Evaluation of the Condition of the Graphite in theFire-Damaged Zone of Windscale Pile No. 1

摘要

This paper describes an important analysis in preparation for the decommissioning of theWindscale Pile No. 1 reactor which was damaged in the 1957 accident. Concerns about the state of the graphite in the fire-damaged zone have previously been voiced on the basis ofopinion on the progress of the accident events and have led to concerns that a void space mayexist within the graphite stack which co could have significant consequences if a collapseuld occurred. The present analysis, based upon the best available information about coolantconditions and utilising the well-documented oxidation kinetics of nuclear graphites, suggeststhat no void exists and that there will be considerable residual strength in all graphitehat components in this zone.