Design of Watertight Plugs for Beam Tubes and Thermal Column of the Dalat Nuclear Research Reactor

The Da Lat nuclear research reactor (DNRR) has 4 horizontal beam tubes and a thermal column. The reactor tank and its internal components have a service life of 60 years. Although the aging management program for the DNRR has been strictly implemented to minimize chemical corrosion of the reactor components, the reactor tank and its components still have some signs of corrosion. To prevent the loss of coolant from the reactor tank through the horizontal beam tubes or thermal column, a preventive measure needs to be performed without significantly affecting the current research equipment and research activities carried on the horizontal beam tubes and thermal column of the DNRR. This report presents the results of calculation, design and selection of suitable materials for the watertight plugs which will be installed to the horizontal beam tubes and thermal column in order to eliminate the loss of coolant accident of the reactor. (author)