Carolinas–Virginia Tube Reactor

Carolinas–Virginia Tube Reactor (CVTR) was a nuclear power plant located in York County, South Carolina, United States. It was the first pressurized water reactor (PWR) to use uranium fuel enriched to over 5% U-235, and the first to use hexagonal fuel assemblies.

History

The CVTR was designed and built by the Babcock & Wilcox company, and was operated by the Carolina Power & Light company. Construction began in 1957, and the plant first achieved criticality in 1964. It was officially decommissioned in 1967.

Design

The CVTR was a pressurized water reactor (PWR), a type of light water reactor (LWR). It used uranium fuel enriched to over 5% U-235, which was a higher enrichment level than most other PWRs of the time. The fuel was arranged in hexagonal fuel assemblies, which was also a unique feature of the CVTR.

Operation

The CVTR had a net electrical output of 17 megawatts (MW), and a thermal output of 69 MW. It operated at a pressure of 2250 pounds per square inch (psi), and a temperature of 600 degrees Fahrenheit (°F).

Decommissioning

The CVTR was officially decommissioned in 1967, after only three years of operation. The decommissioning process involved the removal of all fuel and waste materials, the dismantling of the reactor and associated structures, and the restoration of the site to its original condition.

Legacy

The CVTR was a significant milestone in the development of nuclear power in the United States. It was the first PWR to use uranium fuel enriched to over 5% U-235, and the first to use hexagonal fuel assemblies. These innovations contributed to the development of later generations of PWRs.

See also

• List of nuclear reactors
• Nuclear power in the United States
• Pressurized water reactor
• Babcock & Wilcox

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