Chernobyl Nuclear Accident Congressional Hearings Transcript

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Another important safety feature of the MHTGR is the
large negative temperature coefficient. Loss of cooling tests
were performed at the AVR Arbei tsgemei nschaf t (
Verbuchsreaktor
GMBH) HTGR reactor In Germany. The reactor was at 100% power and
the circulators were stopped and the control rods were locked
out. The increase of temperature of the fuel was sufficient to
take the reactor subcritical and there was no damage to the fuel
or p1 ant .
Thus, the nature of the fuel system, coolant, and plant
arrangement for the HTGR, which are dramatically different from
the RBMK type system, essentially preclude the possibility of an
accident such as occured at Chernobyl, and more importantly,
prevent by passive means accident consequences which would result
in significant release of radioactivity.
It is essential that the developing countries be provided
with some form of nuclear power in the next century if they
are to improve their economic condition. Is the current generation
of nuclear plants the proper product for this export? I
think not, because those countries cannot support the technical
infrastructure required to operate these plants in a safe and
efficient manner. That is not just their problem, but a problem
for our domestic industry. If there is a serious accident anywhere
in the world all similar operating reactors in the U.S.
would come under close scrutiny and In all likelihood there would
be a demand from the public to shut them down. Therefore, for
our own good, we must provide an inherently safe accident-proof
reactor for export to these developing countries.
The Chernobyl accident again highlights the position of
this Committee that nuclear safety remains a major Issue and it
is of vital importance for this nation to take the lead in aggressively
developing a reactor in which the safety of the public
is not dependent upon active systems or human response,
but rather systems In which safety Is assured by passive mechanisms
Inherent in the concept.
Vie thank you for the opportunity to testify before you
today and look forward to your continued support of the modular
HTGR program.