TMI-2 core damage: a summary of present knowledge
Extensive fuel damage (oxidation and fragmentation) has occurred and the top approx. 1.5 m of the center portion of the TMI-2 core has relocated. The fuel fragmentation extends outward to slightly beyond one-half the core radius in the direction examined by the CCTV camera. While the radial extent of core fragmentation in other directions was not directly observed, control and spider drop data and in-core instrument data suggest that the core void is roughly symmetrical, although there are a few indications of severe fuel damage extending to the core periphery. The core material fragmented into a broad range of particle sizes, extending down to a few microns. APSR movement data, the observation of damaged fuel assemblies hanging unsupported from the bottom of the reactor upper plenum structure, and the observation of once-molten stainless steel immediately above the active core indicate high temperatures (up to at least 1720 K) extended to the very top of the core. The relative lack of damage to the underside of the plenum structure implies a sharp temperature demarcation at the core/plenum interface. Filter debris and leadscrew deposit analyses indicate extensive high temperature core materials interaction, melting of the Ag-In-Cd control material, and transport of particulate control material to the plenum and out of the vessel.
- Research Organization:
- EG and G Idaho, Inc., Idaho Falls (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-76ID01570
- OSTI ID:
- 5611875
- Report Number(s):
- EGG-M-08483; CONF-830816-41; ON: DE84000892
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: International meeting on light-water reactor severe accident evaluation, Cambridge, MA, USA, 29 Aug - Sep 1 1983; Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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