OPAL engineering strategies to manage neutron guide seal leaks
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Date
2012-03-18
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
European Nuclear Society
Abstract
In the first two years following hot commissioning of the OPAL Reactor in 2006 light water leaks were detected in all five (5) bellows leak detection chambers of helium guide cooling system. These seals from part of the primary LOCA barrier for the reactor pool. To date no water has been detected past the double metallic C-seals of the neutron beam assemblies into the assembly boxes. This paper reports strategies implemented by the OPAL Engineering group to manage current leak rates and deal with any future escalation leaks. These include: changes to the reactor control and monitoring system to enable ongoing reactor operation, automation of drainage operation, installation of pool water leak recycling system, design provisions for helium back pressurisation and in-pool mechanical collar seals. The system approved and implemented on the reactor ensure that leaked water is drained from the inter seal void space to limit pressure on the inner seal. The system includes remote real time indication and warning of leak rates and is capable of handling leak rates up to 0.5 m3/h. By automatically recycling water drainage, the system reduced plant radioactive liquid waste discharges and operator dose rates to ALARA.
Description
Keywords
OPAL Reactor, Leak detectors, Seals, Water, Neutron beams, Engineering, Radioactive wastes, Dose rates
Citation
Humphrey, C., & Metcalf, P. (2012). OPAL engineering strategies to manage neutron guide seal leaks. Paper presented to the 14th RRFM/IGOOR, Prague, Czech Republic, 18 - 22 March 2012. Retrieved from: https://www.igorr.com/Documents/2012-PRAGUE/rrfm2012-transactions.pdf