Plate type heat exchanger for Reaktor TRIGA PUSPATI

The PUSPATI TRIGA reactor (RTP) reached its first criticality status on 28 June 1982 with an installed capacity of 1 MW. After 26 years in operation, the ageing process has set in and many systems in the reactor need maintenance and replacement. Among these systems, the more critical one is the heat exchanger system. Currently, the shell and tube type heat exchanger is being used. It has been observed that the performance of the heat exchanger has dropped significantly over the years. Visual inspections indicate that the tubes are corroded or even to the extent of being totally blocked. With this in mind and also with the setting up of the new Nuclear Power Division, whose mission includes upgrading the present reactor to 3 MW, the heat exchanger system is essential and a critical component. Literature indicates that the use of plate type exchangers are more efficient than the current shell and tube type. This paper will look into the engineering and safety aspects of using the plate type heat exchanger to the current TRIGA PUSPATI reactor. (Author)