REPORT OF INVESTIGATION OF N.S. SAVANNAH REACTOR FILTER PLUGGING

A gradually increasing loop pressure drop with a corresponding decrease in coolant flow rate during a test program on the N.S. Savannah was indicative of a decrease in the effective filter area of the reactor cleanup filter due to plugging. The primary loop was drained in preparation for removal and cleaning of the reactor filter. No filter packing was found at either nozzle packing gland; the bottom of the reactor vessel and the inside surface of the filter appeared clean; and no apparent damage to the inner or outer screen was noted. However, considerable foreign material was found on the filter screen, the filter nozzle insert piece, and the cavity formed by the core support ledge. Inspections and cleaning operations were performed on the steam generator inlet plenum chambers, the buffer seal surge tank, the waste storage tanks, and the primary pump "O" rings. A new filter screen of the same size and material was installed following a complete wash and wipedown of the reactor vessel surfaces and primary piping outlet nozzles. The silicone rubber gasket material was replaced by stainless steel cone-shaped seal rings.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document is available for review at the Department of Commerce Library, Main Commerce Building, Washington, D.C., under reference number NSS-100.
• Corporate Authors:

  New York Shipbuilding Corporation

  Savannah Nuclear Technology Department
  Camden, NJ  United States 
• Publication Date: 1961-2-6

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: 12 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Filters; Filtration; Nuclear powered ships; Nuclear reactor coolants
• Old TRIS Terms: Filtration systems
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00026391
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Maritime Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: NSS-100
• Contract Numbers: MA-1675
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Feb 6 1973 12:00AM