An Analysis of the Meltthrough Potential for the Advanced TREAT Loop (ATL)
This report evaluates the potential for fuel debris configurations that could be formed as a result of tests in the Advanced TREAT Loop (ATL) to attack the ATL and raise the pr]mary containment to unacceptably high temperatures or even melting. The ATL will be used to test in the TREAT Upgrade reactor as many as 37 pins of the advanced oxide type in subassembly conditions prototypic of those in test reactors. The tests will be similar to the transient undercooling and overpower tests run in the current TREAT but with larger bundles and more prototypic conditions. The approach of this report is to define the limits to the mass, volume, and energy content of fuel debris configurations attainable in the ATL. The experimental evidence, theoretical considerations and interpretations of this evidence, and seeping calculation used to define these limits are described. Thermal attack scenarios are postulated and enveloped. These scenarios are then calculated using a two-dimensional, time-dependent heat transfer code. The important scenario and fuel debris configuration characteristics are parametized to explore the sensitivity of ATL heating to the assumptions. The heating of the primary by (n, {gamma}) reactions and the neutron filter(s) by (n, {gamma}) and (n, {alpha}) reactions are discussed and seeping calculations made. Their contributions to the heating of the primary are discussed. The conclusion of the analyses is that the current design of the ATL has more than adequate safety margin against meltthrough. Design options which should enhance the experimental capabilities of the ATL without unsatisfactorily compromising its thermal containment properties are then presented.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC07-05ID14517
- OSTI ID:
- 1131665
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/RAS 79-29
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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