Operating experience from the first atomic electric station

Abstract

This paper gives a short summary of six years' continuous operation of the first atomic electric station in the world. Different operating schedules of the station and the parameters involved are discussed. A description is given of the operation of the fuel elements and the partial reloading method, first used at the station, which makes it possible to reach a fuel burnout considerably greater than the design value. Considerable attention is given to the experimental work on the transition of the station to the boiling schedule, the operation under this schedule, and the production of nuclear superheat of the steam in the reactor. The accident localization system is described. This system is designed to prevent escape of gas vapor mixture into the ventilating system, and to purify the gas escaping after a fuel element accident. The system was worked out through the large number of test holes provided in the First Atomic Electric Station.