Fundamental studies for vapor explosion accompanied with chemical reaction
- Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama (Japan)
In high flux reactor formed by metallic fuel element with aluminum cladding, core is cooled by high speed water flow due to the ultra high power density. The fuel temperature may rise rapidly and melt at the hypothetical transient over power or loss of flow accident. It might cause an energetic molten fuel-coolant interaction. In the vapor explosion of this condition, large chemical energy might be added to the thermal energy. The similar situation might be assumed at severe accident in light-water reactor with zirconium alloy cladding fuel. In the previous studies, the vapor explosion accompanied with chemical reaction have not been enough investigated. In this study, thin metal wire attached horizontally under water is heated and melt by rapid Joule heating and examined molten metal-water interaction. Behaviors of explosion process and the mechanism were observed by high speed camera and the generated pressure, the mechanical work and its conversion ratio were examined in comparison with both of Al in which chemical reaction with water was supposed in the high temperature and Ag with similar electric properties but the chemical reaction with water could be negligible, were investigated comparatively. 4 refs., 8 figs., 2 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 549121
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-970607-Vol.1; TRN: 98:000396
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: ARS `97: American Nuclear Society (ANS) international meeting on advanced reactors safety, Orlando, FL (United States), 1-5 Jun 1997; Other Information: PBD: 1997; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the international topical meeting on advanced reactors safety: Volume 1; PB: 640 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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