SAVANNAH NUCLEAR POWER. CONTROL ROD DRIVE TESTING AND PERFORMANCE FROM PRE-CRITICAL CHECK TO 100 PERCENT FULL POWER

Precritical testing of the control rod drive system on the N.S. Savannah followed an extensive maintenance period in which the buffer seal shafts were changed, drive mechanisms removed, and minor maintenance performed on the reactor head mounted equipment. Testing and operation were conducted immediately after fuel loading and ended at 100% full power. Test objectives were (1) to prove that equipment operation was still satisfactory following maintenance and core loading operations; (2) to prove the readiness of the system immediately prior to critical reactor operation; and (3) to accumulate a log of operating experience to judge system reliability related to hydraulic system integrity. Rod positioning, freedom of rod movement, and scram were the major system functions checked. Operational experience includes system operation through two sea trials in addition to zero power and reactor power operation. The results of the test program are considered satisfactory in all aspects of manual rod control.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document is available for review at the Department of Commerce Library, Main Commerce Building, Washington, D.C., under reference number NSS-113.
• Corporate Authors:

  New York Shipbuilding Corporation

  Savannah Nuclear Technology Department
  Camden, NJ  United States 
• Authors:
  • Elder, J C
• Publication Date: 1962-4-6

Media Info

• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: 23 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Control systems; Fuel elements; Nuclear powered ships; Nuclear reactors; Safety; Test procedures
• Old TRIS Terms: Nuclear reactor control systems; Nuclear reactor fuel elements; Nuclear reactor safety
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00026535
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Maritime Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: NSS-113
• Contract Numbers: MA-1675
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Apr 13 1974 12:00AM