Report on Test Program on Gas-Bearing Compressor for the Helium Purification System of the Fort St. Vrain Plant

摘要

A compressor was required to circulate primary coolant, helium, from the reactor through the helium purification system and back to the reactor for the HTGR plant. For such service, the compressor had to be extremely reliable, had to be capable of operating in extremely pure helium, and was not to introduce any impurities, such as oil vapor, into the purified helium stream. After consideration of various possibilities, it was decided to use a gas-bearing centrifugal or regenerative type compressor. The report describes the compressor and the test program and gives the results of the test program. (Author)