History
Though this reactor type has been the subject of extensive study, no large power plants using organic coolant have been built. The Canadians operated a 60 heavy water organic cooled reactor from 1965 to 1985. An 45.5 demonstration reactor was operated for a brief period in Piqua, Ohio and was the only power reactor of its kind ever constructed in the United States.
The Piqua Nuclear Generating Station was shut down in 1966 due to an instrument scram. In the process of resuming operation, it was discovered that two control rods did not move freely within their guide tubes and four nuclear fuel elements required abnormally high force to remove. Subsequently, these fuel elements would not reseat. A complete unloading of the core showed that large carbonaceous deposits were present on the fuel, control rods, and support structures throughout the core region. These deposits interfered with the movement of the control rods, and altered the heat transfer characteristics of the fuel. As a consequence, the Atomic Energy Commission decided to end the Piqua experiment and the reactor was dismantled.
Read more about this topic: Organically Moderated And Cooled Reactor
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