Heat transfer of molten metal layers in severe accidents

Journal Article · Mon Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1997 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society

OSTI ID:552623

Wong, Seung Kai; Walton, A ^[1]; Yang, Zhilin ^[2]

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1. City Univ. of Hong Kong (China)
2. Shanghai Jiao Tong Univ. (China)

In some scenarios of severe accidents of light water reactors, a layer of molten metal from internal structural components of the pressure vessel is predicted to occur on top of a ceramic core debris in the lower head. The layer transfers the heat generated in the ceramic pool to the side wall of the vessel, causing the latter to melt. This problem has been investigated by Theofanous et al. for the advanced light water reactor AP600 in the context of the accident management strategy of ex-vessel cooling, and the conclusion was drawn that the melting does not seriously compromise the integrity of the pressure vessel.

• OSTI ID: 552623
• Report Number(s): CONF-971125-; ISSN 0003-018X; TRN: 98:001823
• Journal Information: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Vol. 77; Conference: 1997 American Nuclear Society (ANS) winter meeting, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 16-20 Nov 1997; Other Information: PBD: 1997
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 NUCLEAR REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
21 NUCLEAR POWER REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
PRESSURE VESSELS
HEAT TRANSFER
REACTOR SAFETY