PATHFI N DER ATOM lC POWER PLANT , .

-
5- ,
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN STUDY OF CRBR
r 8
7

QUI CK-OPERATI NG PRESSURE VESSEL -

CLOSURE AND SELF-ENERG I Z I NG SEAL TESTS
Final Report

BY
R. G. Michel

October 16, 1959

Atomic Energy Division

Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I

UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY COMMg3SION

Technical Information Service
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AEC Tubnk.1 hfornvllca Sew- E s ~ m

Qb #dp. Ten-
 P A T I I F I N D E R A T O M I C PClWtH P L A N T
FINAL REPORT
\ C O N C E P T U A L DESIGN STUDY O F CRBR -
QUICK-OPERATING PRESSURE VESSEL CLOSURE
and
SELF-ENERGIZING SEAL, TESTS

by
R. G. Michel
Submitted to G, bbh
U. S. ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION, b )
NORTHERN STATESPOWERCOMPANY
and
CENTRAL UTILITIES ATOMIC POWER ASSOCIATES
Under
Agreement dated 2nd Day of May 1957 and Supplemental
Agreement dated 22rd Day of November 1957 between
NSP and A-C under AEC Contract No. AT (11-1)-589
Y

by
ALLIS-CHALMERS MANUFACTURING COMPANY .Q$,
BOX 512
MILWAUKEE 1, WISCONSIN. '

October 15, 1959

Approved
C. 6. Graham -
Chief Engineer
Nuclear Power ~epartme;lt '

Approved
C. R. Braun
Manager
Nuclear Power Department

November 15, 1959

 FOREWORD -

T h i s r e p o r t describes t h e work conducted by A1 lis-Chalmers

Manufacturing Company and i t s s u b c o n t r a c t o r s t o determine t h e f e a s i -

b i l i t y o f us i ng a qu ick-operat i ng c losure f o r t h e pressure vesse 1 o f t h e

C o n t r o l l e d R e c i r c u l a t i o n Boi l i n g Reactor '(CRBR). I n i t i a l l y e f f o r t was

d i r e c t e d toward d e t e r m i n i n g t h e f e a s i b i l i t y o f u s i n g a segmented r i n g -

t y p e c l'osure. . A I l i s-Cha lmers a l s o recogn i zed t h a t deve l opment o f a'

[Link]-energizing seal would g r e a t l y f a c i l i t a t e t h e development o f a quick-

o p e r a t i n g c l o s u r e , and e v a l u a t i o n t e s t s o f v a r i o u s seal m a t e r i a l s and

designs were i n i t i a t e d .

I t became obvious e a r l y i n t h e program t h a t c l o s u r e designs o f t h e

segmented r i n g - t y p e tended t o lose t h e i r i n h e r e n t s i m p l i c i t y when adapted

f o r use w i t h t h e CRBR. Allis-Chalmers t h e r e f o r e r e t a i n e d t h e s e r v i c e s o f

, two c o n s u l t i n g f i r m s -- Al l s t a t e s Oesi gn and Oeve lopment Company, Inc.

and Koerper E n g i n e e r i n g Associates, Inc. These f i r m s made independent

conceptual design s t u d i e s t o determine a f e a s i b l e t y p e o f c l o s u r e .

I t a l s o became obvious e a r l y i n t h e program t h a t t h e f e a s i b i l i t y

o f t h e segmented r i n g - t y p e c l o s u r e was c o n t i n g e n t on t h e s e l e c t i o n o f a

s u i t a b l e self-energizing seal. E f f o r t a t all is-Chalmers was t h e r e f o r e

concentrated on t h e seal e v a l u a t i o n t e s t s .

An o u t l i ne o f t h e work performed and t h e conc I u s i ons made i s g i v e n

i n P a r t I, Summary. Since t h e s t u d y o f t h e segmented r i n g - t y p e c l o s u r e

was foreshortened, t h e r e s u l t s a r e a l s o included i n t h e Summary.

D e t a i l e d r e s u l t s o f t h e seal e v a l u a t i o n t e s t s a r e given I n P a r t 1 1 ,

~ e I f - ~ n e r s zi
i nq Seal Tests. The f i na l r e p o r t submitted by A l l s t a t e s

Des i gn and Deve l opment Company, Inc . and. Koer per Engl neer i,ng ASSO= iates,

Inc. a r e g i v e n a s Appe,ndlx A and B, r e s p e c t i v e l y .

Foreword............................... i

P a r t I , Summary........................ I
P a r t 2 , Self-Energi z l ng Seal Tests.. ... 6
Appendix A, Conceptual Design Study o f
Quick Open1ng CRBR pressure Vessel
Closure --
A l l s t a t e s Design and
Development Company, I nc.

Appendix B, Quick Opening Closure for .

CRBR Reactor Vessel Koerper
Engineering Associates, Inc.
--

iil
 T H I S PAGE
W A S INTENTIONALLY
LEFT BLANK
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

FIG. NO. TITLE SOURCE

1.1. . Reactor Vessel Closure Scheme,,Model I3 A-C Dwg. 43-201-589

2.1. Seal Test Assembly A-C Dwg . 43-400-824

' 2.2. Seal Tester w i t h S i l i c o n e Rubber E-Seal

i n Place A-C Photo 196335

2.3. S i l icone Rubber Elseal and Wedge Type

M e t a l l i c Seal w i t h Covers and
Segmented Ring A-C Photo 196337

2.4. Dimensions o f T e f l o n Samples A-C Dwg. 43-024-015

, 2.5. T e f l o n Sample a f t e r 70-day Exposure NP Photo 045-22

 P a r t I.

SW R Y

1.1. Introduction

Conceptual design s t u d i e s o f q u l c k - o p e r a t l n g closures were made

t o determine a t y p e s u i t a b l e f o r t h e pressure vessel of the C o n t r o l l e d

R e c i r c u l a t i o n Boi l i ng Reactor (CRBR). The design requirer?ents o f t h e

c losure a r e as f o l lows:

I) The c l o s u r e should be capable o f being opened o r closed i n

30 minutes o r less.

2) The c l o s ~ r eshould be capable of c o n t a i n i n g s a t u r a t e d steam

a t 500 F and 600 psig.

3) A c l o s u r e clearance opening of 7 f e e t 3 inches was r e q u i r e d .

(The present requirement i s 7 f e e t 7 inches.)

4) The c l o s u r e and l o c k i n g mechanisms a r e t o be s u i t a b l y i n s u l a t e d

and sealed from c o n t a c t .with t h e s h i e l d pool water above t h e r e a c t o r

vesse I.

5) The c l o s u r e l o c k i n g and s e a l i n g devices should be capable o f

w i t h s t a n d i ng t h e des i gn pressure and temperature f o r a p e r i o d o f

about f o u r months, and should be such t h a t t h e c l o s u r e [Link]

r e a d i l y opened t h e r e a f t e r . The design l i f e o f t h e vessel i s twenty

years, and t h e c l o s u r e would be opened t h r e e o r f o u r times each year.

6) A leakage r a t e of 5 pounds per day from t h e primary vessel seal

would be acceptable i f a secondary seal i s used. Leakage i s t o be

c o l l e c t e d through a s u i t a b l e drainage system. Erosi'on"or c u t t i n g

 of t h e gasket surfaces by such leakage i s n o t permitted.

7) Heavy metal sections i n t h e c l o s u r e r e g i o n a r e t o be avoided

since t h e pressure vessel must be capable o f being heated t o

operating temperature o r cooled down t o shutdown temperature I n

about an hour w i t h o u t inducing excessive thermal ,stresses.

/

8) T h e c l o s u r e d e s i g n should i n c l u d e a s u i t a b l e Indexing device .

so t h a t t h e c o n t r o l r o d d r i v e s mounted on t h e cover may be

proper ly pos it i oned w i t h respect t o . t h e c o n t r o i-rod ' gu ide tubes

located i n t h e pressure vessel.

9) The c l o s u r e should be designed so t h a t t h e c l o s u r e may be

opened o r closed under 18 f e e t o f s h i e l d pool water, 1.9. remotely.

1.2. Conceptual Design Study

1.2.1. Segmented Ring-Type Closure

A segmented ring-type closure, a basic type o f c l o s u r e t h a t i s used

i n t h e f i e l d o f h i g h pressure feedwater heaters was i n v e s t i g a t e d by

Aliis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company. One o f t h e completed conceptual

designs i s shown i n Figure 1.1. The c l o s u r e incorporates a double seal

c o n s i s t i n g o f t h e primary, f l e x i b l e , s e l f - e n e r g i z i n g seal r i n g and a

)

back-up seal o f m e t a l l i c r i n g s . D i f f e r e n t i a l movements between t h e head

f l a n g e and vessel f l a n g e d u r i n g p r e s s u r i z i n g i s taken up i n t h e t o r u s

r i n g seal. Two seals a r e used t o prevent t h e s h i e l d pool water from coming

I

i n t o c o n t a c t w i t h t h e h o t vessel surface during operation.

1.2.2. Conceptual Designs -- A l l s t a t e s Design and Development

Company, Inc .
The design concepts t h a t A l l s t a t e s Design and Development Company, Inc.
 recommend (Appendix A ) are of the types:using conventional compression

gaskets. .The closures are designed so that bolting large enough to

apply only the necessary gasket loading is required, and operating

pressure forces on the vessel head are retained by other means, e.g.
large threads, shear blocks, C-clamps, etc. Rough calculations and
preliminary investigations indicate that such locking devices are

feasible.
I,
1.2.3. Conceptual Designs -- Koerper Engineering Associates, Inc.
Although the quick-operating closure designs investigated by Koerper
Engineering Associates, Inc. include mechanisms using both compression and
[Link] seals (.Appendix B) the primary emphasis is on those designs
using self-energizing seals. The investigation of several seal designs
and materials is described, but no entirely suitable material or design is
indicated. The report indicates, however, that a suitable material for a
self-energizing seal is probably now available but considerable data
must be obtained before a suitable seal can be designed.
1.3. Self-Enerqizinq Seal Tests

Tests were conducted to determine a material and design that would

/
be suitable for use as a self-energizing seal for a quick-operating
closure for the CRBR. Details of these tests are given in Part 1 1 .
Results indicate that either virgin Teflon or asbestos-impregnated Teflon
of an E-shaped desig~may be feasible. Both materials exhibit a high
shrinkage rate, however; and further data on this characteristic is

necessary before a Teflon seal can be reliably designed. In addition,

T e f l o n i s one o f t h e p l a s t i c m a t e r i a l s r p s t r e a d i l y damage by i r r a d i a t i o n

( r e f 1,2,3); Ca lCu l a t ions show t h a t t h e gamma i r r a d i a t . i o n present a t

t h e c losure w i I l break down t h e mater i a l in an hour o r less. Adequate

s h i e l d i n g would t h e r e f o r e have t o be developed i f t h i s m a t e r i a l is

' .
used.

1.4. Conclusion

A quick-operating c l o s u r e f o r t h e CRBR pressure vessel i s c e r t a i n l y

desirable, and t h e study describes a number o f designs using both . '

convent iona 1 compress i o n sea 1 s and se l f-energ i z i ng e l a s t ic sea l s t h a t

may be f e a s i b l e . A l l c l o s u r e s proposed, however, tend t o become complex

i n design, operation, o r manufacture. The complexities a r i s e p r i m a r i l y

because t h e c losk-e must n o t on l'y c o n t a i n t h e i n t e r n a l o f the.

vesse l but must a 1 so prevent, sh i e ld pool water from comi ng i n contact

w i t h t h e vessel head.

I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e s e ~ c o m p l e x i t i e s , extensive e v a l u a t i o n programs

would be necessary before any one o f t h e proposed closures could be

considered e n t i r e l y s a t i . s f a c t o r y f o r f u l l - s c a l e t e s t i n g . . A closure

us i ng convent iona 1 compress ion sea 1 s, [Link] examp le, wou l d requ ir e large,

threaded, l a c k i n g r i n g s o r sliding-wedge locks; and a low f r i c t i o n ,

non-galling m a t e r i a l combination would be required. Such a m a t e r i a l

combination would have t o be determined through an e v a l u a t i o n program.

I n a d d i t i o n , devices would have t o be developed w i t h ' w h i c h t h e c l o s u r e

8

may, be remotely posi t ioned' and locked i n place w i t h o u t compromi s i ng t h e

quick-operating f e a t u r e s and without causing s i g n i f i c a n t d i s t o r t i o n o f

t h e closure.
 I f a s e l f - e n e r g i z i n g e l a s t i c seal capable o f withstanding t h e

r e a c t o r env i ronment Is. deve loped, a c losure t h a t 1 s eas 1 e r t o . des i gn,

manufacture and [Link] can be used. The study indicates t h a t such a

m a t e r i a l may be a v a i l a b l e a t present, b u t an extensive e v a l u a t i o n program

i s required t o f i n d the material.

The amount o f data thus indicated t o be necessary, before development

of a p a r t i c u l a r design can be J u s t i f i e d , cannot be e a s i l y 'included i n

t h e CRBR program; and t h e success o f a concentrated developrnont o f f o r t

' .

w i t h o u t b e n e f i t o f such d a t a would be unpredictable. The program t o

develop a quick-operating dlosure f o r the CRBR pressure vessel i s t h e r e f o r e

n o t recommended.
 P a r t 2.

SELF-ENERG Iz ING SEAL TESTS

2.1. Introduction

A t e s t program was I n i t i a t e d t o evaluate seal designs and m a t e r i a l s

f o r possible use i n a quick-operating c l o s u r e o f t h e pressure vessel o f

t h e C o n t r o l l e d R e c i r c u l a t i o n B o i l i n g Reactor (CRBR). Design requiremants

o f a s u i t a b l e seal a r e as follows:

Design R-essure 660 psi g

Design Temperature 500 F

Design L i f e 4 months (rqinimum)

Leakage Rate 5 pounds/day (maxi mum)

The designs and m a t e r i a l s considered f o r t h e t e s t s were based on

manufacturers' recommendations and included t h e f o l l o w i n g :

S i l i c o n e rubber compounds

JM #809 - Johns Manvi l l e - E-Shaped

K-1035 - Union Carbide - C-Shaped
S-2098U - Dow Corning - C-Shaped

PoIytetrafIourethyIene

V i r g i n Teflon - E.I. du Pont de Nemours Company .

E-Sha ped

Asbestos-Filled T e f l o n - E.I. du Pont de Nemours Company

E-Sha ped

Flourelastomer

Viton A - E.I. [Link] de Nemours Company - E-Shaped

~ Carbon Steel
I
SAE' 1010 - Wedge-shaped
I 2.2.' Test Equipment and Procedures

The autoclave designed ' f o r t h e t e s t i s shown i n .Figures 2.1 and 2.2.

A segmented ring-type c l o s u r e (Figure 2.3) t h a t accommodates E-type,

C-type, and m e t a l l i c wedge-type seals w i t h ' o u t s i d e diameters o f 12 inches

i s used. The c l o s u r e i s designed sb t h a t i t can be [Link] modified t o

accommodate o t h e r types o f seals.

Leakage from t h e seal i s conducted from above t h e closure fhrough

a condensing l i n e t o a c o l l e c t i o n beaker c o n t a i n i n g o i l . A 15 kw

'immersion heater t h a t i s c o n t r o l l e d by an on-off power switch regulated

by thermocouple heats t h e water t o t h e desired temperature. A pressure

s w i i c h i s a l s o included i n t h e immersion h e a t e r - c i r c u i t t o prevent

excessive pressure. A r u p t u r e disk i s provided f o r safety. A liquid-

l e v e l i n d i c a t o r i s n o t used since t h e leakage i s collected, and t h e

amount o f l i q u i d i n t h e autoclave can be a c c u r a t e l y determined a t any

time.

A volume o f water i s measured a t room temperature t o e s t a b l i s h t h e

water level a t t h e s t a r t o f each t e s t . The seals are t e s t e d f o r f o u r

hours under t h e f o l l o w i n g conditions: 900 p s i 9 ( h y d r o s t a t i c pressure) -

room temperature; and a t saturated steam pressures o f 100, 200, 300, 400,

and 500, psig. The amount o f leakage i s v i s u a l l y observed and the, and t h e

volume i s measured. A f t e r each 4-hr exposure: t h e t e s t i s stopped, and '

t h e seal i s examined. I f t h e m a t e r i a l passes these t e s t s , exposures

o f 90 days a t r e a c t o r erati ti ng temperature and pre;sure a r e made.

2.3. Results

2.3.1 . Test Equi pment

The t e s t equipment operated properly throughout t h e t e s t s w i t h t h e

f o l l o w i n g exceptions:

I) The heater. flange gasket, f l a t pressed asbestos (J-M Cranite)

f a i l e d on two occasions on resumption o f fests, shortly after a

- shutdown. The gasket d e t e r i o r a t e d w h i l e d r y i n g o u t d u r i n g t h e

period between fests. The gaskets were t h e r e f o r e replaced a f t e r

each shutdown.

2) The r u p t u r e d i s k f a i l e d i n two instances d u r i n g normal operation. ,

The use o f t h e usual . p o p o f f s a f e t y valve between t h e autoclave

I

and r u p t u r e d i s k would probably have precluded these f a i l u r e s .

2.3.2. P r e l i m i n a r y Tests o f M a t e r i a l s and Designs

E-Shaped S i l icone Rubber ~ornp6und (J-M #809) -- The m a t e r i a l was

exposed in a i r i n an e l e c t r i c furnace a t 500 F f o r 4 hours. The m a t e r i a l

was s l i g h t l - y harder and t h e dimensions were s l . i g h t l y changed by t h e exposure.

The'rnaterial was then placed i n t h e t e s t c l o s u r e and given 4-hour

exposures a t successively higher temperatures. The seal f a i l e d a t about

475 F and 455 psig. The f a ; led seal was bloafed and tacky..

C-Shaped S i l i cone Rubber seals (K-1035 and S 1086U) -- The manufacturer

had experienced molding d i f f i c u l t i e s , and t h e ,dimensions o f t h e [Link]

received were not accurate. The seals f a i l e d i n t h e h y d r o s t a t i c t e s t .

I n view o f t h e [Link]~f a i l u r e o f a s i l i c o n e rubber compound, no

f u r t h e r t e s t s o f t h i s m a t e r i a l were made.

E-Shaped ~irgi n Tef Ion -- The sea 1 energ i l e d a t t h e begi nn i ng o f

t h e t e s t and sea led the. c losure p r o p e r l y a t 600 p s i b. When t h e sea I

was examined a f t e r t h e t e s t , however, shrinkage was observed.

The seal was used i n a second t e s t , but f a i . l e d t o energize on

a p p l i c a t i o n o f pressure u n t i l i t was preheated. The seal [Link]

proper Iy otherw ise.

The seal was used i n a t h i r d t e s t and again r e q u i r e d preheating

before it would energize. The seal v i s i b l y leaked a t lower pressures

b u t t h e leakage decreased when a pressure o f 250 psi g was reached. The

seal continued t o v i s i b l y leak u n t i l a pressure o f 500 p s i g was reached.

Although leakage could not be then observed, a leakage r a t e o f 4 cubic

centimeters o f water per week was measured. This leakage continued f o r

about 4 weeks and then stopped. The t e s t was r u n f o r 70 days and was

termi nated because t h e ,pressure r e g u l a t o r f a i led. No v i s i b l e change

i n t h e m a t e r i a l was observed a t t h e completion o f t h e t e s t .

E-Shaped Asbestos Impregnated T e f l o n Seals --.The seal was t e s t e d

by manually r e g u l a t i n g t h e pressure. The seal energized immediately,

and was exposed f o r 3 hours without v i s i b l y be i ng affected. The seal

would n o t energize i n successive t e s t s unless t h e seal was heated before

a pp l y i ng pressure.

E-Shaped V i t o n A -- A sample of V i t o n A was suspended .in t h e

autoclave f o r 3 hours under r e a c t o r operating conditions, and was then

examined. The m a t e r i a l was b l i s t e r e d , and t h e dlmenslons had Increased

by 25 per cent. Since t h e r e s u l t s were u n s a t i s f a c t o r y , no f u r t h e r t e s t s

were made.

Wedge-Shaped Meta l l i c Sea l s -- I n view o f t h e d ik c o n t lnuat ion o f

t h e quick c l o s u r e conceptual design study t h i s seal was n o t evaluated. , ,

2.3.3. Shrinkage C h a r a c t e r l s t l c s o f T e f l o n

Introduction -- Since T e f l o n s e a l s f a i l e d t o energize a f t e r initial 1

exposure t o r e a c t o r c o n d i t i o n s , a p p a r e n t l y because o f shrinkage, t e s t s

were made t o determine t h e r a t e o f shrinkage. Four samples, t h r e e o f

which had been p r e v i o u s l y exposed t o h i g h temperatures and pressures,

were placed i n an autoclave and exposed t o steam and water a t 500 F and

660 p s i g f o r 70 days. The dimensions o f t h e samples ( F i g u r e 2.4) were

taken before and a f t e r t h e t e s t s .

Results -- D e t a i l e d r e s u l t s o f ?he t e s t s a r e g i v e n i n Table 2.1.

A photograph o f an exposed sample i s g i v e n i n F i g u r e 2.5. The

d i s c o l o r a t i o n o f t h e sample i s unusual, s i n c e t h e sample .had been exposed

t o t h e same c o n d i t i o n s as were used' i n t h e f i n a l exposure. Two p o s s i b l e

e x p l a n a t i o n s o f t h i s d i s c o l o r a t i o n a r e I ) t h e presence o f i m p u r i t i e s i n

t h e water, and 2) d e t e r i o r a t i o n o f t h e sample due t o exposure t o

temperatures above 500 F. The water was changed a f t e r each t e s t , and

i m p u r i t i e s may have been introduced i n t h e f i n a l t e s t . During a previous

t e s t , t h e sample was heated above 500 F when t h e con-tro Is f a i led, and a

 TABLE, 2. I

DIMENS 1 6 ~ s
OF
TEFLON SEALS AND SAMPLES
I
AFTER EXPOSURE TO SATURATED STEAM AT 600 PSlG

D IMENS IOW S A M P L E ~ DIMENSION IN INCHES AFTER

CODE . 0 Hours' . 6 Hours I I Days 17 Days 70 Days ,

I 0.732 IN. 0.685 IN.

A 2 . . 0.732 IN. ' 0.675 IN.
4 0.732 IN. 0.745 IN.

0.850 IN. 0.767 IN.

0.850 IN. ' 0.780 IN.
0.850 IN. 0.770 IN.

0.800 IN. 0.935 IN.

0.789 IN. 0.985 IN.
0.800 IN. 0.787 IN.
0.800 IN. 0.786 IN.

10.50 IN. 10.34 IN.

10.50 IN. 10.42 IN.

3.388 IN. 3.340 IN. 3.332 IN. 3.266 IN.

3.509 IN. 3.495 IN. 3.487 IN. 3.178 IN.

* The dimension code i s g i v e n i n F i g u r e 2.4.

The sample code i s as f o l l o w s :

\
I) New asbestos- impregnated Tef l on samp l e.
2) Regular T e f l o n sample c u t from seal p r e v i o u s l y exposed
f o r four. hours.
3) New T e t l o n seal.
4) . New asbestos-impregnated T e f l o n seal.
2.4 Conclusions

O f t h e m a t e r i a l s studied, o n l y T e f l o n appeared s u i t a b l e f o r use as

a se 1 f-energi zl ng sea l when exposed t o o p e r a t 1 ng temperature and pressure

f o r prolonged periods. A shortcoming o f t h e m a t e r i a l f o r t h i s a p p l i -

c a t i o n i s t h a t t h e seal f a i l e d . t o e n e r g i z e a f t e r I n i t i a l use unless . '

t h e seal was f i r s t heated. T h i s problem was a p p a r e n t l y caused by

s h r 1 n k g e o f t h e mater i a I. Tests show t h e shr i nkage r a t e o f Tef Ion to

be v e r y r a p i d d u r i n g t h e I n i t i a l exposure and t o be slower a f t e r t h i s

exposure. T h i s i n d i c a t e s t h a t i t may be p o s s i b l e t o temper t h e m a t e r i a l

b e f o r e m a n u f a c t u r i n g t h e seal and thereby reduce t h e shrinkage t o a

tolerable rate.

Another s h o r t ~ o m i n g ~ oTfe f l o n i s t h e i r r a d i a t i o n damage t o which

it i s subject. C a l c u l a t i o n s i n d i c a t e t h a t gamma i r r a G i a t i o n about t h e

r e a c t o r c l o s u r e would make the. m a t e r i a l ~ u n s e r v i c e a b l ei n an hour o r less. . .

References

I. D. S . B i l l i n g t o n , R a d i a t i o n Damaqe i n Reactor M a t e r i a l s , ("Proceedings

o f t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Conference on t h e B a c e f u l 'Uses,of Atomic Energy.")

Vol. V I I , P/744, U n i t e d Nations, 1955.

2. E f f e c t s o f l r r a d i a t i o n on Packinq and Gasket M a t e r i a l s , Johns-Manville

Report DP-26-6, A p r i l 30, 1957.

3. D. L. Peterson, Prelim'inary Rubber l r r a d i a t i o n Tests, AEC Report

HDC- 1 8 76, August

 T H I S PAGE
W A S INTENTIONALLY
LEFT BLANK
 SHIELD POOL SEAL

STA//\/LKSS S T E E L -
/ ~ ! s u ~ ~ r / COVER
oM

roeu.5 R / ~ G
F / M L SEAL
THEPMAL /&UL 47/04

METALL /C
GASKETS

VESSEL COVE4

PUGTO/? VE5ZL
COYfF -5CHfMt
MODLL '8"
S E G M E ~ E OLOCK R / ~ G
PE4CTOR VESSEL

FLEXIBLE SEAL .

-
REACTOR VESSEL CLOSURE SCHEME, MODEL B FIG. 1.1
 -. I
SEAL TESTER WITH SILFONE RUBBER E-SEAL IN PLACE FIG. 2.2
4 17
SILICONE RUBBER E-SEAL AND METALLlC WEDGE-TYPE FIG. 2.3
SEAL WITH COVER AND SEGMENTED RING
 FIG. 2.4 - DIMENSION OF TEFLON SAMPLES

- - ..",-

*
,,, -7

FIG. 2.5 - TEFLON SAMPLE AFTER 70-DAY EXPOSURE. THE TOP SAMPLE IS NEW.
THE BOTTOM SAMPLE WAS EXPOSED TO SATURATED STEAM AT 600 PSlG FOR 70 DAYS.
i

FIGS. 2.4 & 2.5

19
 Appendix A

CONCEPTUAL DES IGN STUDY OF A OUlCK OPEN1 NG

CRBR PRESSURE VESSEL CLOSURE

.
T h i s r e p o r t covers work performed under
Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company's
Purchase Order No. WA-440304-NSP, a p a r t
o f t h e Research and Development Program
under AEC C o n t r a c t No. AT(ll-11-589 w i t h
Northern S t a t e s Power Company.

~ l l s t a t e sDesign and Development-Co., Inc.

322 East Michigan S t r e e t
Milwaukee 2, Wisconsin
 T H I S PAGE
W A S INTENTIONALLY
LEFT BLANK
 CONTENTS

Summary

Conclusions and Re commendations

General Closure Configurations

Closure Retention and Locking Gaskets

Miscellaneous Problems

Appendix
-
. Reference Material

Supplement

Reference Material

Original Sketches and "Talking papers"

 T H I S PAGE
W A S INTENTIONALLY
LEFT BLANK
! SUMMARY

A conceptual design study of a quick acting closure t o r a CRBR

Reactor P r e s s u r e Vessel is presented. Methods of closure locking and
retention a r e discussed. General closure configurations were investi-
gated. C tosure locating and registering methods a r e considered. The
h e a r t of the problem, the gasketing o r sealing design, was investigated
and .several possibilities a r e presented along with the advantages and
disadvantages of each. An extensive bibliography is included in the
appendix, a s a r e s e v e r a l publications. Conclusions and recommenda-
, tions for avenues of further feasibility study a r e indicated.

INTRODUCTION

The b a s i s for this study is the "Design Specifications for the

CRBR Reactor P r e s s u r e Vessel Closure" ( s e e Appendix) in which a r e
given the p r i m a r y limitations and design requirements.

It was found that v e r y little information 'on c l o s u r e s of this size

is available, the b e s t s o u r c e s of information being the design and data
of operating r e a c t o r p r e s s u r e v e s s e l s such a s heat exchangers, and some
techniques used in the petroleum industry. (paragraph on s e a l s )

T h i s study is largely limited to the consideration of closure lock-

ing and retention and gasket and sealing means. It e a r l y became obvious
that the traditional flange and stud a r r a n g e m e n t s have become s o standard
that little o r no experience is available on other methods of closure locking.

The means of remote, underwater handling of various elements and

the closure itself have been considered and mentioned but a r e not the sub-
ject of this study. . .

It will be noted that much [Link] r e p o r t is presented in an outline

f o r m since' it is felt that no useful" purI?ose is served by long involved prose.
,

T o this end copious use h a s been made' of tabulations and s h o r t factual state'-
ments.
 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Since t h e o b j e c t of t h i s study i s of a conceptual nature,

t h e l i m i t e d time was s p e n t on arrangements r a t h e r t h a n on quan-
t a t i v e a n a l y s i s o t h e r t h a n rough c a l c u l a t i o n s t o a r r i v e a t approx-
i m a t e s i z e s and numbers. It i s f e l t t h a t t h e recommendations
w i l l i n d i c a t e q u a l a t i v e conclusions i n a n e f f o r t t o narrow t h e
number o f d e s i g n s f e a s i b l e enough t o w a r r a n t f u r t h e r v i g o r o u s an-
alysis.

GENERAL CLOSURE: CONFIGURATION

It became o b v i o u s t h a t a h e m i s p h e r i c a l c l o s u r e w i i l prodyce
t h e l e a s t d i s t o r t i o n o f t h e f l a n g e s , e s p e c i a l l y i f a 10 t o 12
c y l i n d r i c a l s e c t i o n i s i n t e r p o s e d between t h e h e m i s p h e r i c a l p o r -
t i o n and t h e c l o s u r e f l a n g e . I n view o f t h e l a c k of e v i d e n c e
t h a t g a s k e t s w i t h a p p r e c i a b l e " s p r i n g back:: c a n be d e s i g n e d , it
i s deemed i m p e r a t i v e t h a t f l a n g e " r o t a t i o n , and r e l a t i v e ( v e s a e l
e x a l s i o n due t o t e m p e r a t u r e and p r e s s u r e i s o f t h e o r d e r of
7
5 32 on t h e d i a m e t e r ) movement be e l i m i n a t e d i n s o f a r a s i s poss-
i b l e . The g e n e r a l c o n f i g u r a t i o n o f page / i s recommended.
CLOSURE RETENTION
O f a l l t h e . o o n c e p t s p r e s e n t e d it was concluded t h a t t h e
following appear t o ' p r e s e n t t h e b e s t p o s s i b i l i t i e s f o r vigorous
design investigation.
1. An arrangement based on t h e u s e o f a l a r g e d i a m e t e r ,
acme-type t h r e a d i s one o f t h e b e s t p o s s i b i l i t i e s f o r
a c h i e v i n g t h e 30 minute d i s a s s e m b l y time f a c t o r . Cur-
sory Investigation has indicated t h a t it is possible t o
machine suoh a t h r e a d . Such a g e s i g n rniy be a r r a n g e d
e i t h e r w i t h o r w i t h o u t bayonet f i n g e r s depending on
t h e d e v e l o p i n g o f a f e a c i b l e means o f s t a . r t i n g a l a r g e
d i a m e t e r t h r e a d . The uoe o f " f i n g e r s " a l l o w s t h e
t h r e a d e d members t o rema I n permanently engaged.
Except f o r t h e t h r e a d , a l l p a r t s a r e r e l a t i v e l y s i m p l e
t o machine and c l a d d i n g and c o r r o s i o n p r e v e n t i o n l a
r e l a t i v e l y s i m p l e . The arrangement i s a d a p t a b l e t o
any o f t h e recommended t y p e s of g a s k e t s . I t s disadvan-
t a g e s a r e t h e a c c u r a t e machining r e q u i r e d t o produce a
s u i t a b l e t h r e a d and t h e problems o f d e s i g n i .n g a s u i t a b l e
d r i v i n g mechanism. d

See s k e t c h pages 5, 6 and 7.

An arrangement making use of an e x t e r n a l segmented
r e t a i n i n g r i n g deslgned t o t h a t s e c t o r s swing o u t -
=%.
,

ward .from t h e f l a n g e s . . T h i s scheme

a l s o has a good p o s s i b i l Sketch
i t y of mee i n g t h e assembly
time requirements, b u t has t h e disadvantage of re?
q u i r i n g t h e use o f screws (which can be c a p t i v a t e d )
f o r gasket compression and c l o s u r e r e t e n t i o n .
Advantages of t h i s s t y l e a r e :
-- Gasket compression f o r c e s can be a p p l i e d d i r e c t l y
o v e r t h e g a s k e t minimizing t h e e f f e c - t s o f f l a n g e
distortion.
-- Simple machining w i t h narrow flanges.
-- A l l p a r t s can be c a p t i v a t e d .
-- Although some 50-60 2-3/4" screws w i l l be r e q u i r e d , .
t h e torque t o t u r n them i s l i m i t e d t o t h e f o r c e re-
quired f o r . gasket seating.
-- A r e l a t i v e l y simple
. .
screw d r i v i n g mechanism can be
used.
A design u s i n g tituds and/or screws l o c a t e d e x t e r n a l of
t h e f l a n g e s and s t a b i l i z e d clamping r i n g s . A c h o i c e
can be made a s t o whether t h e r i n g s a r e segmented,,and
swing away from t h e f l a n g e s o r a bayonet type of f i n g e r "
i s a p p l i e d t o t h e lower clamping r i n g . E i t h e r arrange-
ment w i l l allow f o r q u i c k disassembly a f t e r loosening
t h e s t u d s and/or n u t s .
The main advantages of t h i s d e s i g n a r e :
-- Very narrow f l a n g e s may be employed and r e t e n t i o n
f o r c e s a r e very n e a r l y above t h e g a s k e t l o c a t i o n .
-- Machining and t o l e r a n c e problems a r e n o t s e v e r e and
c l a d d i n g i s r e l a t i v e l y simp:le.
-- Any of t h e recommended g a s k e t t y p e s can be incorpora-
, t e d and a l l p a r t s can be c a p t i v a t e d .
-- A s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d s t u d d r i v i n g mechanism may be used . .
b u t t h e t i m e consumed by loosening and t i g h t e n i n g
50-60 s t u d s i s somewhat of a disadvantage. See s k e t c h
page 8 . .
4. A v a r i a t i o n of t h e conventional s t u d design u s i n g very
long s l e e v e s of a m a t e r i a l , l i k e 18-8 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l ,
having a m a t e r i a l l y g r e a t e r c o e f f i c i e n t of expansion
t h a n t h e s t u d m a t e r i a l . T h i s scheme has t h e advantage
of r e q u i r i n g s t u d s t o be t i g h t e n e d only enough f o r
i n i t i a l g a s k e t s e a t i n g , a s t h e v e s s e l and c l o s u r e a r e
heated a d d i t i o n a l f o r c e i s a v a i l a b l e from t h e expanding
s l e e v e s t o r e t a i n t h e c l o s u r e and s e a t t h e gasket f a r t h e r .
A f t e r c o o l i n g t h e s t u d s would be r e l a t i v e l y e a s y t o loosen.
d e s i g n except ( l i k e ( 3 I
A l l t h e advantages of 2 and ( 3 ) a r e a v a i l a b l e i n t h i s
t h a t it i s impossible t o s p p l y
gasket compression f o r c e s d i r e c t l y t o t h e g a s k e t c e n t e r .
Seesketch,page 9 and 10.
 SKETCH NO. 3

All
SKETCH NO. 4
 -
b 3 "57iP5d ?/dd "'Z?/CO,

SKETCH NO. 5
SKETCH NO. 6
GASKETS
TWO t y p e s of g a s k e t s seem t o be b e s t . s u i t e d and a r e re-
commended:
1. A f l a t gasket ( i f s u i t a b l e h j n d l i n g means can be d e v i s e d ,
it can be p r o f i l e d ) of s o f t copper o r aluminum p l a t e d with
.003 t o .OO5 of silver?. T h i s comblna'tlon h a s many 'advan-
tages:
-- It can be designed w i t h t h i c k , rugged [Link].. a , . .

. . . -
-- fIta c does
. I * J . '
not r e q u i r e f i n e f i n i s h e s on t h e mating s u r -
e s and t h e mating s u r f a c e s can be f l a t and e a s y
t o machine.
-- Leakage d r a i n o f f ar,rangsments ase simple . . t o ' achieve.
-- G a s k e t s e a t i n k forces a r e only s l i g h t l y h i g h e r than
o t h e r configuratdons.. . . See s k e t c h , 'pages 5s and
69 #
I
2. A t r i a n g u l a , r g a s k e t of s o f t s t e e l a l s o s i l v e r p l a t e d (see
, s k e t c h page ) and .applied w i t h a r e t e n t i o n d e s i g n s o
arranged that., E k e &ketch on page ~5 , t h e h y d r o s t a t i ' c
f o r c e s on t h e c l o s u r e a r e used t o s m h e gasket'! '.#This:-
arrangement h a s been s u c c e s s f u l l y used i n s m a l l e r s i z e s
and h a s most of t h e a d v a n t a g e s . o f t h e f l a t , , s.0l'j.d t y p e
g a s k e t s . Assembly d l f f i c u l t i e s , may he encountered, s i n c e
t h e g a s k e t 1s a . p a r t of t h e closure-.
 GENERAL CLOSURE CONFIGURATIONS

Shapes f o r this closure fall into s e v e r a l basic types, namely flat,

[Link];+ellipsoidal,t a i s p h e r i c a l ( s p h e r i c a l l y dished).

T h e f l a t c l o s u r e h a s m a n y difficulties. Among t h e m a r e :
6

- 1. Heavy t h i c k n e s s r e q u i r e d . w

2. Bu!ging ( e s p e c i a l l y when t h i n n e r s e c t i o n s a r e used) p r o d u c e s

e x t r e m e l y high local s t r e s s e s on s t u d s , nuts o r o t h e r r e t a i n i n g
devices.

3. Expansion of v e s s e l under p r e s s u r e t e n d s t o p r o d u c e r e l a t i v e
m o v e m e n t between the c l o s u r e and the v e s s e l , p r e s e n t s a n
a l m o s t i m p o s s i b l e g a s k e t condition.

T h e f l a t c l o s u r e however d o e s have s o m e v i r t u e , it is s i m p l e t o f a b r i c a t e
and machine, a c c o m m o d a t e s c o n t r o l .and m e c h a n i s m s n i c e l y and i t s u s e
r e d u c e s o v e r a l l height of the v e s s e l .

A f i a t c o v e r cou-ld b e applied t o the top of a cylinder extending up-

w a r d f r o m the c l o s u r e f l a n g e s b u t although e a s y t o f a b r i c a t e t h i s a r r a n g e -
m e n t would h a v e . ' a l l the above d i s a d v a n t a g e s t o s o m e d e g r e e .

The he m i s p h e r i c a l shaped c l o s u r e although r e q u i r i n g a r e l a t i v e l y

t h i n s e c t i o n is difficult t o f a b r i c a t e but h a s m a n y advantages.

1. I-Iydrastatic f o r c e s do not c a u s e l a r g e d i s t o r t i o n s and only the hoop

s t r e s s e s a r e of consequence..

2. T e m p e r a t u r e and p r e s s u r e c a u s e e x p a n s i o n s ' a t about the s a m e r a t e

and d i r e c t i o n a s i n a c y l i n d e r , producing f a v o r a b l e g a s k e t conditions.

T h e r e a r e the d i s a d v a n t a g e s of i n c r e a s e d height, [Link] p e n e t r a -

t i o n s f o r c o n t r d l rod and o t h e r m e c h a n i s m s , and l e s s s p a c e available f o r
manipulation of the c l o s u r e locking a r r a n g e m e n t s .

'
,The e v i l s of the f l a t p l a t e and the difficulties of t h e h e m i s p h e r i c a l
type can both b e alleviated t o s o m e d e g r e e b y u s e of e i t h e r the e l l i p s o i d a l
o r t a i s p h e r i c a l configurations. The amount dependin'g on the design.
P

All t h e s e configurations c a n be i m p r o v e d b y the introduction of a

cylinder 10" t o 12" long between the "knuckle" and the c l o s u r e flanges.
 . .. .' .I

FLAT

d -0IA. SHORTEST S P I N IN" .

c.8 .is;j'~onPCRTES RI'~IDLY

BOLTED. .

p = D E S I ~ MPRESSURE PSI

SKFTCH NO. 8
[Link] NO. 9
 ELLIPSOIDAL

t * TM\UhlESS
P = DESIGU PQESSuRE PSI
I
D- lNS\DQ OlR.
S 8 MAX, hLL4HIAtSLE STRESS.
N E ~ Dppopoono~FIAC&Q D / z ~ .
%h= PATIO' MA~OFLm [Link]
h = YZ L ~ ' W
, OF M \NOR AX IS. '

E W E S T EFF. hNy ~ O I U T A561)MS 1

t. CQO 8 87 * 3 b;'.
2!17,Saoe]-,2~660 .
SKETCH NO. 10
TORISPHERICAL

E * ~ ( u f 5 EFE
t WY JO\UT ASSUM€ I
t s ThICYNE9S \N.
Pm D E S l q N PQESSUIXE. 660-1
C 8 CROWN RAO. \ M e 87@

'f*KNUCULE GhD. \YI 1Oa

M= RATIO OF HD. PPOPO(LT\ON eL/r

S r ALUWABLG 6mESS PSI

SKETCH NO. 11
CLOSURE RETENTION AND LOCKING

The main considerations for the retention and locking of the closure
to the vessel a r e :

(1) The closure must be able to be assembled o r removed in 30 minutes

, if possible.

(2) The openings in the closure must register with the mating p a r t s in-
side the v e s s e l within plus o r minus 1/32". This condition practic-
ally dictates that closure be removed and assembled in a vertical
plane without =ot;tion. ,

3) All operations connected with closure assembly and removal must

be performed remotely and under, water, indicating the retention and
locking means must be simple, and e a s y to operate.
\

(4) Because of i t s size and the difficulty of handling p a r t s of this diameter,

machining operations must be kept to a minimum and confined to turn-
ing and milling a s much a s possible.

(5) The thickness of sections should be as small a s is consistent with the

s t r e s s e s involved to minimize the thermal shock effects during rapid
heating and cooling (400' F in 60 minutes).

( 6 ) Any arrangement must be such that i t cannot be inadvertently unlocked

while any steam p r e s s u r e remains in the vessel.

The main possibilities of closure retention and locking means

generally: .

(1) The c l a s s i , ~horizontal flanged joint retained by studs and nuts. (Flange.
and Stud).

'(2) A "bayonet" type of. quick acting retainer and its s i s t e r the interrupted
thread.

(3) The segmented retaining ring of either an internal o r external a s s e m -

bling arrangement.
I

(4) An arrangement in which a common shear member is introduced into

-both the closure and the vessel.
 (5) An [Link] a large diameter thread similar to the old
fashioned "mason jar ".
It i e to be noted that there is an almost infinite number of combina-
tions of these five basic .mechanisms.

The classic flange and stud r raw in^ # 1) joint h a s historical exper-
ience, practically e v e r y v e s s e l constructed to date, h a s used this method.'
This, the simplest of a l l conceivable arrangements, involves the holding,
of the [Link] flange' to the v e s s e l flange by means of studs and allows the
same membera.(studs) to apply both the locking force and gasket compress-
ion force in one operation.
I

ze
I

Sketches 2 3 and .show a n application of ~ i n g l eand double flat

gaekete, also a self energized gasket arrangement.

A variation of this arrangement may be made by using studs with

annular tongues in conjunction with split retainere and keepers ( s i m i l a r to
the arrangement of automobile engine valve eprings and valve stems). See
sketch 36. In the use of this scheme a separate means of gasket com-
pression must be provided, since the split w a s h e r s must be assembled to
the studs with clearance and the clearances taken. up after assembly.

A. Advantages

1. Simplicity of machining and fabrication.

2, Versatility, practically any type of gasketing can be*applied. ,

3. Can be designed with relatively thin and uniform sections,

minimizing thermal schock under rapid heating and/or cooling.

4. Registration of p a r t s is relatively simple by using two of the

studs a s locating pins.

5. Has small possibility of closure being accidently released

while any p r e s s u r e r e m a i n s in the vessel.

6. With the application of a self energized type of gasket, stud

tension s t r e s s e s can be limited to the hydrastatic forces oily.
 1. Tends to create a compromise between a s m a l l number of
. studs (To facilitate assembly and disassembly) and a large
'

number of studs to eliminate high stud s t r e s s e s .

2. In?flat o r nearly flat c l o s u r e s , high unit s t r e s s e s and some

bending tend to be induced in the studs and nuts due to closure
rotation under p r e s s u r e .

3. It is not thought feasible to captivate the nuts and s p a c e r s , to

eliminate a haqdling and storing proble n~ dur'ing assembly
and/or disassembly.

BAYONET

In the [Link] this method a movable member is s o cons-tructed that

'
its movement [Link] "fingers" to i n t e r f e r e with "fingers'* of another
m e m b e r , thus preventing separation of the closure and vessel. Release
'
of the closure is a f f e ~ t e dby rotating the movable member s o that . i t s
'fingers " no longer interfere.

A s o called "finger*' o r "bayonet" type of closure locking and r e -

taining method was evolved f r o m study of various quick-acting locking
mechanisms such a s the b r e e c h closing arrangement on torpedo tubes.
-
Although Sketch # 3 0 shows only single rows of interlocking fingers, mul-
tiple rows ( a t the cost of difficult machining)'may be incorporated. 'Also
'
an interrupted thread a r r a n g e m e n t can be used but a t the cost of even m o r e
difficult maching problems without gaining appreciable advantage. The use
of t h r e a d s o r inclined s u r f a c e s a s means of applying gasket p r e s s u r e c r e a t e s
v e r y high compression s t r e s s e s on the mating m e m b e r s , with the accompany-
ing galling, driving and lubrication problems.

T h e r e f o r designs in this category a l l include a method of engaging

o r disengaging closure in an unstressed o r loose condition with an a r r a n g e -
ment (usually s c r e w s ) to take up c l e a r a n c e s and apply gasket p r e s s u r e .

ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

I 1. Relatively simple to machine (some milling o r shaping required),

2. Operation is simple and the p a r t s a r e rugged.

 3. S t r e s s e s a r e nominal, but in s o m e i n s t a n c e s , s c r e w s ( f o r
applying gasket p r e s s u r e and taking up c l e a r a n c e s ) m u s t
withstand full hydrast,atic f o r c e s but need be turned under
g a s k e t c o m p r e s s i o n f o r c e s only:

4. R e g i s t e r i n g is difficult but not impossible in the a r r a n g e -

m e n t s i n t h i s category. At l e a s t one of the methods shown
i n sec. ' 0 a r e applicable.

5. E v e r y type of gasket can be applied, single and double f l a t

g a s k e t s and self-energized t y p e s a r e shown in s k e t c h e s
28 zi? 29
r .

6. V a r i o u s s e c t i o n s a r e quite i n t r i c a t e necessitating c a r e f u l
consideration of heating and cooling r a t e s t o avoid poor
thermalshockconditions. .

7. By incorporating a slight keying effect (See sketch ) 28

a t the engaging f a c e s of the f i n g e r s , the possibility of un-
locking the c l o s u r e under p r e s s u r e conditions is eliminate'd.

8. I t i s a disadvantage. i n h e r e n t in t h i s type of lock t h a t a t b e s t

a little l e s s than 50% of the p e r i p h e r y of the flanges c a n be
engaged, c r e a t i n g high bending and s h e a r s t r e s s e s and r e -
quiring t h a t ' f l a n g e s be thick enough to bridge the open spaces.

9. .Assuming that a l l m e m b e r s a r e fabricated f r o m s i m i l a r

m a t e r i a l s s e r i o u s t h e r m a l o r p r e s s u r e expansion p r o b l e m s
a r e foreseen.

LOCKING RINGS

A s the t e r m i m p l i e s , t h i s g e n e r a l c l a s s of c l o s u r e locking and r e -

tention involves the use of a r i n g to p i e v e n t the s e p a r a t i o n of the c l o s u r e
and the v e s s e l .

Locking R i n g s may be e i t h e r i n t e r n a l o r e x t e r n a l engaging types.

E i t h e r type m u s t be segmented in some manner and may engage the v e s s e l ,
the c l o s u r e , o r both. A variation which allows the u s e of unsegmented lock-
ing ring is the substitution of t h r e a d s f o r the annular tongues and grooves.
However, the a c c u r a t e machining r e q u i r e d m a k e s this a r r a n g e m e n t r a t h e r
l e s s unattractive.
 21
A f u r t h e r non-segmented v a r i a t i o n can be affected by i n t e r r u p t i n g
e i t h e r t h e annular tongues and g r o o v e s o r t h r e a d s , allowing s e p a r a t i o n by
rotation of the r i n g s i m i l a r t o the "fingers" of the bayonet tjrpe. I t is t o
be noted t h a t the A m e r i c a n Locomotive h e a t e x c h a n g e r c l o s u r e is of t h e
i n t e r n a l s e g m e n t e d r i n g type with two f l a t g a s k e t s . T h i s c l o s u r e h a s b e e n
u s e d s u c c e s s f u l l y on s o m e 200 applications on d i a m e t e r s up t o 48 i n c h e s ,
p r e s s u r e s to 4700 lbs. and t e m p e r a t u r e s t o 7 0 0 ~ ~ I t .is however, difficult
t o a s s e m b l e , h a s a t r e m e n d o u s n u m b e r of g a s k e t c o m p r e s s i o n s c r e w s and
h a s a l w a y s been used with a v e r y thick f l a t head.

ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

,
1. Somewhat complicated an,d r e q u i r e s p r e c i s e machining.

2. Operation c a n be v e r y quick and s i m p l e r e q u i r i n g only the

loosening of g a s k e t c o m p r e s s i n g s c r e w s and pivoting o r with-
drawing of r i n g s e g m e n t s . Some a r r a n g e m e n t s would r e q u i r e
r e m o t e handling and s t o r a g e s i n c e captivating is not p o s s i b l e .

3 . S t r e s s e s (See point 3 on page -

;& ).
4. R e g i s t e r i n g (See point 4 on page s& ).
5. All t y p e s of g a s k e t s c a n be a p p l i e d a k shown in Sketches 35-37. '
6. P o i n t 6 on page a(;,a p p l i e s t o t h i s a r r a n g e m e n t a l s o .
-
7. B y s p e c i a l tongue and groove design (Sketch # - 37 ) the
seg-
mented r i n g p a r t s c a n be self-locking and i m p o s s i b l e t o r e m o v e
s o long a s the v e s s e l is p r e s s u r i z e d .

,
8. T h i s type of c l o s u r e lock e n j o y s the adGantage of 100% p e r i p h i a l
e n g a g e m e n t ( e x c e p t in the c a s e w h e r e a n n u l a r s o r t h r e a d s a r e
i n t e r r u p t e d to avoid segmenting).

9. A s s u m i n g t h a t all p a r t s a r e f a b r i c a t e d f r o m s i m i l a r m a t e r i a l s
s e r i o u s t h e r m a l o r p r e s s u r e expansion p r o b l e m s a r e not p r e s e n t .

SHEAR MEMBER

In g e n e r a l t h i s method i n t r o d u c e s the u s e of a s h e a r m e m b e r , placed

p a r t i n ' a n a n n u l a r groove in the v e s s e l and p a r t i n t h e c l o s u r e . The s h e a r
m e m b e r being r e m o v a b l e .

I n h e r e n t l y , the u s e of s o m e a u x i l i a r y method of g a s k e t c o m p r e s s i o n
i s dictated s i n c e a s h e a r m e m b e r is i m p o s s i b l e t o r e m o v e under p r e s s u r e .
A l s o the a r r a n g e m e n t is complicated b y the difficulty of introducing a s h e a r
m e m b e r i n t o a n e c e s s a r i l y p r a c t i c a l l y closed a n n u l a r cavity. See sketch. 42
A25
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

1. Machining difficult.-

2. Operation simple but some parts, especially an articulated

shear ring a r e not rugged.

3. S t r e s s e s a r e nominal since practically 100% of periphery can

be engaged.

4. Registering can be easily eccomplished in a variety of ways.

5. All types of gaskets can be applied.

6. Sections a r e .not intricate o r large minimizing thermal expansion

and pressure expansion problems.

7. In general, friction of between members under p r e s s u r e makes

p a r t s so difficult to move that'accidental opening of closure is
impossible,
. SKETCH NO. 12 .
SKETCH NO. 14
SKETCH NO. 15
SKETCH NO.
SKETCH NO. 17
SECTION
SKETCH NO. 19 I
 SKETCH NO. 22

f ~ f ~ aArEGMFWTE'i,
/ v
A?'TA/W~-XW/7H 5ZLF
ENfR@/ZED ~ A F K K .
 U - 3 "57VD.5A7 /ac3 "D/A,

SKETCH NO. 23

EXTtZNAL
52iiME/t/7c-c';l;.
PLf7A//ytE E IdGC-
/Mi.. ,e/MS; A+/
DdUBLf C;45Kt;C(:J

A38 -
. SKETCH NO. 24 .
SKETCH NO. 27
SKETCH NO. 29
SKETCH NO. 30 ,
 GASWETS
A study of Gaskets is a considerable undertaking.
In the course of this investigation, information was gathered
from manufacturers of gaskets, data frpm Argonne Laboratories
and various ather sources.
For the sake of simplicity, most of the applicable types
will be listed and diagrammed in a [Link] form with
some pertinent remarks on each, further details being avail-
able in the appendix and bibliography.
Gaskets generally divide themselves into two broad fields.
1. ~asketscompressed directly between flanges.
2. ~asketscompressed radially between a pilot surface on
the .closure and the inside periphery of the vessel.
See Page [Link],
These groups can be further characterized as:
(1) Those achieving a seal by a compression force not
exceeding the elastic limit of the gasket metal.
(2) Those achieving a seal by exceeding the yield point
of the gasket metal, and materially distorting the
original gasket shape.
( 3 ) Those producing a seal by compressing or deforming
bent or formed sheet metal usually in combination
with a filler material.
In general there are two types of methods for compressing
gaskets-;one, obtaining the entire compressive force from the
closure retaining devices and two, allowing the internal pres-
sure to supply
- - - the compression force usina the closure retain-
ing mechai~ivnifor initial compression force only.
See Page Fig.,/#z,
. .
1
'
- SKETCH NO. 32
 For the purposes of this closure, investigation
did not reveal any non-metallic materials suitable for the
temperature conditions therefore non-metallic gasket
materials have not been considered further,
The ideal gasket for the application has the follow-
ing general character:
a

1. [Link] cross section of simple shape for ease of

fabrication and handling.
2. Reasonable in cost, as to both material and fabrication,
since it is felt that, gaskets should be replaced each
time the closure is opened. No re-usable gaskets have
been encountered.

I 3. Modulus of elasticity lower than the [Link] surfaces.

4. High coefficient of expansion tending to produce
increasing sealing forces with temperature rise.
5. Must be softer than the flange material in order that
gasket surfaces are not damaged necessitating refinish-
ing (or replaceable surfaces must be incorporated in
the design).
6. Depending on flange vessel and crosure design, it is
desirable for the gasket to have recovery or "spring
back" in order that sealing may be accomplished for all
conditions of flange distortion. Since "spring backu
is difficult to obtain and'preduct, one of the basic
objects of the whole depign must be to [Link]
eliminate flange rotation, movement and distortion.
7. Preferably the gasket would [Link]'simple, '

easy to machine, surfaces... . .

 Gaskets may be c h a r a c t e r i z e d a s a s o l i d m e t a l 1 . i ~
r i n g ,of v a r i o u s r e l a t i v e l y ~ i m p l esmooth shapes .
Tabulation
of t h e s e along w i t h t h e s e a t i n g s t r e s s and r e q u i r e d s u r f a c e
f i n i s h i s shown on Pages to 4 49 .
A l l of t h i s group of g a s k e t s deper~tlon high. compres-
[Link] f o r c e s t o form a s e a l by t h e [Link] of .the:L~?s u r f a c e s .
~ t l e yhave no " s p r i n g backt' and a r e not [Link] .distort;cr.i ,
under pressure. For opt:Lmum s e a l i n g t h e y should be p l a t e d
with a so,ft material l i k e s i l v e r .

THE FLAT TYPE.

T h i s design i s r e l a t i v e l y low i n c o s t . Proper design
w i l l allow i t t o be of a l a r g e enough c r o s s s e c t i o n t h a t i t
w i l l not be f r a g i l e and d i f f i c u l t t o f a b r i c a t e and i n s t a l l .

"0" R I N G TYPE (METALLIC)

T h i s type o f g a s k e t c o n s t r u c t i o n can f u n c t i o n a s a
r i n g j o i n t g a s k e t o r on t h e s e l f energized p r i n c i p l e . I n
e i t h e r f u n c t i o n , t h i s g a s k e t w i l l be a handling problem due
t o s r n a l l . c r o s s - s e c t i o n a r e a . There i s no a c t u a l r e a c t o r
t e s t d a t a a v a i l a b l e on t h i s c o n s t r u c t i o n , however, R . L.
Gastineau of United A i r c r a f t Products, Ring D i v i s i o n , Dayton,
Ohio, recommends a 1/2" Dia type 304 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l I1Ou r i n g
p l a t e d w i t h a ,002 t o .003 S i l v e r c o a t i n g . R e s i l i e n c y of
t h i s g a s k e t approximately . O O 8 t o .012 M r . Gastineau c l a i m s . ,
Purchase of t h i s type of g a s k e t i s n o t d i f f i c u l t and c o s t
should be r e a s o n a b l e .
See 'Page 53 Fig. 2-3 f o r a p p l i c a t i o n .
A s can be seen from t h e a p p l i c a t i o n , manufacturing
tolerances are c r i t i c a l .
I

TRIANGULAR GASKET (METALLIC)

This type of c o n s . t ; r u c t i o n ' i s s i m i l a r t o t h a t of t h e t l O t t
Ring t y p e , however i t l e n d s i t s e l f t o t h e s e l f energized p r i n -
c i p l e b e t t e r t h a n an "Ot' r i n g t y p e . The i n i t i a l s e a l i n g
s t r e s s e s a r e low (200 'PSI) which do not r e q u i r e h i g h l y
s t r e s s e d r e t a i n i n g methods. T h i s c o n s t r u c t i o n being of a
l a r g e r c r o s s - s e c t i o n t h a n t h e "0" Ring type w i l l have some
advantage over t h e "0" Ring type i n remote c o n t r o l handling.
Manufacturing t o l e r a n c e s a r e a l s o c r i t i c a l .
 GASKETS SOL1 D METALLIC TYPE
46
TYPE MATERIAL [Link] SURFACE FINISH
STRESS P.S.I.
Concentric Serrated
Ax. 800 M i c r o in.

I L

P l a i n Solid
Aluminum
C oppe r
8800
13000 I
. '
1 I.

Flat Iron & St'l 18000

11
Mone 1 21800
S t a i n l e s s St'l 26000 II

VerySmoath .
Aluminum 8800 80 t o 32 M i c r o i n .
Copper 13000
'0," R ing 18000
0
-
I

4
Solid i u a r
I r o n & St'l
Mon.1
S t a i n l e s s St'l
21800
26000

V e r y Smooth
Aluminum 2000 80 t o 32 M i c r o in.
Copper 2500 I *

3500 ''
I r o n & St'l
Solid
Mone l
s t a i n l e s s St'l

SKETCH NO. 33
 The following a r e a group of s o l i d m e t a l l i c
g a s k e t s t h a t employ h y d r o s t a t i c p r e s s u r e t o h e l p achieve
sealing pressure.
DELTA TYPE
T r i a n g u l a r i n c r o s s s e c t i o n , t h e f u n c t i o n oi' t h i s
g a s k e t i s based on t h e unsupported a r e a p r i n c i p l e . The
g a s k e t being s l i g h t l y wider than t h e combined depth of
t h e f l a n g e grooves allows t h e i n i t h l s e a l i n z on t h e edges
when r e t a i n i n g d e v i c e s a r e secured. The g a s k e t i s then
s u b j e c t e d t o t h e i n t e r n a l v e s s e l p r e s s u r e t o accomplish
t h e f i n a l o p e r a t i n g s e a l . I n t h i s d e s i g n a g a i n manufactur-
i n g t o l e r a n c e s a r e c r i t i c a l and small c r o s s s e c t i o n a r e a
w i l l n o t allow good remote c o n t r o l handling. M r . Geipel
of Metallo Gasket Co., New Brunswick, N. J . advised they
do not have c a p a c i t y t o produce 100" d i a . and I@. Todd,
Melrath Cod, P h i l a d e l p h i a , Pa. a d v i s e d t h e y do have such
capacity.

R I N G AND LENS TYPES

Again manufacturing t o l e r a n c e s a r e c r i t i c a l and
t h e c r o s s s e c t i o n a r e a t o d i a . r a t i o w i l l n o t allow remote
c o r ~ t r o lhandling. I n t e r n a l p r e s s u r e s w i l l t e n d t o i n c r e a s e
s e a l a b i l i t y . This c o n s t r u c t i o n a l s o u s e s t h e unsupported
a r e a p r i n c i p l e i n which t h e edges form t h e i n i t i a l s e a l
and i n t e r n a l p r e s s u r e forms t h e f i n a l s e a l . Manufacture
o f t h i s g a s k e t i s d i f f i c u l t and The Melrath Co., P h i l a d e l p h i a
i s t h e only one found wiht c a p a c i t y t o machine 100" d i a .
 TYPE , MATERIAL MIN-SEATING SURFACE FINISH 48
.. STRESS P.S.I.
1 .

-
Aluminum Jery Smooth
1 Ring Joint 0 t o 32 Micro in.
Copper ''
Solid I r o n & St'l ' 3500
, '

I
Monel t 4000
Stainless S t ' l 6000

V e r y Smooth
Aluminum 1000 80 t o 32 M i c r o in.
C opper 2000 **
Delta
I r o n & St'l * 3000 **
Solid **
Mone l 4000
Stainless St*l 5000 *t

V e r y Smooth
Aluminum 80 t o 32 M i c r o in.
**
Copper
of Iron & St'l
Flare Mone l
S t a i n l e s s St'l

!, SKETCH NO. 34
 S o l i d m e t a l l i c g a s k e t s may a l s o be of a n o t h e r
t y p e , t h o s e i n which s e a l i n g i s achieved by a c t u a l l y
causing t h e g a s k e t metal t o Mflow'land m a t e r i a l l y change
t h e o r i g i n a l shape of i t s c r o s s s e c t i o n .

This design i s s i m i l a r t o the s o l i d f l a t gasket

except t h a t only about 50% as much s e a t i n g p r e s s u r e i s
r e q u i r e d and b e t t e r s u r f a c e f i n i s h e s a r e r e q u i r e d . T h i s
type i s being used on small r e a c t o r v e s s e l s . , [ ~ n f o r m a t i o n
c l a s s i f i e d ) . Although a v a i l a b l e i n some forms t h e s i z e
'of convulutions and m a t e r i a l s should be engineered f o r t h e
p a r t i c u l a r a p p l i c a t i o n . H a n d l i n g , i s d i f f i c u l t , n o t so much
because t h e g a s k e t i s f r a g i l e b u t t h e p o i n t s of t h e convul-
u t i o n s must be preserved i f r e l i a b l e s e a l i n g i s t o be
achieved. The s p e c i a l p r o f i l e d e s i g n a l s o shown does n o t
s u f f e r as badly i n t h i s r e s p e c t . Both t y p e s have t h e
advantage of being a b l e t o achieve a s e a l r e g a r d l e s s of
t h i c k n e s s s i n c e s e a l i n g depends on t h e flow of metal from
t h e "peaks" t o t h e '.'valleyst1 and t h e forming of p e r f e c t l y
mating s u r f a c e s i n t h e p r o c e s s . It was [Link] t h a t t h e s e
t y p e s o f g a s k e t s a r e u s u a l l y p l a t e d t o achieve l u b r i c a t i o n
and prevent s t i c k i n g .
 I
50
TYPE MATERIAL [Link] SURFACE FINISH
STRESS P.S.I.

Bimetal Strip
Concentric S e r r a t e d
, I I
I S t a i n l e s s S t '1 10sOOO AX. Ax. 800 M i c r o in.
1.
Solid ,

V e r y Smooth
Aluminum 5500 80 t o 32 M i c r o in.

w. Profile

Solid
Copper
Iron & St'l
Mone 1.
Stainless St'l
6500
7600
900.0
1010 0

Commercial
Smooth
Aluminum 5500 - ''
150 200 M i c r o in.

Lzrd Special
Profile
Copper
Iron & Steel
Mone 1
6500
7600
9000
1'

''
Solid I'
Stainless St'l 10 100

SKETCH NO. 36
 Other types of "flowI1 gaskets are shown on
pages 5z and 56 . Those on page 5,? combine
the ' I f r a n d t h e p o s e d area principdesut generally
require high accuracy of manufacture and are exception-
ally fragile. Further, they are designed for use with '
much higher pressures than 660 PSI. Very little benefit
can be obtained from this principle for our application.
On page -53 are +shown other types of "flow"
gaskets to w h i c m previous comments generally apply,
however at the top of the page is a triangular design which
permits hydrostatic forces on the closure to help with the
sealing, only about 20% of final sealing forces need be
initially applied by the closure retention mechanism. It
does have disadvantages, there is a possibility sticking
to the vessel wall and clearances must be kept quite small
making assembly of the closure to the vessel difficult.
SKETCH NO. 37
SKETCH NO. 38 , ,
 The c o n f i g u r a t i o n s on page s5 a r e of
miscellaneous g a s k e t t y p e s of t h e m d metal family,
one being a design which u s e s a very s o f t metal such
a s 50 Aluminum which i s made t o llflow" t o such a n e x t e n t
t h a t i t completely f i l l s every p a r t of t h e confining
c a v i t y . This method r e s u l t s i n r e l i e v i n g t h e c l o s u r e
r e t a i n e r of g a s k e t p r e s s u r e . When t h e g a s k e t i s
i n i t i a l l y deformed it w i l l , being a s o f t m a t e r i a l , have
very l i t t l e " s p r i n g back" and w i l l be extremely s e n s i t i v e
t o any f l a n g e d i s t o r t i o n .
Also on page 5 -' i s shown, a novel, b u t u n t r i e d
bi-metal g a s k e t .
A s f a r a s can be determined, t h i s p r i n c i p l e i s new.
The General P l a t e D i v i s i o n o f Metal & C o n t r o l s Corp.,
A t t l e b o r o , Mass. Messrs. M i l l e r , Almquist & Howard sub-
m i t t e d t h e following: A bi-metal r i n g 10011 I . D . x 2" ,

f a c e x 3/4 t h i c k n e s s . w i l l d e f l e c t .06011 a t 2he c e n t e r of

t h e 2'' f a c e f o r a temperature change of 400 IF. If t h i s
r i n g i s confined, t h e expansion f o r c e w i l l b u i l d up t o
more t h a n 2,000,000#. The d e f l e c t i o n of .06OU w i l l
compensate f o r any d i s t o r t i o n s . The [Link] suggested
a r e S t a i n l e s s S t e e l t y p e 304 and Invar. There i s no
evidence o f t h i s method e v e r being used and it h a s t h e
disadvantage o f r e l a x i n g t h e sealing p r e s s u r e when cooled,
a l s o s u c c e s s i v e h e a t i n g and c o o l i n g would t e n d t o produce
r e l a t i v e movement between t h e s e a l i n g s u r f a c e s .
SKETCH NO. 39
HOLLOW WPES (USUALLY STAINJZSS STEEL TUBES)
Very l i t t l e information and no v a l i d t e s t d a t a (page 57)
could be found f o r t h e m types. There n r e t h r e e v a r i a t i o n s ,
tlie hollow l l O t l r i n g containing a i r a t .atmosphereic p r e s s u r e ,
t h e p r e s s u r i z e d 110"r i n g ( a B r i t i s h P a t e n t ) i n f l a t e d w i t h
helium t o 600 PSI and t h e open type, where t h e prensure

rinS,
.
being a e a l e d . 1 ~admitted by h o l e s o r s l o t s t o h e l p achieve
a s e a l by expanding t h e A l l t h e s e types a r e
very d i f f i c u l t t o m a n u f a' c t y e , t h e r e a r e no vendors
p r e s e n t l y making them) r e q u i r e extremely c l o s e t o l e r a n c e s
and f i n e s . w f a c e f i n i s h e s and a r e f r a g i l e t o handle. Our
information i n d i c a t e s t h a t t h e y achieve very l i t t l e l'spring.
back1' and r e q u i r e e x c e s s i v e l y high (no q u a n t a t l v e f i g u r e s
a v a i l a b l e ) s e a t i n g pressuces. One i n s t a l l a t i o n a t D e t r o i t
Edison f a i l e d .
 HOLLOW GASKETS

TYPE MATERIAL MINSEATING , SURFACE FINISH

STRESS P.S.I.

Hollow "0" Aluminum N o Data V e r y Smooth

Ring 80-32 M i c r o in.
Gas Filled

Aluminum N o Data V e r y Smooth

copper 80-32 M i c r o ' i n .

Ikon & St'l

Mone 1
S t a i n l e s s St'l

s KETCH' NO. 40
 Another f a m i l y of g a s k e t s a r e t h e s h e e t m e t a l t y p e s .
~ h e y ' a r enumerous and v a r i e d , and a r e g e n e r a l l y used a s an
a t t e m p t t o g a i n " s p r i n g back" and r e s i l i e n c y . No evidence '

' was found t h a t , under t h e c o n d i t i o n s o f t h i s problem, more

t h a n .006 t o 1008 can be expected. F u r t h e r , t h e Argonne
Laboratory EBWR c l o s u r e u s i n g a s p i r a l l y wound " F l e x i t a l l i . c u
g a s k e t a t b e s t a c h i e v e d o n l y .012 l1spr1ng back". The
f o l l o w i n g i s a r e v i e w o f t y p e s a v a i l a b l e a l o n g w i t h some
comments and v e n d o r s ' recommendations. A s a group t h e s e
g a s k e t s a r e f r a g i l e and d i f f i c u l t t o h a n d l e , e s p e c i a l l y w i t h
remote c o n t r o l s . See pages 60 through 62.
CORRUGATED METAL GASKET
T h i s g a s k e t i s e n c l o s e d by a c o r r u g a t e d m e t a l s h e l l
and t o p washer and h a s long been used e x t e n s i v e l y by chemical,
o i l and o t h e r i n d u s t r i e s w h e r e . h i g h p r e s s u r e s a r e encountered.
S u r f a c e f i n i s h must be 80 micro-inch o r b e t t e r and b o l t i n g
s t r e s s e s a r e h i g h . There i s no r e a c t o r a p p l i c a t i o n d a t a on
t h i s t y p e , b u t h i g h t e m p e r a t u r e s have a n a d v e r s e a f f e c t .
CORRUGATED METALLIC ASBESTOS
There i s no t e s t d a t a o f a g a s k e t of t h i s c o n s t r u c t i o n
b e i n g used f o r t h i s k i n d o f a p p l i c a t i o n , however, i t s primary
u s e i s f o r p r e s s u r e s below GOO PSI and h i g h t e m p e r a t u r e s .
Gasket r e q u i r e s low b o l t p r e s s u r e s and i s s u i t a b l e f o r rough
o r warped f l a n g e s u r f a c e s and can be s u p p l i e d . i n any m e t a l l i c
m a t e r i a l . It i s e x t r e m e l y f r a g i l e and i s p r i m a r i l y i n t e n d e d
f o r permanent i n s t a l l a t i o n .
JACKETED METAL WITH FILLER

This gasket c o n s i s t s of a s o f t f i l l e r enclosed i n

m e t a l l i c s h e l l c o v e r i n g o n l y one f a c e and can e a s i l y be
compressed b u t cannot w i t h s t a n d h i g h p r e s s u r e s . There i s no
t e s t d a t a on t h i s kind o f g a s k e t i n t h e r e a c t o r f i e l d . This
g a s k e t i s a l s o made w i t h a washer c o v e r i n g t h e esposed a r e a
which w i l l w i t h s t a n d t e m p e r a t u r e s t o 8 5 0 ~ ~ .
CORRUGATED METAL JACKET WITH CORRUGATED DlETAL LINER
Johns-Manville Co. s u g g e s t e d t h i s t y p e o f g a s k e t of 304
s t a i n l e s s s t e e l with a r a i s e d f a c e flange,' se a t i n g s t r e s s e s a r e
a p p r o x i m a t e l y 7500 PSI, a f i n e f i n i s h ( 3 2 micro-inch) and b o l t -
i n g t o be s t r e s s e d t o 20,000 PSI were a l s o recommended. Metallo
Gasket Co., New BRunswick, N. J. s u g g e s t s same d e s i g n . This
g a s k e t w i l l s t a n d compressive s t r e s s e s of' 15,000 PSI and over
w i t h o u t s e r i o u s damage b u t a f t e r h i g h compression " s p r i n g
back" i s reduced t o p r a c t i c a l l y z e r o .
 SPIRALLY WOUND (FLEXITALLICTYPE 1
T h i s gasket w i t h a "".eflontt f i l l e r has been used on '

t h e Argonne EBWR. Excessive leakage was experienced. Even

i n n e r and o u t e r diameter back up s t r i p s were not e f f e c t i v e
and over a p e r i o d of continuous o p e r a t i o n t h e l l t e f l o n f l f i l l e r
crumbled and became i n e f f e c t i v e . Other reasons f o r ' f a i l u r e were
edge buckling and f l a n g e s u r f a c e g a l l i n g . There i s no equip-
ment i n e x i s t e n c e t o manufacture t h i s type o f gasket i n s i z e s
g r e a t e r than 48" diameter ( s e e ASTM Report. 102 A )
1

CORRUGATED (METAL)
T h i s g a s k e t has m e r i t - i f t h e following i s complied
with:
1. smooth s u r f a c e f i n i s h (63 micro-inch o r b e t t e r )
2. Compression l i m i t i n g device s o g a s k e t cannot be
s t r e s s e d beyond i t s e l a s t i c l i m i t .
3. Uniform s e a t i n g ( y i e l d s t r e s s 7600 PSI)f e n c e s
The following recommendations have been made by t h e
Melrath Supply and Gasket Co. Eight c o r r u a t i o n s p e r inch
f
w i t h a 2" wide f a c e and .018 t h i c k type 30 s t a i n l e s s s t e e l
m a t e r i a l w i t h a monel s t r i p .0312 t h i c k s p o t welded t o t h e
o u t s i d e diameter o f g a s k e t t o a c t a s a compression l i m i t
gauge s o g a s k e t cannot be crushed. The recommended f i n i s h
of a f l a t f l a n g e i s 6 3 micro-inch. The o u t e r l i m i t gauge
s t r i p must employ l i f t i n g e a r s f o r g a s k e t removal.
METAL JACKETED, ASBESTOS FILLED
This type of g a s k e t r e q u i r e s a smooth ( a t l e a s t 6 3
micro-inch) f i n i s h and has very l i t t l e " s p r i n g back". It has
been t e s t e d a t t h e Argonne National Labs on t h e EBlJR c l o s u r e
/
and found t o be u n s a t i s f a c t o r y .
The s l i g h t e s t r e l a t i v e movement of f l a n g e s w i l l break
t h e s e a l , It i s , however, manufactured i n 100 i n c h diameter
s i z e s by s e v e r a l companies. Shipping and handling a r e d i f f i c u l t
because of t h e small c r o s s s e c t i o n a l a r e a .
 60
S HEET METAL GAS KETS METALL l C

TYPE MATERIAL [Link] S U R F A C E FINISH

S T R E S S P.S.I.

V e r y Smooth
Aluminum 5500 80-32 M i c r o In.
M e t a l Rims. Copper 6500 .'
1 '
C 3 T e f l o n F i l lOre r .
Iron & St'l 7600
1 *
Mone l 8000
9 1
S t a i n l e s s St'l 9000

V e r y Smooth
Triumph Aluminum 5500 80-32 M i c r o in.
Single J a c k e t Copper 6500 $ 9

I r o n & St'l 7600 .

C [Link]
Teflon Filler.
Or
Monel 8000
. *+
' t
: . .
' ' 9
Stainless St'l, 9000

V e r y Smooth
Corrugated ~luminum 2900 80-32 M i c r o in.
Jacket & Copper
Top Wagher. I r o n & St'l
.-
. . Mone 1
Stainless St'l

SKETCH 'NO. 41
 MATER T A L [Link] SURFACE FINISH
S'rR ESS P.S.I.

\
V e r y Smooth "

Aluminum lo00 80-32 Micro in.

. Corrugated Copper 1500 s 9

Stainless St'l 2500 0 '

Spirally
,Wound with C o m m e r c i a l Smo0f.h
Teflon o r Iron 8- St'l 2900 ' 150-200 Micro in.
,.
Asbestos
F i l l e r 8: I.D. Stainless St'l 4500
.& O.D. Support
Rims
 S HEET METAL GASKETS METALL l C
I

TYPE MATERIAL [Link] SURFACE FINISH

STRESS P.S.I.
,

V e r y Smooth a

Aluminum 3700 80-32 M i c r o in.

Corrugated Copper
I r o n & St'l
Metal
Monr l
[Link]'\

C o m m e r c i a l Smooth
Aluminum 2900 150L200 M i c r o in.
1.
Copper 3700
Corrugated Iron & St'l 4500 ,,

.,
9 .
Metal Monel 5500
Stainless,St'l 6500
Asbestos o r
Teflon i n s e r t

V e r y Smooth
Deeply C o r r u - Aluminum 3700 . 80-32 M i c r o in.
gated Metal copper
-.
Core.
En- 1'0" & St'l
c l o s e d by Mone l
Metal J a c k e t . Stainless stel

SKETCH NO. 43
, ,
 MATERIALS
In tabular form the following are compilations of
service temperatures'and corrosion resistance character-
istics of gasket materials for which data is available.
TABLE.

Service Temperatures of Gasket Material

Max. Temperature ofo
)
Material (~etallic Continuous Service F
1 Tin
2 Lead
Ziric
, Magnesium
5 Admiralty Brass'
6 High Brass
Copper
8 Evordor
g Aluminum
10 Stainless Steel
11 I1 11
11 11
12

15 Low Carbon Steel

16 Silver
1 Gold
18
19
Chrome Moly. Steel
Chrome Steel
20 Nickel
21 Monel
22 Inconel

25 Tantalum
Material o on ~etallic)
i
Asbestos white) Chrysotile 906
It
composition shlt) Rubber Base 850
It
blue ) Crocidolite 900-850
Rubber Natural Base 212
Syn, rub be^ &&Plastics 250
*Teflon (Polymerized . . 617
tetrafluoroethylene)
Ref Johns-Manville Vol. 1 No. 5 - 6 Chemical & Heat
Resistance of Gasket Materials.
+Not recommended for gasket application above 392'~ or for
high pressures unless confined in a tongue & groove or
similar joint.
 Corrosion Resistance
of
Gasket Materials

.Resistance
Metals
A
F
-- Good
Fair
C - Depends on
Condition
X - Unsuitable

Water (fresh A A A A C A A - A - -. A A A
(return ' A . A A A - A A A - A - A A A
condensate )

iources of data:
Qoetze Gasket & Packing Co.
E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.
Johns-Manville Corp.
The Pfaudler Co.
[Link] S t a t e o n u b b w Cu.
 Gasltet Surface F i n i s h requirements a r e an
, i m p o r t a n t c o n s i d e r a t i o n . 'l'he b e s t information r e v e a l s
l i t t l e d a t a except t h e following d e f i n i ' t i o n s and t e s t
results.
DEFINITIONS :
1. "Very Smooth" .80 micro-inch RMS o r b e t t e r .
2. "Commercial Smooth" .0005 deep groove with 80 t o
100 s e r r a t i o n s p e r ~ i n c hof width. 150-200 micro-
inch RMS.
3. "Commercial Concentric S e r r a t e d " . Concentric
grooves approximately 1/64" d t s p and no more than
1/32" a p a r t . Tips of r i d g e s should be uniform i n
h e i g h t & sharpness'. If t i p exceeds a width of .OIO1'
- e f f e c t i v e n e s s of ' f b c e reduced.
4. "Commercial Phonographic". [Link] s p i r a l c u t
approximately .010 deep a t r a t e of 32 s e r r a t i o n s
v p e r i n c h of width. Tips of r i d g e s should be
uniform i n h e i g h t & sharpness. Tip width should
not exceed .010. The contour of groove should be .
I1Utt r a t h e r t h a n a sharp "V".

It w i i l be noted from c h a r t s on page 'hd t h a t f l a t

g a s k e t s s e a l b e s t on r a t h e r rough s u r f a c e s a n d c o r r u g a t e d
and. s p i r a l wound metal g a s k e t s s e a l b e s t on smooth s u r f a c e s .
 Gssar STRES Bs.\.
COPPUChTED S E E L JRCYET 4 FILLER

SKETCH NO., 44
COMMENTS :
The curves i n Fig. 1 Page 86. i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e b e s t
s u r f a c e f i n i s h f o r =flat m e m i c g a s k e t i s t h e concen-
t r i c grooved type ( G ) w i t h s h a r p , spaced r i d g e s . The
wedging' a c t i o n f o r c e s t h e g a s k e t m a t e r i a l t o flow
sufficiently t o seal.

The curves i n Fig. 2 Page 6 indicate that the best

r e s u l t s , f o r a c o r r w e d s t e e l j a c k e t e d asbestos f i l l e d
g a s k e t , was t h e smoothest s u r f a c e f i n i s h . As can be seen
even t h e shallow f i n e groove of f a c i n g B reduced s e a l a b i l i t y
considerably.

The curves i n Fig. 3 Page d b i n d c a t e t h a t t h e s u r f a c e

f i n i s h has l i t t l e e f f e c t upon = a b i l i t y of t h e s p i r a l l y
wound g a s k e t . However, curve A i n d i c a t e s good' s e a l i n g a t lowest
gasket s t r e s s .
 t
. LEAKAGE DRAIN OFF

The amount of leakage (5 l b s * p e r day) i s small and it

i s suggested t h a t t h i s be accomplished by draining by g r a v i t y
t o a tank e i t h e r vented closed depending on t h e method used t o
i s o l a t e the closure from t h e pool water. If t h e a i r pressure
method i e used, the leakage drairi tank w i l l be exposed t o t h e
same pressure and could not be vented t o atmosphere.
I n t h e region of t h e gasket o r gaskets leak o f f must be
drained befbre i t reaches t h e outside of t h e vessel. Probably
the best way t o accomplish t h i s i s t o incorporate two gaskets
h he secondary one need not be more than a s t a t i c water s e a l )
w i t h t h e leak off between. A s a s a f e t y measure two i d e n t i o a l
pressure gaskets may be used o r a wide s i n g l e gasket with com-
municating d r a i n s i n i t s c s n t r a l 8ection.
s e e page 69 .
SKETCH NO. 45
REQISTRATION
The problem of r e g i s t e r i n g t h e closure with the ' p a r t s in-
side t h e v e s s e l breaks down i n t o two parts3 r a d i a l and c e n t r a l .
Both c e n t r a l and r a d i a l l o c a t i o n may be achieved by t h e
use of two s t u d s a s dowele i n a flange and s t u d arrangement,
by t h e use of p i n s and holes i n a v e r t i c a l plane on various
members and by keys and grooves o r p i n s and sockets i n pro-
Jections f o r t h e purpose e i t h e r on t h e o u t e r periphery of t h e
flanges o r attached t o t h e i n s i d e surfaces of t h e v e s s e l and
t h e closure.
Central l o c a t i o n of t h e olosure aan be arranged allowing
t h e wall of t h e a l o s u r e t o groJect i n t o t h e veasel ( a s i n t h e
s e l f energized gasket d e s i g n ) and making it t h i n enough t h a t
h y d r a s t a t i a pressure w i l l expand it t o oontact t h e veesel walls,
c e n t r a l i z l n g t h e ulosure. This allows t h e c l o s u r e wall t o be
some .250 smaller i n diameter than t h e i n s i d e diameter of t h e
vessel. It i s t o be noted t h a t a8 t h e l a r g e r t h i s clearanae
aan be made, t h e aese danger of "freezing" and g r e a t e r t h e ease
of assembly.
POOL WATER EXCLUSION
It i s necessary t o exclude t h e pool water from d i r e o t con-
t a c t w i t h t h e c l o s u r e t o prevent a high temperature d i f f e r e n t i a l
auross t h e a l o s u r e wall. There appears t o be two methods of
accomplishing t h i s . One, lagging t h e e n t i r e enolosure and en-
casing w i t h a s t a i n l e s s s t e e l , water t i g h t s h i e l d . T h i s approach
becomes complicated and cumbersome s i n c e some sorts of openings
and water s e a l s a r e necessary i n o r d e r t o assemble and disassemble
t h e closure.
The second p o s s i b i l i t y i s a l a r g e inverted b e l l of l i g h t
t o the pool f l o o r ,
duced t o expel1 t h e Sketch
-
s t a i n l e s s c l a d s t e e l . lowered over t h e whole c l o s u r e and held down
water &mi
. A i r pressure i s then i n t r o -
e b e l l and a c t s a s t h e i n s u l a t -
i n g medium. Size of t h e b e l l can be reduced by incorporating
i n s u l a t i o n i n t h e walls of the b e l l and introduoing a compression
s e a l around t h e cables. Cables can be brought out t h r u t h e top
as sketch o r brought out through a channel under t h e edge
of t h e be17 %- w i l l be noted t h a t w i t h proper piping t h e same
pipe may be used f o r introducing and bleeding the p r e s s u r i z i n g
air.
F&MOTE HANDLINO

Although methods of remote handling have been considered,

no attempt i s made t o suggest qesign and they a r e mentioned only .
i n t h e following list and i n connection with t h e i r p o s s i b i l i t i e s
of a p p l i c a t ion t o some c l o s u r e arrangements.
I ' - - Stud s t r e t c h i n g devices.
-- Long-handled socket wrenches w i t h o r without
i n torque measuring devices.
built

--. Hooks and l e v e r s with long handles f o r o p e r a t i n g

s - l a t c h e s , moving and placing p a r t s , pneumatic o r
d
' h y d r a u l i c c y l i n d e r s , pumps and valves.
-
is r
0-

' of hooka and clamps '

Magnetic and electromagnetic devices used i n place

-- Submersible e l e c t r i c motors.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

I I. Piping Handbook - Crocker McGraw-Hill

I 2. Formulas for Stress & Strain -

3. Metal Progress Nov. 57 "The Metallurgy of EBbJRI1
Roark McGraw-Hill

Karl F. Smith, Pgs. 79-83 Vol. 72 No. 5 Pub. - Am.

Sec. for Metals, 7301 Euclid Ave., Mt. Morris, Ill.
The Welding Journ'al Oct. 56 "Fabrication of the
Homogeneous Reactor Test Vessel Assly. Buedsoe, et al,
Pgs. 997-1006, Vol. 35, No. 10 - Pub. Am. [Link].
20th Northampton, Easton, Pa. & 33 W. 39th St., N.Y. 18,
N.Y.
5. Blast Furnace & Steel Plant Dec. 56.
"Reactor Vessel for Power Plant Weighs 235 tonsu
Pgs. 1440, 1441
Pub: Steel Publications Inc., Osceola Mills, Pa.
330 Grant St., Pittsburgh 30, Pa.
6. "The Ex. Boiling Water Reactor" May 1957 ANL 5607
Nuclear Technology Series
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
U.S. Govlt..PrintingOffice,19570-423045 & 2.25 Y-3-AT 7.22
7. "Power Reactors" Int. Conf. on Peaceful Use of Atomic
Energy, Vol. 3 - ~539.76161 (1955) /

8. "Research Reactors1'
U . S . Atomic Energy Commission (1955)
McGraw-Hill (~539.76~ 5 1 2 )
9. "Reactor ~andbo'okEng. McGraw-Hill
10. "~teel" Oct. 15, 1956 Page 135 "Fabricates 'Giant
Reactor Vessel"
11. lvPetroleumProcessin March 1957 "Gasketsu
16 page report P.P. 9 g I'

12. ASME Translations 1955 V-77-P.P. 661

"Working Stress Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants"
13. ASME Translations 1957 - V.79 P.P. 47 Methods of
l'Ref'uelZngHeterogeneous Nuclear Reactors"
14. llQasketsuSTL-VE Elonka - Power March 1954 PP 105-124

I
15. Mechanism Engineering [Link]. 1957 F F 224
Nuclear Engineering Where Do We Stand
-
16. ANL-5601A p r i l
Water Reactor"
- May 1.956 "Experimental B o i l i n g

1 7 . ASTM 102a Reactor P r e s s u r e Vessel Design

3.0. " Improved Ring Gasket f o r Flanges"
The Petroleum Engineer V29-My 1957 - PP ~111-114
19. "Gasketstt Kow Cannon - Petroleum Processing"
Mar. 1957 P P 95-111
20. " S t r e n g t h C a l c u l a t i o n s of B o l t J o i n t s t 1
Engineer 203; 674-5-My3, 57
21.. "New F a s t e n e r s Beat t h e Heat"
Machine Design 29; 24. May 16, 1957
22. "[Link] How T i g h t Is Tight"
I r o n Age 179.120 MR-28-57
23. "Why B o l t s F a i l "
s t e e l 139; 125-6 Dec. 3, 1958
24. "High S t r e n g t h B o l t i n g "
Power Engineer 61:66-7 May 1957
25. "120,000 PSI @ 9 0 0 ~ ~ "
Product Engineering 281220 S e p t . 1957
26. "Holding High P r e s s u r e J o i n t s W . Coopey
Petroleum R e f i n e r May 1956 P P 189,193
27. "Sky-High P r o c e s s P r e s s u r e s Demand Massive Vesselt'
R . Meuer
The R e f i n i n g Engineer PP C . C . - 1 1 Jan, 1957
28. Tap t h e Reserve S t r e n g t h i n Metal P a r t s D.J. Graziano
Product Engineering S e p t . 29, 1958
29. Milwaukee L i b r a r y Nuclear Science A b s t r a c t s .
Vol. 12 No. 1 3 & No. 14
1. NRL-5077 Naval Research Lab. Res. Reactor 9415
2 . DT~B-826 A n a l y s i s of S t r e s s e s a t t h e Reinforced
I n t e r s e c t i o n.. ..of. Conical.,& C y l i n d r i c a l - S h e l l s 9115
. ., .
3. J o i n t s f o r Use i n P i p e l i n e s & between P a r t s o f
Vessels Nuclear
. Engineer S e p t . 1957 2,408
J
198
4. TID-7535 Papers, P r e s e n t e d a t t h e ~ e c h n i c a l~ r i e f i n g
S e s s i o n Held a t t h e Argonne Nat. Lab. May 27-28, 1957 574
5. B o i l e r s
& P r e s s u r e V e s s e l s f o r Nuclear Power S t a t i o n s
(Nuclear Power 2,463-5, Nov. 1957 2296
6. WAPD - PWR - 974 Pressure Vessel Codes Applicable
to the P~J/RReactor Plant. Available from !'The
Office of Technical Services, Dept. of Commerce,
Washington 25, [Link] 20$ 2528
7 . CF 57-12-66 Stresses Caused by Internal Pressure &
' Uniform Temperature. Changes [Link] Spherical
. Vessels 3877
8. Nuclear Power Engineering 1662
ItPowerReactorst1Vol. 3
United Nationa Intern; Conf. on the Peaceful Uses of'
Atomic Energy
Compressive Strength & Creep o.f 17-7 PH Stainless Steel
Plates at Elevated Temperatures by Bland A. Stein.
National Advisory Committee For Aeronautics
Technical Note 4296 July 1958
A Comparison of Two Methods for [Link]
Temperatures for Thick Walls by J. J. Buglia &
H. Brinkworth.
National Advisory cbmmittee for Aeronautics
Technical Note 4343 Aug. 1958
The Engineers Manual -
Hudson
John Wiley & Sons, New York, N.Y.
Submerged Torpedo Tubes.
Ordnance Pamphlet 1085
Bureau of Ordnance Publication June 1944.
Armstrong Cork Co., Chicago,30, Illinois
Victor Mfg. & Gasltet Co., 5752 W. Roosevelt Avenue,
Chicago, Illinois Mr. Rokos
Ladish Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin Mr. McKiniy
United Alrcraft ,ProductsRing Division
Dayton, Ohio
Gasketing of Flanged Connections for High Pressure Joints
Machine Design 28: 109- Nov. 1, 1956
Gaskets for High Pressure Flanges.
Product Engineering 27:J15.17 Oct. 1957
Holding High Pressure Joints
Petroleum Refiner 36-131.4 Oct. 1957.
How to Check Compression Characteristics of Gasket
.Jointc.
Machine Design 28:76-8 May 17, 1.956
 43. Akron M e t a l l i c Gasket Co., 159 N. Union S t r e e t ,
Akron, Ohio John Acke
114. Dleta1.l.o Gasltet Co., 2 0 Bethany S t r e e t , New Brunswick, N. J.
45, Melrath Supply & Gasltet Co., I n c . , 3501 Memphis S t . ,
P h i l . 34, Pa.
46, United M e t a l l i c "0" Ring Corp., Dayton, Ohio
47. General P l a t e Div. o f Metals & C o n t r o l s Corp.,
30 F o r e s t S t ..,
A t t l e b o r o , Mass. M r . E.. Howard
M r . H. H. Almquist
'

45. The H.A. Wilson Co., U.S. Route 22, Union, N.J.
49. Baker & Co., Inc.., 113 Astor S t . , Newark, N . J .
50. ASTM R e p r i n t June, 158 No. 102A
( s e e Item 65)

51. Argonne Nat. 'Lab., Chicago, I l l . . M r . Nick B a l a i

52. Metal G a s k e t s - 1957 Design D i g e s t Pgs. F-10- F-13
53. E.C. S t y b e r g E n g i n e e r i n g Co., 1500 Layard, Racine,
Wisconsin
54. S e a l a b i l i t y of Gasketing M a t e r i z l s A.S.T.M. Vol. No. 210
Dec. 1955 Pgs. 43-44
55. A . Kron M e t a l l i c G a s k e t s , Milwaukee, Wisconsin
56. United Gasket Co., 610 No. 1 0 t h S t . , Camden, N.J.
57. EBWR O p e r a t i n g Experience Vol. 15 No. 7 J u l y 1957
, W . 42nd S t . , New York, N.Y. )
( ~ u c l e o n ~ c s330

I '58. Nucleonics Reactor F i l e No. 1 & NO..^. EBWR ( ~ x p e r i m e n t a l

B o i l i n g Water ~ e a c t o r )& APPR ( ~ r m yPackage Power Fieactor)
Nucleonics, 330 W . 42nd S t . , N e w York, N.Y.
I s s u e : Aug. 1957 & J u l y 1957
.59.. P r o g r e s s Report On Nuclear Navy. Vol. 15 No. 7 J u l y 1957
Nucleonics, 330 W. 42nd S t . , New York, N.Y.
60. Nuclear Notes. B. S i c r o t z k i Power A u g . 1958
Design & Equipment A p p l i c a t i o n S e c t i o n
61. Alco P r o d u c t s I n c . , 909 McCoramick Bldg., C h i c a g o , ' I l l .
M r . V. Nashington .
62. Johns-Dlanville ( ~ o e t z e )G a s k e t s , New Brunswiclc, N . J .
' A82
 63. Flexitallic Spiral-Wound Gaskets
Catalog Set No. 531.
Camden 1, New Jersey
64. ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code.
Section VIII Unfired Pressure Vessels ,1956
The Am. Society of Mechanical Engineers
2 9 W. 39th Street, New York, 18, N.Y.

65. Reactor Pressure Vessel Design For Nuclear Applications

by Balai, Kettles, & Bailey.
Argonne National Laboi-atosy, LeMont, Ill.
I Reprint 102A ASTM See Page 20 f o r references.
66. Bending & Torsion Strength of Thin-Walled Cylinders
By Irene Kusmiss - Product Engineering July 21, 1958,.
67. [Link] Manual 1956
Rogers Publishing Co., Englewood, Colorado
No. 4
68. A Guide to"Gasket'~e1ection.
Johns-Manville, 22 E. 40th St., N&w York 16, New York
69. How Flange Surface Finishes Affect Gasket Sealability
& Joint Performance. ,No. 7
Johns-Manville, 22 E. 40th St., New York 16, New York
70. Handbook of Structural Stability. [Link]
Strength of Stiffened Curved Plates & Shells, by
Herbert Beckerl
National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics July 1958
. 71. Chemical & Heat Resistance of Gasket Materials
Johns-Manville Co., 22 East 40th St., New York 16, N.Y.
72. Popular Gasket Types & Materials
Johns-Manville Co., 22 East 40th St., New York 16, N.Y.
73. The Principle of Gasket Closures
Johns-Manville Co., 22 East 40th St., New York 16, N.Y.
74. The Problem of Selecting the Proper Gasket for a Given
Joint.
Johns-Manville Co., 22 East 40th St:, New York 16, N.Y.
75. High Temperature Steam Turbine Design Improvements From
Operating Experience.
Alli's-Chalmers Mfg. Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
 Design Specification
for the
CRBR Pressure Vessel Closure
Scope
This specification covers design and performance require-
ments for a quick opening closure.. The closure will be part .

of the pressure vessel assembly which houses the reactor core

and other components.
References and Codes
Reactor Section
2. 43-001-875 Proposed Reactor Vessel and
Pump Layout,
. .
3. A.S.M.E. Boiler and Pressure Code for
Unfired Pressure Vessels,
Section VIII, and Section IX,
1956 Edition.
General Description
The nuclear heat source within the vessel is cooled by the
. flow of boiling water passing directly through uranium bearing
fuel elements. Drawing 43-301-195 shows the arrangement within
the vessel. The [Link] is shown by drawing 43-001-875.
The reactor vessel will be 111-0'' inside diameter with an over-
all metal wail thickness of [Link] 3". A pool of pure
[Link]'abovethe reactor approximately 18 feet deep,
serves as a radiation shield during reactor operation and refuel-
ing periods.
Closure Requirements
The removable reactor head must be removed every four . -
months to perform refueling operations. The,closure must . . .

provide a minimum cl earanse dinmc,terqf 7 1-3" .

 The upper s u r f a c e o f t h e head s h a l l 'be s u i t a b l y p r o t e c t e d
by s e a l e d t h e r m a l i n s u l a t i o n t o prevent c o n t a c t between t h e
c o o l pool water and t h e h o t s u r f a c e of t h e v e s s e l . The i n s u l -
a t i o n s h a l l be c o n s i d e r e d an i n t e g r a l p o r t i o n of t h e removable
head. The c l o s u r e ' d e s i g n s h a l l p r e v e n t any c o n t a c t between
t h e pool w a t e r and t h e v e s s e l .
The main c l o s u r e s e a l must. be designed t o c o n t a i n t h e f u l l
d e s i g n p r e s s u r e of t h e v e s s e l (660 p s i g a t 4 9 6 ' ~ ) . The leakage
1

through t h i s s e a l s h a l l n o t exceed 5 lbs/day. A secondary s e a l

must be provided t o p r e v e n t t h e e n t r a n c e o f w a t e r from t h e

s h i e l d p o o l above t h e v e s s e l . Erosion o r c u t t i n g of t h e v e s s e l
g a s k e t s u r f a c e s , due t o leakage, s h a l l n o t be t o l e r a b l e .
A segmented r i n g , breech l o c k o r o t h e r t y p e o f d e v i c e
s h a l l be used t o l o c k t h e cover i n p l a c e d u r i n g o p e r a t i o n . The
t a r g e t time t o assemble and disassemble t h e l o c k i n g d e v i c e s h a l l
be 30 minutes.
Heavy m e t a l s e c t i o n s i n t h e c l o s u r e should be avoided s o
t h a t t h e v e s s e l may be brought up t o temperature ( 1 0 0 ~t o~ 4 9 6 ' ~ )
o r cooled o f f . (496' t o 1 0 0 ~ i~n ) approximately one hour without
introducing excessive thermal stresses,.
Th6 c l o s u r e d e s i g n must be such t h a t it conforms w i t h
t h e Unfired P r e s s u r e V e s s e l Code, o r c l o s e enough t o t h e code
r e q u i r e m e n t s t h a t s p e c i a l r u l i n g can be o b t a i n e d .
Twenty ( 2 0 ) c o n t r o l r o d d r i v e s w i l l be mounted on t h e
v e s s e l cover. The . c o v e r s h a l l c o n t a i n a s u i t a b l e indexing
d e v i c e t o p o s i t i o n t h e c o n t r o l roc! d r i v e s w i t h r e s p e c t t o
c o n t r o l rod guide tubes located within t h e v e sse l .
 It is, of course, understood that all manipulations .

required'to open the closure must be performed under 18 feet

of water with long handled tools. Water free from rust for
visibility.
The closure design must be inherently free of any tendency
to I' freeze".
Design Data
1. Design pressure
2. Design temperature 496'~
3 . ,Normal operating pressure 600 psi.g
4. Hydrostatic test pressure 990 ~ s i g
5. Vessel .wall thickness 3" total
a) Base metai SA 212-B 2- 3/4"
b) Stainless clad 304 ELC 1/4"
6. vessel steel I.D. 11 1 -0"
7. Minimum vessel closure opening 71-3"
8. Max. heating & cooling rates 400' F/HOU~
9. Weights of various components
a) Control rod drive mechanisms 8,500 lbs.
b) Vessel cover Approx. 16,000 lbs.
10. Normal shield.poo1 temperature . 1 0 0 ~ ~
11. ~ e p t hof shield pool water above closure 18 ft.
12. Shock load on vessel cover during co'ntrol
rod scram 80,000 lbs.
13. Maximum permissible misalignment between
control rods and guide tubes. 2 1/3211
14. Internal heat generation due to radiation 400 B U
at the 4nside surface of 'the cover HR-FT 3

Jack PaLterson:
Nuclear Power Division
7/24/1958 .
 SOME GASKET SUPPLLERS:

PETALLO GASKET CO.

10-18 B e t h a n y S t r e e t
N e w B r u n s w i c k , N . J.

AKRON METALLIC .GASKET CO.

Akron, .Ohio

MELRATH SUPPLY & GASKET COO

T i o g a & Memphis ' S t r e e t
P h i l a d e l p h i a 34, Pa.

FLEXITALLIC GASKET CO
8th & B a i l S t r e e t
.
!
P.O. BOX 6 o 3;
Camden, N. J..

JOHNS-MANVILLE COO
(.GOETZE GASKET D N . )
22 E a s t 40th S t r e e t
N e w Y o r k 16, N.Y.
 Appendix 8

QUICK OPENING CLOSURE FOR CRBR REACTOR VESSEL

T h i s r e p o r t covers work performed under

Al lis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company's
[Link] Order No. WA-440304-NSP, a . p a r t
o f t h e Research and Development Program'
under AEC C o n t r a c t No. AT( L I - I )-589 w l t h
Northern S t a t e s Power Company.

Koerper Engineering Associates, Inc.

7414 West S t a t e S t r e e t
M i lw'aukee 13, Wisconsin
I M r . C l i f f o r d Graham, Chief Engineer
[
I Nuclear Power. D i v i s i o n
Allis-Chalmers Company .
I Wee t A l l i e , Wisconsin

Subjectr Quick Opening C l o s u r e f o r CRBR Reaator V e s s e l

KEA Report No.-KDM-AC-1011 P.0. No. W A - ~ W ~ O ~ - N S $

Dear M r . Graham:

Herewith is o u r aompletion r e p o r t a o v e r i n g o u r s t u d y of meahaniems

and s e a l s f o r t h e r a p i d opening and c l o e i n g of t h e r e a c t o r v e s a e l .
The r e p o r t a o v e r s methods and a n a l y s e s s u b m i t t e d by KEA and a l s o
comments on v a r i o u s systeme proposed by Allis-Chalmere.

-
B r i e f l y t h e c o n c l u s i o n s a r r i v a l a t by KEA and s u b s t a n t i a t e d h e r e i n
are

1. The dlost r a p i d and p o e s i b l y t h e moat economical a l o ~ u r e

o o n s t r u c t i o n i n c l u d e s a e e l f - e n e r g i z i n g t y p e of s e a l ,

2. R e m o r c e d T e f l o n o f t h e m a t e r i a l s now a v a i l a b l e o f f e r s
good p o s s i b i l i t i e s f o r t h e s p e o i f i e d s e r v i c e .

3 To a s s u r e a s a t i s f a c t o r y e e a l d e s i g n , a development pro-
gram on e e a l p a t e r i a l s and c o n s t r u c t i o n. ' i s recommended
herein.

4. I n t h e absenae of c o n o l u s i v e t e s t r e e u l t e on s e l f - e n e r g i z -
i n g s e a l s , a c o n v e n t i o n a l p r e p r e s s u r i z e d g a s k e t a e a l is
I indicated.

A v e r y e f f e c t i v e worKlng r e l a t i o n s h i p nas been developed w i t h your

staff members. I n o u r c o n t a c t s w i t h them t h e y have been most ao-
operative.

T h i s r e p o r t completes KEAqe ,assignment on t h e o l o e u r e a n a l y s e s .

Cordially,

& .c.\$pwper
E* C. Koerper
-
,
President

Bii
 QUICK OPENING CLOSURE FOR CRBR REACTOR VESSEL Report: KDM-AC-1011
Dote: Aug. 28, ,1959
Page:
3

Tablo of Contonts Page

I n t r o d u c t i o n and Summary

P r o j e c t Assignment

General C o n s i d e r a t i o n For ~ l 6 s u r e~ e s i ~ n

Closurb O p e r a t i n g C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s '

Closure Materials Consideration

Cornmonte on Submitted A-C Closure Designs 8

KEA P r e l i m i n a r y C l o ~ u r eS e a l , P r o p o s a l s 31
Comments on KEA C l o s u r e Arrangement A n a l y s i s 32
C l o s u r e Design - Recommended by KEA 41

Seal considerations

High P r e s s u r e S e a l M a t e r i a l and C o n s t r u c t i o n

R a d i a t i o n R e s i s t a n c e of P l a s t i c s

Proposed Ring S e a l T e s t Equipment

Small Ring S e a l T e s t Equipment

I n n e r Expander Ring - Teflon Seal

~ e f l o .nT e s t S e a l Assembly

Back-up Ring - Teflon S e a l Test . . 51

Teflon Test S e a l 52

High P r e s s u r e R e a c t o r V e s s e l S e a l 53
l ~ ~ e f lt ei tce " S e a l 55
I n c o n e l "0"-Ring and Gasket Assembly

P r e l i m i n a r y Deaign Data

Biii
 QUICK OPENING CLOSURE FOR CRBR REACTOR VESSEL Report: KDM-AC-1011.
Dater Aug. 28, 1959 '

. Page: 1

I n t r o d u c t i o n and sum mar^ . .

The purpose of t h i s i n v e s t i g a t i o n h a s been t o t h o r o l y s t u d y c l o s u r e

d e s i g n s as prepared by A-C and proposed by KEA i n o r d e r t o a r r i v e a t

a s u i t a b l e combination l o r u s e i n t h e r e a c t o r v e s s e l . T h i s oomprehensive

a n a l y t i c a l approach h a s been made t o a s s u r e e a r l y e l i m i n a t i o n of l e s s

. . ' ' 3 .

s a t i s f a c t o r y combinations and t o c o n c e n t r a t e on p r a o t i c a l and economical

. . .: .
solutions.

The f i l l o w i n g f a c t o r e ' h a v e been e v a l u a t e d i n each of t h e d e s i g n s f o r a n

optimum s o l u t i o n .
1. Positive sealing - imperative

2. Trouble-free mechanism

3. High speed o p e r a t i o n

4. Long l i f e
5. Economy of f a b r i c a t i o n .

The h i g h e s t p r e f e r e n c e h a s been g i v e n t o a complete s e a l i n g which i s

i m p e r a t i v e and i n c l u d e s f o r added s a f e t y 2 s e a l s i n s e r i e s w i t h a weep

c h a n n e l between them.

While most a n a l y s e d d e s i g n s seem t o be more o r . l e s s workable from a

mechanical p o i n t of view, t h e s e a l problem remained d i f f i c u l t . Locking

wedges, cams o r s e o t o r s , t h o g e n e r a l l y p o s i t i v e In a c t i o n and p o s i t i o n ,

do n o t g u a r a n t e e a p o s i t i v e s e a l w i t h o u t s a t i s f a c t o r y s e a l p r e s s u r e . An

answer t o p o s i t i v e s e a l i n g w i t h high speed o p e r a t i o n w i l l be a r e s i l i e n t

self-energizing seal. This is not r e a d i l y a v a i l a b l e a t t h i s ' t i m e .

 QUICK OPENING CLOSURE FOR CRBR RUCTOR VESSEL Repork DM-AC-1011
Date: Aug. 28, 1959
Page: 2

I n t r o d u c t i o n and Summary - (Con1t. )

F u r t h e r i n v e s t i g a t i o n and a n a l y e i s of s e l f - e n e r g i z i n g high p r e s s u r e e e a l s

i s recommended. Its r e s u l t s c a n l e a d t o a f a s t e r , e a f e r and cheaper'con-

s t r u c t i o n o f a r e a c t o r ~ e s s e l ~ c l o s u r e ,T e f l o n o f f e r e one of t h e b e e t of

tho m a t e r i a l p o s s i b i l i t i e s a t t h i s time. Simple t e s t equipment i s s p e c i -

fied i n t h i s report.

I n t h e absence of c o n c l u s i v e t e s t r e s u l t s on e e l f - e n e r g i z i n g s e a l mater-
'
i a l o and rnechanisrno, a more c o n v e n t i o n a l p r e p r e s e u r i z e d g a s k e t s e a l ' is

indicated.
 QUICK OPENING CIDSURE FOR CRBR REACTOR VESSEL .Repofit DM-AC-1011
Nuclear Power D i v i s i o n -
A l l i e Chalmerr
'

Date! ~ u g ,28,
Page; 3
1959
.--.--

P r o j e c t Assignment

The new concept of economical power g e n e r a t i o n from n u o r e a r f u e l a s ex-

'

pressed i n the ~ l l i s
Chalrners C o n t r o l l e d R e c i r c u l a t i n g B o i l e r Reaatgr

is i n p a r t dependent on minimum shut-down time f o r r e f u e l i n g , This i n

t u r n n e c e s s i t a t e s a r a p i d l y o p e r a b l e los sure which w i l l s e a l p o s i t i v e l y

a g a i n s t steam a t 600 p s i and 496O F t o . h o l d down a " l i d t 1 approximately

7 f t . 6 i n . i n d i a m e t e r a g a i n s t a t o t a l p r e s s u r e of a b o u t 4-1/4 m i l l i o n
pounds. The t a r g e t time f o r l o o k i n g o r u n l o a k i n g t h e a l o s u r e i s 30 min-

utes.

T h i s assignment i s t o . p r o v i d e t h e a n a l y s i s , c o n a e p t u a l d e s i g n , l a y o u t and

g e n e r a l s p e c i f i c a t i o n s i n o r d e r t h a t a l o s u r e p r o t o t y p e s c a n be b u i l t and

t e s t e d i n preparation f o r use i n the f i n a l r e a c t o r vessel. The scope of

t h e assignment t o KEA is covered by A l l i s Chalmere; Nuclear Power D i v i s i o n l s

memo d a t e d September 19, 1958.

Our a n a l y t i c a l approach h a s been comprehensive t o a s s u r e p r e l i m i n a r y con-

s i d e r a t i o n and e v a l u a t i o n of a l l p e r t i n e n t f a c t o r s , I n turn t h i s permits

e a r l y e l i m i n a t i o n of t h e l e s s s a t i s f a c t o r y oombinations and f o c u s on t h e

best possibilities. .

Tho t h i s r e a c t o r is i n p a r t developmental, we have p l a c e d a o n s i d e r a b l e

emphasis on s i m p l e , p r a c t i c a l and economical s o l u t i o n s . These f e a t u r e s

a r e v a r i o u s l y i n c o r p o r a t e d i n ' t h e d e s i g n s p r e s e n t e d herewith.
 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR CLOSURE DESIGN Report: KDM-AC-1011
Date: Aug, 28, 1959
Page: 4

I n o r d e r f o r t h e f i n a l a l o e u r e d e s i g n t o be most s u c c e s s f u l , i t l a impor-

. t a n t t h a t the, f o l l o w i n g f a c t o r s be g i v e n a a r e f u l a o n e i d e r a t i o n f o r a n

optimum e o l u t i o n .

1. Positive sealing.

2. High speed o p e r a t i o n .

3. Trouble-free meahanism.
4. Long l i f e .

5. Economy of f a b r i c a t i o n .

To be more s p e c i f i c , t h e f o l l o w i n g p o i n t s a r e c o n e i d e r e d ;
1. Two high p r e s s u r e s e a l s i n s e r i e s might be d e e i r a b l e f o r p o s i t i v e

sealing. A weep c h a n n e l between t h e s e a l s should be provided.

2 Minimum time of b o t h opening and c l o e i n g i s Important.

.
3. Cohceptual approach s h o u l d have a recommended d e s i g n and a l t e r -

n a t i v e s h a v i n g i n mind p o s s i b l e m o d i f i c a t i o n aonvenience.

4, Gasket a o n s t r u c t i o n s h o u l d p r e f e r a b l y be e e l f - e n e r g i z i n g .

5. Gasket s e a l c o n s t r u a t i o n should be eaonomiaal and of p r a c t i c a l

m a t e r i a l s and c o n s t r u a t i o n .

6. Self-alignment d e s i g n of a l o s u r e i e neceseary f o r meeting c e n t e r

l i n e s p e o i f i a a t i o n s of c o n t r o l rods.

7. Closure componente s h o u l d be eaonomiaally machined, p r e f e r a b l y

mostly on c o v e r i n s t e a d of on v e s s e l .

8. O p e r a t i n g c o n t r o l s h o u l d be p o a i t i v e and o p e r a t e w i t h minimum
I. ' '. ,: :\> -/.

number of openings t h r u t h e i n s u l a t i n g a h e l l .

9. Low p r e s s u r e seaondary s e a l i n g i s t o be provided between t h e

thermal i n s u l a t i o n and t h e v e s s e l t o exalude s h i e l d i n g w a t e r ,
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR CLOSURE DESIGN Repott: &DM-AC-1011
Date: A u ~ . 28, 1959-
- Paget 5

10. A passage i s t o be provided between t h e h i g h p r e s s u r e s e a l s

and t h e low p r e s s u r e s e a l s t o permit d r a i n i n g of w a t e r andor

e l i m i n a t i o n of steam g e n e r a t e d i n t h e e n c l o s u r e betwoen t h e

two t y p e s of s e a l s .

11. , M e t a l masses of c l o s u r e c o v e r and r i n g should be minimum f o r

e x p e d i e n t cooling.
I
12. Closure c o v e r should be o f minimum weight f o r e a s e i n handling.
r CLOSURE OPERATINO CHARACTERISTICS Report: DM-AC-IOU
Date: Aug. 28, 1959
Page: 6

Inasmuch as a l l o p e r a t i o n s must' be accomplished r a p i d l y and remotely

under 18 f t . of p r o t e c t i v e w a t e r and t h r u a thermal i n s u l a t i n g s h i e l d ,

t h e f o l l o w i n g f a c t o r s must be c o n s i d e r e d f o r a d e s i r a b l e meahanismt

1. O v e r a l l t a r g e t time is 30 minutes f o r opening and c l o s i n g t h e

, r e a o t o r cover.

2. Mechanisms s h o u l d be s i m p l e f o r t r o u b l e - f r e e o p e r a t i o n . -

3 O p e r a t i o n ' t o be jam-proof andor t o have a l t e r n a t e method of

opening.

4. Minimum o p e r a t i n g f o r c e r e q u i r e m e n t s a r e d e s i r a b l e t o reduce

d i s t o r t i o n of components.

'5. Moving components t o be p r e f e r a b l y small, f o r s m a l l f o r c e s and

e a s e i n handling.

6. C o n t r o l s 8hould be r e a d i l y a c c e e s i b l e .

7. Minimum s l i d i n g c o n t a c t p r e s s u r e s t o p r e v e n t g a u l i n g and keep

down o p e r a t i n g f b r c e s .

8. There s h o u l d .be no l o o s e p . a r t s t o [Link] detached and- f a l l o f f .

9. Minimum r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r s p e c i a l t o o l s and a u x i l i a r y equipment.

10. I n d i c a t i o n of p o s i t i o n of l o c k i n g mechanism i s d e s i r a b l e .
 CLOSURE MATERIALS CONSTDERJITION Report: KDM-AC-1011
I
_ Date: A U ~ .
Page:
2 8 , '1959
7

h t e r i a l e t o be used have s p e c i a l e i g n i f i c a n c e i n t h i s a p p l i c a t i o n . They

f a l l within 2 categories:

1 - M o t a l l i c f o r s t r u c t u r a l use, and
2 - Organic o r m e t a l l i a baae f o r s e a l i n g purposes.

The f o l l o w i n g a r e f a c t o r s f o r a o n s i d e r a t i o n r

1. The a p p l i c a t i o n is t o be c o n s i d e r e d as w a t e r a n d o r viater-vapor
p h a s e e x p o s u r e w i t h r a d i a t i o n exposure.

2. Low c o r r o s i o n r a t e s a r e i m p o r t a n t a t a d v e r s e t e m p e r a t u r e s and

, p r e s s u r e s and ambient c o n d i t i o n s .

3. The m a t e r i a l i n i t s l o c a t i o n s h o u l d be s e l e c t e d f o r low e l e c t r o -

l y t i c c o r r o s i o n combinations. ' .

4. C o r r o s i o n b y - p r o d u c t s s h o u l d be i s o l a t e d from t h o n u c l e a r s y s t c m

and p r e f e r , a b l y "non-poisoning".

5. M a t e r i a l s s h o u l d have a d e q u a t e r e s i s t a n c e t o r a d i a t i o n damage.

6. Design should reduce s t r e s s o o r r o s i o n aondikione.

7. The s l i d i n g m a t e r i a l s a n d b e a r i n g s s h o u l d p r e f e r a b l y o p e r a t e

w i t h o u t l u b r i c a n t s t h a t might wash o f f .

8. S l i d i n g c o n t a c t s u n d e r p r e s o u r e s h o u l d be a v o i d e d , i f p o s s i b l e ,

t o e l i m i n a t e g a u l i n g o r p o s s i b l e b l i n d g o u g i n g o f s o f t e r and more

machinable m a t e r i a l s .

9. M a t e r i a l s s h o u l d p r e f e r a b l y be e c o n o m i c a l , be r e a d i l y machinable

a n d have l o n g l i f e .
 COFMENTS ON SUBMITTED AC CLOSURE DESIGNS Report: DM-AC-1011
~ u c , l e a rPower D i v i s i o n , A l l i s Chalmers Co. Oct. 1 2 , 1958
Date:
Page: A-I. - 8
. .

. A s r e q u e s t e d y e have oommented h e r e w i t h on t h e f o l l o w i n g 5 closure dcsigns

s u b m i t t e d t o KEA f o r a n a l y s i s .
I
Page Type

A-3 Cam Lock Closure

A-4 Lug Operated Shear P l a t e Closure

A-5 ' Air .'Op'e'[Link] Cam Closure

A-6 R o t a t i n g Lug Closure

A-7 Boltbd Closure

Page A-2 l i s t s t h e major f a c t o r s c o n s i d e r e d i n t h i s a n a l y s i s . '

_ . ..
Only s u f f i q i e n t time was s p e n t on t h i s phase of t h e assignment t o make
I
a . . p r e l i m i n a r y comparison of f e a s r i b i l i t y between t h e d e s i g n s l i s t e d .
.
It i s our o p i n i o n t h a t improvement c a n be made over t h e above a r r a n g e y e n t o

by i n c o r p o r a t i n g i n t o a s i n g l e d e s i g n more of the d e s i r a b l e f a c t o r s l i s t e d

on Page A-2, (9).

CLOSURE SYSTEM EVALUATION FACTOR8 Report: KDM-AC-loll
Nuolear Power Division, A l l i e Chalmere Cor Dafe:.Oatr 12,
Ppger Am2 - 1958
9

Primary S e a l

A - Locking Method :B o l t , Clamp, R a d i a l P i n s , Breeoh Look, Shenr

Ring, Segmented Ring, B o l t e d F l a n g e , A i r o p e r a t e d
Cam, e t o .

B - A u x i l i a r y Equipment Required - E x t e r n a l Remote C o n t r o l

C - Locking F o r c e s - Main - S h e a r , T e n s i o n o r Compression

D.- Speed of O p e r a t i o n - Time

E - F o r c a s on High P r e s s u r e S e a l
External Internal

Pretension Material - Resilient

Floating Structure
~nternal P r e s s u r e Expansion

F - High P r e s s u r e S e a l s - P r e f e r a b l y 2 .
Location c i n l i p - o f v e s s e l with d r a i n channel
Material
Construction - t o r e q u i r e minimum s p a o e
Replacement and A u x i l i a r y Equipment Needed

G - S i m p l i c i t y of C o n s t r u c t i o n
H - O r i g i n a l and Subsequent Machining

I - O v e r a l l Costs
Secondary S e a l

. J - Location
K - Material
L - C o n s t r u c t i o n and A c t i o n
M - Replacement and A u x i l i a r y Equipment

N - Thermal I n s u l a t i o n C o n s i d e r a t i o n s . . O'

0 - Overall Costs
CAM LOOK BLOBURZ Repofit DM-AO-101
A l l i e Chalmere' Dwg. 4 3 - 0 0 1 ~ 8 8 4 Datet Oat 4 la, 1958
' Paget A-3 10

A d v a n t a ~ e o u sF e a t u r e s

Low t o r q u e requirement6 t o p o s i t i v e l y l o o k and unlook s e a l i n g oam. ,

Look mechanism e a s i l y r e p l a o e d .

3ueetionable Features

Looking meohanism i e oomplex r e q u i r i n g numeroue p a r t s whiah a a n

drop o f f i n t o t h e r e a o t o r as t h e [Link] is b e i n g removed*

The h i g h p r e s s u r e s e a l s a r e l o o a t e d i n t h e c o v e r making them d i f f i -

c u l t t o replace.

Two secondary low p r e s s u r e s e a l s would be expensive*

The secondary h i g h p r e s s u r e s e a l bellows i s p r e o a r i o u s .

The'many b o l t s on t h e seoondary h i g h p r e s s u r e s e a l would need p r e -

t e n s i o n i n g and h i g h uniform take-up torque. 0-Ring s e a l e must be

provided f o r eaoh b o l t .

The i n s u l a t i o n p r o t e c t i o n above t h e 2 eeaondary h i g h p r e s s u r e s e a l e

lacks effeotiveness. I

The low p r e s s u r e s e a l d e s i g n does not aocomrnodate v a r i a t i o n s of

.machinery o r t h e r m a l expansions.

D r a i n c h a n n e l s n o t shown*

Overall oost r e l a t i v e l y high*

CAM LOCK CMSURE - A-C Dwg. No. 43-001-884 Page No. 11
• LUG OPERATED SHEAR PLATE CLOSURE
A l l i a Chalmeret Dwg'e; 43-001-888
S i m i l a r t o 43-001-884
and 889 .
RepoHr
Date:
Page:
.-
flbM-AC-101
O a t 1 2 , 1958
A-4 12

Advantaaeous F e a t u r e s
Locking l u g and s h e a r p l a t e a r e p o s i t i v e i n i o t i o n and p o e i t i o n i n

locking.

Looking mechanism i s e a s y t o r e p l a c e i f l i f t r i n g s a r e provided.

Questionable Features

High p r e s s u r e s e a l s a r e i n l i d o r oover and d i f f i o u l t t o g e t t o f o r

r e p l a o ement .
Primary h i g h p r e s s u r e s e a l r e q u i r e s a n expander f o r o p e r a t i o n which

is n o t shown.

The secondary h i g h p r e s s u r e s e a l i s complex and t o o f a r away from

the primary h i g h p r e s s u r e s e a l .

Secondary h i g h p r e s s u r e s e a l r e q u i r e s p r e t e n s i o n i n g by numerous
b o l t s which i e slow i n ' o p e r a t i o n .
'

D r a i n c h a n n e l s a r e n o t provided.

Eaoh of t h e p r e t e n s i o n i n g b o l t s r e q u i r e s 0-Ring s e a l i n g .

Secondary s e a l i s s i m p l e and r e q u i r e s no mechanioal f a s t e n i n g , b u t

w i l l n o t accommodate t o dimensional change of t h e cover.

O v e r a l l c o s t ie r e l a t i v e l y high. C o q e n t s on 43-001-884 generally

, - : * <. , , -- . .*
.
. . - ..---
?A>;

a p p l y here. . ., ..!-.iv
,a -.-............. i . .
, .
. . ... .-,..s
. .
,.~
. ,
.: ... -:. .. . . . ,*;+:;,.-;.-:." ....
:
i '
..I.<. ._i
. ! . . .
LUO OPEEUTED SHEAR PLATE CLOSURB A-o 43-001-AR8 Page NO, 13
LUG OPERATED SHEAR PLATE OIOSURE A--0 43-001-889 Page NO. 14
 A I R OPERATED CAM CLOSURE Report: KDM-AC-101
'
A l l i ~Chalmors Dwg. No. 1~.j-001-915 Date: Oct. 1 2 , 1 9 5 8
Page: A-5 - 15

Advnntageous F e a t u r e a

Lockine o p e r a t i o n f a s t . Pneumatic o p e r a t i n g s y s t e m s i m p l e .

Minimum f o r c e s r e q u i r e d t o o p e r a t e oam.

T o t a l p r e t c n ~ i o n i n gp r e s s u r e i s small inasmuch a s t h e p r e s s u r e i s

needed o n l y t o overcome t h e u n i t p r e s s u r e on a narrow [Link] r i n g .

guestionable Features

C y l i n d r i c a l s u r f a c e s o f t h e cam a r e d i f f i c u l t and e x p e n s i v e t o
machine. The t o l e r a n c e s o f t h e numerous p o c k e t s e a t s a r e c r i t ' i c a l .

Pneumatic s y s t e m i s n o t p o s i t i v e r e q u i r i n g s e c o n d s e t of c y l i n d e r s . .

The p r i m a r y h i g h p r e s s u r e s e a l i s small and s o l i d and l o c a t e d i n t h e

c o v e r and would have t o b e oemented i n p l a c e und,er w a t e r .

The a n n u l a r s e a l r i n g must f l e x u n d e r working p r e s s u r e t o be e f f e c t i v e .

The p r i m a r y s e a l l i p ' n e e d n o t be b o t h screwed down and we-lded t o t h e

vessel. Only w e l d i n g would b e s u f f i c i e n t .

High p r e s s u r e seal^ s r e i n t h e c o v e r .

O-Ring on bottom o f p r e t e n s i o n i n g s c r e w n e e d s t o be r e t a i n e d .

Each =rew and n u t r e q u i r e s a n o t h e r O-Ring f o r s e a l i n g .

There i s no p o s i t i v ' e i n d i c a t i o n o f cam p o s i t i o n *

Weep c h a n n e l ' s . f o r w a t e r and s t e a m a r e d e s i r a b l e .

Low P r e s s u r e s e a l O-Rings have l i m i t e d t o l e r a n c e f o r s e a l i n g .
AIR OPERATED OAM CLOSURE - A-C Dwg. Nor 43-001-915 Page 100. 16
 c ROTATING LUG CLOSURE Report: KDM-AC-101
-
A l l i n Chalmerst Dwg. No. 43-001-916 Date:
page': A-6 -
Oct. 1 2 , 1958
17

Advantageous F e a t u r e s

R o t a t i n g cam l o c k is r a p i d l y o p e r a b l e w i t h few t o o l s .

Other Features-

Tho t h e l o c k i n g and t h e u n l o c k i n g o f t h e c a p i s r e l a t i v e l y f a s t ,

t h e p r e t e n s i o n i n g of t h e r i n g i s r e l a t i v e l y slow.

Insufficient p e r c e n t a c e of area o f t h e l i p i e e f f e c t i v e a g a i n s t

t h e r o t a t i n g lug.

Comments on h i g h p r e s s u r e s e a l s a r e t h e Game as t h o s e e x p r e s s e d f o r

cam l o c k drawing 43-001-915.

.

The r o t a t i n g ccun c a n n o t o p e r a t e as drawn.

The p r o j e c t e d cam a r e a f o r ' b o t h s h e a r and c o m p r e s s i o n i s small and

i n a d o [Link].

The cam l o c k s h a f t i s n o t s e a l e d a g a i n s t s h i e l d i n g w a t e r .
. *

The p r e t e n s i o n i n g . s c r e \ v c h a f t '@;landneed n o t be s o complex.

The o v e r a l l c o s t of t h e [Link] i s r e l a t i v e l y e x p e n s i v e .
BOTATINGl LUG CLOSURE - A-C Dwg. No. 49-001-916 Page No. 18
BOLT ED CLOSURE Report: DM-AC-LO1
A l l i a Chalmers' Dwg. No. 23-001-917 Date: O c t , 12, 1 9 5 8
Page: A17 - 19

Advantageous F e a t u r e s

B o l t e d c l o s u r e i s r e l a t i v e l y s i m p l e i n c o n s t r u c t i o n and i n e x p e n s i v e . .

Questionable Features ,

Approximately 7 5 b o l t s 3 inches i n diameter a r e required. This

r e q u i r e s c o n s i d e r a b l e p r e t e n s i o n i n g making t h e o p e r a t i o n r a t h e r

slow and r e q u i r i n g c o n s i d e r a b l e a u x i i i a r y heavy equipment.

Thc p r i m a r y s e a l s a r e i n c o m p r e s s i o n c n l y and v ~ o u l d t e n d t o l e a k

sooner than self-energizing seals.,

S e a l s a r e n o t s e l f - e n e r g i z i n g and a r e d i f f i c u l t t o l q c a t e on a n

unrecessed surface.

B o l t s p r o j e c t i n g i n t o . t h e s h i e l d i n g w a t e r r e q u i r e s e a l i n g and a l s o

i n s u l a t i o n t o c o n s e r v e h e a t flow t o s h i e l d i n g . [Link].

Welding of p o s i t i o n i n g s t u d t o v e s s e l i s q u e s t i o n a b l e . To d o o t h e r -

w i s e n e c e s s i t a t e s heavy s e c t i o n s .

Secondary low p r e s s u r e s e a l i s i n a d e q u a t e f o r t h e p u r p o s e and w i l l .

n o t accommodate t o t h e r m a l changes.

The d r a i n and b l e e d s y s t e m i s complex..

'BOLTED CI,OSUHE - A-C Dwg. lio. 43-001-917 Page No. 20
--- ---.-
 THERMAL-RING CLAMP CLOSURE Repod No. KDM-AC-1011
'

Data: Nov. 28, 1958

-
P r e l i m i n a r y A n a l y e i e o f A-C D e s i g n
--- - - -
Pager 1 21-
For p u r p o s e s of a p p l y i n g a p r e l o a d t o t h e g a s k e t s u r f a c e and t o compensate

f o r any t o l e r a n c e s ; t h e r i n g would be expanded by h e a t i n g w i t h c a l - r o d s and

t h e n a l l o w e d t o c o o l and c o n t r a c t w h i l e b e i n g engaged w i t h t h e c o v e r and

' reactor v e s s e l flange.

I

The r i n g m a t e r i a l would be low c a r b o n s t e e l and i t would weigh a p p r o x i m a t e l y

3,000 lbe. A s p e c i f i c h e a t of 0.12 a n d a l i n e a r t h e r m a l e l o n g a t i o n c o e f f i -

c i e n t of .00000636 i n . p e r i n - F were u s e d f o r t h e m a t e r i a l .

The s e c t i o n t o be e l o n g a t e d was t a k e n as 9 i n . l o n g and 1.25 in'. t h i c k on a

96 i n . i n s i d e d i a m e t e r . The e l o n g a t i o n by t h e r m a l e x p a n e i g n : w a s asslm'ed t o

be .040 i n .

The t e m p e r a t u r e o f t h e s u r r o u n d i n g medium and t h e v e s s e l was t a k e n as 100' F.

A t e m p e r a t u r e r i s e ( A T ) was c a l c u l a t e d as 700° F would be r e q u i r e d f o r a n

e l o n g a t i o n o f .040 i n . i n a 9 i n . l e n g t h . The h e a t r e q u i r e d f o r t h i s temper-

a t u r e r i s e of 700' F i n t h e s t e e l r i n g was d e t e r m i n e d aa 252,000 BTU.

The l o s s e s which would o c c u r d u r i n g t h e h e a t i n g c y c l e of a p p r o x i m a t e l y 2 0

m i n u t e s were c a l c u l a t e d as 2.898 x 1 0
6 BTU.

The t o t a l q u a n t i t y of h e a t r e q u i r e d would be 3.15 x lo6 BT6U. In' t e r m s o f

e l e c t r i c a l power t h i s amounts t o 925 KW. h r s . There a r e l i m i t a t i o n s t o t h e

amount of power which c o u l d be a p p l i e d . Assuming t h a t a l l o f t h e a v a i l a b l e

a r e a c o u l d be u t i l i z e d on t h e o u t e r s u r f a c e o f t h e r i n g , t h i s s u r f a c e would

be c o v e r e d w i t h 1500' F c a l - r o d s , The q u a n t i t y of power t h a t c o u l d be

a p p l i e d e q u a l s 216 KW h r s .
 THERMAL-RING CLAMP CLOSURE Repor+ NO. DM-AC-1011
P r e l i m i n a r y A n a l y s + i o f A-C Deeign Date: .Nov. 28, 1958
Pager 2 . 22 -
The amount o f power r e q u i . r e d i s h i g h and i s a p p r o x i m a t e l y f o u r t i m e s t h e

amount t h a t c a n - b e a p p l i e d . T h e r e. f.o r e , i t i s a p p a r e n t t h a t t h i s method

o f olamping d o e s . n o t a p p e a r t o be f e a s i b l e .

A l t h o u g h t h e t h e r m a l r i n g a p p e a r s i m p r a c t i c a l a t t h e . p r e s e n t t i m e 'bseed

on r o u g h c a l c u l a t i o n s , it may have p o s s i b i l i t i e s i f u s e d i n c o n j u n c t i o n

I w i t h some m e c h a n i c a l means b y which t h e amount of t h e r m a l e l o n g a t i o n could

be minimized. T h i s would r e d u c e t h e t e m p e r a t y r e d i f f e r e n t i a l required a c d

I
thereby reduce t h e l o s s e s incurred.

O t h e r v a r i a b l e s as t h e l e n g t h o f s e c t i o n , t h e m a t e r i a l and i n s u l a t o r s
c o u l d be i n v e s t i g a t e d a n d a d v a n t a g e o u s l y r e v i s e d t o c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e

f e a e i b i l i t y of t h e clamp.
I
One main d i s a d v a n t a g e w i t h t h i s d e s i g n i s t h e l a c k o f a n a l t e r n a t e method

of removal i n c a s e of f a i l u r e t o o b t a i n t h e p r o p e r h e a t .

VJ. Melter
P r o j e o t Engineer
 REACTOR VESSEL CLOSURE ANALYSIS Repod: KDM-AC-1011,
Date: Oc t , 21,
Thread Cloeure C a l c u l c t i o n e
Page: 3 - 195823 '

C o e f f i a i e n t of f r i c t i o n f a o t o r g i v e n f o r high aomprebeive l o a d f neb

. .

C o e f f i c i e n t of s l i d i n g f r i c t i o n ri5(~)
. .
C o e f f i c i e n t of s t a t i o f r i c t i o n .25(u). -

P P A a t u a t i n g f o r c e (lb.) Q the pitoh radiue

L a Load a p p l i e d by t h e screw

rn a P i t c h ( o r lead) of t h e t h r e a d = 1 inah

r
P i t c h r a d i u s of t h r e a d = 47.75 i n c h e s
r =

-
dean f r i c t i o n r a d i u s 47.00 i n c h e s
2

Po Forae r e q u i r e d w i t h no f r i c t i o n L(A)
m L(.0033) Lb. ' .
300
e s Efficiency . , , ,

T o t a l Load "Ltt Applied by Screw Equals

W1 + W2 where:
P r e t e n s i o n e q u a l t o i n t e r n a l l o a d caused by 660 p s i ( p l ) eteam
R1 IS

p r e s s u r e on 90 i n c h d i a m e t e r ( i n s i d e ) head.

Gasket l o a d of 10,000 p s i (p2)

W2 a
. REACTOR VESSEL CIASURE ANALYSIS Repart: RbM-AC-loU.
Thread Closure Oaloulatione Date:
Pager ' . 4 -
O a t # 21, 1958
24

-For Motion i n Same D i r e c t i o n aa "Ltl Load

6
,PI = '7.1 x 10 (.294) 2.09 x 106 lbe. (in d i r e c t i o n of ldad ~ I L ~ I )

e a lr.i2% E f f i o i e a c y

For Impending Motion i n Oppoeite D i r e c t i o n as l1Ll1 Load

- P2 7 . 1 x 106(.49961) 1 3 . 5 5 x 106 l b s . (Opposite Direotlom o f

V L ~
*REACTOR VEBSEL CLOSURE ANALYSIS Reportt KDM-AC-loll
Thread Closure C a l c u l a t i o n e
Poger
,
5 -
Dater 00 t 21( 1958
25

Hydraulic C y l i n d e r Size Requirement

Note: The maximum a o t u a t i n g f o r c e is 3.55 x lo6 lbs, (1725 tons).

N . 4 Hydraulic c y l i n d e r s @ 5,000 p a i (P~)

AT = ~ o t a Area
l

A r C y l i n d e r Area

d m Diameter I

H P Length of Stroke

H - 20°/3600 x 300 i n , u 16.75 i n b cub pro xi mat el^)

d = 15 i n . (Diameter of eaoh c y l i n d e r )

T o t a l Volume (V) .of Hydreiulic F l u i d Required

v = 710 x 16.75

V 11,900 c u b i n .

V = 51.5 g a l l o n s
*REACTOR VESSEL CLOSURE ANALYSIS Repor?: KDM-AC-1011
Thread Closure C a l a u l a t i o n e
,
Date: Oo t 21, 1958
Page: A ( 1 ) - 26

CONCLUSIONS

Four 15 i n c h d i a m e t e r c y l i n d e r s o p e r a t i n g a t 5,000 p s i would be r e q u i r e d

t o s u p p l y a n a c t u a t i n g f o r c e of 1 , 7 2 5 t o n s t o l o o s e n t h i s c l o e u r e . Some-

what l e s o f o r a e i e r e q u i r e d f o r a l o s i n g .

The a p p a r e n t moohanical advantage i s 300 t o 1, i f n e g l e o t i n g f r i o t i o n .

When t h e e f f e c t s of f r i c t i o n and t h e low e f f i c i e n c y of t h e t h r e a d a r e

a l s o c o n s i d e r e d , t h e a c t u a l mechanical advantage i s a p p r o x i m a t e l y 2 t o ,I..

The l o a d a p p l i e d by t h e screw on t h e f l a n g e i s made up of two p a r t s , (a)

t h e p r e t e n s i o n t o c o u n t e r a c t t h e steam l o a d on t h e c o v e r , and ( b ) t h e l o a d

t o compress t h e g a s k e t , t h e t o t a l b e i n g e q u a l t o 7.10 x 1 0
6 lbs.

There a r e h i g h s t r e s s c o n c e n t r a t i o n s i n t h e lower s e c t i o n of t h e clamping ,

r i n g at t h e corner. These c o u l d be e l i m i n a t e d by a d d i n g a r a d i u s i n t h e ,

c o r n e r and i n c r e a s i n g t h e s e c t i o n .

Tho s t o p on t h e lower f l a n g e s h o u l d be e f f e c t i v e i n b o t h d i r e c t i o n s because

~
I

I
t h e f r i o t i o n a l f\orce between t h e r i n g s lower f l a n g e and t h e v e s s e l f l a n g e

i s n o t g r e a t enough t o r e s i s t t u r n i n g when t h e a c t u a t i n g f o r c e i s a p p l i e d

t o loosen the closure.

7 R U C T O R V6S8F,It CLOSURE ANALYATR , Repent ~DM-AC-1011
Wedge Segment C l o s u r e C a l a u l a t i o n o Date: 00 t 21, 1958
Page: . 6 - 27

C o e f f i o i e n t o f f r i o t i o n f a a t o r g i v e n f o r h i g h oompreseive loading.

Coeffioient o f , e l i d i n g f r i o t i o n .15(u)

C o e f f i c i e n t of e t a t i c f r i c t i o n .25(u)

P = A c t u a t i n g Load

L = Load a p p l i e d by t h e wedgee

B r Wedge Angle 8 degrees

A = F r i c t i o n Angle

N = Number o f wedges

e = Efficiency ,

m n P i t c h ( o r ~ e a d )of t h r e a d = .25 i n c h

Q = Torque

F = F o r c e on t h e screw
I

r1 P P i t c h r a d i u s of s c r e w n 1 inch

r = Mean f r i c t i o n r a d i u s
2

T o t a l Load "L" Applied by Wedges E q u a l s W1 + W2 where8

W1 m P r e t e n s i o n (none r e q u i r e d ) ,

m O a s k e t Load of 1 0 , 0 0 0 p e l . ( 2 . 9 x 10 ) lb'er
6
W2
 .REACTOR V E S S E L CLOSURE A N A L Y S I S Report~KDM-AC-1011
Wedge Segment Cloeure C a l c u l a t i o n s
- Page: 7 -
Date: OC t r 21, 1958
28

I
Force Required t o Drive Wedge

L tan (B 4 . 2 ~ )
P1 a Ti

Force Required t o Loosen Wedge

P2 =
L tan (2A
Ti
- B)

Wedge E f f i c i e n c y

e
= t a nt a n(B'B+ 2

m 3i.896
~
Efficiency
a
) ~
. REACTOR VEBSEL. CLOSURE ANALPGIS ~eporl:KOM-AC-1011
' Wedge Segment Closure Cklculations
Pager' 8 -
DaDer 0 o t 6 21, 1958
29

Sorew Load Required

F 6 . 9 1 x 1 0 4 ( , m 1 ) + N e g l i r i.b .l e Quantity

& a 18,200 i n e l b e . (Torque)

Screw Ef f i c i e n c x

e t 14,2% Efficiency

-
Overall Efficiencx

Note: The e f f i c i e n c y of the Bevel Gear s e t is taken as 95%.

' Oo
= (*95)(.3181(.142)
4.30% Overall Efficiency
0

B2 9
REACTOR VESSEL CLOSURE AlfALYSIS Report: RDM-AC-1011
Oc t. 21, 1958
Wedge Segment Closure C a l o u l a t i o n ~ Date:
Page: ~(2) - 30

CONCLUSIONS

The a c t u a t i n g f o r c e , i n t h e form of t o r q u e , i s r e l a t i v e l y s m a l l (18,200

[Link].) f o r e a c h eegment, of whiah t h e r e are 20.

With t h e member6 i n d i r e c t s h e a r , no p r e t e n e i o n i s r e q u i r e d o t h e r t h a n

t h e f o r o e r e q u i r e d t o oompreee t h e g a s k e t .

T h i s o l o s u r e oan be ueed w i t h t h e oompression paoking or. s e l f - e n e r g i z i n g

seal.

The e f f i c i e n o y of t h i e o l o s u r e i s 600% g r e a t e r t h a n t h e t h r e a d a l o e u r e a

The wedge segment and d r i v e p a r t s a r e r e l a t i v e l y s m a l l 'and, t h e r e f o r e ,

e a s y t o machine.

The cover c o u l d be d e s i g n e d t o reduce o r e l i m i n a t e t h e tendenoy of g a s k e t

s c u f f i n g , however,ecuffing i s n o t c r i t i o a l i f a s e l f - e n e r g i z i n g e e a l i s
\

used*
 'KEA'PRELIMINARY CLOSURE SEAL PROPOSALS Reporit Dk-AC-1OTl
Datet Aug. 28, 1959
Pager 31

Out of t h e s t u d y and p r o p o s a l of v a r i o u e meohaniems, arrangement6 and

m a t e r i a l s , KEA hae a r r i v e d a t a number of combinations whioh a r e

reaommended f o r f u r t h e r o o n s i d e r a t i o n of t h e i r r e e p e o t i v e f e a t u r e e .

A l l t h e arrangements i n c l u d e e e l f - e f l e r g i z i n g s e a l e l

Without eome development and t e s t i t would n o t be p r o f i t a b l e t o a t t e m p t

I

n o r o p r e c i s e design. For t h i s r e a s o n oommente a r e made on t h e a t t a o h e d

l a y o u t s without e t r e s e v a l u e s .

Closure Design on page 4 1 is s u b m i t t e d i n a form t o emphaeiee t h e f e a -

t u r e s we f e e l a r e a t t a i n a b l e with a e e a l m a t e r i a l development program

a s suggested h e r e i n .

A l l of t h e proposed arrangements a r e p r e s e n t e d i n sohematfc 'form and

a r o n o t n e c e s s a r i l y i n d e s i g n form.
 COPIMENTS ON KEA CLOSURE ARRANGEMENT ANALYSIS' KDM-AC-1011,
KEA Wedge -
Screw-Gear Actuated
,
Report,
Date:
Page:
Aug* 28, 1959
32

Wedre Type Clofiure - Screw-Clear [Link]

~dvanta-8 Features

[Link] wedge i e p o s i t i v e i n a c t i o n and p o s i t i o n . No l o o e e p a s t e

, t o h a n d l e when ciover i e b e i n g removed. A l l wedges c o u l d be un-

locked a t t h e same time by means of a common g e a r d r i v e which would

r e s u l t i n a r a p i d c o m p l e t i o n of t h e opening-closing c y c l e . Seals

remain i n v e s s e l l i p d u r i n g removal of oover. The m i t e r g e a r s .

o f f e r f u r t h e r p o e s i b i l i t y o f i n c r e a s i n g mechanioal advantage.

Questionable Features

Complex l o c k i n g mechanism r e q u i r e s numerous p a r t s . The t o l e r a n c e , '

of t h e engaging f l a n g e i e c r i t i o a l . An even down-pressure may

n o t be achieved due t o v a r y i n g f r i c t i o n between wedges and wall.

A. a e r i e s t e n s i o n i n g member t o accommodate t o t h i s v a r i a t b o n may

be n e c e s s a r y . -The power requirement f o r a o o n t r o l o p e r a t e d open-

i n g - c l o s i n g i s high. The e e l f - e n e r g i z i n g s e a l e r e q u i r e a minimum

of p r e t e n s i o n i n g .
. NIGH
KEA Vled~e -
PRESSURE REACTOR VESSEL CLOSURE
Seraw-Gear Aotunted
Report;
Pate:
KDH-AC-1011
AUR, 28, 195
Pager 33
 'COMMENTS ON KEn CLOSURE ARRANGEMENT ANALYSIS . Reportr DM-AC-1011
K E A R o t a t i n g S e c t o r Type Date: . Aug. 28, 1959
KEA R o t a t i n g S e c t o r Type w i t h S e p a r a t e S e a l Ring Page:, 34

KEA rota tin^ S e c t o r Type

Advantageous F e a t u r e e

Locking o p e r a t i o n i s p o s i t i v e and f a s t and may be o p e r a t e d by a

common souroe, t h o t h i s would c o m p l i a a t e t h e s t r u c t u r e . Relatively

small foroes a r e required t o operate t h i a device. Can be q u i t e

. economiaal and f a s t i n a p p l i c a t i o n .

Questionable Featuree

The t o l e r a n c e of t h e engaging f l a n g e i e o r i t i o a l . P r e l o a d i n g of

t h e 2 p r e e s u r e s e a l s cannot be o b t a i n e d by t h i e method. Self-

energizing s e a l s a r e necessary t o provide b e t t e r sealing.

KEA R o t a t i n g S e c t o r Type With S e p a r a t e S e a l Ring

Advantageous ~ e a t u r e s

F a s t and p o s i t i v e l o c k i n g o p e r a t i o n , whioh may be c e n t r a l l y oper-

ated. Minimum f o r c e s r e q u i r e d f o r l o c k i n g . Requiree s e l f - e n e r -

g i z i n g wedgo t y p e . s e a l s . ~ c o n o m i c a l and
' simple i n construction.

Questionable Featurea

C r i t i c a l t o l e r a n c e and p o s s i b l e warping of t h e engaging f l a n g e .

Here, when t h e r e a r e 2 s e a l s i n p a r a l l e l , t h e s m a l l e r diam-eter .or

i n s i d e s e a l w i l l n o t p r e v e n t any leakage. The e e a l r e t a i n i n g

r i n g i s c e n t e r e d between t h e 2 s e a l s , t h u s r e d u c i n g t h e c b n t a a t

p r e s s u r e where i t i s needed. The r e t a i n i n g r i n g w i l l t i p , reduc-

i n g the p o s s i b i l i t y o f i n i t i a l s e a l i n g . No weep o h a n n e l i e poss-

ible. D i f f i c u l t t o . p u t i n p l a c e and may l o s e gaekete.

.
HIaH PRESSURE REACTOR
KEX Rotating Seotor
VESSEL CLOSURE Report: RDM-AC-1011
Date: AUg. 28, 1959
Page: 35

Gchematia Only

Sectors in pairs
HIGH PRESSURE REACTOR VESSEL CLOSURE Report: ~M-AC-PO~%
KEA Rotating Sector With Sepayate Seal Ring Date: Auge 28@1959
Page: 36

Soheaatio Only
I !I
I o COMMENTS 018 rtEa CLOSURE ARRANGEMENT ANALPSIB1 Wepert6 ' KDM-AC-%O11
I
I KEA E c c e n t r f a Cam, KEA E c o e n t r i o Cam a t 4509 Dater Bug., 28, 1959
I KEA Lever Operated Wedge Paget 37 I

KEA E c c e n t r i c Cam
Advantageous F e a t u r e e

T h i s arrangement provide8 f o r a l a r g e c o n t a o t a r e a and i e r a p i d l y .

operable* Low f o r c e requirement i n o p e r a t i o n beoauee of s e l f -

energizing eeal, Wedge e l o t e a r e [Link] t o move a segment by

pinoh bar ehould i t become etuoko

€Jueetionable Features

There i~i n s u f P f . o i e n t , f o r a e for p r e l o a d i n g of the, 2 e e a l s s whiah,

t h g r f J f 0 ~ gr~e q u i r e 8 e e l % - e n e r g i a i n g 6 8 a f ~ e O v e r a l l o o e t i e r e l a -

t i v e l y expensive,
8
Advantageous P e a t u r g e

F a s t and p o s i t i v e o p e r a t i n g o
d
Bfiaple o o n s t r u a t i o n ; 4 5 O e l i d e guide^ . '
a r s . r n a i n l y i n d i r e c t i o n of a p p l i e d i o r s s , whioh,seducea. p o s s i b i l i t y .

' of jamming.
Questionable Features

P r e l o a d i n g of p r e s s u r e s e a l s i s not f e a e i b l e and w i l l , t h e r e g o r e ,

require eelf-energizing s e a l s c '

KEA Lever Operated Wedge

Advantaaeous F e a t u r e e
R o t a t i n g oam l o o k s r a p i d l y w i t h few t o o l e No l o o s e p a r t s t o h a n d l e '

when c o v e r i s b e i n g removed.

Questionable F e a t u r e e
I n s u f f i c i e n t a r e a between s l o t and pusharm, Wedge s e o t o r w i l l have

tendency t o wedge t h r u r o t a t i o n . . T h e t o r q u e requirement f o r a cen-

t r a l o p e r a t i o n is high.
HIGH PRESSURE REACTOR VESSEL CU)SURE Repod NO* DM-AC-1011
KEA Ecoentric Cam Date: Aug. 28, 1959
Page: 38
gohema t i o Only
HIGH PRESSURE REACTOR VESSEL CLOSURE Repoh ftDM-AC-1011
KEA Lever Operated Wedge Dater Au;! 1 8 ; 1959
Pager
 CIOSURE DESIGN - Repottt KDM-AC-loll
Recommended by KEA Datet Aug, 28, 1959
Page: 41

-
The s k e t c h on page 42 shows t h e o l o s u r e d e s i g n p r i n o i p l e recommended by

KEA. T h i s i n c l u d e s two s e l f - e n e r g i z i n g s e a l s of t h e t y p e proposed

I e a r l i e r for teeting.

The s e a l grooves a r e l o o a t e d i n t h e v e s e e l l i p a d j a c e n t t o a f l a n g e

which a c c u r a t o l y s e t s t h e compressed s e a l h e i g t h . A weep c h a n n e l be-

tween t h e s e s e a l s e n a b l e s checking on t h e amount of leakage.

Because of t h e f e a t u r e of s e l f - e n e r g i z i n g , t h e amount of precompression

i s reduced and t h e f o r c e s r e q u i r e d t o push o r p u l l t h e segments i n t o

p o s i t i o n w i l l be r e l a t i v e l y low. The l o a d a p p l i e d t o t h e segments by

t h e cover due t o i n t e r n a l p r e e s u r e i s h e l d i n e h e a r and bending of which

t h e f o r c e s a r e not e x c e s s i v e . The l o c k segments should have a s l i g h t

t a p e r t o be s e l f - l o c k i n g and t o i n s u r e p r o p e r c,ontact between t h e com-

i ponents t o be locked,

II
F i n a l d e t a i l s on how t o b e s t a c t u a t e t h i s c l o s u r e a r e n o t shown. This

I' w i l l depend i n p a r t on t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s developed i n t h e s e a l t e s t

program. Some of t h e p o s s i b i l i t i e s a r e shown i n t h e f o r e g o i n g i l l u s -

trations,

The secondary low p r e s s u r e s e a l s h o u l d bea8eadhle typo t o accommodate

, .
,
t o thermal expansions and t o machining v a r i a t i o n s i n t h e s t r u c t u r e ,
CLOSURE DESIGN Repod: DM-AC-1011
Recommended by KEA Dote: Au]ti 28, 1959
Page:

Schernatio Only
 SEAL CONSIDERATIONS Report: IWM-AC-1011
Date: A ;u! 28, 1959
Paget

-
S e a l s f o r t h i s o e r v i c e a p p l i o a t i o n f a l l i n t o two main c a t e g o r i e s , namely -
1, Comprossion Gasket S e a l s - r e q u i r i n g h i g h oompreseive l o a d t o s e a t

t h e m a t e r i a l l e a k p r o o f i n i t s groove. Theee m a t e r i a l 8 have l i t t l e

r e s i l i e n c e and m u s t , t h e r e f o r e , be precompressed t o r e t a i n s u f f i -

c i e n t pre8sur.e when t h e compreesion member, . o f t e n a screw, ex-

t e n d s under t e n s i o n ,

.2. Self Eneraizing S e a l s - r e q u i r e r e l a t i v e l y l i g h t compressive l o a d s

. because t h e i r d e s i g n t e n d s t o i n f l a t e o r extend them i n t o p l a c o

with increased operating pressure.

Because of t h e h i g h o p e r a t i n g p r e s s u r e , s i m p l i c i t y , p o s s i b l e economies and

speed of opening and c l o s i n g , a ' s e l f - e n e r g i z i n g s e a l i e recommended. Such

?

a s e a l would even be d e s i r a b l e f o r t h e comgreeeion g a s k e t s e a l a p p l i c a t i o n

f o r which t h e p r e t e n e i o n i n g could be g r e a t l y reduaed,

A l e a k a g e of 5 l b s p e r day from t h e primary v e s s e l s e a l i s a c c e p t a b l e .

T h i s s u p p o r t s t h e use of a eecond s e a l and a weep c h a n n e l t o check t h e

amount of leakage.
. .
The s e a l m a t e r i a l s h o u l d be r e s i l i e n t , c h e m i c a l l y r e s i s t a n t and s t a b l e a t

. o p e r a t i n g temperatures. It h a s been found t h a t such i d e a l s e a l s a r e n o t

a v a i l a b l e and need t o be f u r t h e r i n v e s t i g a t e d and developed.

Because s u c h m a t e r i a l s and c o n s t r u c t i o n s a r e not a v a i l a b l e , and time t o

develop them is not p e r m i s s i b l e , a g a s k e t of more c o n v e n t i o n a l d e s i g n is

recommended.
s,

The i n f o r m a t i o n f o l l o w i n g is d i r e c t e d toward a development program t o i n -

t e g r a t e t h e e n g i n e e r i n g i n f o r m a t i o n a v a i l a b l e from vendors and from s c i e n -

t i f i c s o u r c e s i n t o a v e r y p r a c t i c a l i n d u s t r i a l approach t o t h e problem. .
 H I G H PRESSURE SEnL MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION Report: KDM-AC-1011
F a c t o r e For C o n s i d e r a t i o n by Vendor Date:
Pager 8-1 - 44
Nov. 1, 1958

Following a r e g e n e r a l f a c t o r s c o n s i d e r e d i n making a s e l e c t i o n t o r s u i t a b l e
'

t y p e of s e a l m a t e r i a l and c o n s t r u c t i o n .
not
1. Complete s e a l i n g i e , i m p e r a t i v e . For added s a f e t y two s e a l e i n
s e r i e s might be d e s i r e d w i t h a weep ohannel between them. Some
l e a k a g e is p e r m i s s i b l e .
2. The s e a l m a t e r i a l muet have sufficient s t r e n g t h i'n i t e e l f o r

provided w i t h a pre-aseembly o o n s t r u o t i o n t o p e r m i t oonvenient

removal and replacement under w a t e r w i t h minimum t o o l s o r delay.

3 The s e a l m a t e r i a l should be r e s i l i e n t t o make h i g h p r e t e n s i o n i n g

p r e s s u r e s unnecessary. S e l f - e n e r g i a i n g d e s i g n is p r e f e r r e d .

4. The s e a l m a t e r i a l should n o t s t i c k t o oontdot s u r f a o e e .

5. The s e a l , p r e f e r a b l y i s i n t h e l i p of t h e v e e s e l r a t h e r t h a n ' i n
t h e cover i n o r d e r t h a t t h e heavy cover need n o t be i n v e r t e d t o

replace. a aeal.

6. The s e a l i s p r e f e r a b l y w e l l oonfined t o reduoe s t r u c t u r a l and

physical limitations.

-. 7. The s e a l m a t e r i a l s h o u l d p r e f e r a b l y be r e a d i l y a v a i l a b l e , eco-
. .
nomioal and have l o n g l i f e

8. The s e a l m a t e r i a l s h o u l d p r e f e r a b l y be oontinuous.

9. Repair o r s p l i c i n g of t h e s e a l m a t e r i a l s h o u l d be poe6ible.
. .
10. The s e a l m a t e r i a l s h o u l.d- have minimum s u a c e p t a b i l i t y t o r a d i a -
.. . .
t i o n damage.

11. The s e a l m a t e r i a l and any a s s o o i a t e d ' c e l l r e t a i n i n g m a t e r i a l ..

. - ?,.... . : - . . .. . . ..
, , ! , ..
L , _;: (

.. .. .* .
s h o u l d be p r e f e r a b l y n o n - c o n ~ & i n a t i n g t o t h e system.
 H I G H PRESSURE REACTOR VESSEL SEAL Report: KDM-AC-1011
Date: Nov. 1, 1958
Page: S-2 - . 45

~ e n e r a lr e q u i r e m e n t s f o r t h e o o n s t r u c t i o n d i s c u s s e d i n c l u d e t h e f o l l o w i n g :

1. Temperature - 500" t o 550"

Pressure - 600 t o 660 p s i S a t u r a t e d steam
2. Type - S e l f - e n e r g i z i n g - 2 s e a l s i n s e r i e s ( p r e f e r r e d )

3. R a d i a t i o n a t Gasket - F a s t ' N e u t r o n s 2 107 p e r o e n t i m e t e r s q u a r e

x
' p e r seoond.
- ~ h e r m a lNeutrons
- 1 x 1 08 p e r c e n t i m e t e r
s q u a r e p e r , second.

- Gamma Rays - 7.6' x 10

8 per centimeter
s q u a r e p e r second.

4. The r e a c t o r w i l l be i n c o n t i n u o u s o p e r a t i o n f o r 3 t o 4 months,

at t h e end of which time t h e s e a l s c a n be r e p l a c e d . The s e a l o

-
a r e t o be l o c a t e d i n t h e l i p of t h e h i g h p r e s s u r e v e s s e l .

Access t o t h e s e a l i s t h r u 18 f e e t of w a t e r n e c e s s i t a t i n g t o o l n ,

f o r removal and replacement.

5. I t ' i s d e s i r e d t h a t recommendations be provided f o r s e l f - e n e r g i z -

i n g s e a l s of s i n g l e and m u l t i p l e r i n g o o n s t r u c t i o n . Recoc~rnended

dimensions and s t r u c t u r a l f e a t u r e s s h o u l d be i n d i c a t e d t o permit

i n c ' l u s i o n i n t h e o v e r a l l design.

Because of t h e l a c k of s t r u c t u r a l s t r e n g t h and t h e r e l a t i v e l y

f l i m s y r i n g , i t may be d e s i r a b l e t o back up t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n

with a metal r i n g i n t e g r a l or vulcanized t o t h e s e a l material.

It i s . d e s i r e d t h a t q u o t a t i o n s be provided i n t r i p l i c a t e addressed
I
t o Koerper Eng,ineering A s s o c i a t e s f o r t h e d i f f e r e n t t y p e s of
.. . .. .;. ! .
rec'k&eid&d s t r u c turc ' aid m a t e r i a l s w i t h a u k w i t h o u t backup r i n g s ,
-
. HIGH PRESSURE REACTOR VESSEL SEAL Report1RDM-AC-1011
Date,
Pager 8.3 -
Nova 1, 1958
46

. .
5* i f so feasible*
It is also requested 'that the material, which preferably ehould

, be splioible, should also be quoted in coste per foot with ~ o m e

indication of vuloanizing techniques and neeeeeary toole there-

fore.

Particularly desired are quotations on ,

1 -3 - Recommended 3S'in. 0.D. Teet eeala specimen,

1 - 3 - Recommended 12 in. OaDa Teet seale epeoimen,

1 - -
10 Recommended 90 in. 0.D. Seals,

also tooling costs if any on above, and eetimated delivery times

of the various pieces,

In order to make reasonably valid oomparison of the varj,ous seal-

ing methods, reaommendations should inolude euoh engineering in-

I
formation as seal cross section g r o o v ~dimenslone [Link],
deaired precompreesion and loading necessary to effeot the seal.
I

Suitable hold down mechanism provided A

 Reference Report -
RADIATION RESIBTANCE OF PLASTICS .
AEO-ORNL 928
" P h y s i c a l P r o p e r t i e 8 of I r r a d i a t e d
Repartt KDM-AC-1011
Dater AU 6 28, 1959
Pager &6-A

Expaeure .
P l a st i o s Ohange i n P r o p e r t i e s
l 0 l 8 nvt
1. M i n e r a l - f i l l e d f u r a n and L i t t l e chance exoent f o r
mineral-filled phenoliost 10 darkening ii o o l o r l
Duralon, Haveg 41, a s b e s t o s -
f i b e r Bakelite, asbestos-
f a b r i c ~ a k e l i t e ,and Karbate

S t y r e n e polymers; 10 L i t t l e ohange e x c e p t f o r
Amphenol and Btyron 4 1 1 ~ darkening i n o o l o r .
Modified s t y r e n e polymerl 10 Impaot s t r e n g t h and elonga-
S t y r o n 475 I t i o n deoreass u n t i l the
same a 8 unmodified s t y r e n e
polymere
A n i l i n e formaldehyde 10 Tensilo s t r e n g t h decreases .
( C i b a n i t e ) and p o l y v i n y l a little,
c a r b a z o l e ( ~ o l etcr o n )

P o l y e t h y l e n e and Nylon 10 Impau t s t r e n g t h d e c r e a s e 8

but t e n s i l e strength in-
o r e a s e s , .These p l a e t i o s
beoome s o . b r i t t l e t h a t t h e
o o r n e r s of t h e epeoimens
ohip off.
Mineral-f i l l e d p o l y e s t e r 1 10 T e n s i l e e t r e n g t h and Impaot
Plaskon Alkyd s t r e n g t h a r e deareased
a b o u t 50%.
7. Unfilled polyestere; 5 Develop small o r a o k a 6 Ten-
S e l e c t r o n 5038 and CR-39 ~ i l se t r e n g t h and impaot
s t r e n g t h decreaee.
8. Phenolics with o e l l u l o s i o 3 Begome b r i t t l e , s w e l l , and
f i l l e r e r paper-base B a k e l i t e d e c r e a s e i n t e n s i l e and in-
l i n e n - f a b r i c B a k e l i t e , and . ' paot strength6
Micarta
9. Melamine and urea8 2 T e n s i l e s t r e n g t h and impact
Melmac, B e t t l e , Plaskon u r e a , s t r e n g t h are d e a r e a s e d about
and Plaskon Melamine m%,
10, Unfilled phenolior 1 T e n e i l e s t r e n g t h and impaot
Catalin s t r e n g t h a r e deareased about
50%.
 I PROPOSED RINd BEAL TEST EQUIPMENT Report1 D M - A C - 1 0 1 1
Dafet Auti 28, 1959
Page: LX
----
I

The a h a r a o t e r i s t i o 8 o f Heemi-plaetiafl s e a l i n g m a t e r i a l undsr s i m u l ~ t e d

"
o p e r a t i n g o o n d i t i o n s should be determined as g e n e r a l l y proposed i n
(S-1) - Page 44.

Extrusion o h a r a a t e r i e t i o e w i l l be important t o meet f i t t o l e r a n c e 6 f o r

m a t e r i a l under h i g h temperature and p r e e s u r e and should be included i n
t h e development. A r e t a i n i n g r i n g with e x t r u s i o n e e o t i o n e of v a r i o u s

widths oould be e a s i l y ussd f o r t h i s purpose.

The b a s i a equipment shown below, is now i n t h e l a b o r a t o r i e s o f t h e A-C

f
Nualear Power Divieion. The aooeeeory oomponents recommended t o make
t h e t e e t rune i e r e l a t i v e l y simple and inexpensive*
 SMALL RING SEAL TEST EQUIPMENT Repor)! fDM-AC-101
for 3s In. O I D I Teat Bpeoimen Date: O a t . 22,
Page: T-I. - 1958
48

,ANY 7ES ? S f ; QL R / M G w/rf

~ r~ r~ i ~ / rOR
s u / r ~ @ /a~
W / TW M&CHAM/CAL RADIAL [Link]/zE W/Ttf
, pA?€SSUR/MG.
@ H Y D R A U L /C JACK
4ZJ0 -.OOO DI-4.
_I
r INNER EXPARDER RING- TEFLON SEAL Report: DM-AC-loll
Dote: Dee, 11, 1958
Bagel Bke t a h "HW
- 4 - 49

SCALE = 6 7/MLfS
Z,[Link]
B49
TEFLON TEST SEAL ASSEMBI& Report: ~ 1 . k 3 X 1
Date: $LP, 11393i
Page: @o'k& "$"" -a 30

To adapt t o Allie-Chalmere existing t e s t equipment

NO Lf "/:- .. ... .d':

. . .
. ... ...-,
I,

.- . . . ..-.S
,
.,.: . . . . . .._,
-5:
_# ,
, . .,, ..

/TEM 3 70 8tf R E M ~ C H / N € ~7~0 "9.500 3 / 0 & / A . TURN

O R ' M A D E .,MEW - - . .... .. -.. . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . .
BACK UP -
RIlOO TEFLON BEAL Report! XDH-ACI-1011
Date:
Page:
' Dear 11, 1958
Sketch "1 -
51
TEFLON TEST SEAL
.
R e p r t Me. D M - A C - 1 0 1
Dab: Dec 11, 1958
Page: Sketah "Ow - 52

Proposed Seal
Construction for
Test

b CI
I HIGH PRESSURE REACTOR VESSEL SEAL Repath DM-AC-loll
Date: Aug, 28, 1959
Page: 53 t

Proposed ~ Q aConetruo
l t i o n F o r Teet

Back-up
Ring I

Schema t i o o n l y

A - O u t e r Ring - Spliced - Material! Aluminum o r S t a i n l e s s

Steel.

B - Seal - S o l i d Rings; S e e r n e n t a l j S p l i c e d (Bonded)

Material - T e f l o n , Kel-F wlfhAsbeatos.

C - I n n e r Ring - solid-. ate rial: Aluminum o r s t a i n l e s s S t e e l . .

Features :

1. Preassembled u n i t - easily installed o r removed.

2. Multi s e a l i n g surface.
I

3. R e q u i r e s low i n i t i a l compression.

4. S e a l e d medium s u p p l i e s s e a l i n g force

5. Probably reusable.
 . HIGH
. .

PRESSURE REACTOR VESSEL SEAL Reportt

Date:
KDM-AC-loll
Aug. 28, 1959
Paget 54
- Propoeed -Seal C o n e t r u o t i o n f o r T e e t

Sohematia Only

A - Outer Ring.- S o l i d - M a t e r i a l ! Aluminum o r S t a i n l e s s S t e e l

B - Seal - S o l i d R i n g j S p l i c e d (Bonded)

M a t e r i a l 1 T e f l o n , Kel4'withAebeetos

0 - I n n e r Ring - Solid - Material t Aluminum o r S t a i n l e s s S t e e l

Fea t u r e e

1. Preassembled u n i t - e a s i l y i n s t a l l e d o r removed.
2. R e q u i r e s low i n i t i a l c o m p r e s s i o n .

3. Sealed medium:cupplies s e a l i n g force.

4, Probably reusable.
 .
."DE'FLECTITE" SEAL
- Gelf-Energizing Report: DM-AC-1011
Pressure Activated
F o r Nuclear R e a o t o r
Seal Date!
Page: 1 - -
Nova 28, 1958
55
Tentative

Due t o t h e l i m i t a t i o n s of n o n - m e t a l l i o m a t e r i a l s used f o r s e a l s u n d e r

moderate p r e s s u r e s and h i g h t e m p e r a t u r e s , KEA i s s u g g e s t i n g a n o v e l

s e l f - e n e r g i z i n g m e t a l l i o s e a l t h a t i s a c t i v a t e d by t h e i n t e r n a l p r e s s u r e .
A
The p r i n c i p l e of t h i s s e a l c a n be i l l u s t r a t e d by a s i m p l e t o g g l e , oper-

a t i n g i n t h e t e n t o z e r o d e g r e e r a n g e where t h e m e c h a n i c a l a d v a n t a g e would

b e from [Link] 3 t o 800 + r e s p e c t % v e l y . Therefore, high s e a l i n g

f o r c e s c a n 'be o b t a i n e d a t t h e l i p o f t h e - s6al w i t h r e l a t i v e l y Tow i n t e r -

n a l pressure.

T h i s r e p o r t s h o u l d be c o n s i d e r e d as a p r e l i m i n a r y a n a l y s i s t o e s t a b l i s h

t h e f e a s i b i l i t y of t h i s d e e i g h . The c a l c u l a t i o n s i n t h i s r e p o r t a r e - f o r

a 1 2 i n . d i a , , 3/4 i n . h e i g h t t e s t r i n g t h a t o o u l d be u s e d i n t h e p r e s e n t

Allis-Chalmerst Test Cylinder;

I n t h e f o l l o w i n g c a l c u l a t i o n s a one i n c h s e o t i o n . o f t h e r i n g i s u s e d as

a c u r v e d beam t o d e t e r m i n e t h e d e f l e c t i o n u n d e r a g i v e n ' l o a d . A s l o n g as

t h e e n d s a r e f r e e t o move and t h e r a t i o of t h e s e a t i o n t h i c k n e s s t o t h e

r a d i u s is g r e a t e r t h a n t e n t o one, t h e s t r a i g h t beam d e f l e c t i o n f o r m u l a

i s used as a u n i f o r m l y l o a d e d beam. However, when t h e end movement is

r e s t r i d t e d , as is n e o e s s a r y t o have a s e a l i n g c o n d i t i o n , t h e beam s e c t i o n

would r e a c t l i k e a n a r o of a n e x t e r n a l l y l o a d r i n g .

I n a r e l a t i v e l y t h i n r e c t a n g u l a r s e c ' t i o n o a s e s a r i s e where t h e f l e x u r a l
, .
f i b e r , s t r e s s is r e l a t i v e l y eo s m a l l t h a t t h e r e s u l t a n t f i b e r s t r e s s is
. . .
n o t d i f f e r e n t from t h e d i r e c t . s t r e a a i hen. t h e ' r* e s u l t a n t ' i s w h o l l y t e n -
0' < ' '

s i l e o r c o m p r e ~ s i v e , and t h e r e i s no n e u t r a l a x i s . (Ref. Mauer & Whithey -

S t r o n g t h of M a t e r i a l s - 2nd Ed. A r t , 1 4 9 ) .
 tfDEFLECTITEtl SEAL Report: KDM-AC-1011
Pressure Activated
F o r Nuolear R e a c t o r
- Self-Energizing Seal . Dote:
Page:
Nov. 28, 1958
2 56-
Tentative

The e l o n g a t i o n i n t h e hoop d i r e c t i o n i s l e ~ tsh a n 15/100 o f one p e r c e n t

a t maxhum d e f l e o t i o n a n d , t h e r e f o , r e , i s n o t i n c l u d e d i n t h e c a l c u l a t i o n s .

T e g t Ring Data;

O u t s i d e Diameter . = 12.000 i n c h e s

Height of S e c t i o n n .750 i n c h e s

I n t e r n a l Pressuro = 600 p s i Max.

D = Deflection

H = Load ( ~ o t a l - u n i f o r m l y ~ i s t r i b u t e d )

1 = B e q l Length = .625 i n c h e s ,
E- = Modulus o f E l a s t i c i t y - 28 x 1 06 for Stainless Steel
6
10 x 10 f o r Aluminum

h = Height of S e c t i o n - .028 ( . S t a i n l e s s ) & ,040 ( ~ l u m i n u m )

I P Moment o f I n e r t i a

Z P S e c t i o n Modules

So P Compressive S t r e s s

D I 5 ~ 1 ~ 1 3 8 4 ~( 1F r e e End Movement)
 -
I
"DEFLECTITE" SEAL Report: DM-AC-loll
Pressure Aotivated Self-Energizing S e a l Date: Nova 28, 1958
For Nualear Reaator Page! 3 -,57
L Tentative
T e s t R i n g Data - (Can't.)
Deflection for s t a i n l e s s s t e e l

D e f l e c t i o n f o r Aluminum

D e f l e c t i o n a t Maximum Pressure (Ends ~ r e k )

600 x 675 sq,in. x a 0 ~ ~ 0 6 =2 3.028 inchee ( S t e e l )
600 x .75 [Link]. x 0000594 n .0266 inches (~luminum)

Maximum Height I n a r e a s e
38 x m x ,916/360 - ,5963 o a6075 - .5963 rn .0112 inches. .

I
The foroe on the lip of the s e a l ' i s very s i m i l a r t o t h a t of e simple
toggle, however, t h e i n i t i a l p r e s s u r e on t h e toggle i s a conaentrated
load and equal t o approximately one-half of t h e t o t a l uniform load' i n
the s e a l application.
I

' F n Applied Force

P P Lip Forae 0 FC
a o Given Angle
P
C n Coefficient 0 Cos a/2 s i n a

I n i t i a l Angle al t a n al a r0547/,313 = a1695 = 9'-37'

1

I Max. ~ e f l e c t i o nAngle B~ = t a n a2 0 .0547 - .028/.313 .0854.= 4.-53'

coeffioient C Angle al = .986/2 x .l67 = 2.95
'a ,
,
C o e f f i c i e n t C Angle a2 = .9964/2 x .085 = 5.87
 "DEFLECTITE" BEAL
Proseure Aotivated
For Nuolear Reaotor
- Self-Energizing S e a l
Repom
Date:
Page:
DM-AC-1011

-
Novr 28, 1958
4 58
Tentative

I t i s d i f f i c u l t t o make a o o n p l e t e p a p e r a n a l y s i s of t h e euggeeted t e s t

ring. The d a t a and o a l o u l a t i o n s i n t h i s r e p o r t a r e t o p r e s e n t t h e f e a s i -

b i l i t y of t h i s design.

A t e s t program would be r e q u i r e d t o determine t h e n o s t d e s i r a b l e shape

and ' s e a t i o n p r o f i l e . S e v e r a l s h a p e s a r e shown on t h e a t t a c h e d Sketch "A"

t h a t c o u l d be t e s t e d i n t h e p r e s e n t Allis-Chalmere' 12 inch t e s t oylinder.

The most economical~methodof produoing t h e t e s t rings would be by s p i n -

ning. The e s t i m a t e d t o o l i n g c o s t f o r b o t h s h a p e s would be approximately

$125.00 and a p e r p i e c e c h a r g e o f 825eOOb W e a r e w a i t i n g f o r a n a c c u r a t e

q u o t a t i o n from s e v e r a l s p i n n i n g companiee.

On S k e t c h "B" we have shown a proposed t e e t f i x t u r e t o acourately deter-

mine l o a d , d e f l e c t i o n and l i p p r e s s u r e under v a r i o u s o o n d i t i o n s . The

amount of s p r e a d of t h e r i n g s e c t i o n c a n e a s i l y be i n c r e a s e d o r decreased

by the a d d i t i o n o r removal o f shims. The h y d r a u l i c a i r c u i t i s shown on

Sketch "C"e
 "DEFLECTITE" BEAL
r k r e e s u r e Aotivated
For Nuclear Reactor
- Self-Energieine; S e a l
Report 1 RDM-AC-1011
Date: Nova 28, 1958
Sketch "B" - 59

Proposed S e a t T e e t e r

-
 "DEFLECTITEtl SEAL
-
S r e s s u r e ~ c t i v a t e d Self-Energizing S e a l
For Nucloar Reaotor
Repor+ W a
D&:
Page:
RDM-AC-1011
NOV. 28, 1958
Sketch "Cut - 60
Propoeed S e a t T e a t e r - Hydraulia C i r c u i t

r
r
1 r t wI 1 . I
-1
L-?I I
LU
I
LU
,p -J

UPPER
S/DE i
CHAMBER
CNAMBF~ L
"DEFJmFCTITE" SEAL DM-AO-1011
P r e e s u r e Aotivated
For Nuclear Reactor
- Self-Energizing Report:
Date:
Page:
Dee 8, 1958
Sketoh "Dw -
61

T e s t Ring

Scale = 8 T i m e s Size
&r4sc&
"DEFLECTITE" SEAL Report: KDM-AC-1011
Pressure Aotivated -' Self-Energieing Dater Deer 8, 1958
For Nualear Reactor Page: Sketah "EN - 62
INCONEL "0"-RINO AND: OASKET ASSEMBLY Report: KDM-AC-1011
Dater Aug. 28, 1959
Page: 63

+
GASKET A SSFMBL Y
A.C. DWG* NO. 83-AO/-333

B6 3
 PRELIMINARY DESIClN DATA' Report: DM-AC-1011
28, 1959

Design Data
. .. . .
.. .. . *

.[Link] ; p r e s s u r e 660 p s i g

2. Design t e m p e r a t u r e

3. .Normal o p e r a t i n g p r e e s u r , e
. .
4. Hydrostatic t e s t pressure ,. 990 p s i g

5. Vessel w a l l thickness 3" t o t a l

. a. ) Base m e t a l SA 212-B

b) S t a i n l e s s c l a d 304 ELC

6. ~ e s s e l ' . ' s h e l lI.D. .ll'-0''

Minimum v e s s e l c l o s u r e opening 71-6"

Max. h e a t i n g & o o o l i n g r a t e s 400°F/Hour

Weights of v a r i o u s components

a) C o n t r o l rod d r i v e mechanisms 8,500 l b e

b) Vessel cover Approx. 16,000 l b s

Normal s h i e l d p o o l t e m p e r a t u r e . 100°F

Depth of s h i e l d p o o l w a t e r above
p a r t i n g l i n e of c l o s u r e 18 f t .
Shock l o a d on v e s s e l c o v e r d u r i n g
c o n t r o l rod scram ( f o r c e v e r t i c a l l y
downward) 80,000 l b s

13.. Maximum p e r m i s s i b l e misalignment

between c o n t r o l r o d s .and g u i d e t u b e s . -
+
1/32"

14. I n t e r n a l h e a t g e n e r a t i o n due t o
r a d i a t i o n a t t h e i n s i d e s u r f a c e of
[Link] cover. 400 BTU/HR-FT~

J. F. P a t t e r s o n
Nuclear Power D i v i s i o n