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An overview of fuel-coolant interactions (FCI) research at NRC

Conference ·
OSTI ID:269687
;  [1]
  1. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, North Bethesda, MD (United States)
An overview of the fuel-coolant interactions (FCI) research programs sponsored by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is presented in this paper. A historical perspective of the program is provided with particular reference to in-vessel steam explosion and its consequences on the reactor pressure vessel and the containment integrity. Emphasis is placed on research in the last decade involving fundamentals of FCI phenomenology, namely, premixing, triggering, propagation, and energetics. The status of the current understanding of in-vessel steam explosion-induced containment failure (alpha-mode) issue, and other FCI issues related to reactor vessel and containment integrity are reported, including the extensive review and discussion of these issues at the recently held second Steam Explosion Review Group Workshop (SERG-2). Ongoing NRC research programs are discussed in detail. Future research programs including those recommended at the SERG-2 workshop are outlined.
Research Organization:
Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC (United States). Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research; Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)
OSTI ID:
269687
Report Number(s):
NUREG/CP--0149-Vol.2; CONF-9510156--Vol.2; ON: TI96007985
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English