TREAT Tests R4 and R5; Seven-Pin, Loss-of-Flow Tests with Full-Length, Unirradiated FFTF-Type Fuel Pins (Final Report)
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Two seven-pin loss-of-flow simulation tests have been performed in-pile in support of LMFBR safety analyses. These integral-type tests were executed in the R-series test apparatus at TREAT, designed to provide a prototypic thermal hydraulic flowing sodium system. The test fuel pins were full-length FFTF-type, containing unirradiated UO2 fuel. In LOF test R4, the sequence was run at constant fuel power well beyond the inception of molten fuel motion; in R5, the sequence was terminated prior to fuel melting to preserve evidence of early molten cladding motion. The tests were consistent with one another, showing the anticipated sequence of sodium boiling, channel voiding, cladding dryout, cladding failures, molten cladding motion and, for R4, fuel melting and motion. Thin planar upper cladding blockages were formed as were thick lower blockages, effectively plugging the bundle at the extremities of the active fuel region. There was no sodium reentry, and there were no significant pressurization events. Comparison of test results with SAS code calculations revealed differences associated with early voiding behavior, release of noncondensible fuel pin plenum gas, and the thickness and location of the upper blockage. In general, however, the overall sequence of significant events observed in R4 and R5 is in quite good agreement with SAS code analysis of the test conditions. Features of SAS related to overall voiding, cladding motion, and to some extent fuel motion have been substantiated in these results.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-05ID14517; W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 1131670
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/RAS--79-8
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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