Experimental studies on melt spreading, bubbling heat transfer, and coolant layer boiling
Melt spreading studies have been undertaken to investigate the extent to which molten core debris may be expected to spread under gravity forces in a BWR drywell geometry. The objectives are to determine the extent of melt spreading as a function of melt mass,melt superheat, and water depth. These studies will enable an objective determination of whether or not core debris can spread up to and contact containment structures or boundaries upon vessel failure. Results indicate that the most important variables are the melt superheat and the water depth. Studies have revealed five distinct regimes of melt spreading ranging from hydrodynamically-limited to heat transfer-limited. A single parameter dimensionless correlation is presented which identified the spreading regime and allows for mechanistic calculation of the average thickness to which the melt will spread. 7 refs., 12 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA); Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH00016
- OSTI ID:
- 6376287
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-NUREG-42299; CONF-8810155-48; ON: DE89009519
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 16. water reactor safety information meeting, Gaithersburg, MD, USA, 24 Oct 1988; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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