| Abstrakt: |
A brief account is given of the development stages of graphite moderators for Magnox and advanced gas cooled reactors. The accident at Windscale in 1957 brought to worldwide attention the importance of irradiation damage in graphite and the consequent storage of Wigner energy. In spite of the Windscale setback, preparations for the civil programme of Magnox reactors went ahead apace. While good collaboration between the CEGB and UKAEA Harwell was the general rule, there were times when disagreement occurred and Alan Cottrell was asked to play the role of moderator (hence the title of this account). Some of the background to the disastrous Dungeness B tender is presented. In spite of all the difficulties and uncertainties, the graphite in UK reactors has performed well. In all cases, as far as the author is aware, the behaviour of the graphite moderators will not prevent design life being achieved.MST/1316 |
