HTGR Startup Experience at Fort St. Vrain

Fort St. Vrain Unit 1, a 330-MW(e) HTGR being built by General Atomic for the Public Service Co. of Colorado, is located about 40 miles north of Denver. Construction began in 1968 and fuel was loaded under the first phase of the two-phase license in January 1974. The reactor has been critical a number of times to perform physics tests, but has been restrained until recently from producing any sensible heat by the restrictions of the second phase of the license. All prerequisites to the second and last phase of the license were satisfied on November 14 and the 40-year, full-power license went into effect. Since then, hot physics tests have been performed and feedwater has been introduced into the steam generators. All prerequisite testing is complete and feedwater chemistry is within specification for steam generator boilout. The plant is presently shut down and in a standby condition while the backup pelton wheels on the four primary helium circulators are being changed to an improved material. Upon completion of this change, now scheduled for the end of January, the rise-to-power program will begin.