SAVANNAH NUCLEAR POWER REACTOR OPERATIONS AT CAMDEN

The N.S. Savannah was first put into operation when a self-sustained nuclear chain reaction was achieved. At this time a series of low power test operations were performed, culmination with tests at approximately 10 percent of full power. No significant discrepancies were found between data taken from the fueling operation and those obtained during prior assembly of the reactor core. Following completion of fueling and reinstallation of the reactor head, final precritical tests were performed on the control rod drive system. A series of tests were also performed at zero power; i.e., the power level during these operations did not exceed 500 kW. This consisted of calibrations of control rods, observation and calibration studies of reactivity characteristics, and measurements of temperature coefficients ranging from ambient temperature to about 500 F, the normal operating temperature of the Savannah reactor. In the low power tests initial comparison of power calibrations from thermal data and from nuclear instrumentation was made and the response to various steam loads was studied.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • This document is available for review at the Department of Commerce Library, Main Commerce Building, Washington, D.C., under reference number NSS-106.
  • Corporate Authors:

    New York Shipbuilding Corporation

    Savannah Nuclear Technology Department
    Camden, NJ  United States 
  • Publication Date: 1962-1-26

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; Tables;
  • Pagination: 39 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00026496
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Maritime Administration
  • Report/Paper Numbers: NSS-106 Sum Rpt
  • Contract Numbers: MA-1675
  • Files: TRIS, USDOT
  • Created Date: Feb 6 1973 12:00AM