Evaluation of the Start-Up Core Physics Tests at Japan's High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (Fully-Loaded Core)

摘要

The High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA)a is a 30 MWth, graphite-moderated, helium-cooled reactor that was constructed with the objectives to establish and upgrade the technological basis for advanced high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) as well as to conduct various irradiation tests for innovative high-temperature research. The core size of the HTTR represents about one-half of that of future HTGRs, and the high excess reactivity of the HTTR, necessary for compensation of temperature, xenon, and burnup effects during power operations, is similar to that of future HTGRs. During the start-up core physics tests of the HTTR, various annular cores were formed to provide experimental data for verification of design codes for future HTGRs. The Japanese government approved construction of the HTTR in the 1989 fiscal year budget; construction began at the Oarai Research Establishment in March 1991 and was completed May 1996. Fuel loading began July 1, 1998, from the core periphery. The first criticality was attained with an annular core on November 10, 1998 at 14:18, followed by a series of start-up core physics tests (Figure 1.1) until a fully-loaded core was developed on December 16, 1998. Criticality tests were carried out into January 1999.