Recent content by Freddy_uk

I used this pie chart along with the original applet as a screenshot in a short presentation for my thesis which was a couple of weeks ago now. Thanks

All AGR's in the UK use st/st clad pins. http://www.nuclearsites.co.uk/resources/upload/Brochure%20-%20fuel%20manufacturing.pdf" The graphite loss in the core structure (I'm no expert) i believe is down to its irradiation and the chemistry of the gas. Its not a pure CO2 atmosphere, other...

We operate at around 3.5% now, but it wasn't as high back then. I didn't get chance to ask any questions today as we were busy interlock testing. I appreciate most members are unfamiliar with AGR's, all the new reactors planned in the UK are going to be PWR's from what i can tell.

Even when only 50% of the core is fuelled up? As when we 1st ran the plant up (80's) only 50% or less i think of the core was occupied with fuel, the remaining channels were dummy blocks of graphite. During this time the reactor would only operate for a week or 2 I am told, and each weekend...

Ok I've got the wrong idea possibly. Although when this subject was discussed once it was regarding early commissioning of the reactor were it was only partly fuelled. So what your saying makes perfect sense now.

Thanks for your help. I forgot about the increase in Xe, which i believe has to decay away sufficiently before a shutdown reactor can restart (if an automatic shutdown has occurred). Obviously the reason for the shutdown must also be investigated, and determine if all systems respond...

Its for a single slide (or two) on a presentation. I have a decay heat curve and was looking for something that helps describe why the energy initially falls sharply and why after that only a very gradual reduction in heat is seen due to the half life of some of the isotopes.

I am looking for some data that identifies the most significant source of decay heat for the first few days from a reactor trip. Something similar for 1month after or more would be useful. Thanks Dave

Astronuc, Thanks for your reply to my question. I have been making some progress (i think) and have determined that the pin temperature would be around 320degC based on h=250W/m.k for general forced convection with gases. Im unsure if this is at all accurate as when i look at decay heat...

Hello and here is my problematic 1st post. I have a problem which i need help with, I'm an electrical engineer so my understanding on this subject is basic. I need to calculate the cooling effect of a AGR fuel pin and I'm not sure were to start. Here is some background on the question...