Role of ex-vessel core retention in severe-accident mitigation. [PWR; BWR]

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:5786731

Fish, J D

Ex-vessel core retention can reduce the risk of severe nuclear accidents by preventing early, above-ground containment failure for some accident sequences; eliminating the continuous and long-term sources of fission products, aerosols, and combustible gases associated with debris/concrete interactions; and preventing basemat penetration in those reactors, such as a floating nuclear plant, having major liquid pathways for fission product release given such penetration. These effects are discussed and quantified with examples using the CONTAIN code. Finally, an overview of core retention concepts and a summary of recent research is presented. The concepts include particle beds, refractory brick crucibles, and castable ceramic liners.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 5786731
• Report Number(s): SAND-83-0791C; CONF-830816-29; ON: DE83016240
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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