~=20-
The HRE has operated at 1500 kw, 250°C,
Homoge-
The thermal coefficient of
reactivity tends to make it self-regulating.
Corrosion 1s still trouble-
neous
Reactor some, and there is a large budget for corrosion research.
corrosion rate of the stainless steel is about 6 mil/yr.
At present the
This could be
reduced, according to Mr. Lane and Dr. McLain, to less than 1 mil/yr if titanium were used, or with stainless steel at lower uranium concentrations, |
Some members of the GAC expressed discontent with the HRE program, especial1)
the large sum ($1 x 106) being spent for work on corrosion.
Others felt,
however, that it is a good program, since the HRE is a relatively cheap
reactor, is working, and data are coming out.
is on the homogeneous reactor,
About 1/3 of the ORNL effort
.
The breeder is the other long term approach,
Breeder
}
One treeder could produce
the fuel for 196 reactors in 30 years if the breeding gain were 1.5, or for
10 reactors if the breeding gain were 1.0.
The breeder in its present form
does not. look economically promising for power,
expensive machine work,
It has much delicate and
To be economically competitive it needs radical
changes, such as fluid fuel and pyrometallurgical separation processes,
Dr. Hafstad reviewed the ANL-CR&D cooperation in a power breeder
ANL~
CRED
project.
ANL, which has overall responsibility for the breeder program,
Collab- is to be directly responsible for conceptual design and lsboratory work
oration
on a zero power unit.
business.
CR& is to assist ANL and thus learn about the reactor
Simultaneously, it is to evaluate the future prospects of a
reactor of this type, and make a recommendation on a full scale unit.
The
breeder. will not be pushed unless it looks attractive.
oe vo .
: 6y