BR2: THE MAXIMUM CREDIBLE ACCIDENT WITHOUT SODIUM COMBUSTION

Technical Report · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1962

OSTI ID:4804844

Penelle, G

The maximum credible accident of the BR2 reactor was previously studied; the combustion of 75 kg of sodium, used in the reactor for experimental purposes, was assumed. However, it is very sure that sodium normally will not be present in the reactor; the consequences of the maximum credible accident without sodium were therefore studied. As far as the BR2 reactor is concerned, a step change reactivity insertion of 1.3 to 1.9% would result in a nuclear runaway with the following consequences: the fuel elements would be heated beyond the melting point and it was assumed a temperature as high as 1200 deg C can be reached; at such a temperature, an aluminium-water reaction could occur; and this chemical reaction would release hydrogen which could react with the oxygen of the air. (auth)

• Research Organization: Centre d'Etude de l'Energie Nucleaire, Brussels (Belgium)
• NSA Number: NSA-16-025014
• OSTI ID: 4804844
• Report Number(s): BLG-99
• Country of Publication: Belgium
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ACCIDENTS
ALUMINUM
BR-2
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
COMPUTERS
DECOMPOSITION
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
EQUATIONS
EXCURSIONS
FUEL ELEMENTS
HEATING
HIGH TEMPERATURE
HYDROGEN
LAPLACE EQUATIONS
MELTING POINTS
OXYGEN
REACTIVITY
REACTOR SAFETY
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
RESEARCH REACTORS
SODIUM
VARIATIONS
WATER