Discussion: “Reactor-Vessel Design Considering Radiation Effects” (Porse, L., 1964, ASME J. Basic Eng., 86, pp. 743–748)

1964 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 748-749
Author(s):  
D. W. Sher
1964 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 743-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Porse

Nuclear-vessel design involves consideration of changes in metal properties resulting from fast-neutron irradiation effects. This paper outlines precautions and design steps which can cope with these effects and insure safe operation of PWR closed-cycle-type reactor vessels for their planned life expectancy. Illustrations show workable stress levels as a function of temperature for the reactor-vessel material in nonirradiated and irradiated condition. A plot of equivalent pressure temperature relationships is shown as a guide for the plant operator during plant start-up and shutdown periods.


Author(s):  
Douglas W. Akers ◽  
Edwin A. Harvego

This paper presents the results of a study to evaluate the feasibility of remotely detecting and quantifying fuel relocation from the core to the lower head, and to regions outside the reactor vessel primary containment of the Fukushima 1–3 reactors. The goals of this study were to determine measurement conditions and requirements, and to perform initial radiation transport sensitivity analyses for several potential measurement locations inside the reactor building. The radiation transport sensitivity analyses were performed based on reactor design information for boiling water reactors (BWRs) similar to the Fukushima reactors, ORIGEN2 analyses of 3-cycle BWR fuel inventories, and data on previously molten fuel characteristics from TMI-2. A 100 kg mass of previously molten fuel material located on the lower head of the reactor vessel was chosen as a fuel interrogation sensitivity target. Two measurement locations were chosen for the transport analyses, one inside the drywell and one outside the concrete biological shield surrounding the drywell. Results of these initial radiation transport analyses indicate that the 100 kg of previously molten fuel material may be detectable at the measurement location inside the drywell, but that it is highly unlikely that any amount of fuel material inside the reactor pressure vessel will be detectable from a location outside the concrete biological shield surrounding the drywell. Three additional fuel relocation scenarios were also analyzed to assess detection sensitivity for varying amount of relocated material in the lower head of the reactor vessel, in the control rods perpendicular to the detector system, and on the lower head of the drywell. Results of these analyses along with an assessment of background radiation effects and a discussion of measurement issues are included in the paper.


Author(s):  
F. Louchet ◽  
L.P. Kubin

Investigation of frictional forces -Experimental techniques and working conditions in the high voltage electron microscope have already been described (1). Care has been taken in order to minimize both surface and radiation effects under deformation conditions.Dislocation densities and velocities are measured on the records of the deformation. It can be noticed that mobile dislocation densities can be far below the total dislocation density in the operative system. The local strain-rate can be deduced from these measurements. The local flow stresses are deduced from the curvature radii of the dislocations when the local strain-rate reaches the values of ∿ 10-4 s-1.For a straight screw segment of length L moving by double-kink nucleation between two pinning points, the velocity is :where ΔG(τ) is the activation energy and lc the critical length for double-kink nucleation. The term L/lc takes into account the number of simultaneous attempts for double-kink nucleation on the dislocation line.


Author(s):  
G.D. Danilatos

The advent of the environmental SEM (ESEM) has made possible the examination of uncoated and untreated specimen surfaces in the presence of a gaseous or liquid environment. However, the question arises as to what degree the examined surface remains unaffected by the action of the electron beam. It is reasonable to assume that the beam invariably affects all specimens but the type and degree of effect may be totally unimportant for one class of applications and totally unacceptable for another; yet, for a third class, it is imperative to know how our observations are modified by the presence of the beam. The aim of this report is to create an awareness of the need to initiate research work in various fields in order to determine the guiding rules of the limitations (or even advantages) due to irradiation.


2010 ◽  
Vol 49 (S 01) ◽  
pp. S53-S58 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Dörr

SummaryThe curative effectivity of external or internal radiotherapy necessitates exposure of normal tissues with significant radiation doses, and hence must be associated with an accepted rate of side effects. These complications can not a priori be considered as an indication of a too aggressive therapy. Based on the time of first diagnosis, early (acute) and late (chronic) radiation sequelae in normal tissues can be distinguished. Early reactions per definition occur within 90 days after onset of the radiation exposure. They are based on impairment of cell production in turnover tissues, which in face of ongoing cell loss results in hypoplasia and eventually a complete loss of functional cells. The latent time is largely independent of dose and is defined by tissue biology (turnover time). Usually, complete healing of early reactions is observed. Late radiation effects can occur after symptom-free latent times of months to many years, with an inverse dependence of latency on dose. Late normal tissue changes are progressive and usually irreversible. They are based on a complex interaction of damage to various cell populations (organ parenchyma, connective tissue, capillaries), with a contribution from macrophages. Late effects are sensitive for a reduction in dose rate (recovery effects).A number of biologically based strategies for protection of normal tissues or for amelioration of radiation effects was and still is tested in experimental systems, yet, only a small fraction of these approaches has so far been introduced into clinical studies. One advantage of most of the methods is that they may be effective even if the treatment starts way after the end of radiation exposure. For a clinical exploitation, hence, the availability of early indicators for the progression of subclinical damage in the individual patient would be desirable. Moreover, there is need to further investigate the molecular pathogenesis of normal tissue effects in more detail, in order to optimise biology based preventive strategies, as well as to identify the precise mechanisms of already tested approaches (e. g. stem cells).


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