The operation of the first reactors at Calder Hall revealed a significant leakage of carbon dioxide coolant. Tests have been carried out on subsequent reactors to establish the leakage rate and to trace and minimize this loss of coolant gas. This paper deals with the tests carried out on Calder reactors 3 and 4 and Chapelcross reactors 1 and 2. The authors outline the various methods used to determine the rate and to locate the origin of gas leaks.
A number of conclusions have been reached on design aspects and several suggestions are made for improving gas tightness of future plants of a similar construction.
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