t and i s 16 f t across t h e f l a t s and 7 f t thick. The bottom of t h e
stack contains a 11-gage 304 stainless s t e e l d r a i n pan sloping toward a
center d r a i n of 2-in. sched-40 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l pipe. This d r a i n l i n e
slopes t o a s o i l pipe which d r a i n s t o t h e building sump (see ORNL
Drawing D-KK-A-41078).
13.4 Design C r i t e r i a
Design of t h e containment v e n t i l a t i o n system was n e c e s s a r i l y based

on c e r t a i n assumptions and broad estimates: 154
It was assumed t h a t during normal operation of t h e r e a c t o r t h e con-
tainment v e s s e l would be a t a negative pressure of 2.0 psig. During main-
tenance operations t h e v e s s e l pressure would be about 0.3 in. of H20 be-
low atmospheric. The minimum downward v e l o c i t y through an opening i n t h e
c e l l roof would be 100 fpm.
(For an a i r discharge r a t e of 15,000 cfm t h e
2
maximum allowable opening would thus be about 150 f t .)
The maximum leakage
* i n t h e c e l l system and exhaust duct was taken
t o be 1% of t h e c e l l volume i n each 24-hr period. Leakage through t h e
two 30-in. b u t t e r f l y valves i n l i n e 930 w a s assumed t o be 1/14 of the
c e l l volume per 24 hr.
The high-bay, storage c e l l s , e t c . , were assumed t o be maintained at
0.1 in. of H 0 below atmospheric with a maximum negative pressure of 0.5
2
in. of H20. The maximum a i r leakage i n t o t h e containment v e n t i l a t i o n
system enclosures w a s taken t o be 6 x cf’m p e r cubic f o o t of volume,
or about 900 cf’m, and t h e d e s i r a b l e a i r change rate not l e s s than about
s i x per hour. A l l occupied adjacent areas were required t o be a t a
p o s i t i v e pressure with respect t o t h e containment v e n t i l a t i o n system
enclosures.
bl
*
With t h e c e l l s a t 39 psig.
397
14. LIQUID WASTE SYSTEM
The primary f’unction of t h e MSRE l i q u i d waste system i s t o c o l l e c t

a l l waste water which is l i k e l y t o be contaminated, s t o r e and t r e a t it,
when necessary,
- _ and discharge it t o t h e Central Pumping Station of t h e
Melton Valley Waste System. i55 The l i q u i d waste system a l s o includes a

c e l l and tank f o r decontaminating t o o l s and reactor equipment. Filter-
ing equipment i s provided t o c l a r i f y t h e water used f o r shielding i n
t h i s c e l l t o obtain b e t t e r v i s i b i l i t y of work being done underwater. A
sump, which normally handles non-contaminated general building drainage,
i s a l s o associated w i t h t h e l i q u i d waste system.
14.1 Layout and Gemral Description
The l i q u i d waste system equipment i s i n t h e l i q u i d waste c e l l , t h e

decontamination c e l l , t h e remote maintenance p r a c t i c e c e l l , and t h e sump
room. The t h r e e c e l l s a r e beneath t h e operating floor level, as shown
i n Figs. 4.3 and 4.5. The sump room i s beneath t h e s p e c i a l equipment
room, and w i t h a sump elevation of -812 f t , i s t h e point of lowest
elevation i n Bldg. 7503.
14.1.1 Liquid Waste Cell

The l i q u i d waste c e l l i s 14 x 21 ft and 24 ft deep, with a floor
elevation of 828 ft (See Table 4.3). This a u x i l i a r y c e l l i s located
between north-south columns 2 and 3, and east-west columns A and B, i n
Fig. 4.4. The c e l l contains a 11,000-gal storage tank for waste water,
t h e waste f i l t e r , and associated piping and remotely operated valves.
Concrete s h i e l d blocks form t h e roof of t h e c e l l but t h e r e i s no membrane
t o make t h e enclosure pressure t i g h t . The containment v e n t i l a t i o n system
exhausts a i r from t h e c e l l t o provide a down-dra3’t through t h e small
openings between t h e roof plugs t o contain airborne contaminants (See
Section 13) .
14.1.2 Decontamination Cell
The decontamination c e l l i s located j u s t south o f , and adjacent t o ,
t h e l i q u i d waste c e l l . The c e l l i s 14 x 15 ft, about 20 f t deep, and
398
has a f l o o r elevation of 832 f t - 6 i n . The c e l l can be f i l l e d with water

L,
B
f o r shielding l a r g e r radioactive items of equipment which require main-
tenancetor.decontamination. The only equipment i n t h e c e l l i s t h e de-
contamination tank and simple piping and valves. The c e l l can be covered
with concrete roof plugs and v e n t i l a t e d i n t h e same manner as t h e l i q u i d
waste c e l l , but it may remain open most of t h e time.
14.1.3 Remote Maintenance Practice C e l l

This c e l l i s e a s t of, and adjacent t o , t h e l i q u i d waste c e l l , see
Fig. 4.4. It i s 13 x 21 ft and 24 ft deep with a f l o o r elevation of 828
ft. The c e l l i s used t o p r a c t i c e maintenance procedures before they a r e
c a r r i e d out i n t h e r e a c t o r c e l l . The c e l l i s a l s o used t o house t h e waste
pump and associated valves which t r a n s f e r l i q u i d *om t h e l i q u i d waste
tank. The small18o-cf'm blower which removes gases from t h e top of t h e
l i q u i d waste tank i s a l s o located i n the c e l l (See Section 13.3.2).
14.1.4 Sump Room

The sump room i s an 8 x 16-f't x 7-ft-high space with a f l o o r elevation
of 820 f't. In t h e f l o o r of t h e room i s a 3 x 3 x 8-ft-deep sump, which i s
t h e lowest point o f elevation i n t h e main building. The room i s located
p a r t i a l l y beneath t h e s p e c i a l equipment room between columns 8 and 9, and
C and B, i n Fig. 4.4. Access t o t h e sump room i s by a 3 O - r t v e r t i c a l ladder
through an opening i n t h e floor o f t h e southern end of t h e high-bay a r e a .
P o s i t i v e v e n t i l a t i o n of t h e sump room i s achieved by a blower i n t h e room
which discharges up a small duct i n t o t h e high-bay a r e a . The sump room
contains a 55-gal s t a i n l e s s s t e e l drum f o r c o l l e c t i n g water which could
possibly be contaminated, and a c e n t r i f u g a l pump f o r t r a n s f e r r i n g i t s
contents. The room i s also provided with two pumps mounted i n t h e sump
f o r pumping out uncontaminated water.
14.2 Flowsheet
The flowsheet f o r t h e l i q u i d waste system i s shown i n Fig. 14.1

I
(ORNL Dwg ~-AA-A-40888).

Eleven l i n e s empty i n t o t h e top o f t h e 11,000-gal waste tank, as
follows :
399
PC DECONTAMINATION CELL
DECONTAMINATION
TANK
'-40-SS
* I
RoloIL YIlWTENAMCE PRACTICE CELL
-I
mo cry- TO OFF GAS
FLrERS
+ ACCESS DOOR ! 4-x

e--
1I
1 t-40-ssJ
V!
T
L
LlPUlD WASTE STORAGE TANK
(WT)
NO
TRANSMITTER
AS BUILT (WFI
I
ROC M CHANGES
2- 40-SS
I
I I ;I LIQUID WASTE CELL I
\
!u-
LIQUID WASTE SYSTEM
1.
PROCESS FLOW SHEET
R I .
1- I M. S. R. E.
6. t: lyw~ 4n-m
. I __-
400
Steam-actuated ejectors i n thevsumps of t h e l i q u i d waste c e l l , the

equipment storage c e l l , t h e f u e l processing c e l l , and t h e spare c e l l ,
discharge i n t o the l i q u i d waste tank through l i n e s 316, 318, 320 and
322, respectively. These a r e a l l 3/4-in. sched 40 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l pipes.
The steam ejectors a r e supplied with 60-psig saturated steam through l i n e s
315, 317, 321 and 319, respectively. Each of t h e steam supply l i n e s con-
t a i n s a check valve t o serve as a vacuum breaker.
The steam ejector which empties the caustic scrubber tank i n t h e fuel
processing c e l l , i s supplied with 60-psig steam through l i n e 312. The
j e t discharges through a 3/4-in. sched 40 monel pipe, l i n e 314, t o t h e top
of t h e waste storage tank.
The swrrps i n t h e reactor and drain tank c e l l s a r e equipped with l i q u i d
l e v e l indication through use of bubbler l i n e s 965 and 966, respectively.
These 1/2-in. sched 40 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l l i n e s are supplied w i t h nitrogen
f o r purging oxygen from t h e c e l l s and contain rotameters of up t o 0.31 l/min
capacity. The bubbler l e v e l indication i s i n addition t o t h e l e v e l alarm
switches which are provided on a l l sumps.
The above-mentioned suxps i n t h e reactor and drain tank c e l l a r e
emptied by ejectors ac$uated by service a i r . The 100-psig supply air i s
passed through a pressure regulator, PCV-332, and d i s t r i b u t e d t o t h e drain
tank c e l l through l i n e 342 and t o the reactor c e l l through l i n e 332. Both
of these l i n e s are 3/4-in, sched 40 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l and have hand-operated
valves and check valves t o prevent back flow from t h e c e l l s . The reactor
c e l l j e t discharges into l i n e 333 and t h e drain tank c e l l j e t into l i n e
343, both of which a r e 3/4-in. sched 40 stainless s t e e l pipe leading t o t h e
liquid waste storage tank. Before entering t h e storage tank, each l i n e i s
J
provided with two flow-control valves i n series, FCV-333-A, FCV-333-B and

FCV-343-A, FCV-343-B. These normally-closed, air-operated valves a r e i n t e r -
locked t o close on a sudden r i s e i n reactor c e l l pressure. Lines 334 and
344 permit t h e application of a test pressure between t h e two flow-control
valves t o check f o r leak tightness. The reactor and drain tank c e l l s can
be depressurized f o r leak t e s t i n g through t h e j e t discharge l i n e s .
A sink i n t h e change room, located east of t h e high bay, and p a r t o f
the controlled ventilation area, has a drain, l i n e 340, leading t o t h e
waste storage tank. A f'unnel i s provided i n t h e high-bay area for t h e
401
addition of c a u s t i c t o t h e l i q u i d waste tank, through l i n e 339. (The

l i q u i d waste i s made a basic solution before t r a n s f e r t o t h e Melton Valley
waste disposal system. )
The discharge of t h e waste pump, located i n t h e remote maintenance
p r a c t i c e c e l l , may be d i r e c t e d i n t o t h e waste storage tank through t h e
2-in. sched 40 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l l i n e 301. The waste pump discharge may
a l s o be diverted t o t h e waste f i l t e r located i n t h e l i q u i d waste c e l l
through t h e 2-in. pipe, l i n e 302. The discharge of t h e waste f i l t e r i s
through l i n e 306 t o be returned e i t h e r t o t h e decontamination c e l l o r de-
contamination tank. Line 307, connecting t h e waste pump discharge t o l i n e
306, permits r e c i r c u l a t i o n of water i n t h e decontamination tank, o r p a r t i a l
*
by-passing of t h e f i l t e r when r e c i r c u l a t i n g t h e water; it a l s o allows pro-
cess water t o be added t o t h e waste storage tank v i a l i n e s 819, 306, 307
and 301.
The sump pump drawing l i q u i d from t h e 55-gal contaminated storage drum,
r e f e r r e d t o as t h e " p i t pump" t o d i s t i n g u i s h it from t h e sump pumps a l s o
located i n t h e sump room, can discharge i n t o t h e l i q u i d waste tank through
a 2-in. pipe, l i n e 326. The pressure r e l i e f valves i n t h e t r e a t e d water
system serving t h e r e a c t o r and d r a i n tank c e l l s discharge i n t o t h e 1-1/4-
i n . l i n e 335, which joins t h e afore-mentioned l i n e 326 f o r r e l e a s e i n t o t h e
waste storage tank (See Section 15.10).
The waste tank i s vented through t h e 6-in. sched 10 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l
pipe, l i n e 948, which leads t o t h e remote maintenance p r a c t i c e c e l l , where
€
.- a small i n - l i n e blower of 180 cf'm capacity i s i n s t a l l e d i n t h e pipe t o pro-
vide a p o s i t i v e movement of t h e gases i n t o t h e containment v e n t i l a t i o n ex-
e haust system (See Section 13.3.2).
The only bottom connection on t h e waste storage tank is l i n e 300, a
2-1/2-in. sched 40 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l pipe leading t o t h e suction of t h e waste
pump i n t h e adjoining c e l l . The bottom of t h e decontamination tank i n t h e
decontamination c e l l a l s o drains i n t o l i n e 300, and t h e pump suction,
through a 2-1/2-in. pipe, l i n e 304. The sump i n t h e floor of t h e decon-
tamination c e l l c m be pumped out by t h e waste pump through l i n e 303, which
j o i n s t h e afore-mentioned l i n e 304 inside t h e decontamination c e l l .
t
The waste pwrp discharges through l i n e 305, a 2 - i n . sched 40 s t a i n -
u l e s s s t e e l pipe containing a pressure-measuring t a p and sample p o i n t .
4
t
T
c
402
Downstream of valve 3O>-A, t h e pump discharge l i n e continues as a 3-in. Li

*
c a s t i r o n pipe t o t h e c e n t r a l pump s t a t i o n of t h e Melton Valley waste
system, which i s located j u s t w e s t of t h e Bldg 7503 a r e a .
The sump i n t h e sump room receives general building drainage, as
l i s t e d i n Table 14.1. This water w i l l not normally be contaminated.
Two 1.5-hp 75-gpm f l o a t - c o n t r o l l e d sump pumps remove t h e w a t e r and d i s -
charge it through a 3-in. pipe, l i n e 327, t o a concrete catch basin. This
basin, about 2 x 3 f't and 6 f't deep, i s located just w e s t o f t h e charcoal
bed and has a bottom elevation of 846 ft. It d r a i n s through a 150-f't-long
12-in. reinforced concrete pipe away from t h e s i t e toward t h e n a t u r a l
drainage leading t o Melton Branch.
The overflow l i n e from t h e charcoal bed c e l l empties i n t o t h e above-
mentioned sump p q discharge, l i n e 327 and thence t o t h e catch b a s i n .
Line 327 i s provided with a check valve upstream of t h i s connection t o
prevent t h e overflow from moving backwards down t h e l i n e i n t o t h e sump.
It i s p o s s i b l e for contamination t o be present i n t h e drainage f r o m
t h e bottom of t h e f i l t e r p i t and from t h e bottom o f t h e containment
v e n t i l a t i o n system exhaust s t a c k . Each of t h e two 2-in. s t a i n l e s s s t e e l
d r a i n pipes from t h e f i l t e r p i t has a s i g h t i n d i c a t o r and a hand valve i n
t h e concrete f i l t e r p i t valve box located j u s t east o f t h e f i l t e r p i t . The
two l i n e s combine, as l i n e 351, and j o i n t h e 3-in. c a s t i r o n d r a i n l i n e
from t h e bottom o f t h e stack, l i n e 350, which i n t u r n empties i n t o t h e
55-gal s t a i n l e s s s t e e l drum i n t h e sump room.
The 3-hp p i t pump can remove water from t h e drum through t h e 3-in.
suction, Line 325, and discharge it v i a l i n e 326 t o t h e l i q u i d waste
storage tank. If t h e r e i s no objectionable contamination, t h e drainage
water can be pumped through l i n e 330 and 3 3 1 t o t h e above-mentioned catch
basin for r e l e a s e t o t h e n a t u r a l drainage from t h e s i t e . Check valves i n
both l i n e s 326 and 330 prevent backflow i n t o t h e sump from t h e p q dis-
charge l i n e s .
Line 328 i s a 3-in. c a s t i r o n pipe i n s t a l l e d t o d r a i n water from t h e
charcoal bed c e l l . A s i m i l a r arrangement i s provided i n l i n e 329 t o d r a i n
water from t h e r e a c t o r containment v e s s e l c e l l annulus. It i s u n l i k e l y
that e i t h e r of t h e s e spaces w i l l be drained frequently. The two d r a i n .
l i n e s combine i n t h e sump room t o j o i n l i n e 325 a t t h e p i t pump suction. b ;
403
Table 14.1 Lines Emptying i n t o Sump i n Sump Room
Line Number Size m e From

352 3 in. CI Bottom of radiator a i r duct
3 53 3 in. CI Bottom o f radiator cooling a i r stack
354 3 in. Steel Bottom of coolant drain c e l l
355 3 in. CI Blower house

356 3 in. CI Blower house ramp
3 57 3 in. CI West tunnel
358 4 in. CI Service room

359 .3 i n Steel Service tunnel
360 4 in. CI Service tunnel French drain

361 4 in. CI Reactor c e l l French drain
362 4 in. CI Charcoal bed c e l l French drain
363 4 in. CI French drain for SE area o f bldg.
364 3 in. CI Coolant drain c e l l
365 2 in. CI Vent house valve p i t
.
i
404
The water can thus be pumped out of t h e sump room by t h e p i t pump t o t h e

6'
e
waste storage tank o r t o t h e natural drainage from t h e s i t e . If necessary,
it could a l s o be dumped i n t o t h e sump room sump f o r removal by t h e sump
pumps. Check valves i n both l i n e s 328 and 329 prevent backing up i n these
l i n e s due t o t h e difference i n elevation. The r e a c t o r c e l l annulus i s a l s o
provided with an overflow pipe, l i n e 331, which drains t o t h e catch basin
outside. A check valve i n l i n e 330, from t h e p i t pump discharge, which
j o i n s l i n e 331, prevents t h e overflow water from moving backward through
t h e pump i n t o t h e sump.
..
*
14.3.1 Liquid Waste Storage Tank

The waste storage tank is 11 ft d i a m and 16 ft high, giving a storage
capacity of about 11,000 gal. The tank i s always vented t o operate a t es-
s e n t i a l l y atmospheric pressure. The tank has a f l a t bottom r e s t i n g on t h e
concrete f l o o r o f t h e waste tank c e l l . The t o p i s a dished head contain-
ing a 12 x 16-in. manhole, eleven flanged nozzles f o r i n l e t l i n e s , and a
6-in. nozzle f o r t h e vent l i n e . The discharge i s a 2-1/2-in. dip pipe t o
t h e bottom which penetrates t h e tank wall about 18 i n . above t h e lower
circumferential weld. The tank i s made of 1/4-in. 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l
(See ORNL Dwg D-KK-B-41283).
14.3.2 Waste F i l t e r
The waste f i l t e r i s a Cochrane, Type A, vertica1,pressure f i l t e r . The

tank i s 3 f't 6 i n . i n diam and 48 i n . high between t h e head welds, and has
dished top and bottom heads. The tank i s r a t e d a t 100 psig, but i s not a
The f i l t e r bed c o n s i s t s of a 34-in. depth of graded sand and
Code v e s s e l .
2
gravel having a cross s e c t i o n a l a r e a of about 9.6 f t .
Water e n t e r s through
a 2-in. pipe i n t h e top head and i s d i s t r i b u t e d uniformly by a concave
baffle. The underdrain i s through a convex, s l o t t e d d i f f u s e r p l a t e welded
2
t o t h e bottom head. The capacity i s 4 gpm/ft ,
o r a t o t a l of 38 gpm, with
a maximum pressure drop due t o flow through it of 5 t o 10 p s i . The f i l t e r
can be cleaned by back washing with process water, t h e normal back wash
405
2
requiring 5 t o 15 min a t a flow r a t e o f 10 t o 13 &pm/ft , or a t o t a l of
96 t o 144 a m , at pressures of 20 t o 25 psig.
14.3.3 Waste Pump
The waste pump i s located i n t h e remote maintenance practice c e l l .
It is a canned-motor unit, Chempmp Tyye CH-5, and has a 2-in. suction, a
1-1/2-in. discharge, and a 6-1/2-in. impeller. It i s rated a t 1% p s i g
and w i l l deliver 140 gpm against a head of 80 ft. The motor i s rated a t
10 hp, and it i s supplied with 3-phase, &-cycle power from t h e %-amp
c i r c u i t breaker No. 23 on t h e G-4 motor control center.
14.3.4 Sump Pumps
The two surnp pumps i n t h e sump room a r e rated a t 75 a m , with a d i s -

charge head of 40 I% motors a r e rated a t
The, 1.5 hp . The power supply
is through motcr control center G-3-3 and a 30-amp c i r c u i t breaker. The
pumps a r e controlled by float-operated switches.
14.3.5 P i t Pump
The p i t pump i n t h e sump room i s a Peerless u n i t rated a t 200 gpm a t
a discharge head of 70 f’t. It has a 3-in. suction and a 2-in. discharge.
The motor i s rated a t 5 hp. The e l e c t r i c a l supply i s through t h e motor
t control center G-3-3 and t h e same 30-amp c i r c u i t breaker used f o r t h e sump
pump, described above.
.
c
14.3.6 Jet Pumps
The j e t s used t o evacuate t h e sumps i n t h e various c e l l s are Penberthy
c e j e c t o r s , Model ~ ~ 9 Series
6 , 2 A (Penberthy Manufacturing Company), having
capacities a t various conditions as l i s t e d i n Table 14.2. The sump j e t s
normally operate with a suction head of about 2 f’t. and t h e caustic scrubber
j e t has a suction head of about 12 ft. The j e t s i n t h e reactor and drain
I
tank c e l l s a r e a i r operated and those i n t h e a u x i l i a r y c e l l s are actuated
by steam.
14.4 Design C r i t e r i a
#
W The primary requirement of t h e l i q u i d waste system i s t h a t a l l

406
Table 14.2 Sump Ejector Characteristics*
Pwnping Water
Suction Head Steam o r A i r Supply Pressure

ft H20 30 p s i g 60 Psig 90 p s i g
Water delivery (130°F ) 2 8.5 &Dm 8.1 @;pm 7 -25 gpm
Water delivery (13OOF) 10 4.6 gpm 6.6 gem 5.75
Steam consumption 1.3 lbs/min 1.9 lbs/min 2.6 lbs/min
A i r consumption 26 scfm 38 scfm 52 scfm
Pumping A i r
Vacuum, in. Hg
5 10 15 20
A i r capacity a t suction 50 scfm 17 scfm 7 scfm 4 scfln

(at 40 p s i g supply pressure)
*Penberthy Mfg. Co. Ejector Type x ~ g 6Series 2 A .

"
5
407
agueous effluent from t h e MSRE which might be contaminated be collected

and stored, t r e a t e d w i t h caustic when necessary, and discharged t o t h e
c e n t r a l purqp s t a t i o n of t h e Melton Valley waste system, located j u s t
west of t h e Bldg 7503 a r e a .
Although not a d i r e c t p a r t of t h e system, t h e l i q u i d waste arrange-
ment a l s o includes provisions f o r collection o f c e r t a i n non-radioactive
general building drainage and disposing it t o t h e natural drainage from
the s i t e . This general building drainage does not include storm water
o r t h a t from t h e sanitary system.
A requirement f o r operation of t h e decontamination c e l l i s t h a t the
shielding water be circulated through a f i l t e r t o permit b e t t e r v i s i b i l i t y
f o r underwater operations.
The j e t e j e c t o r s used t o remove water from the sumps i n t h e reactor
and drain tank c e l l s a r e operated by dry a i r r a t h e r than by steam t o avoid
t h e introduction of moisture i n t o t h e c e l l . The j e t s removing water from
t h e sumps i n t h e a u x i l i a r y c e l l s a r e steam-actuated. "he steam i s con-
densed and e a s i l y retained.
408
W
15. COOLING WATER SYSTESI c.
The MSRE cooling water f a c i l i t i e s include the potable water,

process water, cooling tower, treated water and condensate systems.
The potable water system d i s t r i b u t e s water supplied from the
X-10 area of O m , as described i n Section 3. T h i s system provides
f o r f i r e protection, s a n i t a r y uses and drinking water. A portion of
this potable water, after passing through a back-flow preventer,
supplies the process water for cooling tower make-up, e t c . The
potable w a t e r supply l i n e is a t the north end of Bldg. 7503 and
e n t e r s the building a t t h e northeast corner.
The cooling tower water s y s t e m i s a c i r c u l a t i n g system i n w h i c h
the water is cooled by a 2.75 x lo6 Btu/hr forced-draft cooling tower
located southwest of the building, see p l o t plan, Figure 3.2. Either
of two outdoor 20-hr, 8 0 - f t head, c e n t r i f u g a l pumps of 547 gpm capa-
c i t y , c i r c u l a t e s water from the tower basin t o t h e treated water
cooler and other equipment l i s t e d i n Table 15.1. Water from the
cooling tower is a l s o used t o cool t h e charcoal beds but t h i s water
is discharged t o d r a i n and is not c i r c u l a t e d .
The treated water system is a closed c i r c u l a t i n g system contain-
ing condensate w i t h an added chemical i n h i b i t o r t o minimize corrosion.
Water from this system is used f o r cooling equipment i n which t h e r e
is a p o s s i b i l i t y of the water becoming contaminated. The equipment
cooled is l i s t e d i n Table 15.2. The water i s c i r c u l a t e d by either
of two 20-hp, l36-ft-head, 320-gpm c e n t r i f u g a l pumps located i n the
water room i n the blower house a t the southwest corner of Bldg. 7503.
The treated water passes through a shell-and-tube type heat exchanger
i n the Diesel house t o be cooled by t h e cooling tower water system.
The water is d i s t r i b u t e d by a header i n the water room and metered t o
the various items of equipment. The r e t u r n l i n e s discharge i n t o a
common header leading t o the pump suction. A surge tank i s provided
for the expansion of t h e water i n t h e closed system. T h i s vented
409
.'
w
Table 15.1 Equipment Cooled By Cooling Tower Water
Flow, gpm Heat Removed, Btu

Treated water cooler 260 1.53 x lo6
A i r compressors ( t o t a l for 3) 36 0.36 x lo6**
Fuel pump lube o i l system 7.5 0.035 x lo6
Coolant pump lube o i l system 7.5 0.035 x lo6
Drain tank condensers (each of 2) 40 1 x 106**
Caustic scrubber and HF t r a p 5* *
Reactor c e l l annulus * *
A i r conditioners ( t o t a l for 3) 84 0.336 x lo6
Steam condenser 17 0.5 x lo6
Charcoal beds * *
Coolant c e l l coolers (each of 2) 0.168 x lo6
Reactor c e l l annulus makeup *
TOTAL 3.94 x lo6
Table 15.2 Equipment Cooled by Treated Water
Flow, gpm Heat Removed, Btu

Reactor thermal shield 100 0.41 x lo6
Fuel pump motor 5 0.005 x lo6
Coolant pump motor 5 0.010 x 106
.
..- Reactor c e l l a i r coolers ( t o t a l
f o r 2) 120 0.512 x lo6
.y, Drain tank c e l l air cooler 60 0.256 x lo6
Nuclear instrument penetration * *

Gas coolant pump lube o i l system 0.237 x lo6
Gas cooler 20
f = Intermittent operation
** = Maximum values
x
410
tankhas a float-operated valve f o r makeup from t h e condensate system

and has provisions f o r a d d i t i o n of corrosion i n h i b i t o r s amounting t o
2,000 ppm of potassium oitrate (75s) and potassium borate (25%).
Condensate is used f o r makeup i n t h e treated water system and
for makeup t o the b o i l i n g water decay heat removal system i n the f u e l
d r a i n tanks. The condensate is provided by condensing steam supplied
from the X-10 area of QRNL. The shell-and-tube type condenser is
located i n the water room and is s t o r e d i n two nearby 500-gal tanks.
15.2 Flowshee t
The cooling water system flowsheet i s shown i n Figure 15.1

(ORNL-DWG-D-AA-A-40889) and includes t h e cooling tower, treated water
and condensate systems. The potable w a t e r supply i s a l s o shown in-
s o f a r as it is connected t o the r e a c t o r processes, but does not in-
clude building s e r v i c e s .
Appropriate flowmeters and indicators are provided a t a l l points
i n the system w h e r e water flow rates are needed f o r heat balance c a l -
culations. In general, these are not mentioned i n the following
discussion, as they are covered i n d e t a i l i n Part 11.
15.2.1 Potable and Process Water
Two 6-in. carbon s t e e l pipes supply Bldg. 7503 from the water
main a t the road. One is a potable supply f o r general building use.
The other, l i n e 894, supplies the r e a c t o r processes through a 4-in.
backflow preventer. 'The backflow preventer, BFP-890-1, has a relief
l i n e discharging t o a floor d r a i n i n t h e n o r t h end of t h e main build-
ing, and i s o l a t i o n valves V-894-Bl and V-890-A1, which can be closed
f o r maintenance. Additional valves, V-894-B2 and V-89042, are pro-
vided i n event it is necessary t o i n s t a l l an a d d i t i o n a l backflow
preventer f o r temporary use.
Water from t h e backflow preventer is d i s t r i b u t e d through 890, a
6-in. header.* A branch from the header, l i n e 896, supplies process
water f o r general process use i n t h e high bay area. Line 892 is a
Water taken from this potable water header i s sometimes referred t o

i n this r e p o r t and i n t h e E R E literature as process water.
4
c3
1
I
I
I
TO REACT3R THERMAL SHIELD
TO F U E L PUMP MOTOR
I
TO REACTOR C E t L Pr(FreW:€R +'a
TO REACTOR C E L L AIR COO I
T 3 COOLANT W Y P MOT0
F R W C ' W L A N T PUMP MQT
TO DRAIN TANK C E L L AIR CDOL
TO EIUCLEAR INSTRUMENT PENETRATION
TO WASTE TANK
I
I
FROM DRAIN TANK
i
FROM REACTOR C
AIR COOLER NO1
I
FROM REACTOR 'I
AIR COOLER NO
TO VAP'R COMENSNG S K T E M
FROM FUEL PUMP MOTOR I

FROM REACTOR THERMAL SHIELD
TO REACTOR CELL ANNULUS
FRCU REACTOR CELL ANNULUS
4Q GPY'
I L-
DRAIN TAYK CONDENSER NO. 2
%A
-. .. . . ,.. .."I.
h
t
412
1-1/2-in. pipe f o r supplying water t o the vapor condensing tank used w

i n the vapor condensing system f o r the reactor containment c e l l . The
l i q u i d waste c e l l is supplied w i t h potable water through the 2-in.
l i n e 819. A backflow preventer i n this line, BFP-819, is located i n
t h e w e s t side of the l i q u i d waste c e l l , and prevents contamination of
the cooling tower water system by reverse flow.
Ehergency cooling water is supplied t o the two instrument a i r
compressors and the service a i r compressor located i n the Diesel
house, through 2-in. l i n e 872. These u n i t s are normally cooled by
the cooling-tower water system. The condensers i n the f u e l drain
tank decay-hest removal system a l s o have an emergency water supply
from the process water system through the 2-in. l i n e 882, and three-
way valve Iozv-882. The normal coolant f o r the condensers i n the
d r a i n tank system is cooling tower water. Line 890 continues as a
1-1/2-in. schd 40 pipe t o provide makeup f o r the cooling tower basin
through the float-operated valve, LCV-890.
15.2.2 Cooling Tower Water System
Water from the cooling tower basin is supplied through a 6-in.

pipe, l i n e 850 and 852, t o the suction of the cooling tower water
c i r c u l a t i n g pumps. Pump No. 1 discharges through a check valve i n t o
f?
l i n e 851 and Pump No. 2 i n t o l i n e 853. T h i s water, a t about 35 psig,

and a maximum temperature of 85'F, is d i s t r i b u t e d through the 6-in.
header, l i n e 851. A major take-off, a l s o numbered 851, i s a 6-in.
.I
pipe supplying about 260 gpm of cooling water t o the shell-and-tube
cooler i n the treated water system. This water c i r c u l a t e s back t o
the cooling tower through l i n e s 854 and 856. A 1-1/4-in. pipe, l i n e
880, is connected t o l i n e 851 f o r the 36-gpm cooling water supply t o
the instrument a i r and service a i r compressors, and associated a f t e r -
coolers, a l l located i n the diesel house. The water is returned
through lines 881, 854 and 856.
The other major branch of l i n e 851 is the 3-in. take-off, l i n e
860, supplying a subheader, l i n e 816. Lines 821 and 823, each 1-1/4
in. supply about 7.5 gpm from this header t o the f u e l and coolant
salt circulating pump lubricating o i l system coolers located i n the
... -. .. . . - " ., , .~I .

413
service tunnel. This water r e t u r n s t o t h e cooling tower through l i n e s

820 and 822 v i a l i n e s 817 and 856. A 1-1/2-in. pipe, l i n e 891, from
l i n e 816 is used t o f i l l the annulus around the reactor c e l l containment
vessel.
The c a u s t i c scrubber cooling jacket i n t h e f u e l processing c e l l
is supplied through l i n e 842 and returned through l i n e 843. A take-
off from the 3/4-in. l i n e 842, the 1/2-in. l i n e 839, supplies water
t o t h e cooling jacket on the HF t r a p and HJ? cylinder i n the a r e a out-
side of Bldg 7503, j u s t w e s t of t h e d r a i n tank c e l l . The cooling
water is returned t&hroughl i n e s 843 and 849, v i a l i n e s 817 and 856.
Line 816 a l s o supplies water t o the steam condenser i n the water room,
previously mentioned as the source of water f o r the condensate system
t o be described subsequently, throtlgh the 1-1/4-in. l i n e 814. This
water is returned through l i n e 815. Also as previously mentioned,
the d r a i n tank heat removal system condensers are supplied with about
40 gpm each of cooling water through the 2-in. pipes 810 and 812, through
a three-way valve HCV-882. The r e t u r n water l i n e s from the condensers
are numbered 811 and 813.
The main cooling tower water r e t u r n header, l i n e 856, i s a 6-in.
pipe leading t o t h e t o p of the tower. A 3-in. subheader, l i n e 817,
c o l l e c t s much of t h e water flowing i n t o this main header. Line 856
divides t o supply both sections of the cooling t o w e r . The water is
. normally returned a t a temperature no h o t t e r than 95"F, and under
maximum ambient w e t bulb temperature conditions of 79°F could be
cooled t o 85°F (7°F approach). Since t h e commonly-used design w e t
bulb temperature i n the Oak Ridge area i s 75'F, cooler water tempera-
tures can be attained, p a r t i c u l a r l y during the winter months. A 4-in.
by-pass, l i n e 858, leads through t h e c o n t r o l valve, TCV-858, t o the
tower circulating-pump suction t o r e g u l a t e t h e pump discharge
temperature.
15.2.3 Treated Water System
Condensate from the storage tank i n the water room is added t o

the treated water system surge tank, located d i r e c t l y beneath it,
414
through l i n e 825. T h i s 1-in. pipe contains a float-operated c o n t r o l

valve, Lcv-825, t o maintain ao operating l e v e l i n the tank. The surge
tank is vented t o atmosphere a t a l l t i m e s . Potassium n i t r i t e (75$),
and potassium borate (25%) are added through a funnel t o inhibit cor-
rosion i n the treated water system. The surge tank i s connected t o
l i n e 827 by two pipes, one on each side of valve V-827-C. The down-
stream l i n e i s a d i r e c t connection t o l i n e 827 and t h e upstream one
contains a valve, V-827-D. This arrangement allows some of the flow
i n l i n e 827 t o be diverted t o flow through the surge tank f o r mixing
purposes and also assures that t h e surge tank i s always connected
t o the system.
c
The above-mentioned l i n e 827 is a 4-in. header leading t o the

suctions of t h e treated water c i r c u l a t i n g pumps. A duplex s t r a i n e r
is included i n the l i n e upstream of the surge tank connections. The
pump discharge l i n e s , 829 and 835, combine t o form l i n e 829. This 4-
i n . pipe d e l i v e r s the water a t 100°F and 58 psig, and a t a flow rate
of about 300 gpm, t o t h e treated w a t e r f i l t e r located i n the Diesel
house. The f i l t e r when clean has a pressure drop of less than 1 p s i
and a maximum pressure drop of 5 p s i , and removes e s s e n t i a l l y a l l
p a r t i c l e s greater than 30 microns i n diameter. After leaving t h e
f i l t e r t h e water e n t e r s t h e treated water cooler, where it is cooled
t o about 90°F. It leaves the heat exchanger a t about 43 p s i g through
the 4-in. sched 40 d i s t r i b u t i o n header, l i n e 826. The following
equipment is supplied from t h i s header i n t h e water room, each -.
connection being provided with a hand-operated regulating valve, a
flow indicator, s t o p valve, check valve, and a sampling valve
arrangement t o t e s t t h e leak t i g h t n e s s of the check valve:
(a). The thermal s h i e l d f o r t h e r e a c t o r is cooled by 60 gpm of
t r e a t e d water supplied through a 2-1/2-in. pipe, l i n e 844, and re-
c i r c u l a t e d t o t h e system through l i n e 845. A normally-open block
valve on t h e supply, FSV-844, is controlled by a pressure switch,
PSS-844B, on l i n e 844 t o l i m i t t h e water supply pressure t o about 16
psig. A flow-limiting o r i f i c e i n l i n e 844 a l s o prevents over-
pressuring t h e thermal s h i e l d if the manual flow a d j u s t i n g valve,
V-844A, is opened too w i d e . Line 844 contains a check valve upstream
.
.
415
of t h e o r i f i c e t o prevent back flow. Rupture discs, rated a t 18 psig,

i n l i n e s 844 and 845 discharge t o l i n e 855 leading t o the vapor
condensing system.
(b) The f u e l pump motor cooling water is taken from l i n e 844,
described i n (a) above, downstream of the block valve FSV-844. This
1-in. pipe, l i n e 830, i s provided with a check valve, located i n the
blower house. The required flow r a t e i s about 5 gpm and the water is
returned througb l i n e 831. This l i n e , and the r e t u r n water l i n e from
l -
the thermal shield, l i n e 845, combine i o the blower house t o form l i n e
847. This l i n e contains a block valve, FSV-847, which is a l s o
controlled by a radiation monitor, RE-827.
(c) The reactor c e l l air cooler (No. 1) i s supplied with 60 gpm
of treated water through the 2-in. l i n e 840. This l i n e includes a
check valve located i n the blower house. Water is returned from the
a i r cooler through l i n e 846, through a block valve, FSV-846. A relief
valve set a t 100 psig is included i n the r e t u r n l i n e upstream of the
block valve t o vent excessive pressure through the 1-1/4-in. l i n e 335
t o the waste tank.
(d) The other reactor c e l l a i r cooler (No. 2) is supplied with
60 gpm of treated water through l i n e 838 i n the same manner as the
cooler connections described i n (c), above. The r e t u r n water is
through l i n e 841.
(e) The coolant s a l t pump drive motor requires about 5 gpm of
c cooling water, supplied through 1-in. line 832, and a check valve,
C'V-832. The r e t u r n water is through l i n e 833 d i r e c t l y t o l i n e 827.
( f ) The 60-gpm treated water supply t o the d r a i n tank c e l l a i r
cooler is through l i n e 386, a 2-in. sched. 40 pipe with a check valve
located i n the blower house. The r e t u r n water pipe, l i n e 837, is
equipped with a block valve, FSV-837, and a relief valve venting t o
l i n e 335, i n a similar arrangement to the reactor c e l l a i r coolers.
( g ) The nuclear instrument tube penetration is f i l l e d with
water from t h e treated water system. The water is supplied through
the 1./2-in. pipe, l i n e 84.8.
416
.-
(h) The a f t e r c o o l e r used downstream of the component cooling
system gas blowers, located i n the s p e c i a l equipment room, i s cooled
by 20 gpm of treated water supplied through t h e 1-1/4-in. l i n e 873,
and returned through l i n e 874. The o i l coolers on t h e two blowers
are a l s o water-cooled by about 10 gpm of water supplied through l i n e
875. The water i s r e c i r c u l a t e d through l i n e 876, a l s o 1-in. pipe
s i z e , which j o i n s the above-mentioned water r e t u r n l i n e from the
a f t e r c o o l e r , l i n e 874, before discharging i n t o the r e t u r n header,
l i n e 827.
15.2.4 Condensate System
Saturated steam a t 15 psig is condensed i n a shell-and-tube h e a t

exchanger located i n t h e water room a t the s o u t h e s t corner of Bldg
7503. The condenser is cooled by cooling tower water, as described
i n Section 15.2.2. The condensate leaves through a 1/2-in. s t r a i n e r
and steam t r a p on the s t a i n l e s s s t e e l l i n e 801, and discharges i n t o
the vented condensate storage tank, No. 1 or t o tank No. 2 through
the branch l i n e 818. The d r a i n from t h e bottom of tank No. 1, l i n e
802, and from the bottom of tank No. 2, l i n e 825, combine as the 1-
i n . l i n e 883, and is used t o feed the float-operated make-up valve on
t h e treated w a t e r system surge tank.
Lines 802 and 803, both 1/2-in. s t a i n l e s s steel, a l s o branch from
l i n e 883 t o supply makeup t o the d r a i n tank heat removal system water
tanks.
15.3.1 Condensate Storage Tank No. 1
Condensate storage tank No. 1 is a v e r t i c a l , 36-in.-diam v e s s e l

with an o v e r a l l height of 5 f t . The tank is vented t o t h e atmosphere
a t a l l times. It i s constructed of 12-gage, 304 s t a i n l e s s steel,
with dished heads 3/16 i n . thick. The t a n k s are supported by three
angle iron legs, with t h e bottom of the tank about 4 f t from the
floor. The tank has six nozzles, t h e t h r e e i n the t o p being the 1/2-
in. water supply, the 1/2-in. vent, and a 1-in. spare connection.
417
- td There are two 1/2-in. couplings on the side f o r the water l e v e l gage.
The 1-in. d r a i n l i n e connection i s i n the bottom head.
15.3.2 Condensate Storage Tank No. 2
T h i s tank i s similar t o condensate storage tank No. 1 but i s a

horizontal tank 30 i n . diam x 72 i n . long. The c y l i n d r i c a l portion is
12-gage 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l with 3/16-in.-thick dished beads. The
tank is designed f o r operation a t atmospheric pressure. There are
four nozzles a t the top: the 1/2-in. i n l e t , the 1/2-in. vent, and
two spares. The two side nozzles on one end are for the water gage.
A 1-in. discharge nozzle and a 1/2-in. d r a i n are provided along the
bottom. The tank is supported by a s t e e l cradle '78 i n . from the
floor. T h i s tank was arranged horizontally rather than being i d e n t i c a l
t o tank No. 1 i n order t o i n s t a l l it d i r e c t l y above t h e surge tank.
15.3.3 Treated Water Surge Tank
The surge tank i s a horizontal 30-in. diam x 48 i n . long carbon

s t e e l tank designed f o r atmospheric pressure. The wall thickness is
1/8-in., with 3/16-in. dished heads. The nine nozzles include: 1-in.
feed l i n e a t the top, a 1-in chemical addition l i n e , and a 1/2-in.
vent. Two nozzles a t one end are f o r t h e water gage and on the other
end two nozzles connect t o t h e float-operated l i q u i d l e v e l c o n t r o l l e r .
Two 1-in. pipe s i z e nozzles are a t the bottom. The tank is supported
3
on a cradle 30 i n . above the floor and d i r e c t l y under condensate
c
storage tank No. 2.
t 15.3.4 Cooling Tower
The cooling tower is designed t o c o o l about 550 gpm of water

from 95°F t o 85°F when t h e w e t bulb temperature i s 79°F. The equi-
v a l e n t heat removal capacity is 2.75 x lo6 Btu/hr. The connected
cooling tower load is about 538 gpm and a possible heat load of a
maxhwn of 3.94 x lo6 Btu/hr, as was indicated i n Table 15.1. The
tower has a capacity of 3.57 x lo6 Btu/hr when t h e w e t bulb tempera-
ture is 76°F w b t . The design wbt i n common use i n the && Ridge
area is 75°F.
418
...
The cooling tower i s a Marley Company Model 8320 "Packaged

Li
*
Aquatower" with two 60-in. diam multi-blade adjustable p i t c h f a n
belt driven by 5-hp, 1800-rpm, TEA0 motors. The o v e r a l l dimensions
are 11 f t 9-1/2 i n wide x 14 f t 6-7/8 i n . long and 8 f t 8-3/4 i n .
high.
15.3.5 !treated Water Cooler
The treated w a t e r cooler is a heat exchanger made available from

another p r o j e c t . It i s a shell-and-tube type, four-pass, horizontal --
heat exchanger, and is located i n the west end of the Diesel house.
a
The shell is 28 i n . OD x 20 f t long, not including t h e heads, and has
10-in. flanged nozzles. The 360 straight tubes are admiralty metal, -
1 i n . OD, No. 18 BWG, 20 f t long, spaced on 1-1/4-in. squares. The
tubes are supported by f i x e d tube sheets and baffle p l a t e s of naval
brass. The tube-side connections f o r the treated water are 8-in.
flanged nozzles.
The t o t a l heat t r a n s f e r surface is 1,885 f t 2 , t h e shell-side w a t e r
v e l o c i t y is about 0.48 f t / s e c and t h e tube-side velocity 1.75 f t / s e c ,
providing a n estimated o v e r a l l k a t transfer c o e f f i c i e n t of 232 Btu/hr-
ft2-"F.156 Operating design conditions are t h a t t h e cooling tower
water e n t e r s the shell a t 85°F and leaves a t 97°F. The treated water
e n t e r s the tubes a t 100°F and leaves a t 90°F. 157
15.3.6 Treated Water Circulatine: P ~ ~ D s
There are two i d e n t i c a l treated water c i r c u l a t i n g pumps, one

operating and one f o r standby. Each is sized f o r 120% of the 96-ft
head of pressure drop estimated f o r the system158 and f o r a flow of
about 310 gpm. The u n i t s are Peerless centrif'ugal pumps, Model 2 x 3
x 13 DL, driven by 20-hp motors. The open-type impeller is 13 i n . i n
diam and operates a t 1,750 rpm. The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c curves of pump
performance are shown i n Figure 15.2.
Each pump and motor is mounted on a common base, about 18 x 49 in.,
and the u n i t is about 26 i n . high, arranged f o r t o p discharge.
419
Unclassified
ORNL DWG 64-8843
180
140
' loo
8
8
80
74
t;
H
60
40
I
x)
Efficiency Curves
i I
0
0 100 I 200 300
Gallons per Minute
Mgure 15.2. Chara$teristic Curves - Treated Water Circulating Pumps

I
,
15.3.7 Cooling Tower Pumps
Two i d e n t i c a l cooling tower water c i r c u l a t i n g pumps are installed,

one t o serve as standby. The u n i t s are American-Mwsh centrifugal
pumps, s i z e 4 A , Ty-pe RDM. The pumps have 10-in. diam inclosed impellers
and are d i r e c t driven by 20-hp motors a t 1,750 rpm. The estimated
pressure drop i n the system i s 53 f t of water. The u n i t s were selected
for 80 f t of head a t 550 gpm capacity. The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c performance
curves are shown i n Figure 15.3. The pump and motor a r e mounted on a
comon base.
15.3.8 Steam Condenser f o r Condensate System
The steam condenser is a horizontal s h e l l and t u b e type, w i t h a

carbon steel shell about 8 in. OD x 6 f t long, made available from
another project. Condensing is inside the s t a i n l e s s s t e e l tubes and
the t o t a l capacity i s about 1.2 gal/min.
15.3.9 Space Coolers
The f i v e space coolers i n the E R E processing cells are designed

t o maintain the c e l l s a t temperatures below of 150°F. There are two
u n i t s f o r the coolant c e l l , two i n the reactor c e l l and one i n the
d r a i n tank c e l l .
15.3.9.1 Coolant C e l l Coolers. - The two space coolers f o r the
coolant c e l l were e x i s t i n g u n i t s i n Bldg 7503. They are external t o
the c e l l , located a t the 850-ft elevation, and connected t o the c e l l
with short ducts. Each u n i t is mounted i n a gas-tight, 12-gage sheet - r
metal casing, one on the northwest side of the c e l l and the other on
the southeast. The two return ducts t o each u n i t are 12 x 19 i n . and
the discharge duct i s 23 x 28 in.
The two coolers are i d e n t i c a l and are P a n e No. 212 u n i t s with
an 8-row water c o i l and a rated cooling capacity of 250,000 Btu/hr.*
The cooling load on each u n i t i s estimated t o be about 82,000 Btu/hr
when the c e l l temperature is the maximum of 150°F. 159 he circulating
fans have a capacity of 3,600 cfm a t 167"F, and are driven by 2-hp,
220/440 v, 3-phase motors designed for operation a t 175°F. The cooling t
w a t e r requirements are estimated t o be about 20 gpm.

L;
s e e aRNL Dwg f o r ART FYoject, D-KP-19040-T Rev. 2, Dec. 8, 1955. <
L
. I
Unclassified
ORNL DWG 64-8844
100 I
10-in.
I I I I I
80
60
G
I
40 American-Mmsh Centrifugal Pump
B Type RS-RD, Size 4A, 1750 rpm
8 Enclosed 10-in. D i a . Impeller
74
H
20
20
0
10
1
4E
5 F94
0
100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
Gallons per Minute
Figure 15.3. Characteristic Curves - Cooling Tower Water Circulating Pwnps

422
Table 15.3 Design Data Reactor and Drain Tank Cell Space Coolers
Number of u n i t s : In reactor c e l l 2
I n d r a i n tank c e l l 1
Design pressure 150 PSig
Required cooling water f o r each u n i t 60 gpm
Water temperature r i s e 9'F
Water pressure drop 2.1 p s i
A i r flow rate 7,400 scfm
A i r temperature drop 32.3"F
A i r pressure drop 0.6 i n . H20
Rated heat t r a n s f e r capacity* 256,000 Btu/hr (75 kw)
Fan Motor Louis A l l i s , 3-hp, 3-phase,
60 cycle, 440 v, 1,750 rpm,
Class H, t o t a l l y inclosed
Fan Aluminum, 6 blades, 32 i n . dim
Coil 69 f t 2 e f f e c t i v e prime surface,
950 f t 2 f i n surface, red brass
serpentine c o i l , 5/8-in. OD x
0.035-in. w a l l tubes, 0.010 i n .
f i n s mechanically bonded t o
tubes
Approximate weight 1,600 lbs (with water)
Dimensions About 50 i n . x 29 in. x 44 i n .
high
*Ehtering a i r assumed a t 150°F.

423
bb 15.3.9.2 Reactor and Drain Tank Cell Space Coolers. -

The reactor
and d r a i n tank c e l l s are estimated t o require the removal of a t o t a l of
about 500,000 Btu/hr t o maintain the c e l l temperature below 150°F. Two
space coolers are used i n the reactor c e l l and one i n the drain tank
c e l l . The u n i t s are i d e n t i c a l and are Young Radiator Company Model 55,
modified f o r d i r e c t drive and i n s t a l l e d t o f a c i l i t a t e maintenance using
remotely-operated tooling. The water tubes and headers are backbrazed
t o reduce the likelihood of water leaking i n t o the c e l l . The treated
water supply and r e t u r n l i n e s are connected by ring-joint type flanges,
which a r e monitored f o r Leakage.
Design data f o r the coolers are l i s t e d i n Table 15.3.
15.3.10 Piping Valves and Appurtenances
15.3.10.1 P i p i x . - All w a t e r system piping-located outside the

containment c e l l s is sched 40 black steel, ASTM A-53. Pipe and
fittings above 1-1/2-in. pipe s i z e are butt-welded, and the fittings
are ASTMA234 Grade B. Smaller pipe and fittings are threaded; the
f i t t i n g s are 150-psi black malleable iron. Condensate piping is 304
s t a i n l e s s s t e e l w i t h standard weight screwed f i t t i n g s .
A l l water system piping inside the c e l l s is 304 s t a i n l e s s steel,
sched 4 0 , w i t h butt-welded ends. Flanges are either 150-psi or 300
c
p s i weld-neck, r i n g - j o i n t flanges, depending on service and location.
A l l of these j o i n t s are leak-detected.
-
-
15.3.10.2 Valves. - Valves of 2-1/2-in. size and over have
flanged connections. The gate valves are 125-psi Ferrosteel wedge
- valves w i t h bronze trim and outside screw and yoke, Crane No. 465-1/2.
The globe valves are Ferrosteel w i t h joke bonnet, bronze t r i m , Crane
No. 351. Bronze trim is a l s o used i n the 125-psi Ferrosteel swing
check valves, Crane No. 363.
Valves used i n piping 2 i n . and smaller have screwed ends. The
gate valves are 125-psi bronze valves with rising stems, Crane No.
430-UB. Globe valves are 350-psi bronze, Crane No. 14P. Ekcept as
noted below, the check valves are 125-psi bronze, Crane No. 34.
The check valves i n l i n e s 836, 838, and 840, which supply treated
water t o the reactor and drain tank c e l l space coolers, are Circle Seal
1
r
424
Model 23OB-16 PP, 0.5 - 1 p s i . The check valves i n l i n e s 830 and 832,
Ld
*
supplying treated water t o t h e f u e l and coolant s a l t pump motors, are
Circle S e a l Model 23OB-8 PP, 0.5 - 1psi. These s p e c i a l check valves
prevent back flow if the block valves i n these water supply l i n e s a r e
closed by detection of r a d i o a c t i v i t y i n the r e t u r n water stream.
The pressure relief valves used i n r e t u r n water l i n e s 837, 846,
841, 847, etc., are F a r r i s Series 1475, 1/2-in. s i z e , set a t 100 p s i .
The pressure relief valve i n line 855 is i d e n t i c a l but set a t 20 p s i
t o p r o t e c t the thermal s h i e l d from excessive pressure. %
The air-operated control valves are described i n P a r t 11.
15.3.10.3 Backflow Preventers. - The potable water system is .

protected from contamination due t o reverse flow by a 4-in. backflow
preventer i n l i n e 890. The cooling tower system i s a l s o protected
f r o m contamination f r o m the l i q u i d waste system by a similar, b u t 2-in.
pipe size,backflow preventer i n l i n e 819.
Both u n i t s are Beeco Model 6 C, reduced-pressure, backflow pre-
venters, as shown i n Figure 15.4. The u n i t s operate on t h e principle
t h a t two spring-loaded check valves, "A" and "Bff i n Figure 15.4, (with
8 p s i springs) are i n series with a spring-loaded diaphragm-operated
relief valve, "C", i n between. The upstream pressure, "D", a c t s on
one side of the diaphragm and the intermediate pressure, "E", and a
4-psi spring, a c t on the other. If the supply pressure drops, or the
intermediate pressure increases i n a condition tending t o c r e a t e
backflow, the diaphragm-operated relief valve opens t o discharge the
water t o drain. The 4-in. potable water valve, BFP-890-1, r e l i e v e s
water t o the building sump. The 2-in. valve i n the l i q u i d waste c e l l ,
RFP-819, discharges the relief water t o t h e waste tank. The capacities
of the two valves a t various pressure heads are shown i n Figure 15.5.
15.3.10.4 Strainer. - The suction l i n e t o t h e treated water

pumps is equipped with a 3-in. Schute and Koerting duplex s t r a i n e r .
The u n i t consists of two 24-in. s t r a i n e r baskets with a plug valve
t o s e l e c t the s t r a i n e r i n use. While one s t r a i n e r i s i n service the
other can be removed f o r cleaning. The u n i t has a c a s t iron body with
brass s t r a i n e r baskets.
425
\
V
426
- ._
Ld
Unclassified
ORNL DWG 64-8846
32
24
16
a
0
0 200 400 600
Flow Rate - gpm
a. Valve BFPW-1
MRF=l6om
32
24
l6
8
0
0 40 80 120
Flow Rate - gpm
b. Valve BFP-8l9
FYgure 15.5. Capacity of Back-Flow Preventers i n Water System

4
+
427
P
u 15.3.11 Treated Water F i l t e r
The f i l t e r i n the treated water circulating pump discharge, l i n e

829, is rated a t 75 psig and 120°F t o remve p a r t i c l e s of 30 microns
i n diam and greater from a flow of a minimum of 380 gpm. The maximum
pressure loss .due t o flow through the u n i t iS I5 p s i . The i n l e t and
o u t l e t connections are 6-in. pipe s i z e , sched 40. A by-pass is incor-
porated t o allow cleaning of the u n i t without disrupting the flow of
treated water. The f i l t e r is manufactured by tk Dollinger Corporation
(Rochester).
428
16. COMPONEXC COOLING SYSTEMS
The upper portion of the fuel circulating pump bowl and the control
rod drives are cooled by streams of gas i n order t o avoid excessively
highly operating temperatures. The freeze valves, the seals a t the reactor
access nozzle, etc., are cooled by gas t o maintain the s a l t well below the
melting temperature t o assure a frozen s a l t seal.
The component cooling equipment is arranged In two separate systems:
(1)a circulating gas loop f o r cooling equipment located in the reactor
and drain tank c e u s , and (e), an air supply system f o r cooling freeze -
valves i n the coolant and f u e l processing cells.
16.1 General Description and Layout
16.1.1 C i r c u l a t i n g Gas S y s t e m
Cell atmosphere gas (%$ N2, 59 02) is circulated by a 75-hp, 885-cf'm
positive-displacement blower sealed i n - a 6 f t diam x 8 ft steel tank
located i n the special equipment room. (An identical blower unit I s i n
standby). The blower discharges through a vertical, 8-in.diam x 9-ft
long, shell and tube, water-cooled heat exchanger, also located i n the
special equipment room. The gas, now a t about 150°F and 21.3 psia, flows
t o a 6-in. distributing header i n the reactor cell, where streams are c
taken from it t o cool the equipment listed i n Table 16.1.

The gas passes over the various surfaces t o be cooled and then
-
mingles with the c e l l atmosphere. The 10-in. blower suction connection *
is made t o the 30-in. d i m containment ventilation system pipe, l i n e 930,

where it passes through the special equipment mom.
Each gas blower has sufficient capacity t o also be used f o r evacuation
of the reactor and drain tank cells. I n t h i s operation, a portion of the
blower discharge is diverted t o the containment ventilation system, t o
be monitored and f i l t e r e d before discharge f r o m the stack. Due t o c e l l
inleakage, o r t o various purge gas streams t h a t may be introduced, a
periodic, o r perhaps continuous, evacuation w i l l be required t o maintain
the c e l l s a t the desired 12.7 psi& operating pressure.
429
Table 16.1 Gas-Cooled Components
Component Cooled Gas Supply Line Apprsx. Gas

Flow Req'd.
SCm
Fuel pump bowl

88 0-4QO
FV-104 i n itrain tank cell 1-15
FV-105 i n drain tank cell 1-15
..
4 FV-107 i n drain tank cell 1-15
- FV-lo8 i n drain tank cell 1-15
. Three control rod drives 915 1 15
FV-lo3 i n reactor c e l l160 919 1-114 25 -75
Off-gas l i n e 52% 960 3 800
Graphite sampler - nozzle 961 3/4 10
Outside of reactor access nozzle 962 314 10
Inside of reactor access nozzle 963 314 10
*A secondary function. The primary purpose I s t o regulate system

pressure through PdCV 960 and t o return the gas t o the reactor and
drain tank cells.
t -
.
430
I n estimating the gas flow rates required, it was assumed that not
ti
w
a l l freeze valves would require a high rate of cooling a t the same time.
I n general, no gas flow measurements w i l l be made during operation of
the reactor, the flow rates simply being adjusted t o maintain the equip-
ment a t the proper operating temperatures.
16.1.2 Cooling A i r Supply

A i r f o r cooling the freeze valves i n the coolant and fuel processing
c e l l s i s provided by a 5-hp positive-displacement type blower of 60 scfm
i
capacity, located i n the blower house a t the southwest corner of Bldg 7503.
A i r i n the 3-in. discharge pipe is divided t o cool the equipment l i s t e d i n
Table 16.2. After blowing on the flattened sections of process piping
t h a t serve as freeze valves, the air i s then carried off by the c e l l
P
ventilation ducts.
16.2 Flowsheet
The flowsheet f o r the gas blowers and cooler located i n the special
equipment room i s included on the f u e l system process flowsheet, Figure
5.3 (ORNL Dwg D-AA-A-40880). Other portions of the gas circulating
system are shown on other process flowsheets t o be mentioned subsequently.
The c e l l atmosphere gas blower (95% N2, 54 02), CCP-1, draws gas from t
inside i t s 6-ft-diam x 8-ft high containment tank. A 10-in. sched 40

stainless s t e e l pipe, l i n e 923, connected t o the bottom of the tank, joins
a similar suction l i n e t o the alternate blower, CCP-2, (line 92), and
as a 10-in. pipe connects the short distance t o the 30-in. containment
ventilation pipe, l i n e 930. The suction lines contain instrumentation
f o r temperature indication and each has a hand valve t o permit switching
of service between the blowers. The normal operating pressure i n a
blower containment tank, i.e., the blower suction pressure, i s 12.5 psia
and the gas enters a t about 15OoF. The D-hp blower drive motor i s cooled
by the gas flow through the tank.
The gas blower CCP-1 discharges a t about 21.3 psia and 320°F through
a 6-in. sched 40 stainless s t e e l pipe, l i n e 916, which passes through the .
bottom head of the containment tank. The portion inside the tank contains
a flexible connector, a pressure-relief valve connection, and a check valve
G
~
L
431
Table 16.2 Air-Cooled Components
Component Cooled A i r Supply Line Approx. Air
-
NO Pipe Size F~OW ReqVL
FV-204 i n coolant c e l l 906 1-15 scfm

FV-206 i n coolant c e l l 907 1-15 S C F ~
FV-ll2 i n f u e l proc. c e l l 924 1-15 scfm
FV-111 i n f u e l proc. c e l l 929 1-15 S C ~
FV-IlO i n f u e l proc. c e l l 969 1-15 scfm
\
h
432
i s located inside the tank and vents t o it when the differential pressure
Gd
I
exceeds l2 psi. Lubricating o i l from the blower suqp i s circulated by

a gear pmp driven by the blower shaft, the o i l flowing through 6t water-
cooled stainless steel heat exchanger and o i l f i l t e r before returning
t o the blower bearings. A pressure relief valve on the o i l Une i s set
at a differential pressure of 12 psi t o vent the o i l t o the blower sump
in event the heat exchanger or f i l t e r becomes clogged. The o i l pressure
i s monitored by a pressure transmitter located i n the o i l return line
f r o m the f i l t e r .
The alternate gas blower, CCP-2, i n an identical arrangement dis-
charges Into the 6-in. line 921, which Joins the above-mentioned dis-
charge line f r o m blower CCP-1, before entering the gas cooler.
The compressed gas enters the shell side of the gas cooler a t about c
320- ana leaves a t about 150°F. The tube side of the horizontal shell-
and-tube heat exchanger i s coaled by a flow of about 20 gpm of 90°F
treated water, supplied through l i n e 873 and leaving through line 874.
The i n l e t and outlet gas lines have thermocouples t o permit heat balances
t o be made and an estimation of the gas flow rate. The gas leaves the
cooler through the 6-in. sched 40 stainless s t e e l line 917.
A 1-1/2-in. sched 40 stainless steel pipe, line 565, branches f r o m
line 917 inside the special equipment room, and leads t o the vent house.
As shown on the containment ventilation system flowsheet, Figure 12.1,
(ORNL Dwg D-AA-A-40883), line 565 connects t o line 571 i n the vent house,
and continuing as line 565, i s provided with two GM probes t o monitor
n
4
for radioactivity, RIA-565, and a block valve HCV-565, actuated by the

monitor. A 1/2-in. by-pass line, 569, leads through a wet flow meter,
t o a sampling point, and through a f l o w totalizer and indicator, FqI-569,
back into line 565. The hand valves i n the by-pass line, 569, and in
line 565, are used t o regulate the c e l l pressure. Line 565 discharges
into line 927 t o pass through the roughing and absolute f i l t e r s before
release from the ventilation system stack. This arrangement for venting
a portion of the blower discharge t o the atmosphere i s used t o evacuate
gas from the reactor and drain tank cells t o maintain them at the desired
L
operating pressure of about 12.7 psia. A hand valve In lrne 565 i s used
t o regulate the c e l l pressure. cl
c
433
Continuing w i t h the conpressed gas line 917, t h i s 61ino sched 40

pipe passes through a penetration into the reactor cell, there the
pipe material thenbecomes carbon steel, and serves as a header for the
several com,ponent cooling system gas supply lines listea in Table 16.1.
This table lists the line sizes and flow rates i n each of the eight
branches.
A l l eight of the gas sugply lines, except line 920, contain a i r -
operated valves f o r controlling the ga$ flow.
Line 920 i s a 2-in. sched 40 carbon steel pipe passing through the
36-in. d i m opening between the reactor and drain tank cells and then
through a penetration in the drain tank c e l l w a l l t o supply a valve mani-
fold station located i n the north electric service area. Here, through
six throttle valves, as shown i n Figure 6.1 (0"L D-AA-A-40882), lines
branch off t o supply cooling gas t o freeze valves i n the drain tank c e l l
on lines 104, 105, and 106, 107, 108 and 109. (The freeze valves on lines
107, 108 and lo9 are shown on the fuel processing flowsheet, Figure 6.2
(ORNL Dwg D-AA-A-40887)
The air-operated valve in line 960, pdcv-960, i s controlled by a
--
differentid-pressure c e l l connected betweenllines 917 and 923, i.e.,
between the gas blower suction and discharge lines. This valve varses
the flow through line 960 t o =@ate the component cooling gas supply
pressure t o a relatively constant va.lue irrespective of the rate of use
a t various freeze valves, et@. The 3-in. line 960 discharges into the
reactor c e l l in the annular space between a 44% length of 10-in. sched
10 pipe and the &-in. portion of the off-gas line 522, at the 831-ft
elm near the c e l l wallo a i s arraJlgement helps cools the leaving
off-gaE: e t r e m . ,
The 5-hp, ~ o - s c ~positive-displacement
, type blower, CCP-3, supplyiq
conponent cooling sir t o the coolant and processing cells is located i n the
blower house. As shown on the coolant system flowsheet, Figure 9. ( O m
Dwg D-AA-A-40881), air is drawn from the blower house through a f i l t e r ,
The blower discharge is a +in0 sched 40 carbon s t e e l pipe, line 906, which
is provided with a check valve and safety block valve ESV-gotjC. A pressure-
J
relief valve, set a t 10 paig, vents t o tbe blower room. An air-operated
~
L.
4
434
valve, pCV-906B, in 8 branch line from 906, also vents t o the atmosphere,
41
T
and is controlled by a pressure transmitter in Line 906, PICA-906B, t o

regulate the a i r supply pressure.
An alternate air supply ISprovided through line 967, a l-in. sched
40 pipe which connects t o line go6 down stream of the check valve CV-906.
Line 967 supplies a i r from the service a i r system through a 1-in. check
valve, pressure regulator, m-967, and a stop valve.
bout 17 sc~mof air is withdrawn from line 906 upstream of H C V - ~ B
t o supply the fuel processing ceU freeze valves through a 1-1/4-in. f
header, line 924. As shown in the flowsheet, Figure 6.2 (ORmL Dwg P
D-AA-A-40887), before entering the fuel processing cell, line 924 branches -
into the 3/4-in. steel pipe lines 929, 969 and 924, t o supply air t o the!
freeee valves FV-ll0 and FV-U2, respectively.
Line 906 continues a s a 1-1/4-in. sched 40 pipe t o enter the coolant
cell. A 3/4-in. pipe size branch, line 90'7, with hand-operated regulating
valve, supplies 1-15 ecfm of a i r t o the freeze valve FV-206. Line 906
continues 8s a 3/4-in. pipe t o supply 1-15 scfm t o the freeze valve
FV-204. The discharged cooling air mingles with the air in the coolant
c e l l and is vented through the ventilation system.
16.3 ~ e s c r i p t i o nof Equigment

5
16.3.1 Gas Blowers CCP-1 and CCP-2 anb Containment Tanks

The positlve-disglacement type blowers used t o circulate the c e l l
atmosphere gas (95s ,N 5s 02) are Roots-Connersville 'type RAS blowers,
size 10 x 15. Each will deliver 885 scf'm at 12.7 psia and 150°F suction
conditions and a t 21.3 psia discharge pressure. The discharge gas tempera-
ture is estimated t o be about 320°F. Under these conditions the brake
horsepower requirement is 70.3 bhp and the speed 900 rpm. The blowers
are driven thmugh a V-belt drive by E-hp, 1,200-rpm, kkO-volt, squirrel
cage induction motors, Type F, mounted about 4 ft above the blawers on
a common channel-iron framework. (See O m Dwg EdJ-C-41472).
The blower bearings, seals and gears are pressure ltibricated and
cooled by punsring o i l from a sump in the blower housing through a stain-
iess steel, water-cooled heat exchanger, through a f i l t e r and back t o
l
435
the bearings and seals. Excell o i l i s by-passed through a relief valve

and vented t o the o i l smp. The o i l pur@ i s a Worthington gear puxrp,
!fype 3 G U T , driven by an extension of the blower shaft.
Since there could possibly be gas leakage a t the blower shaft
seals, each blower is contained i n a steel tank, which is, i n effect,
an extension of the reactor containment, an8 was deeigned accordingly.
Each blower was mounted i n a separate tank so that one could be i n
service while the other i s open f o r maintenance. Ets& tank i s 62 in. OD
x 96 in. highI overall, with 5/16-in0 wall, and upper and lower ASME
torospherical heads 3/8-in. thick. The height of the cylindrical portion
between the top head weld and the bottom closure flange i s 60-7/8 in.
The tanks are constructed of carbon steel, SA-201. Each was
designed f o r 40 psig internal pressure, 7 psig external pressure a t
200*F, i n accordance with the ASME Code Section VIII~~, Nuclear Case
l270N and l272N. The vessels were stress relieved a t 1100°F and
hyiirostaticaUy tested a t 60 psig.
1
The upper head of each tank i s welded in place and the lower head
is bolted t o the tank with an ASME Grade 350, Class LFl, raised-face
flange joint, using 60 steel bolts, 1-3/4 in. x 6 in. long, and a 1/8-ine-
tbick "Viton" gasket. The top head i s provided with three l i f t i n g lugs
t o f a c i l i t a t e removal for mintenance. The tank is supported by four
3-in. pips legs about 28 in. long welded t o reinf'orcing pads on the
bottom head.
The 10-in. sched 40 stainless steel suction line is welded t o
a 10-in. carbon steel nozzle welded into a reinforced opening a t the
centerline of the lower hea8. m e gas is drawn into the interior of
the tank and in passing t h r o w it t o the blower suction opening
helps cool the drive motor. The 6-in. blower discharge is flanged t o
the 6-in. sched 40 discharge nozzle welded into a reinforced opening
in the lower head. A =-in. bolted-fbnge inspection nozzle i s located
on the side of the tank about 14 in. above the vessel closure f-e
ana i s used for checking the o i l level, changing the oil, f i l t e r s , etc.
The electrical leads $01" the motor are brought through a special sleeve
i n the lower head using copper-lsheathed, mineral-insulated, 3-conductor
No. 4 cable.
436
l6.3.2 Air Blower, CCP-3

t.
The blower f o r furnishing cooling a i r t o the freeze flanges i n the
coolant and fuel processing cells is located in the blower house at the
southwest corner of Bldg 7503. It is a Sutor built, Model 44, rated a t
60 scfm of a i r a t 8 psig discharge pmssure, when operating at 1,510 rpm.
Q
It is driven by 5-hp, 1,800-1-pm electric motor through a V-belt h i v e .
The timing gears are oil-spXash lubricated and the bearinge and seals
are grease-lubricated. The basic blower design i s similar t o the CCP-1
and CCP-2 gas blowers described above.
16.3.3 Gas Cooler, GC.

The 320- compressed gas leaving the gas blower, CCP-1 or CCP-2,
i s cooled t o about 150- in a horizontal, shell-and-tube, stainless steel
all-welded, heat exchanger located in the special equipment room. The
exchanger is cooled by a flow of about 20 gpm of treated water circu-
lating through the tubes in a two-pass arrangement. The shell is 8-in.
sched 40 pipe and about 9 f t 5 in. long. Two 6-ixi. sched 40 gas nozzles
are butt welded t o the shell t o pravide a single pass f o r t h e gas flow
through the shell. There are 56 tubes fabricated of 5/8-in. No. 16 BWG
seamless 304 stainless steel, mounted on l3/16-in. triangular pitch.
The effective heat transfer surface is about 73 f t
2
.The tubes are
rolled into the tube sheet and seal-welded. The tubs sheets are welded f
t o the shell. The heat remval capacity i s estimated t o be about 181,000

Btu/hr and the pressure loss due t o flow on the shell side is about
0.5 psi.
1603.4 valves = I
Valves used i n the component cooling systems are listed in Table
16.3. All valves used in the gas circulating system outside of the
reactor c e l l are in effect p a r t of the reactor containment and are 304
stainless steel or Monel. The valves inside the cells are steel, with
either threaded or flanged connections. Threaded valves are back-welded.
AU. valves have flanged disconnects in the horizontal plane in the lines
a short distance fromthe valve t o facilitate remote maintenance procedures.
Steel valves are used i n the sir distribution system.
437
Table 16.3 Component Cooling System Valves
Valve Size Location Material Seal Connection Inst. Cv

(in. 1 Msm
Vent House Monel Bellows S O CWeld
~ SMD
Vent
Vent
Vent
House
House
House
S.S.
Brass
Monel
Packed Bo Weld
Packed Threaded
Bellows SOC. Weld
-
35 21
%.
"
Vent House
Vent House
Brass
Monel
0
Threaded CVS6B
Bellows Soc. Weld SMD -
Vent House S.S. 0 Threaded CVS6A I
,
Vent House
Vent House
Vent House
Brass
Brass
Brass
Packed Threaded
Packed Threaded
Packed Threaded
-- ie
w6
*
Vent House Bmss .. Threaded cvs7
Reactor C , Steel Packed Flanged 32 23
c
Blower H. Steel Packed Threaded 33 3
CDC Steel Packed Threaded 33 3
CDC Steel Packed Threaded 33 3
No, ESA S.S. Bellows B. Weld 53 3
No. ESA S.S. Bellows B, Weld 53 3
NO. ESA S.S. Bellows B. Weld 53 3
NO, ESA s.s, Bellows B. Weld 53 3
No. ESA S.S. Bellows B. Weld 53 3
NO, ESA s.s, Bellows B. Weld 53 3
46
--
RC Steel Packed Threaded 2.2
SER S.S. Packed B, Weld -
SHi Steel .
.I Flanged
RC
SER
Steel
S.S.
Packed Threaded
Packed B. Weld
36
-
-
-
17
.
SER Steel 0
Flanged
SER
SER
S.S.
s.s,
Packed Bo Weld
Packed B. Weld
I
0 -
"
Fpc Steel Packed Threaded 33 3

RC Steel Packed Threaded 46 2.2
RC Steel Packed Flanged 47 90.
RC Steel Packed Threaded 46 2 a2
Blower E. Steel Packed Threaded
Fpc Steel Packed Threaaed 33 3
FFC Steel Packed Threaded 33 3
* 0.188-1n,-Biam -
--
orifice PCV Pressure Control Valve
* OaK5-in,diam orifice
V - - H a d Valve
Soco Weld Socket Weld
€3. Weld Butt Weld
CV
HCV
--Checkvalve
Air-operated Control Valve
438
The two gas blowers, CCP-1 and CCP-2, have 10-in. valves i n the u.
suction lines and 6411. valves in the discharge lines t o enable service
t o be transferred from one t o the other. These four valves meet the re-
quirements of the ASA B 3l.lPressure Piping Code and Nuclear Case N10.
They are butt-welded, cast-body, 304 stainless steel gate valves with ring
seats, and 115th the stemback-seating on a teflon seat when the valve
is open.
16.3.5 Piping
-
Piping i n the gas-circulating portion of the corqponent cooling
system located outside the reactor c e l l is 8 part of the reactor con- e-
tainment and is constructed of reactor-grade materials. A l l piping -

I s 304 stainless s t e e l pipe, seamless or welded Pipe which has been fully
x-rayed. Piping inside the cells is sched 4 0 carbon steel w i t h socket
welds at the joints.
The air distribution system uses sched 4.0 carbon s t e e l pipe with
threaded joints.
.
' f
439
17. CONTAINMENT
17.1 General Design Considerations
During operation, maintenance, and in case of an accident, it i s re-

quired t h a t the containment be adequate t o prevent escape of multicurie
amounts of radioactivity t o the surrounding area. The containment must
also prevent the release of dangerous amounts of other hazardous materials
, -
and, in general, serve t o protect personnel and equipment.
Any equipment which contains, o r could contain, multicurie amounts of
radioactive material must have a minimum of two barriers t o prevent i t s es-
.
cape 1
6
' During operation of the MSRE the primary containment consists of
the walls of the components and the connecting piping. The reactor and
drain tank c e l l enclosures provide the secondary containment during oper-
ation. These c e l l s normally operate at sub-atmospheric pressure t o assure
that any leakage i s i n w a r d and t h a t the r a t e can be continuously measured.
The controlled ventilation areas i n the high bay and various cells,
a s described in Section 13, constitute a third barrier t o the escape of
activity during normal operation of the reactor. Air i s drawn through
these sub-atmospheric-pressure enclosed areas, passed through absolute
filters, and monitored f o r radioactivity before discharge from the venti-
lation system stack located south of Building 7503.
When the reactor o r drain tank c e l l s are opened for maintenance,
air flow through the openings at velocities in excess of 100 fpm i s sub-
s t i t u t e d a s the secondary barrier. If the primary piping i n the c e l l is
opened f o r maintenance, then the air flow through the c e l l opening becomes
the primary barrier and the controlled ventilation area becomes the second-
ary containment.
In taking samples of f i e 1 salt from the bowl of the fuel pump through
the s q l e r - e n r i c h e r system described in Section 7, sealed containers con-
s t i t u t e the primary and secondary containnent.
In the hypothesis of the maximum credible accident (see past V), i n
which it is assumed that hot fuel s a l t mixes with the water in the c e l l s
t o generate steam, the t o t a l pressure i n the containment vessels could ex-
ceed the design value of 40 psig and 26Q0F, i f not controlled.
E, 161 A
440
vapor condensing system is provided which can rapidly condense the steam
b
t
and also retain the non-condensible gases.

During normal operation the atmosphere in the reactor and drain tank
c e l l containment enclosures is maintained as an inert mixture ( > 94$ I?,,
>5$ 02) t o eliminate hazards due t o combustion of i n f h b l e materials in
the cell, such as the o i l in the f u e l circulating pmxp lubrication system.
The entire primary system is of all-welded construction with a l l
flanged joints leak detected, except at a f e w less vulnerable locations
where autoclave f i t t i n g s are used. Pip lines which pass through the c e l l .
w a l l s t o connect t o the primary system have check valves and/or air-oper- P
ated block valves w h i c h are controlled by radiation monitors or pressure
b
switches sensing a r i s e in c e l l pressure. The portion of t h i s piping out-

side the cell, between the c e l l wall penetration and the check o r block
valve, and the valves themselves, are enclosed t o provide the required
secondary containment. llhese enclosures are designed t o be capable of
withstauding the same maximum pressure ( 4 0 psig) as the reactor and drain
tank cells, except in some special cases where containers vented t o the
ventilation system are used.
A l l service U s e s penetrating the secondary containment, that is,
the c e l l w a l l s , have check valves o r air-operated block valves which
close on detection of abnormal radioactivity or abnormally high c e l l
pressure, or are parts of completely closed piping systems.
1'7.2 Reactor and Drain Tank Cells
During normal operation of the reactor, a l l f u e l salt w i l l be in

equipment o r piping contained in the reactor and drain tank c e l l s . The
reactor containment vessel i s 24 f t ID x 33 f t in overall height, w i t h
hemispherical bottom and flat top, as described in Section 4.3.1. The
drain tank c e l l is rectangular, with inside dimensions of 17 f t 7 in. x
21 ft 2-1/2 in. x 20 f t 6 in. high, and is described in Section 4.3.2.
The two c e l l s are interconnected by an open tunnel, operate a t the same
pressure at all times, and w i l l withstand internal pressures in excess
of 40 psig. Both are sealed and operate at 12.7 psia t o prevent out-
leakage of airborne contaminants. The negative pressure is maintained
c
a
c
441
by the gas blower in the component cooling system, described i n

Section 16.
I
17.2.1 Cell leak Rate
The allowable leakage from the reactor and drain tank c e l l s i s taken
as 1% of the c e l l volume per day at the conditions encountered i n the post-
ulated maximum credible accident. This mounts t o 8*2 l i t e r s l h r STP at a
c e l l pressure of 40 psig. For the capillary type flaw which occurs through
very small openings, the leak rate i s a direct function of the c e l l abso-
l u t e pressure. A t a c e l l pressure of 12.7 psia, the normal operating
pressure, the leak rate equivalent t o the maximum allowable i s 0.42 scfh.
17.2.2 Cell Atmosphere

The c e l l atmosphere i s N2 containing less than !5$ 02, the l o w oxygen
content serving t o eliminate the hazards of explosions due t o possible
leakage of o i l from the f u e l salt circulating pump lubricating system.
Nitrogen is added t o the c e l l as needed t o W e up f o r air inleakage. The
leak r a t e into the cell$ i s determined by: (1)observing changes i n abso-
l u t e pressure ( a f t e r compensating f o r changes in c e l l air temperature),
( 2 ) observing the change in differential pressure between the c e l l s and a
temperature-compensating reference volume located inside the cell, and (3)
observing the changes i n oxygen content of the c e l l atmosphere.
A t the 12.7 psia no& cell operating pressure, and w i t h a leak r a t e
of 0 . k scfh, the required nitrogen purge rate i s 1.5 scfh. The nitrogen
is normally supplied from a bank of two cylinders located i n the northwest
corner of Building 7503 at the 840-ft elevation. The nitrogen enters the
c e l l through the bubblers used f o r measuring the liquid level i n the c e l l
sump, as mentioned in Section 14.2. After the c e l l s have been opened for
maintenance, approximately 26,000 scf of nitrogen gas is required t o lower
the O2 content in c e l l t o 5%. This large volume of gas w i l l be added
through a temporaxy line from trailer-mounted nitrogen cylinders t o the
,
sump j e t supply lines.
' I
I
F
A
a 2
17.2.3 Penetrations and Methods of Sealing

U
piping and wiring penetrations through the c e l l walls were given
careful design study t o reduce a s much as possible t h i s sowce of gas
leakage. !Che penetrations through the reactor containment vessel w a l l
are listed i n Table 4.1 and those in the drain tank c e l l are shown in
Table 4.2.
The outside of all process piping entering the c e l l is welded at
the penetrations.
All e l e c t r i c a l leads passing through the c e l l w a l l s are magnesium..
oxide-filled copper sheaths. The outside of the sheaths are sealed t o
the 3/4-in. pipe penetrations by two compression-type fittings, one in-
side and one-gutside the cell. The ends of the sheaths which terminate
inside the c e h s are sealed at the disconnect by glass-to-metal seals.
The ends which terminate outside are sealed by standard mineral-insulated
cable-end seals, a s manufactured by the General Cable Company. (The
seal i s formed by compressing a plastic insulating material around the
wires. )
All thermocouples have Fiberglas insulated leads i n multi-conductor,
sheathed cables. !&e outside of the sheaths are sealed t o the 3/4-in.
pipe penetrations inside and outside the cell, using s o f t solder. The
ends of the sheaths terminating inside the c e l l s are sealed at the dis-
connect by glass t o metal welds. The ends of the cables outside the
c e l l s are terminated in epoxy sealed headers. The headers can be pres-
surized t o test for leaks.
The outside of a l l instrument pneumatic signal lines and instrument
air lines are sealed to the 3/bin. pipe penetrations by two compression
type fittings, one inside and one outside the c e l l . Each of these U s e s
contains a block valve located near the c e l l w a l l , the valves closing
automatically i f the c e l l pressure becomes greater than atmospheric.
Methods of sealing certain lines require special mention, as
follows:
- a. Cell ventilation l i n e 930 contains two 30-in. motor-operated
butterfly valves in series, as described in Section 13. These valves are
s t r i c t l y supervised t o assure that they remain closed during reactor oper- bi
€ition.
-
b. The component cooling system blowers described i n Section 16
are sealed in containment tanks t o guard against loss of gas at the shaft
seals .
-
C. The c e l l evacuation line 565 contains a block valve, HCV-565,
which automatically closes i n event radioactivity is detected in the line
by the monitor, RE-565.
-d.
The air supply lines 332 and 342 f o r the c e l l sumps contain
s o f t seated check valves.
-
e. Jet discharge l i n e s 333 and 343 from the sumps each contain
two block valves in series, FCV-333-A and B, and FCV-343-A and B, which
automatically close i f the c e l l pressure becomes greater than atmospheric.
A 1/2-in. connection is provided between the valves t o test them f o r leak
tightness .
-
f. The Fuel sampler-enricher system is interlocked t o prevent a
direct opening t o the atmosphere, as described in Bection 7. All helium
supply lines contain soft seated check valves.
6. The steam condensing system used in conjunction w i t h the
drain tank heat removal system i s a closed loop except f o r the water supply
lines, which contain soft seated check valves, and the vent, which relieves
t o the vapor condensing system, t o be described subsequently.
-
h. A l l cooling water lines entering the c e l l have soft seated
check valves o r block valves controlled by radiation monitors. All lines
leaving the cells are provided with block valves controlled by radiation
monitors .
-
i. The f u e l p u p lubricating oil system is a closed circulating
loop. Strict supemision is provided during additions of o i l o r o i l
sampling t o assure that the containment is not violated.
JI. The leak-detector system i s closed and operates at a higher
pressure than i n the reactor process systems.
-
k. Several differential-pressure c e l l s and pressure transmitters
are located outside the c e l l s but are connected t o process piping inside
through instnunent tubing. The instrument lines are doubly contained.
The dialphra@pl of the DP c e l l provides primary containment. The instrument
cases are vented t o expansion charriber designed f o r an internal pressure
of 50 psig t o provide the secondary containment. The cases also serve as
an atmospheric reference pressure f o r the transmitters.
&
c
444
-1. A l l helium supply lines connected t o process equipment in- L+

k
side the c e l l s contain one or more soft seated check valves.
-The f u e l pump bowl off-gas line 522, between the c e l l w a l l
m.
and the instrument box i n the vent house pit, i s 1/4-in. pipe contained
within a 3/4-in. pipe. 16* The drain tank off-gas l i n e 561, between the
c e l l w a l l and the instrument box i s a 1/2-in. pipe enclosed within a
1-in. pipe. Lines 522 and 561 share a common 3-in. conta3nmen-t pipe be-
tween the instrument box and the valve box attached t o the charcoal bed
penetration. The charcoal bed p i t , instrument box, valve box and the
annulas spaces around the off-gas pipes, are vented t o the containment
ventilation system. The off-gas lines f r o m the charcoal beds have a
common block valve, HCV-557C, w h i c h closes on detection of radioactivity
i n the line.
-n. The coolant salt lines 200 and 201, penetrating the reactor
c e l l wall., are part of a closed circulating system. They are described i n
Section 8.5.
The stresses i n the relatively thin containment vessel w a l l due t o
the various penetrations were studied and found t o be within allowable
values, w i t h the maximum stresses occurring i n the nozzles. 12, 163, 164
17.3 Vapor Condensing Systexn*
An accident can be conceived in which hot f i e 1 salt and the water

used t o cool equipment inside the c e l l s become mixed and generates steam
t o pressurize the reactor and drain tank cells. (See the Analysis of
*
Hazards, Part V), A vapor condensing system i s provided t o prevent the
steam pressure from rising above the 40 psig allowable pressure f o r the
cells, and t o retain the non-condensible gases. This equipment, con-
sisting primarily of a v e r t i c a l water tank and a horizontal gas storage
tank, is located about 60 f t from the southeast corner of Building 7503#
as shown in Fig. 3.2, The general arrangement i s sham schematically i n
Fig- 17.1.
*The vapor condensing system i s sometimes referred t o in the MSRE

literature as the pressure suppression system.
u c I i d f' 4
c
UNCLASSIFIED
-
ORNL LR- DWG. 87162 R 2
40 ft FROM REACTOR BLDG.
tI I ELEV. 8 5 8 f t
I
Z-in.-DIAM. VENT LINE
TO FILTERS AND STACK
SPE:CIAL EQUIPMENT ROOM
IN REACTOR BLDG.\
GROUND ELEV.
-
851 ft 6 in/
/
IO-ft-DIAM. x 66 ft-LONG
3900-ft
BURSTING D RELIEF LINE
VACUUM
RELIEF VALVE
VAPOR f t.
CONDENSING
c bO-in.-DIAM. VENT DUCT

FROM REACTOR CELL
I O - f t D1AM.x 2 3 - f t HIGH'
1800 ft3
'BUTTERFLY
VALVES
- 1 2 0 0 f t 3 WATER
TANK
ELEV. 0 2 4 f t
Fig. 17.1. D i a g r a m of MSRE Vapor-Condensing System

446
(The method of handling steam t h a t might be generated beneath the

L.'
reactor c e l l containment vessel i f hot f u e l were s p i l l e d t o the bottom
of t h e c e l l i s discussed i n Section 4.3.1.)
As sham on the off-gas system and containment v e n t i l a t i o n process
flowsheet, Fig. 13.2 (ORNL drawing D-AA-A-40883), and on the layout draw-
ing, ORNL D - K K - D - ~ & ~ ~ , a 12-in. sched-40 s t e e l pipe, l i n e 980, branches
from the 3O-in.-diam c e l l ventilation pipe i n the s p e c i a l equipment room
upstream of the two b u t t e r f l y valves, HCV-930-A and HCV-930-B. 165 Inside
the s p e c i a l equipment room, l i n e 980 contains a 10-in. rupture disk having
a bursting pressure of 20 psi, and i n a p a r a l l e l connection with it, a
3-in. rupture disk with a bursting pressure of 15 p s i . In relieving a t
the lower pressure the 3-ine-disk reduces the dynamic impact on the con-
densing system when t h e large disk ruptures. Calculated flows through
the 3-in. d i s k indicates a negligible pressure increase downstream of the
10-in. disk, allowing it t o rupture as planned. 176 A b i n . hand valve
w i t h an extension handle t o the operating f l o o r l e v e l i s piped i n p a r a l l e l
with t h e two rupture disks t o permit equalization of the pressure on the
disks when the c e l l s are being pressure t e s t e d above t h e normal operating
pressure f o r the disks. With the reactor c e l l a t 40 psig and the vapor
condensing system a t 30 psig, the estimated mass flow rate i n l i n e 980
i s 16 lb/sec. 163 Line 980 continues underground t o the vapor condensing
tank, VT-1, located east of the v e n t i l a t i o n system stack, see p l o t plan,
Fig. 3.2. A 12-in. expansion j o i n t i s provided i n l i n e 980 t o absorb
thermal expansions.
The vapor condensing tank, o r water tank, i s a v e r t i c a l tank about
two-thirds f u l l of water, through which gases forced from the reactor
c e l l i n a major accident would be bubbled t o condense t h e steam. The
tank contains about 1,200 f t3 of water stored a t 7O0F, o r less. I"ne es-
6
timated maximum of 5 x 10 Btu t h a t could be released from t h e f u e l salt
i n the reactor and drain tank c e l l s would therefore r a i s e the water temper-
'@&
a t u r e t o about 1u0F. , The non-condensible gases are vented t o a
large gas storage tank.
The v e r t i c a l water tank i s 10 f t OD x 23 f t 4 in. high, including
the ASME flanged and dished, 1/2-in.-thick, top and bottom heads. The
s h e l l i s 3/8-in. thick and constructed of SA-300 Class I, A-201, Grade B
(d
t; firebox steel. 125 There are stiffening rings, 1-in. thick x 3 in,, lo-
cated on the exterior about 2 f t 6 in, apart. The tank i s designed f o r
8 psis at 100°F or 63 p s i s at 300OF. The =-in. gas i n l e t pipe i n the
top head extends 13 ft 8 in, into the tank t o about 6 f t below the normal
water level, and terminates in a cylindrical screen, u-7/8-in. OD x 1 4 in.
long, perforated with 7/32=in,-diam holes on 3/8-in. centers, and providing
315 free area. See ORNL drawing D-KK-B-41283.
The gas i n l e t line in the interior of the task has a =-in. pipe
f
cross about 3 f’t above the water level t o which are connected two =-in.
b cast-steel-body check valves. These check valves close when the gas flow
i s into the tank but open t o return non-condensibles t o the reactor c e l l
t h r o u a line 980 during c o o l d m a f t e r an accident.
The tank i s f i l l e d t o the operating level w i t h potable water through
a temporary line or hose. Uquid level indication i s provided by the
f l o a t operated instrument, LI-VT-1. The pressure i s indicated by PI-VT-1,
and the temperature i s measured. There i s no bottom drain on the tank,
the water being removed by pumping should t h i s be required.
The top head of the tank i s provided w i t h an 18-in.-diam blind flange
t o serve as a manhole. The 12-in. discharge nozzle f o r non-condensible
gases i s also in the top head. The tank is installed vertically w i t h the
5 top about 8 f’t below the normal grade level of 850 f t and the bottom a t
an elevation of about 819 ft. About 5 f t of additional earth i s mounded
above the tank to provide biological shielding. The tank i s supported
j i
j -? and also held down by a skirt on the bottom head bolted t o a reinforced
concrete pad, 18-in. thick x 14 ft dim, which also includes a cylindri-
cal w a l l , =-in. thick x 10 ft OD, and about 8 f’t high.
The non-condensible gases leaving the top of the water tank through
the =-in. pipet l i n e 981, flow through the expansion j o i n t in the line
i and t o a side nozzle on the gas retention tank, VT-2. Gases can accumu-
late in t h i s tank, i n i t i a l l y at atmoepheric pessure, until the pressure
falls t o a lower level in the reactor c e l l . The gas then returns t o the
reactor c e l l t o prevent the pressure from falling below 8.0 psis. Line
1
984, a 2-in. line with a hand valve (with removable handle) is provided
t o vent gas t o the absolute f i l t e r s and ventilating system stack.
.
448
The gas retention tank i s 10 ft OD x 66 f t 3-1/2 in. long, in-

L1
c
cluding the two ASME 1/2-in.-thick flanged and dished heads. The s h e l l
is 3/8-in. thick, reinforced with 1-in.-thick x 3 in. rings located about
4 ft 7 in. apart. The tank i s fabricated of SA-300 Class I, SA-201 Grade B
firebox s t e e l and i s designed for 8 psia a t 100°F and 63 psia at 300OF. It
i s anchored into a sand and gravel base by four 1-in.-dim galvanized s t e e l
t i e rods fastened t o expanding type earth anchors. The nozzle end of the
tank is anchored t o a reinforced concrete saddle and pad, roughly 18 in.
thick, 12 f t wide, and 6 f t long. The centerline i s about 14 f t from the
centerline of the vapor condensing tank and the elevation at the bottom i s
842 f t . A 1-1/2-in. sched 40 drain pipe, line 982, at the bottom, drains
i n t o the vapor condensing tank. See ORmL drawing D - K K - B - ~ E ~ ~ .
The drain tank condensers, line 338, and the relief valve on the water
line from the thermal shield and f'uel pump, l i n e 885, are both vented t o
the vapor condensing system by joining line 982. (See Section 15.2.)
b
i
449
18. BIOLOGICAL SHIELDING
The MSRE building areas are divided i n t o f i v e classifications:

(I), those w i t h high radiation l e v e l s t h a t cannot be entered under any
circumstances a f t e r t h e reactor has been operated a t power, such as the
reactor and drain tank c e l l s ; (11), those t h a t can be entered a short time
a f t e r the h e 1 s a l t i s drained from t h e primary circulating system, such
as the radiator area; (111), those t h a t can be entered a t low reactor
L
power levels, such as the special equipment room; ( I V ) , areas which are
habitable a t all times; (V), the maintenance control room, which i s the
only habitable area on t h e s i t e when c e r t a i n large-scale maintenance
operations a r e being performed. These c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s are described i n
more d e t a i l i n Section 4.1.
The MSRE i s designed t o permit prolonged operation a t 10 Mw without
-E
exposing personnel t o more than t h e permissible dose of 100 mrem/week i n
areas which are entered routinely and have unlimited access. 167 However,
it i s ORNL policy t o l i m i t a l l personnel exposures t o a minimum and it i s
not anticipated t h a t MSRF: operators w i l l accumulate 100 mrem/week except
i n unusual circumstances. The areas which w i l l have unlimited access and
which, therefore, might be occupied continuously, w i l l be e s s e n t i a l l y a t
normal background l e v e l f o r the Oak Ridge v i c i n i t y .
"Hot spots," o r areas of high l o c a l a c t i v i t y , are generally located
near the reactor or drain tank c e l l penetrations and are i n areas which
have only limited access, such as t h e coolant c e l l . The overall a c t i v i t y
i n t h e coolant c e l l , however, does not exceed 100 m r / h r . The blower house
i s a l s o a limited access area, with a radiation l e v e l of about 20 mr/hr
near t h e No. 4 blower. Although t h e special equipment room i s c l a s s i f i e d
a limited access area, t h e radiation f i e l d does not exceed about 10 m r / h r .
The south e l e c t r i c service area, another limited access portion of t h e
building, has a generally higher radiation l e v e l of 200 mr/hr, w i t h sane
"hot spots" near t h e penetrations. All the above estimates of a c t i v i t y
l e v e l s are based on operation of t h e reactor a t the 10-Mw power level.
,
I
I ?u
!
%ased on 40-hr work week and t h a t 1 roentgen equals 1 rem f o r gama
radiation i n s o f t body tissue.
i
450
The i n t e n s i t y of t h e r a d i a t i o n i n t h e a u x i l i a r y c e l l s i s less de- g,-

pendent upon t h e r e a c t o r power l e v e l than upon t h e nature of t h e materials
present i n t h e c e l l s . These conditions change from time t o t i m e , but i n
general, a l l t h e c e l l s have limited access.
When t h e r e a c t o r i s s u b c r i t i c a l , a l l areas except t h e reactor, d r a i n
tank and f u e l processing c e l l s , may be entered a few minutes af'ter t h e
reactor i s shut down. I n general, access can be on an unlimited b a s i s
i
except where "hot spots" may e x i s t . 168 For example, i f t h e coolant s a l t
were drained from t h a t c i r c u l a t i n g system, two b i n . - d i a m holes would be
l e f t through t h e r e a c t o r shielding, one of which rrlooks" d i r e c t l y a t t h e
f u e l pump bowl, and could cause a localized beam i n t h e coolant c e l l of
several r/hr. Entry t o such areas and work i n t h e areas w i l l be monitored
and a d d i t i o n a l shielding provided as required.
18.1 General Description
This section provides only a summary description of t h e b i o l o g i c a l

shielding. The general construction of t h e c e l l s and other areas i s de-
scribed i n more d e t a i l i n Section 4 of t h i s P a r t I of t h e design r e p o r t .
The calculations necessary t o confirm t h e adequacy of t h e shielding a r e
presented i n Section 13 o f t h e nuclear analysis portion o f t h e report,
P a r t 111.168' 16" The shielding needed f o r t h e f u e l handling and
processing system is covered i n P a r t VII. Shielding required during
maintenance procedures i s described i n P a r t X .
The r e a c t o r v e s s e l i s surrounded, except for a 2-f't-diam opening a t
t h e top, by a 16-in.-thick iron and water thermal s h i e l d . This i s located
within t h e r e a c t o r c e l l containment vessel which, i n turn, s i t s within a
s h i e l d tank t o provide a 3-f't-wide annular space which i s f i l l e d with
magnetite sand and l i g h t water. The s h i e l d tank i s surrounded by a
c y l i n d r i c a l monolithic concrete w a l l 21 i n . t h i c k .
A portion o f t h i s
w a l l facing t h e south e l e c t r i c service area and another portion facing
t h e coolant area a r e l e f t out i n order t o make t h e penetrations accessible.
Barytes concrete block walls a r e provided t o s h i e l d accessible areas ad-
jacent t o t h e coolant c e l l . The a d d i t i o n a l shielding i s not necessary
451
i n t h e e l e c t r i c service area i n that there i s a minimum of 2 ft of con-

c r e t e between it and any accessible area.
The top of the reactor c e l l i s constructed of a 3-1/2-ft-thick layer
of barytes concrete blocks covered w i t h 3-1/2-f%-thick blocks of ordinary
concrete. The j o i n t s between t h e upper and lower layer of blocks a r e
staggered. High-density shielding blocks a r e temporarily stacked above
t h i s as required.
The pipe penetrations through t h e reactor and drain tank c e l l walls
pass through sleeves which a r e f i l l e d w i t h magnetite concrete grout o r
magnetite sand and water. Where possible, these l i n e s have an o f f s e t
bend. The penetration o f t h e 30-in-dim exhaust l i n e through t h e bottom
hemisphere of t h e containment vessel required special treatment because
o f t h e s i z e of the opening. A shadow shield of a 9-in. thickness of
s t e e l i s provided i n front of t h e opening inside t h e c e l l and a 12-in.-
thick w a l l of stacked block i s erected outside t h e c e l l a t t h e foot of
the ramp t o t h e coolant c e l l .
The top and sides of t h e coolant and coolant drain tank c e l l s pro-
vide a t least 24 i n . of concrete shielding as protection against a c t i v i t y
induced i n t h e coolant s a l t while t h e reactor i s producing power. The
large openings provided between t h e coolant c e l l and t h e blower house
f o r t h e cooling a i r supply t o t h e radiator, however, make it d i f f i c u l t
t o shield t h e blower house from t h i s induced a c t i v i t y . A 12-in. wall
of barytes blocks is stacked across t h e opening between the reactor c e l l
and t h e r a d i a t o r duct t o shield t h e blower house area from t h e coolant
salt l i n e s .
The drain tank c e l l has a minimum thickness of 3 f’t f o r t h e magnetite
concrete w a l l s facing accessible areas. The top of t h e c e l l consists of
a l a y e r o f 4-f’t-thick ordinary concrete blocks covered by a layer of
3-1/2-ft-thick ordinary concrete blocks. The j o i n t s between t h e blocks
a r e staggered. The pipe l i n e s penetrating t h e c e l l w a l l s have o f f s e t s ,
t h e smaller ones being cast i n t o t h e w a l l s . Shield plugs are provided
for t h e l a r g e r penetrations.
The 1/2-in. off-gas l i n e *om t h e reactor c e l l , l i n e 524, i s
shielded by 4 i n . of lead as it passes through t h e coolant drain tank
L
452
cell. Barytes concrete blocks a r e stacked t o a thickness of 5 f’t above

fw
t h e l i n e i n t h e vent house, and lT-in.-thick s t e e l p l a t e i s provided
above t h e bine between t h e vent house and t h e charcoal beds. ’7’ The
charcoal beds a r e submerged i n water and t h e p i t i s covered with two
18-in.-thick by 1 0 - f t - d i m barytes concrete blocks. Barytes blocks
w i l l be stacked on t h e cover i f a d d i t i o n a l shielding i s required.
The w a l l s of t h e f i l t e r p i t f o r t h e containment v e n t i l a t i o n system
a r e 12 i n . t h i c k and t h e roof plugs f o r t h e p i t a r e 18 i n . t h i c k .
The thicknesses of t h e walls and tops o f t h e a u x i l i a r y c e l l s i s
given i n Table 4 . 3 . Additional shielding i s provided by stacked blocks
on t h e west s i d e of t h e f u e l processing and t h e decontamination c e l l s .
-
c
453
19. EIECTRICAL SERVICES
The MSRe 'electrical services system furnishes power for process

punzps, equipment heaters, instrumentation, nuclear control and safety
circuits, and various auxiliary equipment. Power i s a l s o provided for
the building cranes, repair shops, and general. building lighting, venti-
lation and air conditioning.
The installation makes use of the relatively extensive e l e c t r i -
c a l f a c i l i t i e s t h a t were installed for the ARE and ART operations i n the
3
Building 7503 area. This existing equipment was modified and supplemented,
as required.
d
The installed e l e c t r i c a l capacity of MSRE process equipment, ex-

cluding general building services, i s about 2,000 kw. The normal operating
load i s approximately 1,100 kw.
mer is supplied from the Tennessee Valley Authority distribution
system through two parallel 13.8 k v feeder lines. In the event of failure
of the normal power supply from the TVA system, batteries provide the 48-v
DC parer for the reactor control and safety circuits and also 250-v DC
power t o drive a 25-kw motor-generator s e t t o supply AC parer t o other in-
struments and controls, the sampler-enricher station, the control-rod
drives, and the lubrication systems for the salt circulating pumps. These
batteries serve u n t i l the emergency diesel-generator s e t s can be started
and loaded, a procedure normally requiring a maximum of 5 to 10 minutes."
c In event none of the diesel units can be started, battery capacities are
more than ample t o maintain control of the reactor and t o drain the f u e l
salt t o the drain tanks without damage t o the system.
The three emergency diesel-generator s e t s have a combined capacity of
900 kw AC. ! l M s emergency AC power can drive the 3-kw, M-v, DC motor-
generator set normally supplying the reactor control and safety circuits.
During the emergency period, the lube o i l systems, control-rod drives,
Whe time available f o r starting the ernergency diesel-generator units

without draining the reactor is limited by the t h a w time of the freeze
r valve on the reactor drain line'lO3 and by the pressure and temperature
r i s e i n the reactor containment vessel. A period of about 10 min i s e s t i -
tJ mated t o be available.
454
and other important AC equipment mentioned above, can continue t o re- Li

-
ceive parer f r o m the battery-driven 25-kw motor-generator s e t (for at
l e a s t two hours), or they may take power directly from the diesel-driven
generators. W i t h the three emergency diesels in operation the reactor
can operate a t the heat-loss parer level indefinitely u n t i l normal
electric parer can be restored.
.
19 1 General Description
A simplified one-line diagram of the e l e c t r i c a l supply and dis-

tribution system for the MSRE i s shown in Fig. 19.1. Reference numbers
on this diagram are keyed t o the descriptive material in the following
sections.
The MSRE i s supplied w i t h e l e c t r i c parer from the 1 5 4 - b Tennessee
Valley Authority system through a substation located j u s t north of the
X-10 area (see Fig. 3.4). Either of two 13.8-lrv transmission lines from
the substation, ORNL circuit 234 o r 294, serve the Building 7503 area
and are interconnected through interlocked motor operated switches at
the MSm s i t e so that c i r c u i t 299 can serve as an alternative t o c i r c u i t
234. The normal supply i s through ORmL circuit 234.
The feeders supply a bank of three 250-kva, 13.8-lnr t o 48O-v, trans-
formers located on the east side of Building 7503 t o provide power f o r
general building services. D e feeder power i s also connected t o a new
1,500-kva, 13.8-lnr t o 48O-v, transformer located on the west side of the
building t o serve the MSRE process equipment load.
The process equipment distribution system i s shown schemtically in
Fig. 19.2. (OFDTL drawing D-KK-C-kll52) The 1,500-kva substation feeds
a WA* switchgear bus which supplies power through c i r c u i t breakers t o
three generator* switchgear busses, two TVA motor-control centers, two
250-hp radiator blower motors, and t o the 200-hp motor for the 250-v DC
motor-generator set. The two TVA motor control centers supply power t o
*Throughout the e l e c t r i c a l service system reference l i t e r a t u r e and

drawings, the normal source of electric power has been designated "TVA,"
as contrasted t o the emergency source, which has been called "generator."
r I- T A.
F)
13.8 KV
CKT 2 3 4
SWITCH HFlR
129 229
1500 KVA
13.8 KV/480V
_ .-- .
TO BUILDING
SERVICES
TVA SWflM GEAR BUS
GENERATOR BUS # 3
SWITCH GEAR BUS 3
-
AUTOTRANSFORMER
a
t4OOA 2 5 0 V - D C DISTRIBUTION PANEL SWITCH
I--
Lq
60A
A
POWER PANEL
k 0A PP I
DC AC
REMOTE
AUX. PANEL
250V I20V-
240V
6
FOP-2 0
COP-2
SAMPLER
CONTROL ROD
DRIVE
a
FIG. 19.1 SIMPLIFIED ONE-LINE DIAGRAM OF ELECTRICAL SUPPLY SYSTEM

i
-t t 4
457
t h e l e s s c r i t i c a l process heater d i s t r i b u t i o n centers and t o a few non-

c r i t i c a l smaller motors.
The three generator switchgear busses are normally fed f r o m t h e TVA
system but each has i t s own diesel-driven, 300-kw generator* t o supply
emergency power. Generator No. 5 supplies one heater d i s t r i b u t i o n panel
and two motor control centers which provide power t o the heater distri-
bution panels f o r the more c r i t i c a l process heaters.** Generator No. 3
and generator No. 4 switchgear busses furnish power d i r e c t l y , o r through
3 motor-control centers, t o a l l c r i t i c a l motorized equipment and t o some
instrumentation. Where reactor process equipment i s i n s t a l l e d i n dupli-
1
cate, each u n i t i s supplied from a d i f f e r e n t generator bus t o provide
g r e a t e r r e l i a b i l i t y of emergency operation.
The process d i s t r i b u t i o n system includes the aforementioned 48-v DC
motor-generator s e t which supplies power t o the important reactor c o n t r o l
and safety c i r c u i t s . This direct-current system operates from a b a t t e r y
supply during a f a i l u r e of the normal power source u n t i l either diesel
No. 3 o r No. 4 can be s t a r t e d .
The building services d i s t r i b u t i o n system i s shown schematically i n
Fig. 19.3. This system supplies power for building and grounds lighting,
for heating, v e n t i l a t i n g and air conditioning, and for maintenance services,
such as cranes, welding, e t c . The power i s supplied from two main dis-
t r i b u t i o n panels and from various l i g h t i n g panels located throughout the
building. Brt of the building lighting load can be transferred t o the
generator No. 3 switchgear bus f o r emergency l i g h t i n g i n event of f a i l u r e
of the normal supply f r o m t h e TVA system.
*The No. 5 diesel-generator u n i t has a nameplate r a t i n g of 1,200 kw,

b u t has a continuous duty output of 300 k s ~due t o the l i m i t e d output of
the d i e s e l engine. See Section 19.3.
**Across-the-line motor starter contactors and c i r c u i t breakers i n the

motor control centers o r i g i n a l l y i n s t a l l e d for the ART are u t i l i z e d ex-
tensively i n various MSRiZ c i r c u i t s and are termed "motor control centers''
i n the MSRE l i t e r a t u r e and on drawings even though a p a r t i c u l a r center
may be controlling a heater, f o r example, rather than a motor.
c
E > 3:
s
1-
:t h . I
_-- I
G P
6 -4
459
19.2 Transmission Lines and Substations
Electrical power is supplied t o the MSRF: s i t e by two 13.8-kv over-

head feeder lines from the ORmL substation located j u s t north of the main
X-10 area, see Fig. 3.4. These are designated ORNL circuits 234 and 294.
The preferred supply arrangement is through circuit 234, through the motor-
operated disconnect switch, M-1. The alternate arrangement is through
c i r c u i t 294 and the motor-operated disconnect switch M-2. These two
switches are interlocked t o prevent both switches from being closed a t the
sane time. The switch, M-1, has an opening delay timer which allows a 1
t o 10 sec loss of power on circuit 234 before the s w i t c h opens, then the
switch M-2 automatically closes if there is supply voltage on c i r c u i t 294.
The control c i r c u i t for M-2 w i l l also prevent the switch from closing i f
there i s an e l e c t r i c a l f a u l t in the Building 7503 area. The control power
for the breakers M - 1 and M-2 is from the Building 7503 area 250-v DC system.
The switches can be closed from the remote pushbutton station in the MSRE
auxiliary control room o r manually at the s w i t c h poles C and D located north
of the building.
The process power substation is located west of Building 7503 and con-
sists of an o i l filled, l,5OO-kva, 13.8-kv/480-v, 3-phase, &-cycle, 3-wire,
delta-connected Uptgroff transformer with a maximum inrpedence of 5.75$.
The 13.8 kv supply enters the substation through a high voltage, fused cut-
out disconnect switch. The 480-v transformer output enters the switch
house through twelve 750 mcrn
* (0.998-in. d i m ) cables l a i d i n underground
conduit, through a 1,600-amp breaker, R, t o connect t o the TVA switchgear
bus.
The building service substation i s located t o the east of Building
7503 and is supplied through a disconnect switch. The substation consists
of three 250 kva, single-phase transfonners connected delta-delta t o re-
duce the 13.8-kv supply t o 118o-v, 3-phase, &-cycle power. The transformer
output is brought into the building through nine 500 mcm (0,814-in. d i m )
underground cables. Six cables (two per phase) lead t o the 600-m~main
*mcm = thousand circular mils.

P
460
c i r c u i t breaker f o r d i s t r i b u t i o n panel No. 1 and the other three lead

t o the 600-amp d i s t r i b u t i o n panel No. 2. These c i r c u i t breakers a r e
located on the w a l l of the main building a t column D-4 (see Fig. 4.4)
at the 840-ft elevation.
19.3 Emergency Diesel-Generators
O f the f i v e diesel-generator u n i t s i n i t i a l l y i n s t a l l e d i n the

generator house f o r the ART project, two were removed f o r other duty
and three remain f o r use i n the WIG. These units, numbered 3, 4 and 5, L
have a continuous capacity of 300 kw each, as explained below.
.
Individual busses were selected f o r d i s t r i b u t i o n of the power from
the generators t o the centers on the basis of calculations of the s i z e
and nature of the MSRE emergency e l e c t r i c a l loads, the s i z e s of the
e x i s t i n g switchgear, and the c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e diesel-generator
units.& A ground detector alarm i s provided f o r each bus.
The three diesel-generator u n i t s can be operated from control panel6
located i n the switch house. These panels have the necessary switches,
controls, and indicating meters t o adjust the generator output voltage
and frequency and the synchronizing equipment f o r p a r a l l e l i n g generators
No. 3 and 4 with t h e TVA system. A l l three u n i t s can be started remotely
from panels DPM 3, DPM 4, and DPM 5 i n the a u x i l i a r y control room. These
panels a l s o include remote switches t o open c i r c u i t breakers A 1 and A2
t o i s o l a t e busses 3, 4, and 5 fromthe TVA system and t o close breakers - 1
A3, Ab, and A5 t o connect the generators t o t h e i r respective busses.
The remote panels a l s o include d i e s e l annunciator alarms, voltmeters
and ammeters f o r the generator outputs, and a voltmeter f o r the TVA
system power.
19.3.1 Diesel-Generator Units No. 3 and No. 4

These identialmachines are Allis-Chalmers Buda units, Model
8DC SG-2505. 172 The engine i s r a t e d a t an available brake horsepower of
450 at 1,200 rpm. A 10%overload can be c a r r i e d f o r a maximum of four
hours, which must be followed by a cooling period of at l e a s t two hours
at no more than the rated load. The engines are started by a b a t t e r y
461
-
61 bank f o r each unit.Annunciators are provided t o sound alamus on high
cooling water temperature, high o i l temperature, low o i l pressure and
low f u e l level.
The generator i s a direct connected Electric Machinery Model
DCSCX-~OO-A~E,rated at 300 kw, 375 kva, 480 v at 0.8 power factor, f o r
continuous service. Each generator frame i s equivalent t o a 500-kw,
625-k.~amachine, however, this oversizing having been provided t o com-
pensate for the reactance load which would have been imposed by starting
the large motor involved in the ART operations. Although the generator
i s constructed t o AIEE and NEMA standards for an intermittent overload
of 5 6 , the maximum overload i s limited t o lo$ by the capacity of the
driving engines. (These overload values do not apply t o rapid load
changes due t o motor stastings.)
Synchronizing e q u i p n t enables diesel-generator unit No. 3 or
No. 4 t o operate i n parallel w i t h the TVA power supply so t h a t the loads
can be transferred from the generators back t o the TVA system without
interrupting reactor operation. However, both units must not be oper-
ated in parallel w i t h the TVA system a t the same time. This would expose
the motor control center busses t o the combined capacities of both gener-
ators and the WA system and would greatly exceed the current carrying
capacity of the busses in event of a dead short in a connected load. 42
The individual busses f o r generators No. 3 and 4 supply a l l motors
which need emergency power. Since the voltage drop i n a generator bus
i s c r i t i c a l when starting motors, starting currents have been limited t o
540 amps" so t h a t the generator voltage . w i l l not fall below 80s of the
i n i t i a l value.
19.3.2 Diesel-Generator Unit No. 5

The diesel engine f o r t h i s unit i s a Caterpillar Model D-397. It
is rated at 455 bhp at f u l l load and at 1,200 rpm. It may be overloaded
15s f o r two hours, which must be folluwed by a cooling period of at l e a s t
two hours at no mre than rated load. The engine i s started by a com-
pressed air motor supplieB by a nearby air receiver and compressor. %e
-
receiver stores sufficient air f o r five 10-sec'starts. The conrpressor
bd
*Equivalent t o a 75-hp motor with a starting current 5.5 times Full
load rating.
..
462
can recharge the receiver i n 20 t o 30 min following one 10-sec start. c9

-
An annunciator sounds an alarm on high cooling water temperature, high
o i l temgerature, low o i l pressure, low f u e l level, and low s t a r t i n g air
pressure.
The generator was manufactured by Electrical Machinery, i s rated at
1,OOO kw, 1,250 ha, and i s direct connected t o operate at 1,200 rpm. For
continuous loading it i s rated at 300 kw at 0.8 power factor. As pre-
viously mentioned, the oversized generator was provided t o compensate for
the reactance in starting large motors involved i n the ART. Altho)lgh t h i s
generator was also b u i l t t o conform t o the AIEE and MEtvIA standards f o r in-
i
termittent loads of l5@, the maximum load i s limited t o 115% by the ca-
pacity of the driving engine.
.
19.4 Process Electrical Circuits
19.4.1 Switchgear Equipment
Except as otherwise indicated, the switchgear equipment i s located

i n the switch house, as sham i n Fig. 19.4.
The e q u i p e n t was manufactured by Westinghouse Electric Corporation.
The busses are rated a t 1,600 anrps, 480 v, and have a 5O,OOO-amp short
c i r c u i t carrying capacity. The R, P, Q, and A4 c i r c u i t breakers are
Westinghouse Type DB 50, with a 1,600-amp frame, 50,000-amp asymmetrical,
at 600-v, short c i r c u i t capacity.
* The remaining c i r c u i t breakers are
Westinghouse ryPe DB 25, with 600-amp frame, 25,000 anrp asymmetrical a t
600 V.
** See Table 19.1 f o r other data on switchgear busses and breakers.
19~4.1.1 TVA Switchgear Bus and Current--tin@; Reactor. %e TVA
switchgear bus, including breaker R i n the supply l i n e f r o m the substation,
i s located i n panels 2 through 5 on the south side of the switch house, as
shown i n Fig. 19.4. There are ten c i r c u i t s connected t o the bus, as in-
dicated i n Fig. 19.2. The first two 300-amp breakers, P and Q, supply
power t o the 250-hp motors of the blowers which supply cooling air t o the
*60,000 amp asymmetrical at 480 V.

**35,000 amp asymmetrical a t 480 v.
11
:-r 463
3
f
UNCLASSIFIED
ORNL-DWG. 64-6747
MCC T-1 MCC 6-3 MCC T-2 I
p G
DC-AC-MG
q 1o:i /*/ 65-2 I Si I65
l-4
I TVA
I
I
I 1 5 0 0 KVA MCC 64
I TRANSFORMER METERS
I
8
I
I CONTROL
I
I
63
4 MCC 05-1
~
64
G MAINS
I
IZING
FIG.19.4 LOCATION OF EQUIPMENT IN SWITCH HOUSE

"r
464 h
Table 19.1. Switchgear Bus and Breaker Data

(3
'4
Breaker
Tap and
Breaker
Termination Size
( W S 1
Operation dation Cable, No.
and Size
Starter
Location
Pot e n t ial
"ransfomer
Currenti
Transfomy
Instrument L oation
Voltmeter h e t e r Wattmeter
Interlocking Action Remarks
TVA Switchgear Bus

1
R TVA Bus l600 Rec op sw. 3-5, Local Supply frcgn substation.
P MB-1 300 R e c op sw. 3-5, E R Breaker-starter cabination

4
Q MB-3 300 R e c op sw. 9-59 MCR B r e a k e r - s t e e r cambination.
Voltage is TVA supply. ,-
S sw3 Bus 3 600 Elec op sw. 3-3, Local Close before A-1 In series with A-1.
T swg Bus 4 600 Rec op sw 3-3, Local Close before A-2 I n series with A-2.
Z swg 3- 5 600 Elec op sw ;-2, Local Close if A - 4 is
open.
X MCC T-1 600 Manual ;-2 - PT o r main bus f o r X and Y
wattmeters.
Y MCC T-2 600 Manual 2-2 -
W MG-1 300 Manual 5-2 Under voltage t r i p .
U spare 0
;-3
V Spare - i-3

AA MCC 5-2 350 Elec op su i-1, MCR Under voltage t r i p .
BB HDP G5-BB 225 Rec op su i-1, Local -

cc MCC 5-1 350 Elec op sw i-1, MCR -
DD - - i-1 I
A-4 From DG-5 600 Ret op sw ;-XI., MCR Close i f Z is open. Reverse current t r i p .
Note: See Appendix for explanation of abbreviations.
- . . -....
~ . ~ . .".... . . .__ . . - - 1 .~
465
'4'
c radiator. The remaining eight c i r c u i t s a r e connected t o the bus through
a current l u t i n g reactor. This inductance c o i l p r o t e c t s the busses and
c i r c u i t breakers i n event of dead shorts i n the feeder c i r c u i t s by creating
a back electromotive force t o limit the short c i r c u i t current. There are
Terminc three Westinghouse Type MSP - 6~2207reactors, one f o r each phase, r a t e d
at 16.6 kva, single-phase, 1,200-ap, 13.8 voltage drop, and 480-v l i n e .
Two of the eight c i r c u i t s supply the TVA motor control centers T-1 and T-2
through the c i r c u i t breakers X and Y. Three c i r c u i t s supply the generator
A-1 switchgear busses through breakers S, T and 2. Another c i r c u i t provides
power f o r the 250-v DC motor-generator s e t through breaker W. Circuits U
A-5
and V are spares. See ORNL drawing D-KK-C-41175.
H 19.4.1.2 Switchgear Bus No. 2. This bus i s located i n panels 8 and
9 on the south side of the switch house, as indicated in Fig. 19.4, and i s
K CP normally supplied w i t h power from breaker S on the TVA bus through breaker
A 1 located a t panel 8. This bus has an a l t e r n a t e , emergency parer supply
L Mcc =,
through c i r c u i t breaker A5, from the 300-kw diesel-generator set No. 3.
M Switchgear bus No. 3 supplies the following equipment: the coolant c i r -
culating pump (breaker K), the component cooling gas blower No. 1
a (breaker H), the 100-kva emergency l i g h t i n g transformer (breaker M), the
motor-control center G-3 (breaker L), and the spare c i r c u i t breakers G,
J
!
J and N. Data f o r t h e switchgear bus No. 3 c i r c u i t s a r e given i n Table
G 19.2. (ALSO, see ORNL drawing D-KK-C-41176.)
19.4.1.3 Switchgear Bus No. 4. Bus No. 4 is located i n panel 10 on
k the south side of the switch house, see Fig. 19.4. The bus i s normally
supplied w i t h power from the TVA system through breaker T and through
A-2 Bus
breaker A2 on the No. 4 bus. The bus i s also provided with emergency
A-3 BUS power through breaker A3, connecting it t o the diesel-generator set No. 4.
Switchgear bus No. 4 supplies power t o the f i e 1 c i r c u l a t i n g pump (breaker
D mel D), component cooling gas blower No. 2 (breaker E), and the motor-control
E Ccp- center G-4 (breaker F). (See ORNL &awing D-KK-C-41176.)
19.4.1.4 Switchgear Bus No. 5. The generator No. 5 switchgear bus
F MCCd i s located i n t h e f i r s t panel on the south side of the s w i t c h house and
i s normally supplied with power from the TVA system through breaker Z.
I-
C This bus i s also supplied w i t h emergency power from the diesel-generator

unit No. 5 through breaker Ab. The bus supplies parer t o the heater
7
I
466
Table 19.2. Connections t o Switchgear Bus No. 3
~~~
rap and
3reaker
Termination
Breaker
Operation Location Cable, No.1
and Size
Starter
Location
I Potential
Transformer
Current
Transformer
I n s t r nent Loci 'ion
roltmete r k e t e r Wattmeter
Interlocking Action Rawrks
I I
A-1 Bus 3 600 Rec op sw. s-9, DP-3, 6 No.!jo - DPI/DPM Close only after S. Reverse current t r i p . VAR on DPI
DPM mcm Supply in series with S.
A-5 Bus 3 600 ELec op sw. S-U.3 DP-3, 6 No. 250 - DP3/DPM Reverse current t r i p . VAR on DP:
DPM mQll supply f r o m DG-3.
H CCP-1 100 Elec op sw. s-9, MB-2 3 No.l/O MB-2 - Can not close i f E Under voltage t r i p .
is closed.
K CP 90 ELec op sw. s-a, MB
4 3 No.l/O MB
4 MB-6 Under voltage t r i p .
L MCC-G-3 600 Manuas. S-8 6 No.350 - - Voltage for bus and Diesel
annunciator.
mcm
M Lighting 200 Manual S-8 3 No.l/O -
X-fmr
N Spare S-8
J spare s -9
G spare S-9
A -2 Bus4 600 EL= ap sw. 53-10, 6 ~0.500 DPI/DFM Close only af'ter T Reverse current t r i p . Supply In
m-4 mal series with T.
A-3 Bus 4 600 Rec op sw. s-11, 6 No. 250 DPk/DPM Reverse current t r i p . Supply
DPM-4 mcm f r u n D-G-4.
D fiel PrrmIg 90 Rec op sw. s -10, 3 No. l/O MB-8 Under voltage t r i p .
MB-8
E CCP-2 100 mec op sw. s-10, 3 No. l/O - Can not close f U n d e r voltage t r i p .
MB-2 H is closed.
F MCC 4-4 600 Msnual s -10 6 ~0.500 - - Voltage i s bus voltage and
mcm 1
Mesel-generator annunciator.
Note: See Appendix for explanation of Sbbreviations .

467
u d i s t r i b u t i m panel GS-BB (breaker BB), the motor-control center G 5 - l

(breaker AA), the motor-control center G5-2 (breaker CC), and a spare
c i r c u i t (breaker DD) . See ORNL drawing D-KK-C-41176.
19.4.2 Motor-Control Centers

*
Motor-control center equipment w a s manufactured by the General
E l e c t r i c Company. The busses a r e 600-amp, 480 v, and have a short c i r c u i t
current capacity of 25,000 amp a s m e t r i c a l a t 480 v. The c i r c u i t breakers
c a r e of 100-amp minimum frame size. Data f o r the motor-control center equip-
ment a r e given i n Table 19.3.
19.4.2.1 TVA Motor Control Centers. Motor-control center T-1 i s lo-
cated i n panels 1 and 2 a t the e a s t end of the switch house, as indicated
i n Fig. 19.4. The bus i s supplied with power from the TVA system through
the switchgear breaker X. The bus supplies power t o three heater d i s -
t r i b u t i o n centers, T1-A, T1-B, and T1-C. Circuits T1-D, T1-E, and T1-F
a r e spares.
Motor-control center T-2 i s a l s o a t the e a s t end of the switch house
i n panels 8 and 9. Power i s supplied through t h e TVA breaker Y. The bus
provides power t o two motor-control centers and three heater d i s t r i b u t i o n
centers, through c i r c u i t s T2-S and T2-2. Three of these are spare c i r c u i t s .
19.4.2.2 Generator No. 3 Motor-Control Center. Motor-control center
G - 3 i s located on panels 3 through 7 i n the e a s t end of the switch house.
This bus receives power from switchgear bus No. 3, as mentioned i n 19.4.1.2,
above. The bus supplies power t o 24 c i r c u i t s i n the process system, as
l i s t e d i n Table 19.4. It may be noted t h a t f i v e c i r c u i t s are omitted from
the t a b l e since they a r e spares.
19.4.2.3 Generator No .4 Motor-Control Center. This motor-control
center i s located i n panels 2 through 10 on the north side of the switch
house, as shown i n Fig. 19.4. Provided with power through breaker F, f r o m
switchgear bus No. 4 (see Section 19.4.1.3, above), t h i s center supplies
power t o 19 i t e m s of process equipment. The breaker data and r e l a t e d in-
formation i s given i n Table 19.5. Fifteen spare c i r c u i t s a r e included, t o
provide a t o t a l of 34 c i r c u i t s .
c
W *See footnote, page 19.3

468
Table 19.3. FQuipment Connections t o TVA Motor Control Centers
Tap and Termination Breaker Starter Intervening Cable No.

Breaker Size Size Location Eqyipnent and Size
(amps1
Motor Control Center T-1
T1-A Htr M s t r Tl-A xx) - - - 3 No.k/O

!IX-B H t r M s t r Tl-B xx) - - - 3 No.k/O
T1-C Etr Distr T1-B 200 - - - 3 No.k/O
Tl-D-F spare - - - - 3 No.k/O
Motor Control Center T-2
“243 HCV 9754 30 IR MB-3 - 3 N0.12

P-V PnlEHtrT2-Vl 100 - - 75-k.W 480/120,
2404 xfhrr.
3 N0.2
“2-W RiL E H t r T2-Wl 100 - - 75-ha, 4w=% 3 N0.2

240-v xmfr.
P-x RcEl 30 1 Console - 3 N0.12
!E?-Y Htr E - Y 200 - - - 3 No.14
P-TU Spare
T2-TZ Spare
Note: See Appendix f o r explanation of abbreviations.

469
Table 19.4. Equipment Connections t o Motor Control Center G-3

Breaker Size Size Location Equipanent and Size
(amps)
1 I n s t r Pnl 3 70 - - 30-kva w/m, 3 N0.6
208-v
2 c-1 100 Xfer Sw i n SH 3 N0.2
3 SwP mfJ 30 OnEquip. - 3 N0.2
5 DCC 15 - - mnrswfrcan 3 N0o.12
MCC 44-5
8 CCP 30 1 MB 3 N0.12
9 MG-2 15 1 48-v pnl 3 N0.12
10 RCC -1 15 1 MB-2 3 N0.12
11 FOP-1 15 1 MB 3 N0.12
l2 TF-1 15 1 MB-2 3 N0.12
13 HW-9% 15 IR MB-3 3 N0.12
14 HW930B 15 IR MB-3 3 N0.12
15 AC -1 100 3 MB-2 3 N0.6
16 Diesel Aux Pnl 100 - - Xfer Sw MCC-4 3 N0.2
17 CCC -1 15 1 MB-2 3 N0.12
18 I n s t r Pnl 50 - - 7.5-kba 480/120, 3 No.12
240-v xmlr
19 ma 50 2 243-2 3 N0.8
20 CTP 50 2 MB-2 3 N0.8
23 MB -2 30 1 MB-4 3 No.10
24 SF-1 100 3 m-3 3 No.&

t
470
Table 19.5. Equipment Connections t o Motor Control Center G-4
Tap and Tednation Breaker Starter Intervening Cable, No.

Breaker Size Size Location Equipment and Size
(smps)
G-4-2 c -1 100 Xfer Sw in SR 3 N0.12
5 DCC 15 (2) 1 MB-2 Xfer Sw 3 N0.12
9 MG-3 15 1 48-vPnl 3 Noel2
ll COP-1 15 1 MB 3 N0.12
l2 TF-2 15 1 MB-2 3 N0.12
13 DR-1 15 2 N0.10
16 Am DP 30 3 N0.2
17 ccc 15 1 OnEquip 3 N0.12
20 CTP-2 50 2 MB -2 3 N0.8
21 Twp-2 50 2 MB-2 3 N0.8
23 wp 50 1 On Equip
24 RCC -2 15 1 MB -2 3 N0.12
26 MB-4 30 1 MB-4 3 N0.10
27 DR-2 30 2 N0.10 P
29 480/120,240-vxfmr 100 2 No.4

31 I n s t r F'nl 1 25 -kva, 480/120, 2 No.4
240-v, 1 # xfhr b
32 AC -2 100 3 MB-2 3 N0.6

33 AC -3 100 3 MB-2 3 N0.6
34 SF-2 100 3 MB-3 3 No.4

471
19.4.2.4 Generator No. 5 Motor-Control Center. Motor-control

center G 5 - l i s i n s t a l l e d i n panels 1 and 2 on the north side of t h e switch
house. The parer supply i s from switchgear bus No. 5. The center provides
power through transformers t o the h e a t e r d i s t r i b u t i o n panels, which w i l l be
discussed subsequently. There are three spare c i r c u i t s . The breakers and
other d a t a a r e l i s t e d i n Table 19.6,
Motor-control center G5-2 i s connected t o three supply c i r c u i t s , two
of which supply h e a t e r s and one which serves as a spare. The center i s l o -
cated i n panel ll on t h e north side of the switch house. Data on t h e
breakers i n t h i s center a r e a l s o given i n Table 19.6.
19.5 Building Service C i r c u i t s
m e building service c i r c u i t s a r e shown schematically i n Fig. 19.3.

The c i r c u i t s are supplied with power from the 750-kva substation through
two d i s t r i b u t i o n panels. These panels, No. 1 and No. 2, a r e located on
the w a l l near column D-4 a t the 840-ft elevation.
19.5.1 Building Service Panel No. 1
This d i s t r i b u t i o n panel i s supplied with 480-v three-phase power

through a ~OO-ELI-IIP c i r c u i t breaker. It provides power t o 11breakers
z which supply power t o the equipment l i s t e d i n Table 19.7. Data f o r
l i g h t i n g panels 1A and IAl, which a r e supplied from the transformer i n
, c i r c u i t 9 of panel No. 1, are given i n Table 19.8. 'Ihe transformer i s

a K u h l m a n E l e c t r i c Company, Spec No. 114.09, 225-kva, 480/208~-120-~,
0
3-phase, 60-cycle, dry type, r a t e d a t 80 C temperature r i s e .
19.5.2 Building Service Panel No. 2
Three-phase power a t 480 v i s provided for t h i s panel through a

6OO-amp main breaker, as indicated i n Fig. 19.3. The panel i s r a t e d at
325 amps, and has 16 connections t o breakers or fused switches, which
lead t o t h e equipment l i s t e d i n Table 19.9.
472
Table 19.6. Equipment Connections t o Motor Control Centers

c-5-1 ma G-5-2

Breaker Size Size Location Equipment and Size
( m P s1 c
G-5 -lA Pnl D G-5-LA 200 112-ha 480/120, 3 N0.2

1 - 5 208-v Xfmr
C pnl E G-5-1-1 200 112, 5-kva 480/ 3 No.2
~512 120,208-v Xfmr
D Pnl n G-5-LD 200 75-kva, 480/120, 3 No.1
1 - 4 208-v Xfmr
Spares
G -5 -2X no3 100 3 HCP 2 N0.2

Y G -5 -2Y -B2 200 3 No.4
B Spare
E Spare
F spare
2 spare

473
Table 19.7. Connections t o Building Service Panel No. 1
Circuit Equipment Breaker Cable, No. Load Remarks

Fuse and Size hP
( q s )
10-Ton Crane 70/70 3 N0.8 13 Both cranes on same

6 fuse and breaker.
3-Ton Crane
1 Spare 70 3 N0.8
2 Fused Sw 852-ft RW 25 3 N0.12 mo 3 0 - q fused sw.
3 spare
4 Change House Vent Fan 15 3 N0.12 1/2 Vent fan interlocked
W-iPt El- H t r Fan 3/4 with circuit N0.5.
5 852-ft Rev H t r Fan 15 3 Noel2 1-112
6 sp=e 15
7 Two 3# Recept. 70 3 ~0.4
8 MCR Air Conditioner
B 9 225-kva XAnr
10 spare
11 spare
c
i
1L
474
Table 19.8. Connections t o Lighting Distribution Panels IA and W
I I
arcuit Lighting Panel Location Lights Location Cable, No Fused
Panel and Size sw
Lighting Distribution Panel IA
0 MCR-1 852-ft ELw MCR 400 3 No.4/0

Below MCR 1 N0.2/0
MCR-2 0
MCR 100 4 N0.2 Yes
1 K TRM Tm and East

SA1 N-5 100/100 4 N0.2 Yes
2 C 8524% ELW MCR 100 4 N0.2
in MCR
3 H
840-it KLw Lights 100 4 N0.2
Htr, 1st Floor
B Guard Portal 100 4 N0.2 Yes
4 D 8404% KLW 100 4 N0.2
6 A 8524% ELW 852-ft ELw, E, 90/100 4 N0.2 Yes
D-3 Hall 1, 2, 3, MCR
5 J mgh Bay Area 90 4 N0.2
Sump Vent
7 G 852-ft ELW mgh Bay Lights 90 4 N0.2
c -5 Three Roof Vents
8 AB m-ft ELev 100/100 4 N0.2 Yes
M a t i n g Distribution Panel M l
1-6 spares
7 T Store Rocan Store Rocan, Diesel 100/100 4 N0.2 Yes

Diesel House House, SH
8 S Service Roan Service R o m 100 4 N0.2

475
Table 19.9. Connections t o Building Service Panel No. 2

~
Circuit Ekpipnent Breaker Cable, No. Load Remarks

Fuse and Size hP
1 Two W-v, 3 # Recept 50 3 N0.6 I n service area.

2 Spare
3 spare
4 spare
5 spare
6 spare
7 Two W - v , 3 # Recept 70 3 No.4 Service H, B1, €I
HE3 A4
8 Spare
9 spare
10 spare
11 Roll-up Doors 30 (F) 3 N0.10 2 Tap- bottom lMt SW.
12 Spare
Two fans, One H t r 30 (F) 3 No.10 South FIigh Bay Area
13
14 spare
15 spare
16 spare

476
19.6 Direct-Current E l e c t r i c a l Systems
There a r e two independent d i r e c t current e l e c t r i c a l systems, an

existing 250-v system and a new 48-v system i n s t a l l e d f o r the MSm. The
25-kw motor-generator s e t driven by the d i r e c t current system t o supply
emergency power t o c e r t a i n important process equipment i s discussed i n
t h i s section. The location of the major components i n the two DC systems
i s sham on ORNL drawing D-E-C-55106.
19.6.1 B t t e r y , M-G Set and Distribution Panel f o r 250-v DC System
"he 250-v DC system provides emergency power t o various important

lighting and switching c i r c u i t s and drives the 2 5 - b DC-AC motor-generator
set used t o supply l20/240-v AC power t o the control-rod drives, sampler-
enricher, etc. The 25-kw DC-AC M-G s e t i s described i n Section 19.6.3.
19 6 1.1 AC-DC, l25-kw, 250-v Motor-Generator Set MG-1. The 250-v
DC power source i s a Reliance E l e c t r i c and Engineering Company motor-
generator set, Model 1TH-11924. It i s mounted i n a s i z e 6-FM sheet
s t e e l cabinet, with a pressure-ventilating system employing dust f i l t e r s .
The M-G u n i t i s mounted on a fabricated steel base inside the cabinet.
The motor i s a 200-hp s q u i r r e l cage type, frame B-6085, D/564642,
operating at 1,765 r p m on a 440-v, 60-cycle, 3-phase power supply. It
i s rated a t 50°C temperature rise under continuous duty. The motor has
b a l l bearings and an F-2 mounting with s p e c i a l double shaft extensions.
The direct-connected generator has a capacity of 125 kw and supplies
power at 250 v DC. The generator frame i s No. 385-TY. The u n i t i s a
shunt-wound type, with separate excitation at 230 v, and i s rated at 50°C
temperature rise. The ball-bearing-mounted s h a f t has s p e c i a l double ex-
tensions. An over-speed, normally-closed, switch i s mounted on the f r o n t
end.
19.6,1.2 Bttery. The driving motor i s supplied with power through
breaker W at the TVA switchgear bus. There i s a l s o a b a t t e r y f o r emergency
power, which consists of 120 B i d e cells, Type FOP, rated t o discharge
364 amp-hr as the voltage drops t o 210 v i n a 2-hr period. '73 A reverse-
current t r i p prevents a flow of current from the b a t t e r y t o the generator
when the motor-generator set i s not operating.
4??
ed 19.6.1,3
Distribution Pasel. The 250-17 DC distribution panel i s
V
supplied through a w i t c h and a k K ) - a q f'use. The following circuits
are supplied by the panel through switches and fuses of the size indicated:
DC emergency lights (3O-amp fclse), switchgear t r i p c i r c u i t (6O-amp f'use),
TVA p e r transfer switch ( 3 O - m ~fuse), and the 25-kw M-G s e t ( b 0 - a ~ ~
fuse) .
19.6.2 Battery, M-G Set and Control Panel f o r 48-v DC System
The 48-v DC system provides power f o r the electrical- and air-operated

controls systems, These systems normally receive DC power through e i t h e r
the 3-kw No. 2 AC-DC motor-generator s e t (driven by AC power taken from
the motor-control center G3-9 which i s supplied either w i t h power from the
TVA o r diesel-generator unit No. 3), o r through the 3-kw AC-DC motor-
generator s e t No. 3 (supplied w i t h power either from the TVA o r from diesel-
generator u n i t No, 4). In au emergency, when no AC power is available t o
run the 3-kw motor-generators, 48-v DC power can be supplied directly from
a 24-cell battery system described below. (See ORNL drawing D-KK-C-55112.)
19.6.2.1 AC-DC, 3-kw, Motor-Generator Sets. Each of the two identi-
c a l units is an Electric Products Compmy diverter-pole, motor-generator
ryPe h796u. 174 The 440-v, 3-phase, 6O-cycle, AC motor is rated at 5 hp
at 1,750 rpm. It draws a maximum of 6.6 a q s and i s rated a t b 0 C temper-
ature r i s e under continuous duty. The direct-connected DC generator is
rated at 3 kw (53.5 a m p at 56 v).
19.6.2,2 Battery for 48-v System. The 24-cell battery supplying the
me
48-v emergency power u t i l i z e s Exide '!l?ytex'' FOP-19 cells. '73 me
cells have a 12-hr discharge capacity at 600 amp-hr when discharged t o
k volts. The 24 c e l l s normally provide a potential of about 48 volts.
19.6.2.3 Control Panel f o r 48-v System. The control panel for the
48-v system'is located outside the battery room at the 840-ft elevation.
The panel provides the controls t o start and stop the M-G sets, nm then
'Individually o r in parallel, t o detect system grounds, and t o recharge the
battery. (See O m drawing ID-KK-C-55108 and drawing D-KK-C-55109. )
19~6.3 DC-AC 25-kw Motor-Generator Set MG-4 and Connected mad

%%is motor-generator set is driven by the 250-v DC system and is
used t o generate AC parer t o drive certain important process equipment in
m
478
in an emergency. The set is a Reliance Electric Model 1TH-11946,175 L

i
5
mounted in a size 5-FM sheet steel cabinet having a pressure ventilating
system utilizing dust filters.
The motor is a special direct current motor, frame No. 92-T. It is
a shunt-wound type with 1.61-f~m, maximum field current. For operation at
1,800 r p m the field controller resistance at 258-v full-load voltage is
36 ohms; for 210-v full-load voltage the required resistance is 40 ohms.
The motor is rated at a 40°C temperature rise for continuous service. The
ball-bearing-mounted shaft has an F-2 mounting with back end extension.
The generator is an Electric Machinery, fraIfE s-20, rated at 25 kw
at 0.8 power factor. It is a single-phase, ~0/240-v, 3-wire unit, with
field rheostat, field discharge resistor, and integrally mounted exciter.
The generator supplies AC parer to the following equipment: instrument
panel No. 3 (see Part 111); process power panel No. 3, which powers the
sampler-enricher and control-rod drive motors; process power panel No. 2,
which supplies parer to the fie1 and coolant salt lubricating oil pumps
through two 220-v single-phase/kkO-v three-phase converters manufactured
by the System Analyzer Corporation, Type 35; and the control p e r for
..
diesel-generator unit No 5 (See ORNL drawing D-KK-C-41152.)
To decrease the load on the 25-kw generator when running the motor
on power from the 250-v battery system, the fuel and coolant salt lubri-
cating pumps, FOP-2 and CoP-2, can be stopped and the two spare pumps,
FOP-1 and CoP-1, can be started, these being driven by diesel-generator
units No. 3 and No. 4.
The instrument parer panel No. 2 and the process power panel No. 2
receive l20/24O-v AC power either f r o m the 25-kw motor-generator set or
,
through the 480-v/~0 240-v single-phase instrument power trmsformer
No. 1. This transformer takes its 480-v primary input via the motor-
control center bus No. 4 and the TVA system, or in an emergency, from
diesel-generator unit No. 4. The secondary of the transformer w i l l be
connected to the instrument and process power panels through an automatic
transfer switch which, on low voltage f r o m the 25-kw generator, transfers
the load from the set to the motor-control center bus No. 4. This auto-
matic switch will not transfer if there is no voltage on the No. 4 bus.
(See O R m drawing D-KK-C-41152.) u
*
479
a
w 19.7 Heater Control C i r c u i t s
Power i s normally supplied t o t h e process system heaters from t h e
TVA system. I n an emergency part of t h e heaters can be provided w i t h
power from diesel-generator s e t No. 5. The power i s d i s t r i b u t e d through
eleven c i r c u i t breaker p3rd.s t o twelve heater control panels and t o
one motor control center connection. -
Power (i.g., voltage) t o t h e heaters
i s manually regulated by variable autotransformers. There a r e 136
heater control c i r c u i t s i n t h e process heating system, including 1 5
4
spare c i r c u i t s .
The heaters on t h e process equipment and piping a r e described
i n t h e sections pertaining t o t h e p a r t i c u l a r pieces of equipment on
which they a r e employed.
19.7.1 C i r c u i t Breaker Panels G5-LA, G5-lC, G5-lD, T2-V and T2-W

These 120-208-v c i r c u i t breaker panels are located along t h e
e a s t w a l l of t h e north-south hallway a t t h e 840-ft elevation. Panels
G5-LA and G5-lC a r e supplied with power from112.5-kva transformers,
described below. Panels G5-U), T2-V and T2-W receive power from
75-kva transformers. The c i r c u i t breakers supply power t o f i f t y -
s i x 2.8-kva Powerstats and t h i r t y - n i n e 7.5-kva Type 1256 Powerstats,
a l l located on t h e heater control panels t o be discussed subsequently.
19.7.1.1 Transformers G5-LA and G 5 - l C , ll2.5-kva. These two

transformers a r e located on t h e western side of the main building near
t h e switch house. They are General E l e c t r i c Company Model yT23Y3005,
480/208Y-12O-v, 3-phase, 60-cycle, indoor, dry type transformers r a t e d
a t 112.5 h a with delta-connected primaries and wye-connected secondaries.
The temperature r i s e i s 80°c under continuous duty a t rated load.
19.7.1.2 Transformers G5-U), T2-V and T2-W, 75-kva. The G5-U)

transformer i s located on t h e western s i d e of t h e main building a t
the 840-ft l e v e l , adjacent t o the G5-lA 112.5-kva transformer. The
T2-V u n i t i s located a t t h e 840-ft elevation on t h e east s i d e of
t h e north-south hallway and t h e T2-W transformer i s on t h e w e s t s i d e .
c A l l u n i t s a r e General E l e c t r i c Models gT23Y3004, 75-kva, 3-phase,
60-cycle, 480-v/120,208-v, transformers, rated a t an 80°c temperature
W
rise.
.c
480
19.7.1.3 C i r c u i t Breakers. The breakers used on a l l f i v e of t h e Ld

e
above panels a r e Trumbull E l e c t r i c Company, Type TQL o r R, 100-amp,
120/208-~, three-phase, rated a t 4 w a t t s .
19.7.2 C i r c u i t Breaker Panels G5-BB, T1-A, Tl-B, T1-C, T2Y and G5-2Y.
These 480-v c i r c u i t breaker panels are located on t h e south s i d e
of the east-west hallway a t t h e 840-ft l e v e l . Panels G5-BB and G5-2Y
receive power from t h e N o . 5 diesel-generator bus; T1-A, T1-B and T1-C
a r e powered f r o m t h e TVA motor control center, T-1; and panel T2-Y i s
supplied f r o m t h e TVA motor control center T42.
The c i r c u i t breakers supply power t o t h i r t y - e i g h t 30-kva induction
regulators, which a r e controlled from the heater control panels described
below.
The breakers used i n a l l s i x c i r c u i t s a r e General E l e c t r i c Type
CCB, 225-amp, ~OO-V, 3 - w a t t switches, with General E l e c t r i c Controllers
Type CR 2 8 1 1 ~ - 1 0 1 ~having
, a 25-hp capacity with 3-phase, 440-600-v power.
19.7.3 C i r c u i t Breaker Panel G5-2X and Drain Line l o 3 Heater C i r c u i t .

C i r c u i t breaker panel G5-2X takes power from t h e switchgear bus
No. 5 t o supply a saturable reactor and a high-current transformer t o
provide s t e p l e s s control of t h e current t o the resistance-heated drain
l i n e 103.
19.7.3.1 Saturable Reactor. The saturable reactor i s a Hevi- E

Duty E l e c t r i c Company, Catalog No. D-73331, single-phase, &-cycle,
u n i t , rated a t 25 kva, 460 l i n e v o l t s , a load voltage of 414 a t 60.5 h
'
amps, and with a DC control input of 4 t o 75 v. The t o t a l resistance

i s about 54 ohms. The reactor i s located i n t h e north e l e c t r i c service
a r e a between columns 5-B and 5-C a t t h e 824-ft elevation.
The 4 t o 75-v DC control current t o t h e saturable reactor i s
provided by germanium diode r e c t i f i e r s mounted i n t h e cabinet of heater
control panel No. 8. The DC output of t h e r e c t i f i e r s i s varied by
controlling t h e AC input through a Type 136 Powerstat mounted on t h e
control panel. (The Powerstat i s described i n Section 19.7.4, below).
A current transformer and ammeter on the control panel provide i n d i -
f
cation of t h e heat input t o t h e drain l i n e .
hd
m
481
w 19.7.3.2 Special 25-kva High-Current Transformer. The output of

v
t h e s a t u r a b l e r e a c t o r i s fed t o a s p e c i a l 25-kva transformer l o c a t e d i n
t h e d r a i n tank c e l l . The transformer w a s manufactured i n accordance
with ORNL Dwg B-MM-A-56244 by t h e Hevi-Duty E l e c t r i c Company. The p r i -
mary i s r a t e d a t 420 v and t h e secondary a t 18 v. The u n i t supplies t h e
heavy current of up t o about 1,400 amps needed f o r r e s i s t a n c e heating
of t h e INOR-81-1/2-in. sched 40 d r a i n l i n e 103. The ungrounded s i d e
of t h e transformer i s e l e c t r i c a l l y connected t o t h e d r a i n l i n e about
midway between t h e r e a c t o r and t h e d r a i n tank and t h e ends of t h e
d r a i n l i n e have ground wires t o t h e grounded s i d e of t h e transformer.
0
19.7.4 Heater Control Panels and Equipment
The twelve h e a t e r control panels are located i n t h e north-south
hallway at t h e 840-ft l e v e l , with panels 1 through 7A on t h e west s i d e
of t h e hallway f a c i n g panels 8 through 11. Two a d d i t i o n a l h e a t e r panels
a r e i n t h e same general l o c a t i o n t o c o n t r o l t h e heaters i n t h e f u e l
processing system. These are described i n P a r t VII.
A l i s t of t h e heaters controlled by each panel and t h e c o n t r o l s
showing on t h e f a c e of t h e panel i s given i n Table 19.10.
The h e a t e r panels a r e supplied with power from t h e c i r c u i t breaker
panels described i n Sections 19.7.1 and 19.7.2, above. Some of t h e s e
";
breaker panels supply as many as f i v e d i f f e r e n t heating panels.
crl
There are no heaters i n t h e process system having t h e power input
automatically adjusted by heat-sensing devices and controls systems. The
power i s regulated by manual adjustment of t h e voltage a t t h e h e a t e r con-
t r o l panel i n response t o temperature i n d i c a t i o n s i n t h e nearby tempera-
ture-scanning instrumentation, see P a r t 111.
19.7.4.1 Type 136 "Powerstat . I 1 This panel-mounted, hand-positioned

v a r i a b l e autotransformer i s a product of t h e Superior E l e c t r i c Company
and i s r a t e d a t 2.8 kva, 20 amps, 120 v, 60-cycle, with 0 t o 120-v out-
put. A schematic wiring diagram i s shown i n Figure 19.5. There are a
t o t a l of 67 of t h i s type of c o n t r o l .
z
482
Unclassified
O W DWG 64-8849
T2a-1
To Heater)
m-14 3
c
Figure 19.5. Typical Schematic W i r i n g Diagram for
r y ~ e12% Powerstat.
To Heater
>
c
a. Typical Heater Connection
x-
FV204-1-Fl FV204-1-CI.
A
c5-1-~1-2
n Control Relay
4 0
12oV 5
To Freeze
Valve f
FV2O4-1 3
FV2O4-1-FE
4
b. Typical Connection to Freeze Valve
Mgure 19.5. Typical Schematic Diagram for Type 136 Powerstat.
c
L
483
w
u Table 19.10 Heater Control Panels*
Heater Location Heater Control on P a n e l H
HCP-1 Coolant System: Radiator CR 1 On-off and Raise-

Lower Push Buttons
and 50/5-amp ammeter
??
CR 2 D i t t o , but 40/5 amp
I?
CR 3 D i t t o , b u t 40/5 amp
11
CR 4 D i t t o , b u t 50/5 amp
?I
CR 5 Ditto, but 50/5 amp
I?
CR 6 D i t t o , but 50/5 amp
11
CR 7 D i t t o but 40 amp
?I
CR 8 D i t t o but 40 amp
Loop piping H200-13 D i t t o but 40/5 amp
11
H201-12 D i t t o , but 40/5 amp
H202-2 D i t t o but 40/5 amp
Spare No. 16 D i t t o , but 1 5 amp
Spare No. 1 D i t t o , b u t 40 amp
Spare No. 2 D i t t o , but 40 amp
HCP-2 Coolant System:

Radiator CR 1 0-300-v Ground Detection
Voltmeter and 3 Line
S e l e c t o r Buttons
CH 4 I1
11
CR 5
??
CR 6
Loop Piping H200-14 Powerstat Type 1256
Sleeves and l 5 - m ~
ammeter
H200-15 D i t t o , but 30 amp
H201-10 Ditto, but 30 amp
H201-11 Ditto, but 20 amp
Piping I n s i d e H201-13 D i t t o , b u t 20 amp
Radiator
* See panel layout ORNL Dwg E-MM-Z-51624. Panels 1 through 7A are i n

west group, panels 8 through 11 are i n east group.
** Controls a r e l i s t e d as appearing on panel, reading l e f t t o r i g h t , t o p
bd t o bottom.
T
484
Heater Location Heater Control on Panel b

I
HCP-3 Coolank System: Loop Piping H202-1 Powerstat Type 136
and 15 amp ammeter
??
Loop Piping H204-2
??
Loop Piping ~205-1
??
Freeze Valve Pot FV204-3
Flow Transmitter:
??
Body t o p FT20lA -1
Body t o p FT20lA- 3 ?I
It
Body bottam FT20lA-2
??
Body bottom FT2OlA-4
??
Body t o p FT201B-1
Body t o p FT201B- 3 I1
??
Body bottom FT201B-2
I?
Body bottom FT201B-4
I1
F i l l Line ~203-2
Spare No. 5 ?t
Level Element LE-CP-1

Pipe
??
Level Element LE-CP-2
Pot
HCP-4 Coolant System:

Freeze Valve FV204-1 Powerstat Type 136
i
and 20 amp ammeter
Adjacent t o FV FV204-2
~~206-1
??
--
Freeze Valve
.
Adj Freeze ~~206-2 ?I
Valve
F i l l Line H204-1 Raise-Lower Buttons
and 30 amp ammeter
??
F i l l Line ~206-1
I?
Drain Tank CDT 1
Bottom
??
F i l l Line H203-1
Drain Tank - Lower CDT 2 Powerstat Type 1256
and 30-amp ammeter f
-
Drain Tank Upper CDT 3 ?I
W
??
Coolant Pump-Bottom CP 1
Coolant Pump - Side Cp 2 n
t-
b Heater Location Heater Control on Panel
7.
HCP-5 Reactor Cell:

Coolant Piping H200-1 Powerstat Type 1256
and 20 amp ammeter
It
Adjacent Flange 200 H200-11
I?
Adjacent Flange 201 H201-1 11
I?
. Coolant Piping ~201-9 D i t t o , but 30 amp
Adjacent Flange 100 H100-1 D i t t o , but 30 amp
HCP-6 Reactor C e l l :
p
H200-2
Coolant Piping H206-3 On-Off and Raise-
Control RCH-1 H200-4A Lower Buttons and 3
-
H200 4B 40-amp ammeters
Coolant Piping
D i t t o , but 30 amp
Control RCH-2
i
Coolant Piping ~200-6
Control RCH-3 ~200-7 D i t t o , but 40 amp
~200-8
~200-g~
Coolant Piping ~200-9~
D i t t o , b u t 40 amp
H201-4A
H201-4B
Reactor R 1 0-150-v Ground Detection
Voltmeter and 3 Line
S e l e c t o r Buttons
I?
Reactor R2
I1
Reactor R 3
Adjacent Flange 100 HlOO-2 Powerstat Type 1256
and 20 amp ammeter
Adjacent Flange 101 HlO1-2 II
I?
Adjacent Flange 101 HlOl-3
w
4
486
Heater Location Heater Control on Panel

cri
c
HCP-7 Reactor Cell:
Coolant Piping H200-10 On-OFF and Raise-
Control RCH-5 ~201-3 Lower Buttons and 3
30 amp ammeters
Coolant Piping ~201-5 D i t t o , but 40 amp
Control RCH-6 ~201-6
~201-7
Fuel Piping mol-1 Ditto, but 30 amp
Control RCH-7 ~102-3
Fuel Piping H102-2 Ditto, but 30 amp
Reactor Furnace R 1 Ditto, but 40/5 amp
Reactor Furnace R2 D i t t o , but 40/5 amp
Reactor Furnace R 3 D i t t o , but 40/5 amp
Heat Exchanger HX1 Ditto, but 40 amp
Heat Exchanger m2 D i t t o , but 40 amp
Heat Exchanger a 3 D i t t o , but 40 amp
Fuel mUnp - Lower FP 1 Ditto, but 40/5 amp
Fuel Pump - Upper FP 2 Ditto, but 40/5 amp
Spare D i t t o , but 40 amp
Spare Ditto, but 40 amp
HCP-7A Reactor Cell:

Reactor Access Nozzle RAN-1 Powerstat Type 136
and 20 amp ammeter
11
Reactor Access Nozzle Ran-2
11
Spare
11
Spare
11
Spare
1?
Spare
?t
Spare
11
Spare
Fuel Piping H102-1 Powerstat Type 1256
and 30 amp ammeter
Adjacent Flange 102 H102-4 Ditto, but 20 amp
Adjacent Flange 102 HlO2-5 Ditto, but 30 amp
w Heater Location Heater Control on Panel
HCP-8 Drain Tank Cell:
Reactor F i l l Line H 103 Powerstat Type 136*,
2 on-off push-button
s t a t i o n s and 50/5 amp
ammeter
Freeze Valve FV 103 Powerstat Type 136
and 20 amp m e t e r
11
Adjacent Furnace H104-1
FFT
Spare No. 7 11
i '
Spare No. 8 11
Drain Tank-Lower FFT-1 On-Off and Raise-

Lower Push Buttons and
ri
t h r e e 40/5 amp m e t e r s
11
Drain Tank-Upper FFT-2
11
Drain Tank-Lower FD1-1
11
Drain Tank-Upper FD1-2
11
Drain Tank-Lower FD2-1
11
Drain Tank-Upper FD2-2
HCP-9 Drain Tank C e l l :
Freeze Valve FV104-1 Powerstat Type 136
and 20 amp ammeter
11
FFT F i l l Line m04-5 11
FFT F i l l Line H104-6 11
11
Freeze Valve ~~105-1
11
11
Adjacent Furnace FD2 HlO5-l
FD-2 F i l l Line H105-4 11
11
Freeze Valve ~~106-1
11
Adjacent Furnace FD1 mo6-1 11
FD-1 F i l l Line mO6-4 11
Spare No. 9 11
1)
Spare No. 10
* This Powerstat controls t h e DC current f o r t h e saturable r e a c t o r

wired i n t h e primary of t h e transformer f o r t h e resistance-heated l i n e .
m
488
Heater Location Heater Control on Panel c?

HCP-10 Drain Tank C e l l :
Adjacent Freeze Valve FV104-23c Raise-Lower Button
and 20 amp ammeter
FFT F i l l Line H104-2 Ditto, but 30 amp
FFT F i l l Line HI.04-3 D i t t o , but 30 amp
FFT F i l l Line H104-4 Ditto, but 30 amp
Adjacent Freeze Valve FVlO5-2* D i t t o , but 20 amp
FD-2 F i l l Line ~105-2 D i t t o , but 30 amp
FD-2 F i l l Line H105-3 D i t t o , but 30 amp
FD-2 F i l l Line H104-7 D i t t o , but 30 amp
Adjacent Freeze Valve ~ ~ 1 0 6 - wD i t t o , but 20 amp
FD-1 F i l l Line ~106-2 Ditto, but 30 amp
FD-1 F i l l Line ~106-3 Ditto, but 30 amp
Transfer Line H110-2 Ditto, but 30 amp
Transfer Line H110-3 D i t t o , but 30 amp
Spare No. 1 2 Ditto, but 30 amp
Spare NO. 13 D i t t o , but 30 amp
Spare No. 14 D i t t o , but 30 amp
Adjacent Furnace FFT HlO7-l Powerstat Type 136
and 10 amp ammeter
Transfer Line ~107-2 D i t t o , but 10 amp
Adjacent Flange mO7-3 Ditto, but 20 amp
Freeze Valve FVlO7-l Ditto, but 20 amp
Adjacent Freeze Valve FVlO7-P Ditto, but 20 amp
Freeze Valve Pots FV107-3 Ditto, but 20 amp
* These c i r c u i t s were l e f t i n place although due t o design changes

t h e heaters have been eliminated.
c
489
R
trr’ Heater Location Heater Control on Panel
HCP-11 Drain Tank Cell:
Adjacent Furnace FD-2 ~ 1 0 8 - 1 Powerstat Type 136
and 10 amp ammeter
Transfer Line FD-2 ~108-2 Ditto, but 10 amp
Adjacent Flange ~108-3 Ditto, but 20 amp
Freeze Valve ~n08-1 Ditto, but 20 amp
Adjacent Freeze Valve ~n08-23t- Ditto, but 20 amp
I - Freeze Valve Pots ~ n 0 83- Ditto, but 20 amp
Adjacent Furnace FD-1 HlOg-1 Ditto, but 10 amp
Transfer Line FD-1 HlO9-2 Ditto, but 10 amp
F Adjacent Flange H109-3 Ditto, but 20 amp
Freeze Valve Fnog-1 Ditto, but 20 amp
Adjacent Freeze Valve FVlO9-2* Ditto, but 20 amp
Freeze Valve Pots FW-09-3 Ditto, but 20 amp
Transfer Line H110-1 Ditto, but 10 amp
Spare No. 1 5 Ditto, but 20 amp
* These c i r c u i t s were l e f t i n place although due t o design changes

t h e heaters have been eliminated.
490
19.7.4.2 Type 1256 "Powerstat". This Superior E l e c t r i c Company

variable autotransformer i s panel-mounted and hand-positioned and similar
t o t h e Type 136 but i s rated a t 7.8 kva, 28 amps, with 240 v input and
0 t o 280-v output. A t y p i c a l schematic wiring diagram i s shown i n
Figure 19.6. Twenty-two of these "Powerstats" a r e used.
19.7.4.3 Motor-Operated Type 1256-1035 "Powerstat". T h i s variable

autotransformer i s motor-operated and mounted on a rack on t h e west s i d e
of t h e north-south hallway between columns C-2 and C - 3 a t t h e 840-ft
elevation. It i s controlled by a "raise-lower" push button on t h e
heater control panel. The u n i t i s manufactured by t h e Superior E l e c t r i c
Company and i s rated a t 7.8 kva, 28 amps, 240 v input and 0 t o 280-v
output, single-phase. The motor i s operated on 115 v, 0.4 amps, and
has a 45 sec t r a v e l time. A t y p i c a l wiring diagram i s shown i n Figure 19 6 .
Twenty of t h e controls are of t h i s type.
19.7.4.4 Induction Regulator. Thirty-eight induction-type voltage

regulators were e x i s t i n g i n Bldg 7503 as p a r t of t h e ART. They a r e
located on t h e west side of t h e north-south hallway a t t h e 840-ft l e v e l ,
and below t h i s elevation on the south s i d e of t h e east-west hallway.
Each regulator i s a General E l e c t r i c Company Type AIRT C a t No. 3263366,
and a r e rated a t 480 v, three-phase, 36.5 amp, and 30-kva. Each i s
positioned by "raise-lower" buttons on t h e heater control panels. Since
t h e regulators can not produce zero voltage, "on-off" buttons a r e
provided on t h e heater control panels. A l i s t i n g of t h i s "on-off" button
L'
f o r a heater tabulated i n Table 19.10 i d e n t i f i e s use of an induction regu- ._
l a t o r , w i t h t h e one exception of t h e drain l i n e heater. The regulators
have mechanical stops t o l i m i t the voltage output t o 208 v. A
schematic wiring diagram for t h e induction regulator and a motor
operator a r e shown i n Figure 19.7.
There a r e 38 of t h e induction regulators i n use. Nine feed 30-kva
three-phase transformers which supply heater breaker panels. Eleven of
t h e regulators supply 10-kva single-phase transformers, one transformer
f o r each phase. The transformers a r e described below. The remaining
regulators feed power d i r e c t l y t o the heater breaker panels. The c
number of heaters supplied by a regulator depends upon the s i z e and Li
application of the p a r t i c u l a r heaters.
1
Unc lassified
ORNL DWG 64-8850
120-v
See l3.gure 19.5 f o r Wiring

magram of Type 1256 Powerstat
'P D3-3H
r
I
i
I H204-1-T2
I
I
I
I 1
Push Buttons on Control Powerstat Drive Motor

Panel HCP
Figure 19.6. Typical Schematic Wiring D i a g r a m f o r Motor-Operated

Type 1256-1035 Powerstat
Unclassified
ORIGDWG64-8851
G5-l-D3-1 ,-I3-I3 G!j-BB-3
5A --a----- - -
Off -1
't I I,
1s I
O-TO Contactor
I
11 CRI.
TT.1
Pushbuttons on Control
Panel.Bl;rP
Induction
Regulator Crib
See Figure 19.6 for schematic

wiring diagram of motor operator.
Figure 19.7. Motor-Operated Induction Regulator

493
19.7.4.5 Three-phase 30-kva Transformer. There a r e nine of

these transformers located on a platform behind the heater breaker
panels i n t h e east-west hallway a t the 840-ft l e v e l . Each i s a
Jefferson E l e c t r i c Company, C a t No. 223-194, "Powerformer", rated a t
3 0 - k ~ a , three-phase, 60-cycle 480 4208-120 v, 36.1 amp and f o r 150°C
temperature r i s e . The transformer secondaries a r e provided w i t h ground-
detection voltmeters mounted on the heater control panel. See ORNL
DWg D-KK-C-55137.
19.7.4.6 Single-phase 10-kva Transformers. Thirty-three of these

transformers a r e mounted on t h e w a l l of t h e south side of the platform
mentioned above. Each i s a Jefferson E l e c t r i c Company, single-phase,
dry-type transformer, C a t No. 243-466, rated a t 10-kva, 240-480-v
primary and 120-240-v secondary a t a 150°C temperature r i s e . The
primaries a r e delta-connected and t h e secondaries a r e wye-connected
and grounded. See ORNL Dwg D-KK-C-55137.
19.7.4.7 Heater Breaker Panels. As s t a t e d above, an induction

regulator may supply several d i f f e r e n t heater c i r c u i t s . I n such cases,
each heater c i r c u i t i s provided w i t h a c i r c u i t breaker. Since most
of t h e breakers and panels a r e e x i s t i n g equipment a b p t e d f o r the E R E ,
there i s a v a r i e t y of combinations of makes and s t y l e s .
Seven panels of c i r c u i t breakers are mounted on t h e e a s t w a l l of
the north-south hallway. Two panels use fourteen Trumbull E l e c t r i c
Company, Type T U , o r R, 120/208-~, three-phase breakers, having
various current ratings. Four panels use General E l e c t r i c Company
Type TF 136020, 60O-v, 3-pole breakers with several d i f f e r e n t current
ratings. There are t h r e e spare c i r c u i t breakers included.
S i x panels of heater c i r c u i t breakers a r e located along t h e south
side of t h e east-west hallway. Each panel contains four General E l e c t r i c
Company Type CCB, three-phase, c i r c u i t breaker mounting panels, seventeen
of which a r e rated a t 600 v and seven a% 120/208 v. The mounting panels
may contain up t o 20 c i r c u i t breakers but only 5 t o 8 a r e usually i n
use. Four of the mounting panels have Westinghouse De-Ion, F Frame,
Style 1222033 c i r c u i t breakers. Thirteen panels use General E l e c t r i c
Company C a t No. TF 136020 f o r 600 v; f i v e use General E l e c t r i c Type ES-93
and two General E l e c t r i c Type EP-37,both rated a t 125 v.
494
19.7.5 Heater Leads bii

Q
E l e c t r i c a l leads f o r t h e process heaters i n t h e coolant c e l l a r e

multi-conductor No. 19/22 Type TW cable run i n t r a y s and conduit from
t h e heater control equipment t o a junction box i n t h e special equip-
ment room. From t h i s box, multi-conductor No. 19/22 RR cable i s run
i n t r a y s t o t h e equipment i n the c e l l .
E l e c t r i c a l leads f o r heaters i n t h e reactor c e l l are multi-con-
ductor No. 19/22 Type TW cable, l a i d i n t r a y s between t h e heater con-
t r o l equipment and junction boxes i n t h e south e l e c t r i c service area.
The leads f o r the drain tank c e l l a r e i d e n t i c a l except that the junc-
t i o n boxes a r e located i n the north e l e c t r i c service area. The con-
nections between t h e junction boxes and t h e c e l l equipment are made
with mineral-insulated, copper-sheather cables carrying t h r e e No 10
o r 1 2 wires. These pass through the c e l l w a l l s i n 3/4-in. pipe s i z e
penetrations described i n Section 19.8, following. The heater leads
passing through each penetration a r e l i s t e d i n Table 19.11.
Inside the c e l l s t h e cables a r e run i n square duct, e i t h e r t o
junction boxes o r t o special 6OO-v, 5O-amp, metal-and-ceramic, fe-
male disconnects. The disconnects, as i l l u s t r a t e d i n Figure 19.8,
are mounted i n t h e c e l l s convenient t o the heater served and a r e
located i n a manner t o f a c i l i t a t e remote manipulation. The c e l l
ends of the cables a r e sealed with brazed bell-end housings. The
outside ends a r e sealed with a General Cable Co. insulating cap and
threaded gland using a cold p l a s t i c sealing compound. There are
eight spare leads t o the reactor c e l l and fourteen f o r t h e drain
tank c e l l .
Some of the process heaters which a r e designed f o r removal and
replacement have male, 6OO-v, 5O-amp, 3-wire disconnect plugs mounted
d i r e c t l y on t h e removable u n i t . The connection between t h e matching
female disconnect and t h e porcelain terminal blocks i n t h e junction
boxes inside t h e c e l l i s made w i t h ceramic-beaded nickel a l l o y 99
wire, sheathed i n 1/2-in. OD f l e x i b l e s t e e l hose.
Permanent heaters have t h e same type of f l e x i b l e leads connected
d i r e c t l y t o the heaters. The leads pass through junctions, where
t h e heaters a r e connected i n p a r a l l e l , and continue t o terminate i n
ii
495
Unclassified
'cp, ORNL DWG 64-8852
i
Disconnect Plug
Ceramic Beads
Copper Conductors
Conductor
I
Disconnect Receptacle
Ralco Mfg. Co.,No. 10
AECR, &-€imp, 6oo-vAc'
3 Pole.
Lead Brazed t o
Terminal
'%ish Spine" Ceramic

Beads
'w"C8bh End s d .
C e r a m a ~ e a lCO. NO.
&5BoU0-3
TWO 3/4-in. Locknuts
Threaded elana
General Cable Corp.
No. 434
3/c No. 12 % I"

Cable -
T
c
I
w Figure 19.8. Male and Female Electrical Disconnects for Heater
Leads Inside Cells.
bd
496
Table 19.11 Heater E l e c t r i c a l Lead C e l l Wall Penetrations
PENETRATION R-2 - REACTOR CELL

DISCONNECT No. TRAY LENGTH* SLEEVE No. CABLE SIZE
H520-J+S 44 1 3/c 12
1
0.
~520-35 45 2
~520-25 44 3
~52c-1~ 45 4
5
6
H520-4 ei t 35 7 . 12
H520-3 37 8
~520-2 36 9
~520-1 36 10
H520-5 36 11
H200-2 36 12
FP-4 27 13
~200-7 22 14
H200-SP 15 15
H520-7S 41 16
H520-6S 41 17
H200-1 39 18
H100-2 40 19
H100-1 39 20
H520-7 35 21
FP-5 25 22
~200-8 21 23
FCC-2 23 24
H520-6 center 43 25
H520-5S 43 26
eal
H2W-4 9 27
~ 2 0 03- 35 28
H200-6 2a 29
FP-SP 30 30
~200-9 16 31
Hx3 center 35 32
Hx2 center 37 33
* Estimated length
a
)r
497
Table 19.11 Cont'd.
DISCONNECT No. TRAY LENGTH SLEEVE No. C A B U SIZE
HXL center 38 34 >.1 2

H200-10 center 30 35
PE-1 east 29 36
1
FP-1 27 37
~200-5 29 38
FP-2 24 39
PE-3 31 40
H200-10 center 31 41
H200-11 center 31 42
PE-2 29 43
44 1
FP-3 22
PENrmRATION R-3 - REACTOR CELL

DISCONNECT No. TRAY LENGTH SLEEVE No. C B U SIZE
1
H i Level Gamma 2
H i Level Gamma 3
4
5
6
RFI-SP1 7 3/c No. 10
1
R2-2 47 0
~2-3 47 9
~3-1 48 10
R2-1 11
H201-SP1 west 45 12
H201-3 west 31 13
H102-1 center 37 14
Rl-1 center 43 15 3/c No. 10
LIFP-1 center 32 16 3/c No. 12
17
~3-2 west 57 18 3/c No. 10
498
Table 19.11 Cont’d.
DISCONNECT No. TRAY LENGTH SLEEVE No. CABLE SIZE
RH-SP2
R3- 3 wer 57
56
19
20
?-
~201-7
H201-4
H102-IS
I
center
46
38
37
21
22
23
3/c No. 12
1
Rl-2 I 39 24 3/c No. 10
3/c No. 12
- I
LIFP-2 33 25
1
~101-3 42 26
~201-9 48 27
~201-8 47 28
~ 2 0 15- 43 29 -
m-SP3 44 30
=-3 36 31
LIFP-3 34 32 3. 12
m02-3 39 33
H102-4 40 34
H102-2 37 35
H201-2 32 36
Rcc -1 49 37
~ ~ 1 0 3 54 38
H201-SP2 4 42 39
m02- 5 center 42 40
mol-2
mol-1
H201-1
1
west
37
39
20
41
42
43
~201-6 I 42 44
a 499
-.b.'
Table 19.11 Cont'd.
WEST SIDE - DRAIN TANK CELL
m T E R No. LENGTH END CONNECTION CABLE SIZE
~103 67 3/c No. 10

FFT- 2 71
FFT-SP1 74
FFT- 3 73
FFT-4 67
~107-1 63 disconnect
~107-2 66
H107-3 66
H 1 0 7-SP 64
FFT-6 69
FFT- 5 67
FD2-2 67 junct . box
FD2-SP1
FD2-3
65
66
I
69
i
~~107-2
~~107-1 67
FVl07-3 66 i
H108-3 61 j
H108-SP 60 t
FD2-4 63 4
junct . box
FVl08-2 63 disconnect
FVlO8-3 60 I
~~108-1 60
FD2-SP2 65
H110-1 59
F D ~5- 63 junct box .
FD1-3 64 I
H109-SP 58 disconnect
~109-2
~~109-1
FV109-3
58
57
57 I
500
Table 19.11 Cont'd.
HEATER No. UNGTH END CONNECTION CABLE SIZE
~~109-2 54 disconnect
FD1-4 57 junct box .
FD1-SP1 58 disconnect
m10-2 60
mO9-3 61
m10-3 61
mo9-1 50
FD~-5 50 junct box .
FD~-6 50 junct box .
FD~-7 52
~106-1 45
mo6-2 46
HLO6-3 41 t
EAST SIDE - DRAIN TANK CELL
HEATER No. LENGTH END CONNECTION CABLE SIZE
DCC 79 3. 12
FFT-1 53
FFT-SP2 53
FFT-8 48
H104-1 44
R104-2 45
H104-3 46
FFT-7 47
FD2-1 50
H105-SP 46 4
mo5-4 45 junct box .
~105-1 44
FD2-8 46
mo5-2 43
mO5-3 44
FV104-3 45
501
Table 19.11 Cont'd.
HEATER No. LENGTH END CONNECTION CABI;E SIZE
FV104-2A 44 3/c N o . 12
FV104-1 47
F D ~7- 40
H105-4 44
FV104-2D 44
~ ~ 1-025~ 43
~~105-1 42
H104-5 44
H104-SP 47
~ ~ 1- 02 5~ 41
FVl05-3 41
FV104-6 46
H104-7 43
FD~-6 47
Hl04-7S 39
FD1-2 46
H106-4 37 II
~~106-1 36
FDl-SP3 45
FD1-1 43 junct . box
FV106-2D
FV106-3
~~106-2~
~106-SP
36
39
36
37
I
disconnect
I
r )
502
male plugs, as i l l u s t r a t e d i n Figure 19.9. These a r e plugged i n t o t h e

female disconnect f i t t i n g s which a r e t h e terminus of t h e mineral-in-
sulated cables brought i n t o t h e c e l l .
Table 19.11 a l s o l i s t t h e mineral-insulated cable data f o r each
heater lead, including t h e length, wire s i z e and type of terminal
used. When single-phase heater c i r c u i t s a r e required, one w i r e of
the three-wire cables i s not connected.
19.8 C e l l Wall Penetrations f o r E l e c t r i c a l Leads

Copper o r s t a i n l e s s s t e e l sheathed, mineral-insulated cables
a r e used f o r t h e e l e c t r i c a l leads passing through t h e walls of t h e
r e a c t o r containment and d r a i n tank c e l l s . The cable passes through
individual pipe sleeves with compression f i t t i n g s a t each end t o form
a leak-tight j o i n t around the sheaths. Although gas d i f f u s i o n through
t h e mineral i n s u l a t i o n i s considered negligible, t h e sheaths a r e a l s o
sealed a t each end. The number of cable sleeves a t each penetration
i s indicated i n Tables 19.12 and 19.13. The heater leads i n pene-
t r a t i o n s I1 (R ) and I11 (Re) are l i s t e d i n d e t a i l i n Table 19.11.
3
19.8.1 Sheathed Cable.
The mineral-insulated sheather cable i s manufactured by t h e
General Cable Company. The catalog numbers f o r t h e various numbers
of conductors and wire s i z e s are l i s t e d i n Table 19.14. Copper
sheathing i s used on a l l M I cable leads.
The r e a c t o r c e l l end of a sheath i s sealed with a brazed-on
Ceramaseal M I cable pothead, Cat. No. 805~-0110, o r 0111, e t c . The
end of t h e sheath outside t h e c e l l i s sealed with a screwed-on pothead
f i l l e d with a cold-setting p l a s t i c i n s u l a t i n g compound. See ORNL
DWg. E-MM-Z-56238.
19.8.2 Cable Sleeves.

The M I cable passes through t h e c e l l w a l l s i n individual sleeves
of 3/8-in. IPS t o 1-in. IPS, depending on t h e cable s i z e . These pipes
have a minimum of a 2-1/2-in. o f f s e t a t t h e midpoint through t h e
c e l l w a l l t o prevent r a d i a t i o n from streaming through t h e opening.
503
Table 19.12 Summary of E l e c t r i c a l Lead Penetrations i n Reactor Cell
MSRE Pene- Former Pene- Function Number of Sleeve Size

t r a t i o n No. t r a t i o n No. Sleeves IPS -
Schd. 40
6 1in.
I1 R Electrical
3 38 314 i n .
Electrical
6 1in.
I11 R2 314 i n .
38
IV 7 314 i n .
Thermocouples 28 112 i n .
318 i n .
V R Instrumentation 60 318 i n .
XXIII Thermocouples 38 318 i n .

9
Table 19.13 Summary of E l e c t r i c a l Lead Penetrations i n Drain Tank C e l l
MSRE Sleeve Numbers Function

A-1 t o A-36 Instrumentation
B-1 t o B-36 Instrumentation
C-1 t o C-36 Thermocouples
D-1 t o D-36 Thermocouples
E-1 t o E-36 Thermocouples
A-37 t o A-60 Electrical
B-37 t o B-60 Electrical
c-37 t o c-60 Electrical
D-37 t o D-60 Electrical
I E-37 to E-60 Electrical
F-37 t o F-60 Electrical
Table 19.14 General Cable Company M I Cable Numbers
Number Wire Sleeve Size Gen. Cable

Conductors Size i n . IPS C a t . No.
I
4 16 112 387
3 12 314 434
7 16 314 449
3 10 314 480
3 6 1 621
504 L
The cable sleeves a r e grouped t o pass through a poured concrete U

-3
plug mounted i n e x i s t i n g penetrations i n t h e r e a c t o r containment
vessel w a l l , or, i n t h e case of t h e d r a i n tank c e l l , a r e arranged
on a rectangular g r i d i n t h e poured concrete of t h e 3-ft-thick east
w a l l of t h e c e l l . See ORNL Dwg D-KK-C-40947 f o r t h e d r a i n tank c e l l
sleeve layout. All d r a i n tank c e l l cable sleeves a r e 3/4-in. IPS.
The cable sleeves have pipe couplings screwed t o each end t o
accept a General Cable Company compression gland. This f i t t i n g con-
sists of a compression sleeve and nut t o e f f e c t a l e a k - t i g h t s e a l
around t h e M I cable sheath. See ORNL D gs D-EJH-B-40539 and Figure 19.9. .
19.8.3 Reactor C e l l Penetration Plug and Sleeve.

Existing r e a c t o r containment vessel penetrations consist of
sleeves, about 23-in. ID, with one end welded t o t h e inner contain-
ment vessel w a l l and t h e other end t o t h e w a l l of t h e outer vessel.
A corrugated bellows midway between t h e ends permits r e l a t i v e movement
between t h e two vessels, as shown i n Figure 19.10 and on ORNL Dwg
D-KK-D-40976.
A plug, about 22-3/4-in. OD x 3 ft 5 i n . long, f i t s i n t o t h e
above-mentioned sleeve, and i s welded t o it on t h e outside end.
T h i s plug c o n s i s t s of a carbon s t e e l sleeve, about 22 i n . I D of 3/8-in.
w a l l thickness, with end p l a t e s welded t o it through which t h e cable
sleeves pass. These sleeves a r e welded t o t h e p l a t e s a t both ends,
using a trepanned groove a t each weld. The space between t h e cable
sleeves i n s i d e t h e plug i s f i l l e d with concrete. See ORNL Dwg
E-BB-D-41864.
505
506 I
20. BUILDING SERVICES L;I

-3
20.1 Potable Water
The source of potable water f o r Building 7503 i s b r i e f l y described

i n t h e discussion of the site, Section 3 and shown i n Figure 3.3. The
6
water i s normally obtained from the two 1.5 x 10 -gal reservoirs e a s t
of the s i t e , with flow from east-to-west i n t h e 12-in. water main along
7500 Road. These reservoirs have a maximum water l e v e l elevation of
1,055 f t , providing a maximum pressure of about 93 psig a t the 840-ft
elevation i n Building 7503. Potable water can a l s o be provided by
west-to-east flow i n t h e 6-in. main along 7500 Road, as indicated
schematically i n Figure 20.1. Both sources connect t o t h e same 6-in.
t e e supplying the building.
The 6-in. potable water main enters the north end of Building 7503
a t about t h e 840-ft elevation, where it then divides i n t o two major
branches. One &-in. main supplies all building services, such as water
closets, lavatories, sinks, showers, drinking fountains, e t c . The
other &-in. main provides water f o r t h e f i r e protection system, as
discussed i n Section 20.10.
20.2 Process Water
Process water i s supplied t o the MSRE from t h e same potable water

mains a t 7500 Road, but through a d i f f e r e n t 6-in. main leading from the
road t o the east side of Bldg. 7503, as shown i n Figure 20.1. There
are two shutoff valves outside the building a t the 848-ft elev. A
.
back-flow preventer i s i n s t a l l e d i n t h e l i n e j u s t inside the building
t o r e l i e v e water t o the building drain i n event t h e building process
water pressure should exceed t h e supply pressure. Piping connections
and valves are provided f o r i n s t a l l i n g a spare back-flow preventer
should t h i s be found necessary.
Distribution of the process water t o t h e MSRE systems i s discussed
i n Section 15 and shown on t h e flowsheet, Figure 15.1 (ORNL Dwg
D-AA-A-40889).
Unclassified
ORNL DWG 64-9108
mom x-10 6 in. ,6 in.

I
1,500,000-g&l.
332-e /Potable Water Water Tanks
plug
(6 in.
4
To Outside
Siemese
Corm .6 in.
Eav845f%,
_____ _--------
l- -I - -4x 1
I
II
“I To I
6 in.
I To Hose To Building I
1 Cabinets Sprinklers Services 1
I
I
I
i
/6 in.
I t
I
RLgure 20.1. Water Services to Building 7503.

n
508
20.3 Building Lighting u

’
i
The 13.8-kv feeder l i n e s supplying e l e c t r i c power t o t h e MSRE s i t e
a r e b r i e f l y described i n Section 3 and shown i n Figure 3.4. A b a n k of
three 25O-kva, 13.8-kv t o 48O-v, transformers located on the e a s t side
of B l d g 7503 supplies power f o r i n t e r i o r and e x t e r i o r lighting, air
conditioners, and general o f f i c e and building uses.
There a r e two main d i s t r i b u t i o n panels. Panel No. 1, located a t
t h e 840-ft level, has a capacity of 750 amps and supplies t h e 3-ton
and 10-ton cranes, the control room a i r conditioning equipment, the
main f l o o r u n i t heater and fan, and the basement area u n i t heat and
fan. This panel a l s o provides power f o r a 48O-v/12O-v-24O-v transformer
supplying Panel 1 A . This 750-m panel d i s t r i b u t e s power t o the control
room panels, lighting, the high-bay area roof vent fans, the sump p i t
vent fan, and t o Panel lAl, which supplies t h e remainder of the l i g h t -
ing circuits.
Panel No. 2, of 325-amp capacity, supplies t h e remaining u n i t
heaters and vent fans and t h e 480-v building o u t l e t receptacles.
The e l e c t r i c building services a r e shown on ORNL Dwg D-KK-C-41134.
20.4 Fencing
The MSRE s i t e i s a non-classified area and security guards are

not required. An 8-ft Cyclone fence serves as a perimeter enclosure.
Vehicular gates a r e provided a t the northwest and southeast corners
and a 30-ft-wide main gate i s located a t the north end of the building.
20.5 Steam Supply
Saturated steam a t 240 psig i s supplied t o Building 7503 f r o m t h e

X-10 power plant through a 6-in. main as shown i n Figure 3.5. The
pressure i s reduced t o 50 psig a t a reducing valve s t a t i o n on t h e east
side of t h e building. The main then enters t h e building a t about the
842-ft elevation, where it then divides i n t o numerous branches supply-
i n g steam throughout t h e building. Condensate i s not returned but i s
discharged t o the building drains.
509
b., 20.6 Roof, Foundation and Floor Drains

P
Storm water from t h e roof drains flows through a 6-in. l i n e t o
a catch basin located west of Bldg 7503 with an i n v e r t elevation of
837 ft, as indicated i n Figure 20.2. A12-in. reinforced concrete
pipe c a r r i e s t h e water from t h e basin t o a drainage area west of t h e
building, leading t o Melton Hill Branch.
The various f l o o r drains, etc., emptying i n t o t h e sump room a r e
l i s t e d i n Table 14.1. As described i n Section 14, sump pumps d e l i v e r
i t h e water t o another catch basin, with an i n v e r t elevation of 843 f t ,
t o d r a i n through a 12-in. reinforced concrete pipe t o t h e same drainage
area mentioned above.
20.7 Sanitary Disposal
The Building 7503 s a n i t a r y waste system piping i s directed t o a

s e p t i c tank located about 100 f t west of t h e building a t an elevation
of 840 f t . The drainage f i e l d i s outside t h e perimeter fencing and
about 250 f t west of t h e building.
20.8 Air Conditioners
The main control room and t h e data processing room a r e a i r con-

ditioned by a Trane Company steam-heated c o i l , blower and f i l t e r u n i t
located a t t h e 852-ft elevation i n t h e hallway south of t h e control
room, and by an evaporator c o i l i n t h e discharge ducting from t h e
heater u n i t . This direct-expansion c o i l i s supplied with Freon-12
from a l5-ton Worthington 2vc-6 reciprocating campressor-condenser
u n i t located a t t h e 840-ft elevation.
Two 5-ton Trane Company " C l i m a t e Changers", located a t t h e 852-
f t elevation, air condition t h e o f f i c e areas.
20.9 Fire Protection System
The e n t i r e Building 7503 area, with t h e exception of t h e shielded

c e l l s , t h e switch house, t h e f a n house, and t h e b a t t e r y room, i s pro-
t e c t e d by a Grinnell Company water s p r i n k l e r system i n s t a l l e d as p a r t
rq
510
Unclassified
ORNL IXJG 64-9109
figure 20.2. Schematic Magram Building 7503 Drainage System

d
W
511
ors4 of t h e MSRE project. Water f o r t h e system i s obtained from the 6-in.

-4
potable water l i n e entering t h e north end of the building, see Figure
20.1. A b i n . Siamese double-hose connection i s provided outside the
north end of t h e building t o a t t a c h a booster source of water f o r the
sprinkler system.
The 6-in. potable water main a l s o has a kcin. branch connection
j u s t inside the building with 4-in. shutoff and check valves, t o supply
s i x f i r e hose cabinets. The 4-in. hose supply can a l s o be augmented
-4
from t h e booster connection outside the building.
Under normal conditions t h e sprinkler system i s valved off from
t h e water supply, t h e consequences of inopportune release of water
being more serious than the short delay i n opening the valves i f
water i s needed.
3
.
w 513
APPENDIX
b-
f
515
LIST OF REFEENCES USED I N PART I
1. H. G . MacPherson, Molten-Salt Breeder Reactors, ORNL-CF-59-12-64

(Jan. 12, 1960).
2. L . G . Alexander, e t a l . , Experimental Molten-Salt-Fueled Power

Reactor, ORNL-27q m a r c h 8, 1960).
3. J. A. Swartout, L e t t e r t o R. M. Roth, Request f o r Directive CR-316,

Molten S a l t Reactor Experiment (Mar. 17, 1961) .
4
4. S . R. S a p i r i e , AEC Directive CL-262, Molten S a l t Reactor Experi-
ment, Bldg. 7503, Oak Ridge, Tennessee (April 28, 1961).
5. F. F . Blankenship, Additional Estimated Physical Properties of

MSRE Fuel, ORNL-MSR-63-30 (July 17, 1963).
6. S . E . Beall, e t a l . , MSRE Preliminary Hazards Report, ORNL-CF-61-2-46

(Feb. 28, 196g.-
7. S. E. Beall., e t a l . , MSRE Preliminary Hazards Report Addendum No. 1,

Om-CF-61-2-46 (August 14, 1961).
8. -N%F,Staff, MSRE Preliminary Hazards Report Addendum No. 2, ORNL

CR-61-2-46 (May 8, 1962).
9. W . B. C o t t r e l l ( e a . ) , (Classified "Secret"), ORNL-1407 (Nov. 24, 1952).
10. W . B. C o t t r e l l , e t a l . , The A i r c r a f t Reactor Test Hazards Summary

Report, O R N L - ~n ~a n~ . 19, 1955).
11. R. B. Briggs, Molten-Salt Reactor Program Semiannual Progress Report

f o r Period Ending Dee. 31, 1963, ORNL-3626.
12. L. F . Parsley, MSRE Reactor Containment Vessel Design C r i t e r i a ,

ORNL MSR-61-70 (June 23, 1961).
13 L. F. Parsley, MSRE Containment Vessel S t r e s s Studies, ORNL MSR-62-15

(Feb. 2, 1962).
14. L. F. Parsley, Consequences of a S a l t S p i l l i n t o t h e Bottom of t h e

MSRE Containment Vessel. ORNL MSR-62-12 (Jan. 23. 1962).
15 R. B. Lindauer, MSRE Process Flowsheet Discussions, ORNL MSR-62-4

(Jan. 10, 1962).
16. R. B. Lindauer, Revisions t o MSRF: Design Data Sheets, Issue No. 8,

O m CF-63-6-30 (June 12, 1963).
-fi
-'u
A
References, Cont 'd. 516
17. R. B. Lindauer, MSRE Line Schedule, Revision No. 3, ORNL MSR-

63-36 (Oct. 14, 1963).
18. E . H . B e t t i s ( e a . ) , MSRE Component Design Report, ORNL MSR-61-67
(June 20, 1961).
19 W . B. McDonald, Fabrication Specifications, Procedures and Records

f o r MSRE Components, ORNL MSR-62-3 (Jan. 23, 1962).
20. A. L. Boch, e t a l . , The Molten S a l t Reactor Experiment, paper pre-

sented a t I n t e r n a t i o n a l Atomic Energy Symposium, Vienna, Austria,
Oct. 23-27, 1961.
21. Contract, National Carbon Company, No. AT (40-1) -2882, Requisition

No. 61-2189 ( J u l y 14, 1961), and Order No. 0R62-1746, Requisition
No. 62-1723 (June 14, 1962).
c
22. R. B. Briggs, et a l . , Modifications t o Specifications f o r MSRE
Graphite, ORNL CFX3-2-18 (Feb. 14, 1963).
23 H. G . MacPherson, Memo t o A. M. Weinberg, Graphite Problems i n

t h e MSRE, (Nov. 25, 1960).
24. R. C . Schulze, e t a l . , INOR-8-Graphite-Fused-Salt Compatability

- ORNL-31247JGe 1, 1961).
Test,
25. W . H. Cook and A. Taboada, Oxygen Contamination i n t h e MSRE from

Graphite and INOR-8,ORNL MSR-62-38 (May 10, 1962).
26. S . E. Beall, Procedures f o r Cleaning and Purging MSRE Graphite,

ORNL MSR-61-148 (Dec. 11, 1961).
27. I . Spiewak, Proposed Program f o r Purging and Cleaning MSRE Graphite,

ORNL MSR-61-144 (Dec. 4, 1961).
28. B. W. Kinyon, Effects of Graphite Shrinkage i n MSRE Core, ORNL CF-

60-9-10 (Sept. 2, 1960).
29 9
S. E. Moore, Memo t o R. B. Briggs, MSRF: Core Graphite Shrinkage,
April 26, 1962.
. 30. W. L. Breazeale, Preheating of Graphite Core i n MSRE, ORNL MSR-61-99

(Aug. 15, 1961).
31 J. R. Engel and P. N. Haubenreich, Temperatures i n t h e MSKE Core

During Steady-State Power Operation, ORNL TM-378 (Nov. 5, 1962).
32 R. Van Winkle, Temperature Rise i n t h e MSCR Graphite Due t o Decay *

Heat from Absorbed Fuel S a l t - MSCR Memo No. 4, ORNL CF-61-9-59
(Sept. 25, 1961).
Ref e rence s , C ont ' d . 517
33 J. H. Crawford, E. G. Bohlman and E. H. Taylor Re 01% of the

MSRE Graphite Committee, ORNL CF-61-1-54 (Jan 6-i
34 L. F. Parsley, MSRE Core No. 1 Design J u s t i f i c a t i o n , ORNL CF-

60-9-89 (Sept. 28, 1960).
35 .
H. F Poppendiek and L. D. Palmer, Forced Convection Heat Transfer
Between P a r a l l e l Plates and Annuli with Volume Heat Sources within
t h e Fluids, ORNL-1701 (May 11, 1954).
36 L . F. Parsley, L e t t e r t o A . L . Boch, Temperature Rise Effects i n

MSRE Cores with Round and F l a t Fuel Channels (June 10, 1960).
37 J. E. Mott, Hydrodynamic and Heat Transfer Studies of a Full-scale

Reentrant Core (HRT). O€"G CF-58-8-54 (Aug. 8, 1958).
38 R. J. Kedl, Pressure Drop Through t h e MSRE Core, ORNL MSR-62-71

.
(Sept 59 1962) .
39 R. J. Kedl, S a l t Flow Rate Through Core Support Flange, ORNL MSR-
64-4 (Jan. 24, 1964) .
40. R. B. Briggs, Molten-Salt Reactor Program Semiannual Progress
Report f o r Period Ending Aug. 31, 1962, ORNL-3369 (Dec. 4, 1962).
41. R. J. Kedl, Holes f o r Starved Fuel Channels i n t h e MSRE Core,

ORNL ,WR-63-6 (Feb. 21, 1963).
42. R. D. Sterling, Letter t o E. S. B e t t i s , Review of MSRE E l e c t r i c a l

power System, Bldg 7503 (Nov. 3, 1961).
43 J. A . Westsik, Drain Tank Capacity Requirements f o r MSRE, ORNL

MSR-6'1-141 (Dec. 5 , 1961).
44. H. R. Payne, Mechanical Design of t h e MSRE Control R o d s and

-
Reactor Access Nozzle, OR% MSR-61-158 (Circa, June, 1961).
45 C . W. Nestor, Jr., Preliminary Calculations of Heat Generation and

Helium Production i n MSRE Control Rods, ORNL MSR-61-118(Sept. 26, 1961).
46. P. N. Haubenreich, Importance of Errors i n Measurement of Tempera-

t u r e and Control Rod Position i n WEE, ORNL CF-63-8-43 (Aug. 14, 1963).
47 "Unfired Pressure Vessels", Section V I I I , ASME Boiler and Pressure

Vessel Code, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, New York.
(See t e x t f o r e d i t i o n date, i f important).
48. "General Requirements f o r Nuclear Vessels, Case l27ON", Interpretations

of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes, American Society of
Mechanical Engineers, New York. (See t e x t f o r revision number).
@?
References, Cont'd. 518
49 "Containment and Intermediate Containment Vessels, Case l272N",

Case I n t e r p r e t a t i o n s of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes,
American Society of Mechanical Engineers, New York. (See t e x t
f o r revision number) .
50 "Nuclear Reactor Vessels .and Primary Vessels, Case 1273Nf1, - -Case
! I n t e r p r e t a t i o n s of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes, American
Society of Mechanical Engineers, New York. (See test f o r revision
number).
51 "Special Equipment Requirements, Case 1 2 7 6 ~ Case

' ~ ~ Interpretations
of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes, American Society of
Mechanical Engineers, New York. (See t e x t f o r revision number).
52 9
"Nickel-Molybdenium-Chromium-IronAlloy, Case 1315", Case Interpre-
t a t i o n s of ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes, American Society
of Mechanical Engineers, New York. (See t e s t f o r revision number),
53. R. W. Swindeman, Design Stresses for Wrought and Annealed INOR-8

Between Room Temperature and 1400°F, ORNL MSR-60-31.
54 W. L. Breazeale, Gamma Heating of Reactor Vessel Hanger Rods f o r

-
MSRE, o m MSR-~~J
55 W. L. Breazeale, Re-evaluation of Gamma Heating i n Proposed Reactor

Vessel Hanger Rods f o r MSRE, ORNL MSR 61-52 (May 12, 1961).
56 J. H . Westsik, Memo t o R. B. Briggs, Review of Flow Design t o

t h e MSRE Thermal Shield ( J u l y 23, 1962).
57. W . C . Ulrich, Memo t o S. E. Beall, Loss of Cooling Water Flow t o

t h e MSRE Thermal Shield (Feb. 20, 1963).
58 E. C. Miller, Memo t o F. L. Rouser, MSRE Reactor Vessel Thermal

Shield Drawings E-KK-D-40722 - 40730 (May 8, 1962).
59 9
H. C . Claiborne, High-Energy Neutron Flux i n t h e Containment Vessel
of t h e MSRE, ORM, MSR-62-27 (March 19, 1962).
60. p. G. Smith, Water Test Development of Fuel Pump f o r t h e MSRE, ORNL

"-79 (Mar. 27, 1962).
61. General Alloys, Boston, Mass. , Purchase Order No. 74Y-47524 ( J u l y 11, 1962).
62. Lukins S t e e l Company (Coatesville, Pa.), Purchase Order No. 9Ty-87622,

October 30, 1961.
63 Westinghouse E l e c t r i c Corp. , Purchase Order No. 63~-57698, May 29, 1961. _ E
64. Specification of Drive Motor f o r MSRE Primary Pump, ORNL Job LJ-
Specification 169-101 (Mar. 15, 1961).
i
4 References, Cont'd. 519
65 9
Specification f o r Drive Motor f o r MSRE Secondary Pump, ORNL
Job Specification 169-124 (Oct. 11, 1961).
66. A. G. Grindell, e t a l . , Memo t o E . S . B e t t i s , Design Memo f o r

MSRE Pumps (Dec. 15, 1961).
67 9
Ralph H. Guyman, Memo t o R. B. Briggs, Fuel and Coolant Pump
O i l Systems (Jan. 15, 1963).
68. A . G. Grindell, Back-Diffusion Experiment on PK-P Pump, ORNL

MSR-61-50 (May 11, 1961).
69 G. H. Llewellyn, Gamma, Beta and Neutron Heating of MSRE Pump

Lubrication Shield, ORNL (2-61-1-38 (Jan. 16, 1961).
70 C. W. Nestor, Influence of Residence Time D i s t r i b u t i o n of Fission-

Product Decay i n t h e MSRE Pump Bowl and Off-Gas Line, ORNL CF
61-6-85 (June 23, 1961).
71. I . Spiewak, Xenon Removal i n t h e MSRE Pump Bowl, ORNL MSR-60-8

( o c t . 7, 1960).
72 S. J. B a l l , MSRE Pump G a s Purge System Study, ORNL MSR-61-3

(Jan. 9, 1961).
73 9 P. H. Harley, Pump Bowl Overflow Line, ORNL MSR-62-2 (Jan. 10, 1962).
74 C . H. Gabbard, Air Cooling Requirements of MSRE Primary Pump Bowl,

ORNL MSR-61-28 (Mar. 23, 1961).
75 C. E. Gabbard, E l e c t r i c a l I n s u l a t i o n f o r t h e MSRE Fuel and Coolant

Pump Drive Motors, ORNL MSR-62-10 (Feb. 1, 1962).
i 76 D. W , Vroom, Primary Pump Motor Background Radiation Level a t 10-Mw,

ORNL MSR-61-49 (May 10, 1961).
77 A, G. Grindell, Specification of a Lubricant f o r MSRE Pumps,

ORNL MSR 60-37 (Nov. 18, 1960).
78 L. V, Wilson, MSRE Fuel Pump Coolant O i l Temperature A f t e r

Cessation of O i l Flow, ORNL MSR 61-84 ( J u l y 20, 1961).
79 C . H. Gabbard, Estimated Flow S t a r t u p Transient of t h e MSRE Fuel

System, ORNL MSR 61-133 (Nov. 14, 1961).
80. R. B. Briggs, Molten-Salt Reactor Program Progress Report f o r

Period from August 1, 1960 t o February 28, 1961, ORNL-3122 (June
c
20, 1961).
%
-tu'
References , Cont ' d. 520
81. A. G. Grindell and P . G. Smith, MSRE Prototype Pump Shaft Seizure,

ORNL MSR-62-67 (Aug. 27, 1962).
82. D. E. Gladow, MSRE Primary Pump; Analysis of S t r e s s i n Impeller

Bowl Due t o Axial Loading, ORNL MSR-60-60 (Sept. 3, 1960).
83. T. B. Fowler, Generalized Heat Conduction Code f o r t h e IBM 7090

Computer, ORNL CF-61-2-33 (Feb. 9, 1961).
84. F. J. Stanek, S t r e s s Analysis of Cylindrical S h e l l s , ORNL

CF-58-9-2 ( J u l y 22, 1959).
85 9 F. J. Startek, S t r e s s Analysis of Conical S h e l l s , ORNL CF-58-6-52

(Aug. 28, 1958).
86. F. J. W i t t , Thermal S t r e s s Analysis of Cylindrical S h e l l s ,

ORNL CF-59-1-33 (Mar. 26, 1959).
87 F . J. W i t t , Thermal Analysis of Conical Shells, OFNL CF-61-5-61

(July 7, 1961) -
88. C . H. Gabbard, Thermal-Strain and Strain-Fatigue Analyses of
MSRE Fuel and Coolant Pump Tanks, ORNL TM-78 (Oct. 3, 1962).
89 R. B. Gallaher, Thermal S t r e s s Analysis of t h e Sampler-Enricher

Attachment t o t h e MSRF: Fuel Pump, ORNL MSR-62-16 (Feb. 5, 1962).
90. W. C. TJlrich, Fuel Pump Main Support Members, Memo t o R. B.

Briggs, ORNL MSR-61-159 ( c i r c a June, 1961).
91 * J. M. C o r n , Memo t o R. B. Briggs, F l e x i b i l i t y Analysis of

MSRE Piping, April 24, 1962.
92. Specification f o r Primary Heat Exchanger f o r MSRE, ORNL Job

Specification 80-109 (Dec. 22, 1960).
93 Tentative Specification f o r Fabrication of MSRE Heat Exchanger

Tube Bundle, ORNL Job Specification 61-182 (Sept. 10, 1962).
94 Specification f o r Brazing of t h e Tube Bundle f o r t h e MSRE Heat

Exchanger, ORNL Job Specification 80-167 ( J u l y 16, 1962).
95 R. G. Donnellv. Reauirements f o r Welding Tube-to-Tube Sheet J o i n t s

- -
f o r MSRE Prim& " H e a t Exchanger and Heat Exchanger Samnle
~
. - , ORNL .
MSR-62-66 (Aug. 29, 1962).
96 R. G. Donnelly, Primary Heat Exchanger Tube-to-Tube Sheet Welding

and Subsequent Machining, ORNL MSR 62-39 (May 16, 1962).
97. R. G . Donnelly, Design Revisions f o r t h e Primary Heat Exchanger Tube-

to-Tube Sheet J o i n t s , ORNL MSR-62-23 (March 1, 1962).
98 R. G. Connelly, Brazing Alloy f o r t h e Primary Heat Exchanger Tube-

to-Tube Sheet J o i n t s , ORNL MSR-62-6 (Feb. 12, 1962).
99 W. C. Ulrich, Hydrostatic Test Pressures f o r MSRE Primary Heat

Exchanger, Memo t o C. K. McGlothlan, March 12, 1963.
100. J. C . Amos, R. E. MacPherson and R. L. Senn, Preliminary Report

of Fused S a l t Mixture 130 Heat Transfer Coefficient Test, ORNL
CF-58-4-23 (April 2, 1958).
101. D. Q. Kern, Process Heat Transfer, p. 834, Figure 24, McGraw-Hill,

New York, 1950.
102. G. T. Colwell, Pressure Drops Through MSRE Heat Exchanger and

Piping, Memo t o R. B. Briggs (Aug. 29, 1962).
103. Standards of Tubular Exchanger Manufacturers Association,

TEMA, 366 Madison Ave., New York, 1949.
104. H. R. Payne, Reservoir f o r Fuel S a l t Drain Tank Cooling System

Addendum t o MSR 61-67 (Ref. 18), Memo t o Distribution ( J u l y 11; 1961).
105. J. C . Moyers, Design of Freeze Valves f o r MSRE, ORNL MSR 61-160

(Circa, June, 1961).
106. American Standard Code f o r Pressure Piping, ASA B 31.1 - 1955,

American Society of Mechanical Engineers, New York.
107. W . C . Ulrich, MSRE Pipe Support Calculations by R. E . Ramsey,

Memo t o R. B. Briggs, (Jan. 28, 1963).
i
f o r Period Ending Aug. 31, 1962, ORNL-3369 (Dec. 4, 1962).
i.
log. J. C. Moyers, Thermal Cycling T e s t of 3-l/2-in. and b i n . Freeze
Flanges. ORNL CF-61-2-38 (Feb. 2 , 1961).

f o r Period Ending Jan. 31, 1963, 0RM;-3419 (May 24, 1963).
111. J. C . Moyers, Design of Freeze Flanges f o r MSRF:, Memo t o R. B.

-
Briggs, ORNL MSR-61-161 ( c i r c a June, 1961).
112. R. E. Ramsey (Burns and Roe), MSRE Reactor Piping S t r e s s Analysis,

-,
Memo t o R. B. Briggs, ORNL MSR-61-157 ( c i r c a June, 1961).
113. Sturn-Krouse, Inc .,Research and Consulting Engineers (Auburn, Alabama),

Analyses and Design Suggestions f o r Freeze Flange Assemblies f o r MSRE,
Report t o ORNL under Subcontract No. 1477, Novo 30, 1960.
114. M. Richardson, Development of Freeze Valves f o r Use i n t h e MSRE,

ORNL TIU-128 (Feb. 28, 1962).
115. R. B. Briggs, Operation of Freeze Valves i n t h e MSRE, ORNL

MSR-63-47 (Dec. 12, 1963).
116. R. L . Moore, MSRE Freeze Valve Control Circuitry, Memo t o

Distribution (May 31, 1962).
117. R.
~ _ --
B. Brings. , Molten-Salt Reactor Proaram Semiannual Progress
_
Report f o r Period Ending J u l y 31, 1-96?, ORNL-3529 (Dec. 0 , 1963).
118. W. Thomas Mullins, Activation Analysis of Heater Materials ( f o r

MSRE), Memo t o M. Richardson (Oct. 16, 1962).
119. J. R. Engel and B. E. Prince, C r i t i c a l i t y Factors i n MSRF: Fuel

Storage and Drain Tanks, ORNL-TM-759 ( I n preparation).
120. S t a t u s and Progress Report, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, p . 15,

ORNL-3543 (Nov., 1963).
121. R. E. Thoma and F. F. Blankenship, Relative Abundance of Phases
i n t h e Frozen MSRE Fuel at Eauilibrium Conditions. ORNL MSR
(Revised) 63-38 (Nov. 8, 1965).
122. S . E . Beall, e t a l . , MSRE Reactor Safety Analysis Report, ORNL

TM-732 (Augusx 1964).
123. T. W . Pickel, MSRE Drain Times, ORNL MSR-62-97 (Dec. 17, 1962).
124. L. F . Parsley,
MSRE Drain Tank Heat Removal Studies, OFU'JI,
CF-60-9-55 (Sept. 19, 1960).
125. Vapor Condensing System Water and Gas Tanks, ORNL Specification
XSP-120 (April 27, 1964).
126. P. H. Harley, Drain Tank Furnace Tests, ORNL MSR 64-9 (Feb. 24, 1964).
127. H. R. Payne, Weights of MSRE Fuel, Flush and Coolant Tanks, and
Contents, Memo t o R. L. Moore (Jan. 29, 1962).
128. R. B. Gallaher, MSRE Sampler-Enricher System Proposal, ORNL

CF-61-5-120 (May 24, 1961).
129. G. A. Cristy, S t r e s s e s and Loads i n t h e Sampler-Enricher Transfer

Tube, Work Request A-70496-llD, L e t t e r t o E . S. B e t t i s (NQv. 13, 1961).
130 C. H. Gabbard, Hydraulic Performance of MSRE Coolant Pump, Memo t o

A. G . Grindell ( J u l y 9, 1963).
4
References, Cont d. ’ 523
131. W. C. Ulrich, MSRE Radiator Design, ORNL CF-60-11-108 (Nov. 30, 1960).
132. .
Roy C Robertson and S. E. Bolt, MSRE Heaters -
Summary of Pre-
liminarv Studies Memo t o E. s. B e t t i s (Aug. 11, 1960).
133 W . B. McDonald, I n s u l a t i o n of Thermocouples on MSRE Radiator, Memo

t o R. B. Briggs (Feb. 5, 1963)
134. W. C . Ulrich, Hydrostatic Test Pressure f o r MSRE Radiator, Memo

- t o C . K. McGlothlan (April 9, 1963).
f
135 .
W. C Ulrich, MSRE Radiator A i r Flow Characteristics, ORNL
MSR 61-18 (Mar. 8, 1961).
Y 136. W. C . Ulrich, Control of Eeat Removal Rate from MSRE Radiator,

ORNL MSR 61-51 (May 12, 1961).
137 S. J. D i t t o , Control of MSRE Between 1 Mw and 10 Mw, ORNL

MSR 63-23 (June 4, 1963)
138. S. J. B a l l , Freezing Times f o r Stagnant S a l t i n MSRE Radiator

Tubes, Memo t o J R. Tallackson (April 9, 1963).
139 R. E. Ramsey (Burns and Roe), Coolanit System S t r e s s Analysis,

Memo t o R. B. Briggs, ORNL MSR-61-156 (Nov. 3, 1961).
140. A. N. Smith, MSRE Cover Gas System, ORNL MSR 60-44 (Nov. 30, 1960).
141. A. N. Smith, MSRE Cover Gas System Flowsheet, ORNL MSR 60-11
( o c t . 7 ) 1960).
i
142. P. N. Haubenreich, Oxygen Production by Fluorinelg (n, ) React ion
i n MSFE, ORNL m ~ - Q c . 2 3 ( m y 27, 1964).
i
143. A. N. Smith, MSRE Cover Gas System, Design Memo C-3, Helium
Dryer, Memo t o R. B. Briggs (Nov. 2, 1961).
144. A . N. Smith, Helium Surge Tank, Design Memo C-4, Memo t o

R. B. Briggs (Nov, 10, 1961).
145. A. N. Smith, Leak Detector System, MSRE Cover Gas System, ORNL
MSR 61-83 ( J u l y 27, 1961).
146. P. P. Holz, Development of Six-Station Manifold Disconnect, ORNI,

CF-61-5-117 (May 18, 1961).
147. P. P. Holz, S t a t u s of Small Pipe Disconnects f o r MSRE, ORNL
m-60-9-102 (Sept 27, 1960)
e e
148. A . N. Smith, MSRE Charcoal Beds, ORNL MSR-61-101 (Aug. 17, 1961).
149. R. B. Stevenson, Radiation Source Strengths i n t h e Expansion and

O f f - G a s System of t h e ART, ORNL CF-57-7-17 (Nov. 18, 1957).
150. J. 0. Blomeke and M. F. Todd, Uranium 235 Fission-Product Production

as Function of Thermal Neutron Flux, I r r a d i a t i o n Time, and Decay Time,
OW-2127, P a r t I, Vol. I (Aug. 19, 1957).
151. Solenberger, - a1 , Treatment of Off-Gas from t h e HW, KT 373,

et 4
Memo t o W. E. Browning, Jr. (Nov. 13, 1958).
152. R. D. Ackley and W. E. Browning, Equilibrium Adsorption of K r and

Xe on Activated Carbon and Linde Molecular Sieves, ORNL CF-61-2-32
(Feb. 14, 1961).
F i r e Resistant High-Efficiency A i r F i l t e r - up t o 25O?F, ORNL

Specification EP-26.
Design Criteria Containment and Building Ventilation System,

Building 7503, ORNL Work Request A-70496-llD (Jan. 28, 1963).
F . L. Culler, Criteria f o r Handling Melton Valley Radioactive

Wastes, ORNL CF-61-5-24, May 8, 1961 and Supplement No. 1,
Kay 12, 1961.
156. W. C . Ulrich, Overall Heat Transfer Coefficient f o r Treated Water

Cooler, Memo t o S. J. B a l l (April 4, 1963)
157. S . J. B a l l , Analysis of MSRF, Cooling Water Temperature Control,

Memo t o R. L. Moore (May 2, 1963).
158. Closed Cycle Pressure Drop, MSRE Water Systeq, ORNL P & E
Division Design F i l e , Sept. 22, 1961.
159 9
Cooling Tower Load, MSRE Water System, ORNL P & E Division, (No d a t e ) .
160. J. C . Moyers, Requirements f o r MSRE Valves and Flanges, L e t t e r t o

L. F. Parsley (April 19, 1961).
161. L. F . Parsley, MSRF, Simultaneous S a l t and Water S p i l l Accidents,

ORNL MSR-61-120 (Sept. 28, 1961).
162. A. N. Smith, Secondary Containment f o r t h e Off-Gas Lines, ORNL

MSR-61-110 (Aug. 30, 1961).
163. L. F. Parsley, Theoretical Analysis of Certain Penetration Regions

of t h e MSRE Containment Vessel, ORNL MSR 61-96 (Aug. 10, 1961).
164. L. F. Parsley, MSRF, Containment Vessel S t r e s s Studies, ORNL

MSR-62-15 (Feb. 2, 1962).
i References , Cont d . 525
165. L. F. Parsley, Design of Pressure-Suppression System f o r t h e

-
MSRF:, Memo t o R. B. Briggs (Oct. 17, 1961).
166. R . B. Briggs, MSRF: Pressure-Suppression System, ORNL

MSR-61-135 (Nov. 15, 1961).
167. F. R. Bruce, ORNL Radiation:isnd Safety Control Manual, June 1, 1961.
168. H. C . Claiborne, Review of t h e MSRE Biological Shielding, ORNL

MSR-63-17 (May 13, 1963).
169. D. W. Vroom, MSRE O f f - G a s Line and Charcoal Bed Shielding Re-
quirements During Operation, ORNL CF-61-10-57 (Octo 23, 1961).
170. D. W. Vroom, Preliminary MSRE Gamma Ray Source and Biological

Shielding Survey, ORNL (3-61-4-97 (April 28, 1961).
171. A. N. Smith, Shielding of O f f - G a s Lines, ORNL MSR-61-125

(oct. 29, 1961).
172. Allis-Chalmers Co. I n s t r u c t i o n Manual and P a r t s Catalog,

Buda Division, Model DC SG-300-A3E Generator, Allis-Chalmers
hCSG-2505 Diesel Engine, f o r Union Carbide Nuclear Co.,
Contract No. W8X-18089.
173. E l e c t r i c a l Storage Battery Company, Exide I n d u s t r i a l Division,

I n s t r u c t i o n Manual, I n s t a l l i n g and Operating Exide Batteries,
Form 4676, 6th ed.
174. E l e c t r i c a l Products Company, I n s t r u c t i o n Manual f o r I n s t a l l a t i o n

Operation and Maintenance of Diverter-Pole Motor-Generators,
rrj SM-1050 (Feb. 1, 1950).
i 175. Reliance E l e c t r i c and Engineering Company, I n s t r u c t i o n Book,

25O-v, 25-kva, Motor-Generator Set, Book No. 819541 (Feb., 1962).
176. T. E. Northup, MSRE Vapor Condensing System - Parallel Rupture Discs,

Memo t o R. G. Affel, May 28, 1964.
a
i
526
ABBREllIATIolJs
The following abbreviations have been used i n the

Description of the Reactor Design, Part I, ORML-TM+8:
aternatzng c&ent Ac
h e r i c a n Institute of * AIm
Electrical Engineers
e- 8;Blp
American society of
Mechanical Engineers LbsME
aSymetriCd. =ym
auxiliary atax
B r i n e l l hardness number Bhn
brake horsepower bhP
B r i t i s h the& Unit BtU
Centigrade, degrees OC
cubic centimeter cc
centimeter cm
constant, v e v e (flow coefficient) cv
dimeter dim
direct current De
distribution distr
draving Dwg
east E
electramotice force emf
elevation elev
Fahrenheit, degrees OF
feet per second as

feet ft
t3-w gal
* Ifow the I n s t i t h e of Electrical and

Electronic Ehgineers, I=.
k
L d
527
gallons per minute glFrm

he&erx-: htr
horsepower hla
hour hr
inches in.
inside diameter ID
instrument instr
interugt current IC
iron pipe size IPS
kilogram u
leilowatt kw
kilovolt kv
kilovolt-amphere kva
liter 1
phase #
pounds lbs
pounds, force lbsf
maxirmrm mix
mills, 1,Ooo circular mall
ldDiram min
roentgen equivallentman, x 106 mrem
Molten S a t Reactor Eq?eriment MSRE
megawatt Mw
HatlonaJ. Electrical “4
Manuf’ktupers Association
nominal pipe s i z e HBS
neutrons n
north H
ndber NO.
Oak Ridge Mational Laboratory O m
ag
OD
PP
, i,
Pa
I-W
L
528
parts per million mean

pounds per in.2, absolute psla
poundd~per in.2, gage Psi43
power factor PF
radiation, absorbed dose rad
reference ref
revolutions per minute rpm
reactivity k
t.
reactivity change &
receptacle recept
roentgen r
roentgen equivalent man rem
roan Rm
root mean square RMS
schedule sched
SeCOIld sec
south S
stainless steel ss
standard cubic feet per minute SCfb
standard temperature and pressure SlT
switch
switchgear
8w
rc
Tennessee V a l l e y Authority TVA
thennocouple TC P
transfer XFer
traasf omer XFmr
unified national coarse tkread UNC
universal gas constant R
volt V
watt W
west W
529
4vI AND TIO ON ~ I A T I O X S
Note: Several changes were made i n the abbreviations 88 the MSRE

design progressed. Since the reference literature and draw-
ings e e use of sane of the old notations, all of the abbrev-
iations hare +beenincluded i n t h i s listing, but w i t h those
considered 1 4 e inclosed i n parenthesis. Some duplications
exist, .but h’cases the context I n w h i c h the abbreviation
is used w i l l nbalee.the choice of ngs evident.
AB C Radiator
ABC Absorber :Cubic Caustic Scrubber
(AC) Contafnment ,Stack
AC Condensate Storage Task, 1, 2
ACB Coolant s a t Sampler
AD-1 Cooling Tower
AD-2 Radiator By- pas^ Duct CW Cooling Tower Pump, 1, 2
AD-3 Esrit Air Duct f’rum Radiator CTW Cooling Tower Water
and Coolant Stack CTWR Cooling Tower Water Return
AD Air Dryer, 1, 2 (DB) Duct Blower
Auxiliary Rooan Dc Decontaaninatlon C e l l
BH Blower H o u s e DCC Drain C e l l Cooler
Waste Tank Vent Blowcr DH Mesel House
c -1 3Q-Ton Crane DP Diesel Panel
c-2 10-Ton Crane DPI Mesel Panel, Switch House
c -3 3-Ton &=e D??M Diesel Panel, Atax. Control Rn.
CAP copltaiment Air panels DR C o v e r Gas Dryer, 1, 2
CB ChasrrcoSCl Bed, IA, Ifjj 2B Decontamination C e l l
CBC Chardoal Bed Ce
(m) Drajtn T m k Condenser
cc Coolant C e l l M”C Drain Tank Cell
CCC Cooltpnt cell Cool hergerpcy Nitrogen Station
CCP coqponent’Cooling ELectrlc Service Area
CDC Coolant Dj;.ain Cell ESC 4uLment Storage C e l l
CDT coolant D;.eein TEZIIC
(E) Ea8t Tunnel
cc cover as' [panel) F Stack Mlter, 1, 2, 3
COP Coolant Rang Lube O i l Fump01,2 Fuel Drain Tank, 1, 2
CP Coolmt PCamIp
(m) Fuel Dran Tank, 1, 2
530
Freeze mange (five) MB Main Board

Fuel mush Tank MB-1 W n Blowers t o Coolant
m-3 Radiator
Blower House
m-2 Annulus Blowers t o
F2 Preheater MB-4 Coolant Radiator Ducting
F2 Reactor MCC Motor Control Center
Fuel Pump Lube O i l Pun@, 1,2 MCCT Motor Control Center, !I!VA
Fuel Prmrp MCR Main Control Roan
Fuel Processing C e l l Maintenance Control Roan
(MCR)
Fuel Processing S-ler RMCR (Remote) Maintenance Control
Fuel Sampler ROCXU
Fuel Storage Cell MG Motor -Generator

Fuel Storage Tank MG-1 250-v Motor Generator Set
Freeze Valve (Twelve) MG-2 48-v Motor-Generator Set
Feed Water Tank, 1, 2 MG-3 48-v Motor-Generator Set
GELS cooler (Cmponent M G - ~ 25-lnra Motor-Generator Set
Cooling System) MFC Maintenance Practice Cell
GELS coolant ~ u m p(Ccxwned Main Sung (Pump) Rooan
cooling Systm) 1, 2
NP Nuclear Panel
GM o i l ~ u m p(Ca3Ilponent
Cooling System) 1, 2 OBE outside Building, East
High Bay OBS Outside Building, South
Heater Control Panel oc O i l Cooler, 1, 2
H e l i u m Dryer, 1, 2 (m) (Operating) Main Control Rooan
Heater Distribution Panel OCf O i l Catch Tank, 1, 2
Treated H e l i u m Surge Tank OF O i l Filter, 1, 2
Fresh H e l i u n S m l y Trailer OFf Fuel Pump Overflow Tank
H e l i u m Preheater (om O i l (Fill) S w l y Tank
Heater Panel OR Oxygen Remval Ihzit, 1, 2
(primtuy) Heat Exchanger OT O i l S w l y T&, 1s 2
Instrument Air Dryer, 1, 2 PH Cover Gas Preheater, 1, 2
Inlet f i l t e r ( ~ g ~h a Area)
y PLw W-ft Elev Passage, W Side
Leak Detector PP P i t PLrmg
Leak Detector PR Pump Rooan
Lube O i l Package (m Process Water (Storage) Tank
Liquid Waste Tagk R Reactor
Motor R-1 Instrument Air Receiver
;Al 531
‘k,
t R-2 Instrument Air Receiver TWP Treated Water Pump
I R-3 Service Air Receiver VH Vent House
RC Reactor C e l l VH-1 Volume Holdup Inside RC
RCC Reactor Cell Cooler VH-2 Volume Holdup i n CBC
RDB Radiator Door Brake VP vacuum Pump
RDC Radiator Door Clutch VT Vapor Condensing Tank, 1, 2
RllM Radiator Door Drive WB Waste Blower
RMC Remote Maintenance C e l l WF Waste Filter
t s-1 containment (O-Gas) stack WOR Waste Oil Receiver, 1, 2
sc Spare C e l l WP Waste Prma,
(sc) Stem Condenser WR Water Roam
a, SD Steam Dome (Drum) on ED WT Liquid Waste Tank
SDC Stem Dame Condenser, 1, 2 WT West Tunnel
SE Sampler-Enricher WTC Waste (Tank) l’reaknent
C e l l , or Liquid Waste C e l l
SER Special EquLpment Roam
SF Stack Fan, 1, 2
(SFA) Stack Filter (Fan) Area
SFA Sodium Fluoride Absorbers
SFJ! sodium Fluoride Trap
SH Switch House
SOP SO2 Preheater
J SP S q R o ~ ,A, B
SR Solenoid Rack
SR Service Roam
ST Surge Tank
ST Service Tunnel
sv Saqler-Enricher Vacuum plmrp
(TC) Transfer (Spare) C e l l
TF (Cooling) Tower Fan, 1, 2
TR Transmitter Rack (Roam)
TRM Transmitter Roam
TS Thermocouple Scanner
TWC Treated Water Cooler
dc- Q
4
ASZ SSZ 31Z llZ WIZ 312 A3Z 032 - -- 1z sz 12 -- -- IZ -- 32 32 vz z uo!4!sod
ASX SSX 31X IIX WIX 31X A3X 03X MX AX I X SX 1X bX WX IX -- 3x 3x vx x p!aedS
ASM SSM 31M IIM WIM 31M A3M 03M -- -- I A SA 1M OM WA IM -- 3M 3M VM A WB!eA
ASA SSA 31A 1lA WIA 31A A3A O3A - - I A SA 1A -- WA IA 3A 3A VA A AQSOaS!A
AS1 SSI 381 111 WIl 311 A31 031 MI A I 11 SI 11 -- Wl I1 -- 31 31 VI 1 Un(oJ*duel
ASS SSS 31s IIS WIS 31s A3S 03s -- AS IS SS 1s -- ws IS -- 3s 3s vs s P-dS
AS1 SS1 318 111 WI8 311 A31 031 -- -- 11 sa 11 b1 w1 I1 -- 31 31 v1 tl uo!cD!pq
ASd SSd 31d lld Wld 31d A3d 03d -- Ad I d Sd I d -- W d Id -- 3d 3d Vd d OJnSSOJd
AS1 SSl 317 111 Wll 311 A31 037 -- A1 11 S l 11 -- W l 1 1 91 3 1 31 V l 1 1-01
-- SSI -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- I
SI tll Dl -- II - -- 31 VI I (W!O ID*Jew
ASH SSH -- I I H WIH 31H A3H 0 3 H -- AH -- SH -- -- -- - -- -- 3H VH H (IDnUDu) PUDH
AS3 SS3 313113 W I J A 3 3 033 --
31d A3 13 SA 83 b3 W3 I3 93 33 33 V3 3 '*Old
AS3 SS3 313 113 W13 313 A33 033 -- -- 13 S3 83 b3 W3 13 33 33 v3 3 s!J4ael3
Ass ssa 380 i i a wia ma ma o3a - -- la sa Ha -- wa la -- 30 3a va a A4!suoa
AS3 SS3 320 113 W13 313 A33 033 - - 13 s3 13 -- w3 13 -- 33 33 v3 3 S!*!+anPuo3
ASV SSV 31V IIV WIV 31V A3V 03V -- -- I V sv 1v - wv IV -- 3v 3v vv v S!SAIOUV
m
U
AS SS 31 11 WI 31 l 9 3 3 V
X
X
9
9 I
I
A
X
I s
I a 0
f
W
-
x
U
B
a
x
x
9
d
Z 0
c
z
z 2 x
BI P
a x
x
x
d
-
Z
0
c
d
z
0
Z 3
U f
x
x 5 s
U
d
a
d
Z
2
P
e
J~
8
c
-
Z
0
K
K
0
d z :
-
0
c
U Z U
2
n
W -
Z
0
4
3
IL
u2
K
c
u2
K
0
Y e
z
0 id Y
-1
s
c
4
z e W
J
0
VI
W
a
9
W K
J P
-.--..-.__...I . . ~. . . .--
- - . .... .__.
. .. .." . , , I .-. "_.
#
'? 533
14'\
t PROCESS LtNES Unclassified
ORNL DWG 64-9111
PRIMARY LIQUID LINE
TWO-WAY ELECTRIC I >R OPERATED

SECONDARY LIQUID LINE
I PRIMARY GAS OR VAPOR LINE -... -- THREE-WAY SOLENOID
FOUR-WAY NORMALLY SED

(OPERATIN( ISITION)
4 SECONDARY GAS OR VAPOR LINE -- --
RUPTURE DISC
THREE-WAY ISEDWITH
-VE PORT
NORMALLY
(OPERATIN( ISITION) COMMON
RELIEF OR SAFETY
R PORT
INSTRUMENT LINES
EXCESS-FLOWVALVE
NORMALLY
(OPERATIN(
:N
ISITION)
-pa-
CHECK THROTTLIN
CONNECTION TO PROCESS
MANUALLYOPERATED
THREE-WAY .VE THROTTLING
AIR OR PNEUMATIC SIGNAL LINE
,
, /I
//
,
, ,
/
/, I/ //
COMMON
MANUALLY OPERAT ED PORT
EXTENSION HANDLE (X) INDICA1 fALVE FAILS CLOSED
(ACTUA rMEDlUM FAILURE)
HYDRAULIC LINE /I,
811
,
,,
I,,
///
,//
SELF-OPERATED
d (0)INDICA1 fALVE FAILS OPEN
-3'
(FILLED SYSTEM 1 CAPILLARY TUBING -X- xx-- (DIAPHRAGM OR BELLOWS)
(ACTUA rMEDlUM FAILURE)
OPERATED
( X ) PLACED ONE PORT OF
'4 ELECTRICAL SIGNAL OR CONTROL LINE - --------- PISTON OPERATED &;;&G's
THREE-\
PORT FI VALVE
CLOSEDINDICATES
COMMON
(ACTUA *MEDIUM FAILURE) PORT
INSTRUMENT OR PROCESS LINE JUNCTIONS OR CROSSOVERS VALVE OPERATOR WITH

POSITIONER STRAINER
LINE JUNCTION
VALVEOPERATOR FILTER
WITH HANDWHEEL
I
- - - - +-- - -
I
LINE CROSSOVER I
I I
I
Figure A.2 Symbols Used on

534
SYMBOLS USED IN MSRE DRAWING IDENTIFICATION "BEB
HH Instrumentation and Control

H E 4 Nuclear
HE-B Process
m-c Health Physic6
HH-D Services
HE-Z btLscellaneous
BB Reactor
B B 4 cell JJ G a s System
BB-B Vessel JJ4 Layout
BB-C Auxiliary JJ-B Tank6 and E i l t e r S
BB-D StWCtUral JJ-C Ccqonents
BB-Z Miscellaneous JJ-D AUiliW
JJ-E StrUctWaL
cc Pumps JJ-Z Mi6Cd.laIEOU8
CC-A Fuel
CC-B Coolant KK B u i l d i n g and Services
CC-C Auxiliary K K 4 AirILandling
CC-D Structural KK-B =ping
CC-Z Miscellaneous KK-C R e c t r i c a l
KK-D Structural
DD Radiator KK-E Civil
DD4 SaLt KK-z Miscellaneous
DD-B Air
DD-C AuxKiliary I3l Maintenance Equipment
DD-D StruCtursl U4 Handling Gear
DD-Z Mis~ellsneOUs U-B Tools
LL-C Controls z
EE H e a t Exchanger U-D Structural
U-E Awriliw
EE4 fi"URLsalt
u - 2 Miscellaneous
EE-B Coolant Salt d
EE-C Auxiliary I
MM Process Heatina;
EE-D Structural
EE-2 Miscellaneous P I P I 4 Pipeline Heating
MM-B Cosqponent Heating
FF Salt Storage and Bandling MM-C Schematic Magrams
MM-2 Miscellaneous
FF-A Vessels
FF-B S-liw and W i c h i q
ZZ Miscellaneous
FF-C Awciliw
FF-D Structural ZZ-A Process
FF-Z Miscellaneous ZZ-B Services
GG Process Piping ZZ-C Building
22-2 Miscellaneous
GG-A primaryLay€)ut
GG-B Secondary W O U t
GG-C Coqponents
GG-D A~~ilit~y
GG-E Stm\ctural
GG-z Miscellaneous
Y
. \
535
LJ
8 ORNL-TM-728
I n t e r n a l Distribution
1. R. K. Adams 52. A. G. ,Windell

2. R. G. Affel 53. R. H. Gqmon
3. L. G. Alexander 54. S. H. Hanauer
4. G. W. AUin 55. P. H. Harley
5 . A. H. Anderson 56-65. P. N. Haubenreich
6. R. F, Apple 66. G. M. Herbert
t.
7. C. F. Baes 67. P. G. Herndon
8. S . J. B a l l 68. E. C. Rise
9. S . E. Beall 69. V. D. Holt
10. M. Bender 70. P. P. Holz
11. E. S . B e t t i s 71. A. Houtzeel
12. F. F. Blankenship 72. T. L. Hudson
13. R. Blumberg 73. J. P d Jarvis
14. A. L. Boch 74. R. J. Kedl
15. E. G. Bohlmann 75. So S. K i r s l i s
16. C . J. Borkarski 76. D. J. Knowles
17. H. R. Brashear 77. A. I. Krakoviak
18-23. R. B. Briggs 78. J. W. Krewson
24. G. H. Burger 79. C. E. Laplb
25. S. Cantor 80. J. A. Lane
26. R. H. Chapman 81. C. E. Larson
27. H. C. Claiborne 82. R . B. Lindauer
28. J. A. Conlin 83. M. I. Lundin
29. W. H. Cook 84. R. N. Lyon
30. L. T. Corbin 85. H. G. MacPherson
31. W. B. C o t t r e l l 86. C . D. Martin
32. G. A. Cristy 87. H. C. McCurdy
33. J. L. Crowley 88. .
W B. McDonald
34. D. G . Davis 89. H . F. McDuffie
35. J. H. DeVan 90. C. K. McGlothlan
36. G. Dirian 91. H. J. Metz
37. S . J . - D i t t o 92. A. J. Miller
38.. R. G. Donneily 93. W. R. Mixon
39. F. A . ' D b s s 94. R. L. Moore
4.0. N. E. Dunwoody 95. R. C. Olson
41. J. R. Engel 96. P. Patriarca
42. E. P. Epler 97. H. R . Payne
43. A. P. Fraas 98. A. M. Perry
44. E. N. Fray 99. H. B. Piper
45. H. A. F r i e m 100. B. E. Prince
46. J. H. Frye 101. J. L. Redford
.
47. C H. Gabbard 102. M. Richardson
4 8 . M. Jf.Gaitanis 103-108. R . C. Robertson
49. R. B. Gallaher 109. H. C. Roller
50. J. J. WiSt 110. M. W . Rosenthal
51. W . R. Grimes 111. T. H. Row
536
+-
112. H. W. Savage 129. G. M. Tolson

il
4
113. A . W. Savolainen 130. D. B. Trauger
114. D. Scott 131. W. C. Ulrich
115. J. H. Shaffer 132. C. F. Weaver
116. E. G. S i l v e r 133. B. H. Webster
L17. M. J. Skinner 134. A. M. Weinberg
118. T. F. S l i s k i 135. K. W. West
119. A. N. Smith 136. J. C . White
120. P . G. S e t h 137. G. D. Whitman
121. I. Spiewak 138. H. D. Wills
122. R . C. S t e f f y 139. L. V. Wilson
123. H. H. Stone 140-142. Central Research Library
124. H. J. S t r i p l i n g 143-144. Y-12 Document Reference Section
125. J. A. Swartout 145-146. Reactor Division Library
126. A. Taboada 147-150. Laboratory Records Department
127. J. R . Tallackson 151. Laboratory Records, RC
128. R. E. Thoma
External Distribution
152-153. D. F. Cope, A X , OR0

154. R. W. Garrison, AEC, Washington
155. R. L. Philippone, AEC, OR0
156. H. M. Roth, AEC, OR0
157. W. L. Smalley, AEC, OR0
158. M. J. Whitman, AEC, Washington
159-173. Division of Technical Information Extension, DTIE

Ornl TM 728 Molten Salt Reactor. Design and Operations Report, PT 1

Загружено:

Сведения о документе

Оригинальное название

Авторское право

Доступные форматы

Поделиться этим документом

Поделиться или встроить документ

Параметры публикации

Этот документ был вам полезен?

Это неприемлемый материал?

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Ornl TM 728 Molten Salt Reactor. Design and Operations Report, PT 1

Загружено:

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

DISCLAIMER

This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an

Portions of this document may be illegible in

Reactor Vessel i n Transport J i g P r i o r t o I n s t a l l a t i o n .

The r e p o r t on t h e Molten-Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) has been

The list of biographical references provides an indication of ORNL

This r e p o r t i s one of a s e r i e s t h a t describes t h e design and opera-

OWL-'151-729 MSRE Design and Operations Report, P a r t 11,

ORNL-TM-730* MSRE Design and Operations Report, P a r t 111,

ORNL-TM-731 MSRE Design and Operations Report, P a r t N,

ORNL-TM-73P MSRE Design and Operations Report, P a r t V,

ORNL-TM-733 MSRE Design and Operations Report, P a r t V I ,

MSRE Design and Operations Report, P a r t V I I I ,

MSRE Design and Operations Report, P a r t M,

om-TM-910" MSRE Design and Operations Report, P a r t X,

4.4 .Of f-Gas Area ........................................ 58

5.6.6.1 General Description and Design

Pipe Line Thermocouples

9.1 Layout and General Description ...................... 315

. 10.10 Piping, Valves, and A p p u r t e w c e s .................. 339

13.3.2 Liquid-Waste Tank Blower .................. 393

15.3.9.1 Coolant C e l l Coolers ........... 420

Fig. 20.2 Schematic Diagram Building 7503 Drainage System 510

MOLTEN-SALT REACTOR EXPERIMENT

DESCRIPTION OF REACTOR DESIGN

The Molten-Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) was undertaken by the

During the period 195”(-60, investigations were carried out at OWL

a s t a c k f o r d i s s i p a t i o n o f heat t o t h e atmosphere, emergency d i e s e l -

t h e graphite moderator delayed i n s t a l l a t i o n of major equipment u n t i l e a r l y

The Molten-Salt Reactor Experiment ( E R E ) i s a single-region, un-

2.2. Location .,.

The Ekperiment i s located i n t h e 7503 Area of t h e Oak Ridge

2.3 Fuel and Coolant S a l t s

The composition and physical properties o f various f u e l and coolant

LiF (99.994 L i 7 ) 70 66.8 65 66

m4 0.4 0.2 0.9

Density, l b / f t 3 , a t 1200°F 140 130 134 120

2.4 Equipment and Process

The major items of equipment i n t h e MSRE a r e shown on a simplified

F i g . 2.1. MSRE Flow Diagram.

COOLING AIR LINES

ACCESS PORT COOLING JAC KETS

FUEL OUTLET REACTOR ACCESS PORT

CONTROL ROD THIMBLES

Fig. 2.2. Reactor Vessel.

core. The maximum f u e l power d e n s i t y i s 31 kw/liter.

2.4.2 Fuel Pump

FIG. 2.3. MSRE FUEL PUMP

The pump i s equipped with b a l l bearings t h a t a r e lubricated and

confined t o t h e bearing housing by mechanical s h a f t s e a l s . A helium

2.4.4 Coolant Pump

46.4-in. OD II 0.2-in. WALL x 8 - f t LONG

Fig. 2.4. Primary Heat Exchanger.

Fig. 2.5. Radiator Coil and Enclosure.

r a d i a t o r tubes on sudden reduction of r e a c t o r power, quick-closing doors

2.4.6 Drain Tank Systems

2.4.7 Piping and Flanges

/- INSPECTION, SAMPLER, AND

Fig. 2.6. Fuel-Salt Drain Tank.

2.4.10 Cover- and O f f - G a s Systems

Table 2.2. Compos tion and Properties of LNOR-~

Specific heat, Btu/lb-"F at l3OO'F 0.138

systems. A flow of 200 f t 3/day (STP) i s passed continuously through t h e